Our Community
Community has always been very important in the life of Queen’s College. There is more to theological education which happens in community than in the classroom. Engagement with others in community is key to the spiritual formation of students. This happens at community meals, common room conversations, and outreach projects into the wider community. Though it always took intentional work, this community often came naturally as most students studied full-time with most of their lives oriented around the rhythms of academic and chapel life. As the culture shifted and the realities of students lives shifted with it to more part-time studies, with work and parish commitments, community required us to be intentional in a different way.
We caught a glimpse of a different ways in the midst of another challenge. In the Winter semester 2023, Memorial University’s Faculty Association went on strike. In solidarity with our colleagues we decided not to cross the picket line for the duration of the strike. We moved our classes online and used neighbouring parish halls for Eucharist, community meal, and seminar gathering. For everyone’s convenience, we put all of these scattered events on Wednesday.
The results of this shift were transformational. Students and faculty were moved by the sharing of tables for Eucharist, meals, and learning. The flow from one use of the table to another opened up the deep connections between learning and community, creating a space where God’s Spirit could speak to us anew. It was so impactful that students asked if we could keep doing it!
So, in the Fall semester 2023 we rearranged our schedule to create what we call Community Day. Each Wednesday is set aside as a non-academic day focused on building and sustaining community. The day begins with Contemplative Prayer with our chaplain
Rev. James Ravenscroft. Then students and faculty gather for Worship Committee to discuss and plan the chapel life of the College. At 11:00 am we gather for Holy Eucharist where we are joined by guest preachers from across the local Christian community. Then we gather around the tables of the Common Room for a community meal where we all share food and fellowship together. The day rounds out with our Formation Seminar that focuses conversation around topics like community, calling, and leadership. This focus on one day allows students, who are almost all part-time and live at a distance of the College, to set this one day aside to be together in community. It has changed our understanding of community and breathed new life into the College.
If you really want to understand Queen’s College you have to experience Community Day. So, come and see, and share the table with us.
