2008 CONFERENCES
The Third North American Conference on Spirituality and Social Work
“Spirituality and Transformation: Bridging Wisdom and Research for Effective Practice ” June 19-21, 2008 - St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB co-sponsored by THE CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL WORK and THE SOCIETY FOR SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL WORK (USA) |
Dr. Michael Higgins "Spirituality as a Science of the Heart"
Dr. Higgins is President of St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick, and former President of St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario. He is a highly regarded scholar and sought-after public speaker who has written or co-written over 11 books including Heretic Blood: The Spiritual Geography of Thomas Merton, and Stalking the Holy: In Pursuit of Saint Making. Michael may also be recognized as a frequent commentator on CBC radio, and also as a contributor to the CBC program Ideas.
Dr. Hilary N. Weaver "Spirituality in Cross Cultural Contexts: Implications for Practice and Research"
Dr. Weaver, DSW (Lakota) is a Professor in the School of Social Work, University at Buffalo (State University of New York). Her teaching, research, and service focus on cultural issues in the helping process with a particular focus on indigenous populations. She currently serves as President of the American Indian Alaska Native Social Work Educators Association and President of the Board of Directors of Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties. Dr. Weaver has presented her work regionally, nationally, and internationally including presenting at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in 2005, 2006, and 2007. She has numerous publications including the recent text, Explorations in Cultural Competence: Journeys to the Four Directions (2005). Dr. Weaver is currently funded by the National Cancer Institute to develop and test a culturally-grounded wellness curriculum for urban Native American youth, the Healthy Living in Two Worlds program.
Highlights: Thursday, June 19 was a day of experiential workshops and concluded in the evening with Dr. Higgins' Opening Keynote Address. Dr. Weaver's keynote was on Friday afternoon.
Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, included a mix of academic papers and participatory workshops on diverse themes exploring spirituality in the healing process, in social work education, in activism and community work, and in self-nurture for resilience and compassion. There were several social activities scheduled for Friday evening which included a Drumming Circle and an Historical Walk.
2008 Conference Brochure
Sponsors:
This international conference was sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work, the Society for Spirituality and Social Work (USA), and the Faculty / School of Social Work at University of Calgary, Laurentian University, St. Thomas University, Renison College, Wilfrid Laurier University and Arizona State University.
Conference Planning Committee:
Dr. Susan Cadell, Wilfid Laurier University
(Chair) Dr. John Coates, St. Thomas University
Dr. Diana Coholic, Laurentian University
Mr. Eric Crowther, Algonquin Child and Family Services, North Bay, ON Stephanie Daigle, St. Thomas University
Sabastian Glass, St. Thomas University
Dr. John Graham, University of Calgary
Maribeth MacNutt, St. Thomas University
Dr. Ann W. Nichols, Arizona State University
Prof. Barbara Swartzentruber, Renison College
Dr. Jeannette Waegemakers-Schiff, University of Calgary
Lynsey Wilson, St. Thomas University
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS:
Keynote Address: Spirituality as a Science of the Heart
Michael Higgins
Keynote Address: Spirituality in Cross-Cultural Contexts: Implications for Practice and Research
Hilary N. Weaver
The Intersection of Liberation Theology and Empowerment Practice
James Allen
Exploring the Effects of Early Life Sexual Abuse in Later Life among Catholic Women Religious
Gary Behrman
Choisir de Prendre un Chemin qui a du Coeur
Rose Dofour
Embodied Spirituality in Therapy
Paula Foley & Leslie Ann Costello
Using prayer and Other Forms of Positive Mental Energy in Practice: Research and Guidelines for Implementation
David R. Hodge
Factors Affecting Christians’ Perceptions of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims in the U.S.
Mary Kay Jou & Antoinette Farmer
Developing Spirituality in Adolescents: Research-informed Practice and Practice-Inspired Research
Lisa Kimball
Illness and Transformation: A Qualitative Study on Self-Perceived Post-Traumatic Growth and Spirituality in Women Living with Cancer
Laura Montgomery
Intuition: The Bay Leaf of the Therapeutic Stew
Greg Nooney
Couple Breathing/Life Breathing: A New Way of Being Together
Donald Paine
A Mind to Fight: Buddhism and Conflict Resolution
Ray Parchelo
Letting Our Stories Go: A Narrative Perspective on Spirituality in Later Life
William Randall
Re-Imagining the Myth of Demeter and Persephone: Exploration of the Constructs of Marriage and Nuclear Family
Rachel Seiler
The Use of Prayer in Social Work: Implications for Professional Practice and Education
Michael Sheridan
The Resonant Body
Anne Marie Walsh
Finding a Way with Religion and Spirituality: The Intersection of Religion, Aging and Sexual Orientation from the Perspective of Lesbian Older Adults
Wanda White
Dr. Higgins is President of St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick, and former President of St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario. He is a highly regarded scholar and sought-after public speaker who has written or co-written over 11 books including Heretic Blood: The Spiritual Geography of Thomas Merton, and Stalking the Holy: In Pursuit of Saint Making. Michael may also be recognized as a frequent commentator on CBC radio, and also as a contributor to the CBC program Ideas.
Dr. Hilary N. Weaver "Spirituality in Cross Cultural Contexts: Implications for Practice and Research"
Dr. Weaver, DSW (Lakota) is a Professor in the School of Social Work, University at Buffalo (State University of New York). Her teaching, research, and service focus on cultural issues in the helping process with a particular focus on indigenous populations. She currently serves as President of the American Indian Alaska Native Social Work Educators Association and President of the Board of Directors of Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties. Dr. Weaver has presented her work regionally, nationally, and internationally including presenting at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in 2005, 2006, and 2007. She has numerous publications including the recent text, Explorations in Cultural Competence: Journeys to the Four Directions (2005). Dr. Weaver is currently funded by the National Cancer Institute to develop and test a culturally-grounded wellness curriculum for urban Native American youth, the Healthy Living in Two Worlds program.
Highlights: Thursday, June 19 was a day of experiential workshops and concluded in the evening with Dr. Higgins' Opening Keynote Address. Dr. Weaver's keynote was on Friday afternoon.
Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, included a mix of academic papers and participatory workshops on diverse themes exploring spirituality in the healing process, in social work education, in activism and community work, and in self-nurture for resilience and compassion. There were several social activities scheduled for Friday evening which included a Drumming Circle and an Historical Walk.
2008 Conference Brochure
Sponsors:
This international conference was sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work, the Society for Spirituality and Social Work (USA), and the Faculty / School of Social Work at University of Calgary, Laurentian University, St. Thomas University, Renison College, Wilfrid Laurier University and Arizona State University.
Conference Planning Committee:
Dr. Susan Cadell, Wilfid Laurier University
(Chair) Dr. John Coates, St. Thomas University
Dr. Diana Coholic, Laurentian University
Mr. Eric Crowther, Algonquin Child and Family Services, North Bay, ON Stephanie Daigle, St. Thomas University
Sabastian Glass, St. Thomas University
Dr. John Graham, University of Calgary
Maribeth MacNutt, St. Thomas University
Dr. Ann W. Nichols, Arizona State University
Prof. Barbara Swartzentruber, Renison College
Dr. Jeannette Waegemakers-Schiff, University of Calgary
Lynsey Wilson, St. Thomas University
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS:
Keynote Address: Spirituality as a Science of the Heart
Michael Higgins
Keynote Address: Spirituality in Cross-Cultural Contexts: Implications for Practice and Research
Hilary N. Weaver
The Intersection of Liberation Theology and Empowerment Practice
James Allen
Exploring the Effects of Early Life Sexual Abuse in Later Life among Catholic Women Religious
Gary Behrman
Choisir de Prendre un Chemin qui a du Coeur
Rose Dofour
Embodied Spirituality in Therapy
Paula Foley & Leslie Ann Costello
Using prayer and Other Forms of Positive Mental Energy in Practice: Research and Guidelines for Implementation
David R. Hodge
Factors Affecting Christians’ Perceptions of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims in the U.S.
Mary Kay Jou & Antoinette Farmer
Developing Spirituality in Adolescents: Research-informed Practice and Practice-Inspired Research
Lisa Kimball
Illness and Transformation: A Qualitative Study on Self-Perceived Post-Traumatic Growth and Spirituality in Women Living with Cancer
Laura Montgomery
Intuition: The Bay Leaf of the Therapeutic Stew
Greg Nooney
Couple Breathing/Life Breathing: A New Way of Being Together
Donald Paine
A Mind to Fight: Buddhism and Conflict Resolution
Ray Parchelo
Letting Our Stories Go: A Narrative Perspective on Spirituality in Later Life
William Randall
Re-Imagining the Myth of Demeter and Persephone: Exploration of the Constructs of Marriage and Nuclear Family
Rachel Seiler
The Use of Prayer in Social Work: Implications for Professional Practice and Education
Michael Sheridan
The Resonant Body
Anne Marie Walsh
Finding a Way with Religion and Spirituality: The Intersection of Religion, Aging and Sexual Orientation from the Perspective of Lesbian Older Adults
Wanda White