Theme Speakers
Ordained in the United Church of Canada in 2002, Andy O’Neill is a graduate of Emmanuel College (TST, U of T) and completed his PhD in systematic theology at New College (U of Edinburgh).
After serving in pastoral ministry for 15 years, Andy is now Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at Atlantic School of Theology.
In addition to his book on Paul Tillich, Andy has written extensively about faith and worship and is a consultant for the EDGE new ministries network.
Andy’s Lecture Topics:
In times of distress, to what do we turn?
Do we look to what is familiar or to what is new? Do we rely on ourselves or on others? Do we take care of ourselves or care for others? To all of these questions we can answer, “yes”, because these pairs of responses belong together.
In three sessions, we will reframe common societal narratives of happiness, self-reliance and progress, in order to ground our resilience in authenticity and trust in the Living God.
Session 1:
- “No Cure for Being Human”: authenticity in compassion and self-care
Session 2:
- “Like A Good Neighbour”: network theology and the missional church
Session 3:
- “Assurance”: from a theory of progress to a theology of trust
Tracy J. Trothen is a professor of ethics at Queen’s University, jointly appointed to the School of Religion and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy.
Trothen is the author or editor of numerous articles, chapters, and nine books including her co-authored 2021 book, Religion and the Technological Future: An Introduction to Biohacking, A.I., and Transhumanism.
She co-chairs the American Academy of Religion’s (AAR) Artificial Intelligence Seminar and is a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR).
Tracy’s Lecture Topics:
The concept and symptoms of moral distress will be presented. Next, we will consider values. Moral distress involves the compromising of one’s core values. We will identify and explore our core values using an interactive exercise.
The moral factors that influence and shape our core values will be brainstormed. Case studies will assist us to reflect on spiritual needs that may arise in response to moral distress. The potential for the cultivation of moral resilience in response to moral distress will be introduced.
Session 1:
- Moral Distress: What It Means & Why It Isn’t All Bad
Session 2:
- Moral Distress at the Core: Spiritual Needs and Values