Join Jonathon for one of the most captivating arts-based activities he ever experienced as part of Partners for Youth Empowerment: the simultaneously mystical and realist mini art project called oracular poetry. Participants will work mostly independently but also with partners to reflect on a big question they want answered through the workings of their spirit and creativity. You don’t need to be good at poetry, but you should be open to reflecting and thinking to yourself while instrumental music plays in the background. See you at the oracle!
about the facilitator
Jonathon has a BEd and MEd and works as Youth Program Manager with a national organization called Next Gen Men. He has a thousand years of experience working with kids and just as much love.
Back by popular demand! No experience necessary – you will learn how Ultimate works and together we will play this game where mutual respect is valued and demonstrated.
about the facilitators
Hugh chases flying plastic with his friends as often as he can. As a co-founder of the non-profit ReachUp (currently on hiatus) he has facilitated ultimate workshops in a variety of Indigenous communities across Ontario. Jubilene is a Grade 12 student at Rosedale School of the Arts in Toronto. Running down frisbee hucks gives her great joy.
The award winning documentary film “Safe Haven” explores the lives of American war resisters who came to Canada as conscientious objectors, seeking asylum from conscription into the USA military. It weaves together the powerful stories of resisters who who sought protection in Canada during wars in Vietnam and Iraq, the risks and challenges, they faced in their quest to be able to live with their conscience and advocate for peaceful co-existence. Esther, who married a deserter from the USA Marine Corps, is featured in one interview. He wrote to her in one of his letters, “I will never be one of them. They may beat me, they may break me, but they will never win me over. If love is not more powerful than hate, that what is there? If killing is more Godly then kindness and love, then how will anyone survive? As for myself, I cannot live with myself knowing I am a lie. To be a Marine would make me and my life a complete and utter lie. I hope that it doesn’t take being a Marine to be a man. If it does, then may my manhood never come.”
about the facilitator
After a 34-year career as a Registered Nurse, Esther took early retirement and joined Christian Peacemaker Teams in 2004 as a “second career”. This commitment has taken her to Iraqi Kurdistan, Palestine, Colombia, the USA/Mexico Borderlands, and to many Indigenous communities on Turtle Island. Social justice and activism have been an integral part of her life beginning in 1969, when she came to Canada with her War Resister fiance to seek asylum and to be able to live in freedom with one’s conscience.
What is Drag? This workshop will go over the history of the art form, and very key figures in the development and popularization of the art. Participants will learn the different forms of drag, queer performance, theatre, and music. Through this workshops, participants will be guided through different skills and themes that artists have needed through the ages, and how drag can now fit into religious spheres as an expression of theology.
about the facilitator
Julian/ King Julez (they/them) is the chair of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, a national non-profit organization that works for full inclusion and affirmation of 2S-LGBTQ+ folks in religious spaces and in all of society, and a board member for Student Christian Movement. After getting a BA in Diversity and Equity, King Julez is studying their Masters of Divinity with the goal of becoming a drag clown reverend with their own congregation to serve.
This session will be a sharing time of children’s stories, poems, and scriptures with optional face-painting! King Julez will be answering questions about what it means to be a drag clown and how that works in their work as a student and future ordinand in the United Church of Canada. There will be opportunities for participants to draw/colour up different reflections to each piece of reading (on paper and/or their face).
about the facilitator
Julian/ King Julez (they/them) is the chair of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, a national non-profit organization that works for full inclusion and affirmation of 2S-LGBTQ+ folks in religious spaces and in all of society, and a board member for Student Christian Movement. After getting a BA in Diversity and Equity, King Julez is studying their Masters of Divinity with the goal of becoming a drag clown reverend with their own congregation to serve.
Research has shown that spending time in nature is good for our mental, physical and spiritual health. We will take a gentle walk through the woods and take time to appreciate the sounds, colours and variety of species. In particular we will notice plants that don’t belong and discuss the implications.
about the facilitator
Eleanor loves nature and experiences God there. She is a forester and steward of a farm/forest in Kawartha Lakes.
(12+, but could include youngers if they come with a helpful 12+ person)
with Jasper Wicke + abi lyon wicke
Come learn about street art that inspires us and how you can add some to your neighbourhood in creative and beautiful ways. Art activism for your front yard – images and messages to spark everyday creativity and joy! We will look at examples then make our own stencils for reproducible make-anywhere art. Come prepared to get messy.
about the facilitator
Jasper began drawing as soon as they could hold a crayon and has rarely been without a drawing tool in hand in the ten years since that time. They particularly love street art in all forms and enjoy designing and making unique costumes that both express their creativity and make good use of our planet’s resources through thrifting, sharing and swapping. Jasper loves being active outdoors, hiking and camping (especially near water), discussing social justice and environmental issues, baking, practicing aerial silks and making art with other people. abi loves making things out of leftovers, remnants, recycling and other random found objects. Sharing this passion with others and creating art together brings her particular joy. abi has participated in artmaking activities for as long as she can remember and has been an instructor and facilitator of others’ creative pursuits in many contexts, from regular pottery and art classes to festival workshops and teaching her children at home. Working with a team to create art installations and experiences in her faith community is an integral part of inspiring and informing her own faith journey.
Do you struggle to be heard in a meeting? Have you noticed that sometimes you can’t remember the outcome of a debate? We need good tools to have good discussions leading to good outcomes – come and develop some skills and tools to express yourself, hear others, and arrive at consensus together! We’ll practice some hand signals that help us communicate in another dimension and use some different methods to make decisions.
about the facilitator
Peter Haresnape is a co-founder of the Cahoots festival. He serves Toronto United Mennonite church as a pastor and is studying theology at Conrad Grebel University College. He learned a lot of group discussion practices in anarchist circles in the UK and is excited to practice them in Turtle Island.
(All ages welcome, though participation will be easier for those who are able to read.)
with Michele Rizoli
We will take a piece of scripture and bring it to life by creatively telling it in our own words. Come and see how stories you have heard before take on new meaning when told by your Cahoots friends!
about the facilitator
Michele (she/her) is a pastor who is passionate about lifting scripture off the page and recovering the tradition of oral storytelling. She is a member of the Network of Biblical Storytellers.
