CAN FAITH SURVIVE ONLINE?

“While not ignoring the overwhelmingly vitriolic, divisive, and even violent nature of online social communication, it is possible to see moments of symbolic exchange that might reflect the gratuitous love of God we learn in the Eucharist.” - from Katherine Schmidt’s “Virtual Communion”

Katherine Schmidt is Associate Professor and Chair of Theology and Religious Studies at Molloy University, New York. Her work focuses on theology and religion in American culture. She focuses specifically on the intersection of religion, theology, and technology, the internet, and media. She is the author of numerous articles and chapters on the subject, as well as the book Virtual Communion: Theology of the Internet and the Catholic Sacramental Imagination. Katherine will be joining us on site in Winnipeg for this event.

“The church changes reluctantly, slowly, and not always well. COVID gave us no option, and we were forced to embrace Zoom, social media, and new electronic communications. Did we succeed, what happens now, and is the future church a new and modern one or, perhaps, is it just a return to business as usual?”

Michael Coren is a columnist, author, and Anglican priest. The award-winning author of 18 books - translated into 12 languages, five of them bestsellers - he now writes regularly for The Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, The Walrus, The New Statesman, The Church Times, and several others. He was also a long-time television and radio host. Married for 35 years, he and his wife have four children. Michael will be joining us virtually for this event.

“We are at the dawn of a watershed change in the amount of data out there about us. It is created by us, about us. The stakes are high: will we use it for personal insight, and to build smarter, more sustainable communities, or will we use it for control, surveillance, and profit? Only by understanding the revolution already underway can we debate where we want it to go.” - from Nora Young’s The Virtual Self.

Nora Young is an informed and ideal guide for anyone looking to examine — and plan for — the ever-changing, high-tech landscape. As the host and creator of Spark, CBC’s national radio show and podcast about technology and culture, and the author of The Virtual Self, Young demystifies technology and explains how it is shaping our lives, as well as the larger world around us. She helps audiences understand trends in big data, new technologies, machine learning, and more.

David joined the faculty at Canadian Mennonite University in 2009 and is currently Associate Professor of Communications and Media. Prior to CMU, David spent 12 years in radio production and live events, including many years as co-host of GodTalk on CJOB 68 on Sunday nights. David’s teaching areas include media and society, communication theory and Christianity and the media in Canada. He’s currently working on an audio documentary that explores why and how people use the phrase, “Oh my God” in everyday talk.