Events sponsored by Canadian Merton Society

Thomas Merton Society of Canada Winter Program Events


The Rosebushes at the Hermitage: Thomas Merton's Search for Solitude
Free Public Talk - Mon. Jan. 19, 2009, 7:30 pm
Location: Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

Between 1952 and 1956, Thomas Merton corresponded with Anselmo Giabbani, prior of the ancient monastic community of Camaldoli, in Tuscany. He was asking for Giabbani's help in applying for a transfer to a monastery in Italy. Don Grayston will introduce these recently-discovered letters and place them in the context of Merton's ongoing search for contemplative solitude and of our need for the equivalent in our own lives. Donald Grayston is president of the International Thomas Merton Society, and past president of the Thomas Merton Society of Canada. He spent a week at Camaldoli in the summer of 2008. This event is co-sponsored by the Thomas Merton Society of Canada and the Vancouver Public Library. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome!



Vancouver Conference—Peace: A Transforming Vision
Keynote Speakers: Jim Forest & Peter Dale Scott
Fri. March 6, 2009, 7:00 pm; Sat. March 7, 2009, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Canadian Memorial Church & Centre for Peace, 1825 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

The Thomas Merton Society of Canada and Canadian Memorial Church & Centre for Peace present Peace: A Transforming Vision. Our annual Merton conference features a keynote address on Friday evening by Jim Forest and plenary and concurrent sessions on Saturday by local and international Merton scholars and peace leaders. The conference ends with a contemplative service on peace, led by musician and liturgist Bruce Harding. This year's keynote speakers are Jim Forest and Peter Dale Scott. Jim Forest is a long-time peace activist and peace maker who is the author of many books, including Living With Wisdom: A Life of Thomas Merton. He lives in The Netherlands with his wife, Nancy. Peter Dale Scott is a well-known Canadian poet and Professor of English Emeritus at the University of California at Berkley. He is known for his anti-war stance and his criticism of US foreign policy dating back to the Vietnam War. Fri. evening public talk: $10 minimum donation. Saturday: $50/TMSC members and $55/non-members (lunch included) full day or $30 half day (includes lunch). For more information or registration, please contact the Thomas Merton Society of Canada at 604-669-2546 or tmsc@telus.net.


Victoria Conference—Peace: A Transforming Vision
Plenary and concurrent presentations and workshops – Sat. March 14, 2009, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: The University Club of Victoria at the University of Victoria in Victoria, BC

Keynote speaker Jim Forest kicks off the one-day conference at The University Club of Victoria. Other speakers include: Donald Grayston, Ross Labrie and Ron Dart. Cost: $50/TMSC members and $55/non-members (lunch included) full day or $30 half day (includes lunch). For more information or registration, please contact the TMSC at 604-669-2546 or tmsc@telus.net.