Have you ever wondered ‘who are those weirdos, huddled in the stable when they could be feasting in the palace? And how can I join them?’ – if so, you’re going to love Cahoots Christmas Leftovers!

Join us online on Tuesday December 29 at 6:30pm Eastern time for prayers and music, games and reflection, and the particular mix of silliness and profundity that the SCM has developed over 99 years of Movement!

Registration is free, with the opportunity to donate to support Sanctuary Toronto – register at https://tinyurl.com/cahootsxmas.

Christmas Leftovers was created by the Cahoots Core Organizing Group, which puts on the SCM’s annual Cahoots festival of Faith, Justice, and DIY!

See www.cahootsfest.ca for more information.

Open Call for Submissions

What is the relevance and impact of Christianity in justice activism today? This is the central question explored by Vision 2020, a zine produced by the York University and University of Toronto local units of Student Christian Movement of Canada. The purpose of this zine is to take a critical and honest look at Christianity, from Christian and non-Christian perspectives, as well as to explore intersections of other faith traditions within a social and environmental justice lens.

The zine is currently in development of its debut issue, projected to be published in print and digital formats by the end of December, 2020. The zine will feature writing, art, and photography by the SCM’s York U and U of T organizers, as well as submissions gathered and curated from an ongoing open call. Anyone is invited to submit work regardless of location, faith, or academic background. Criticisms of Christianity, or one’s own faith tradition, are as welcome as celebrations, admonitions, or applications of faith in justice, comments on Scripture, prayers, lamentations, religious art, etc. The zine will make every attempt to take an intersectional approach to publication, based on Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality. We intend to promote a broad range of diverse views, experiences, and perspectives, and the editors will make this attempt as transparent and open to criticism as possible.

Each issue will focus on a central theme. The first issue will focus on the theme of “ecological grief”, although other themes can be explored as desired (examples: intersectional feminism, reproductive justice, decolonization and occupation, disability justice, whatever you are particularly interested in), and will be compiled for publication in later issues. Contributors are invited to reflect on, or research this theme and respond in whatever way they choose.

Submissions can be any format and medium:

• Fiction (prose, poetry, lyrics, stream-of-consciousness, journaling, experimental writing, etc.)
• Non-fiction (journalism, essays, reports, calls to action, letters, etc.)
• Spiritual writings (lamentations, psalms, prophetic writing, philosophical thoughts or arguments, etc.)
• Art (images of 3-dimensional works, any traditional media, or digital art)
• Photography

Contributors do not have to be professionals in any given field, or established writers or artists. Stick figures and fan fiction are welcome, provided it relates to the general theme of faith applied to current issues (local, regional, or global).

Submission Guidelines:

Email all submissions to: visionzine@scmcanada.org
Include in the body of your email: your name (or pseudonym) and a 50-word description or yourself and/or your submission.
Include a mailing address for your copies if accepted for publication.

Written submissions

Length guide – 1000 words
Format: Submit writing as .odt, .doc, or .docx. If this is not possible, please include your written submission in the body of your email, but ensure to indicate the beginning and end of your submission with “[beginning of submission]” and “[end of submission]”

If your written submission requires specific formatting (such as for poetry or experimental writing), please inform us in your email, and submit your writing as a .pdf file in addition to the .odt, .doc, .docx, or email body text.
Alternatively, you can include a screenshot or photo of your writing.
If for any reason we cannot print your submission according to your specified formatting, we will follow up with you and confirm any changes necessary.

Image submissions (art and photography)

Maximum image size: 1000×1000 pixels and 300 dpi (dots per inch)
Format: Submit images as .pdf, .jpg, or .png
Images may not be printed in the same quality as you send them
Images may be resized or compressed based on printing needs
Nudity is acceptable as long as its purpose is artistic expression, and is not sexually explicit or violent in nature, and as long as the subjects are over the age of 18 and have provided consent (for photography or art of real models).
Any works featuring nudity must be declared with “contains nudity” in the Subject Line of your submission
Contributors agree to this nudity clause by submitting works for publication to this zine. The Student Christian Movement of Canada assumes any submitted nudity follows this guideline.

Publication

If your submission is accepted for publication, you will receive 5 printed copies of the issue in which your submission is published. Please include a mailing address with your submission.

We cannot accept all submissions. We will make an attempt to follow up with everyone who submits, but depending on volume we cannot guarantee a response of rejection. If you do not hear back from us within a month, you are invited to resubmit or submit new work. If resubmitting, please start your Subject Line with “Resubmission”. If on this second attempt we have chosen not to publish your work we will follow up and offer an explanation, as well as an invitation to submit new work.

For information on the Student Christian Movement’s official views, our mission, purpose, history, and current work, please explore Our Principles.

The Pandemic Online Platform adapts to the new school year with a suite of new and updated programs, available to you wherever you are!

See below for our listing of online activities, which are open to anyone who is aligned with SCM’s principles.

You might also want to join one of our working groups – the Social Media group (apply), the Political Writing group, or the Fundraising/Grantwriting team – contact us for more info!

All times below are in Eastern timezone. Contact peter@scmcanada.org to learn more and to get the Zoom Link if you want to join!

Another World Cafe – Hosted by SCM York & U of T
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm on Zoom
“Another world is possible!”, goes a common protest chant. Another World Cafe is our weekly space for renovating our worldviews and stirring up our imaginations. Programming will rotate between our traditional Radical Bible Study, conversations about deep ecology and eco-grief, and hands-on zine-making sessions. Please bring your favourite hot drink, a notebook or sketchbook, and whatever art supplies you have around.

Sitting With the Spirit – SCM Canada
Fridays, 1 pm – 1:45 pm on Zoom
A weekly space for prayer and meditation, informed by the Christian tradition, and open to people of all spiritual, religious and secular traditions. Email peter@scmcanada.org if you would like to join.

Contextual Bible Study – Hosted by SCM Ryerson
Thursdays, 10:30 am on Zoom
Join us for our regular contextual Bible study, also known as, “Bible study without predetermined answers”. You don’t have to be a Ryerson student to join us!

Friday Night Hangouts
Fridays, 7:30 – 9 pm Eastern, on Zoom
Join SCMers and friends to play games, watch movies or just hang out. Contact peter@scmcanada.org for details of each week, or check the York or U of T SCM Facebook groups.

Seeking SCM Social Media Team Volunteers!

Are you a creative with a passion for social media and content production?
Do you want to help support an inclusive Christian student community that celebrates diversity of gender, sexual orientation, cultural and racialized identity, and ability, and that participates in struggles for equity?

Join our SCM Social Media Team!

SCM is seeking volunteers of all levels to contribute to a team that will combine design, education, and promotion. The positions exist with the aim of allowing students to grow in their content creation skills while growing SCM’s online presence. Apply here.

Some examples of SCM Design
Inspired? Keen to go bigger, better, bolder? Read on!

Responsibilities include:

• Brainstorming and executing methods of content creation within a team
• Creating posts that:
• promote activities such as Contextual Bible Studies and Game Nights;
• showcase the activities we do;
• educate on the topics we discuss, such as climate justice, decolonization etc.
• Working virtually with a team in order to create regular content production for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
• Offering creative ideas on how to present information and create an online identity
• Coordinating with teammates to organize tasks and responsibilities
• Reposting, sharing, and maintaining good online rapport with the organizations we collaborate with

Term: The 3-month position is planned for October to December, 2020.

Application: Please apply at this link.

The deadline is Sunday October 4th, with later applications accepted until all three positions are filled.

Are you a student leader with a passion for faith, justice and the arts?

Do you long for an inclusive Christian student community that celebrates diversity of gender, sexual orientation, cultural and racialized identity, and ability, and that participates in struggles for equity?

Are you passionate about social justice, climate justice, decolonization and transformative ecumenical/inter-faith cooperation?

The SCM Ryerson Coordinator will be a full or part-time Ryerson University student with a passion for faith-based engagement with students that is consistent with the mandate of the Student Christian Movement of Canada: “radical faith in action – community in diversity”

First Lutheran Church www.firstelc.ca provides a physical or virtual home-base for SCM Ryerson, and its pastor is a “supporting chaplain” to SCM Ryerson and a member of the Ryerson Spiritual Collective.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain the recognized club status of SCM Ryerson with the Ryerson Student Union and Ryerson Student Life.
• Promote Ryerson SCM through available opportunities such as Orientation Week, tabling (as permitted), online events, etc.
• Maintain a list of RU student contacts interested in Ryerson SCM and its faith and justice programs.
• Plan, promote and deliver Ryerson SCM programs (COVID-19 compliant) such as SCM contextual Bible studies, film nights, and topical events, e.g., Green faith, Qu(e)erying Religion, etc.
• Build relationships with suitable campus groups and programs to create synergies: e.g., Rye Pride, Trans Awareness Month, International Women’s Day, Black History Month, the Ryerson Spiritual Collective, etc.
• Support and promote appropriate events offered by First Lutheran, eg. The Table, ZOOM events, etc.
• Promote SCM national and regional programs, e.g., GTA retreats, Cahoots Festival, and World Student Christian Federation conferences and exchanges.

Remuneration:
The SCM Ryerson Coordinator receives a monthly honorarium of $250 from First Lutheran Church. Program expenses (within a prescribed budget) will also be reimbursed.

Term:
The position is offered from September to December 2020, with the possibility of renewal January to April 2021 contingent upon funding.

Accountability: The SCM Ryerson Coordinator is accountable to the pastor at First Lutheran Church and the SCM GTA board of directors.

Applications and deadline:
Please submit a letter of application and resume to pastor@firstelc.ca by August 28, 2020. If necessary late applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate has accepted the position.

SCM Ryerson is a collaborative ministry partnership initiated by First Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry of Toronto with the Student Christian Movement of Canada and the SCM-GTA.
Funding for this ministry is generously provided by the Youth and Young Adults Ministry of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

COVID-19, its Social Intersection and the Role of the SCMs

COVID-19 as a global pandemic has its own effect on the health and lives of people. However, the crisis has exacerbated the profound inequalities of the system we live with, and have presented different intersections impacting the lives of the most vulnerable: the poor, informal workers, women, unemployed youth, forced migrants and refugees. The crisis has shown the impact of weakened democracies at a time when states should be focused on preventing and minimizing the impact of COVID in all its dimensions and intersections.

Join this first dialogue between SCMs worldwide on COVID-19, its impacts, and our responsibilities and opportunities as Movements.

Register at shorturl.at/jmoA9

Saturday, June 27, 13:00 GMT

Vancouver (Pacific) 6am
Edmonton (Mountain) 7am
Winnipeg (Central) 8am
Toronto (Eastern) 9am
Halifax (Atlantic) 10am

YOUNG PEOPLE’S ENGAGEMENT IN THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT

According to the Youth Progress Report of 2017, this generation of young people (18-30) is the largest ever in history. Young people are connected to one other like never before and want to already contribute towards the revival of Church and communities, proposing innovative ways of approach, solutions, driving social progress and inspiring change in different levels.

The World Council of Churches Youth Engagement in the ecumenical movement calls for submission of papers with the guidelines below. The aim is to listen and learn from young people in different contexts (and regions). The articles will be collected in a book published by WCC that will address today’s concerns, challenges, and transformative actions of
young people’s engagement in the ecumenical movement.

Criteria and Guidelines for submission:

• Author must be a young person between the ages 18 and 30 years old.
• All submissions must be in English, since the book will be published in English.
• 25-30 Abstracts will be selected and invited to submit the full articles for the final round of selection.
• The editorial team will make sure that authors selected have a balance representation of the eight regions, different church families/traditions, gender, location, expertise, etc.

Articles should deal with at least one or the four following questions. Make sure that you indicate in your abstract the specific question/s that you will address:

• Where do you see young people in the ecumenical movement today?
• What are the challenges that young people face in the religious space and church community, in relation to their role in the ecumenical movement?
• In which areas do you see transformational potential of young people in the ecumenical movement?
• With the young people’s engagement, what do you envision of the ecumenical movement, moving forward?
  Authors should ONLY send us an abstract of 350 words maximum. We do not need the full article in this first round of selection.
  The 25-30 authors of the chosen abstracts will be informed of their selection by 30 June 2020.
  Selected authors must submit their final article for peer-review on 20 November 2020.
  Final articles should be between 2,500 words minimum and 3,500 words maximum
• The article could include a case study in your context.
• The author is invited to include voices from other authors by indicating them in the footnotes or endnotes.
  Send your application electronically to: Youth@wcc-coe.org
  Subject: Call for Papers- name of author
  See attachment for the full call for papers and submission form.

Working with First Lutheran Church and SCM Ryerson.
35 hrs per week, for 12 weeks of the summer

First Lutheran Church and the Student Christian Movement collaborate to offer student outreach and campus ministry at Ryerson University in the form of contextual Bible Studies and other programs. First Lutheran is a historic congregation nestled in the heart of Ryerson campus. SCM at Ryerson University is a recognized student club of the Ryerson Student Union and one of three SCM units in the GTA.
The Summer Intern will be responsible for maintaining and supporting SCM Ryerson program offerings in collaboration and cross-sponsorship with SCM GTA and SCM Canada. The Summer Intern will support the program life of First Lutheran Church which will include worship leadership and preaching.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Ryerson Student Christian Movement (SCM Rye): to lead and support SCM Rye, through social media and online programs with SCM GTA and SCM Canada, eg., online Radical Bible Study, movie nights, Cahoots DIY Festival and the SCM GTA fall retreat.
2. LGBTQ2SAI Faith-based programs: to support and deliver queer and trans positive events, eg,
   The Table Talk, Queer Christian Fellowship, etc.
3. First Lutheran social media: to animate First Lutheran social media accounts with suitable content, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, website.
4. First Lutheran worship: to support, plan and participate in Sunday services including summer pastoral vacation replacement.
5. Administration: to perform other and related administrative tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduate or mature undergraduate student with a passion for justice and community in theological perspective.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including group facilitation.
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and work from home
• Adept social media skills.
• A team player with a positive outlook.

Key Competencies

• Enthusiasm and ability to promote and deliver faith-based study programs, eg. Contextual Bible study.
• Ability to sustain and build online student and young adult community in a time of pandemic
• Able to understand, organize and lead online programs in a Christian setting as part of a team of paid and volunteer leaders.
• Superior social media and communications skills.
• Excellent social intelligence and non-anxious, consensus-building workstyle.

This position is contingent upon the approval of a First Lutheran funding application.This position will be filled on a “tele-commuting” basis until such point as COVID19 restrictions are lifted and face-to-face gatherings are permitted. The position will require some evening and weekend work.

An acceptable criminal record check, including the level of clearance required to work with vulnerable people will be required.
First Lutheran Church, Toronto is a small downtown congregation with a big heart. First welcomes all regardless of age, race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation or creed. www.firstelc.ca
The Ryerson Student Christian Movement is a local unit of the Student Christian Movement in Canada, and a partner with First Lutheran in campus ministry. www.scmcanada.org
To apply: please send letter of application and resume to pastor@firstelc.ca by April 30. Late applications will be accepted, and applications will be considered until a suitable candidate has accepted the position. All interviews will be conducted online.

Dear Friends

The Cahoots Core Organizing Group decided to cancel the in-person Cahoots festival for 2020, which had held the theme ‘2020 Vision’. We will be issuing refunds to everyone who bought tickets already.

In its place we are planning a two-session online event on Saturday May 23, called Cahoots Transfigured. This free event will use some of the planning for the in-person festival and some new programming, to offer us a chance to connect and explore Faith, Justice, and DIY.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Sat May 23, 2020.