Martin Luther University College (Luther) and the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) are pleased to announce the launch of the Centre for Spirituality and Media.
The joint project is being led by founding director Sherry Coman, associate professional faculty at Luther and the Eastern Synod’s deacon for spirituality and internet outreach.
Rev. Dr. Kristine Lund, Luther’s principal-dean, said the pandemic has driven many more of our activities online, including individual and communal spiritual practices.
“The centre’s work will help us discern how we might explore personal spirituality and group worship as we move through and beyond this pandemic,” she said.
Rev. Michael Pryse, bishop of the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC, said the past year has challenged us immensely and we have all learned so much.
“But in many ways, I think we are facing an even bigger challenge when we try to imagine how worship will be engaged moving forward when we are gathering both online and in person,” he added. “I look forward to addressing that challenge, and welcome a forum such as so we might do so together with colleagues and partners!”
Coman teaches courses at Luther exploring the relationship between spirituality and faith and media. She has been the creator and curator of the online devotional project Lutherans Connect for more than a decade.
“I am very excited to be starting on this adventure,” Coman said. “A primary goal of the Centre for Spirituality and Media is to create programming that will enrich personal spirituality while also broadening our vision for doing mission online.”
Coman added that the centre’s activities will bring together the community of Luther with the wider church and its partners in the ecumenical and justice communities.
The centre’s first public event — Back to the Future: Prophetically Imagining the Online Church — takes place online on Tuesday, May 25, from 2-3 p.m. All are welcome.
The centre is also co-hosting OK…What’s Next? for the Eastern Synod’s rostered and lay leaders on June 1.
For further details, please visit the centre’s new web page.
Media inquiries
Mirko Petricevic, mpetricevic@luther.wlu.ca
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Martin Luther University College
Rev. Adam Snook, asnook@elcic.ca
Assistant to the Bishop (Communications)
Eastern Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada