Join us in Winnipeg!
Thursday, Sept. 26 - Saturday, Sept. 28

Are you involved in writing, editing, marketing, fundraising, videography, podcasting, graphic design or other communications work? Would you like to meet Christian professionals in these fields? Then the Canadian Christian Communicators Association (formerly the Canadian Church Press) is inviting you to join us in Winnipeg from September 26-28.

For Friday and Saturday's workshops, we will gather at The Meeting Place downtown and accommodations will be available at the Alt Hotel (use this link to book) for those travelling from out of town.

Our conference theme is Meet in the Middle. All are invited to a single day or multiple days of workshops on the disappearance of religion from mainstream media, the power of true stories and vulnerability in our writing, connections between faith deconstruction and journalism, magazine redesign, ethics around reporting on evil, and healthy habits for writers.

Speakers include Karen Stiller, author of the new book Holiness Here, Catholic scholar Michael Higgins, John Longhurst, faith columnist at the Winnipeg Free Press, and more. Register today. Walk-in registration is also possible, space permitting.

 

Conference program

 

Wednesday, Sept. 25 Pre-conference event

 

Thursday, Sept. 26 first evening of full conference

  • 4:00 p.m. - Full-conference arrivals and settling in (the Alt Hotel has discounted rates)
  • 6:00 - Opening wine and cheese reception at the home of a local CCCA member

  • 7:00 - Keynote

    The power of true stories and vulnerability in our writing life
    Ottawa author, coach and Faith Today editor Karen Stiller (KarenStiller.com) will explore the power and pitfalls of telling our own true stories in our writing work. 

  • 8:00 - Social time

 

Friday, Sept. 27 main day of conference

  • 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Breakfast at local restaurant, then head over to The Meeting Place Church 
  • 9:30-9:45 - Musical prelude and presentation by Steve Bell 

  • 9:45-10:45 - Workshop 1 with Q&A 

    Death by a thousand or so cuts: Religion and the media in Canada
    For decades now the national media has slowly, methodically and tenaciously diminished the presence of mainstream religion on the Canadian landscape.  What evidence do we have of this? Why has it happened? Can it be reversed? What are the long term consequences of religion's  near erasure from the public media arena?

    Bio: Michael Higgins is president and vice-chancellor emeritus, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, distinguished professor of Catholic thought emeritus, Sacred Heart University, Basilian distinguished fellow of contemporary Catholic thought, University of St. Michael's College, senior fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto. Along with writing for the Globe and Mail, he has a weekly blog. He is author of the new book The Jesuit Disruptor: A Personal Portrait of Pope Francis (House of Anansi Press).

  • 10:45-11:00 - Coffee break 

  • 11:00-12:00 - Workshop 2 with Q & A 

    The art of design and redesign
    This workshop will be lead by Kristin Ostensen, the managing editor, and Lisa Suroso, the graphic designer of Salvationist. They will take us behind the scenes on the "new look" they created for their publication. 

  • 12:00-1:45 - Lunch & Announcement of Life-time Achievement Award winner

    We have a reservation at Local Public Eatery a few minutes walk from The Meeting Place church. You can preview their menu here.

  • 2:00-3:00 - Workshop 3 with Q & A

    Religion in the News: How the Winnipeg Free Press decided to be the only newspaper in Canada with a faith beat--and what it means for the paper today, with John Longhurst, Free Press religion reporter and columnist, and Paul Samyn (Winnipeg Free Press), editor.

  • 3:00-3:15 - Coffee break
     

  • 3:15-4:15 - Workshop 4 with Q&A

    Habits that lead to a healthy, productive writing life
    Patricia Paddey and Karen Stiller will offer insights and suggestions on how to build and maintain a healthy and productive writing life, learned from decades of experience as Canadian writers for both Christian and mainstream markets. The authors of the 2019 book Craft, Cost & Call: How to Build a Life as a Christian Writer will leave participants with practical tools of the trade as well as exploring wellness for writers at all stages of their writing journey. Foundational to a healthy writing life is learning from other writers, so you will be welcomed to share and contribute to a lively, interactive discussion.  

  • 5:00 - 8:00 pm - Check out one of Canada's largest independent bookstores. Join us for a fun evening of swapping read recommendations and browsing. We’ll be there during the dinner hour and conveniently there are three restaurants nearby: Applebees, Fionn McCools and Prairie Ink (in the bookstore). Please coordinate your own transportation to and from.

Saturday, Sept. 28 last morning of conference

  • 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Breakfast at local restaurant

  • 10:00-11:00 - Workshop 5 with Q&A 

    A Blessing for Editors & Journalists
    After sharing the backstory to her new book, Blessed are the Undone, Angela Reitsma Bick will invite participants to consider the relationship between faith deconstruction and journalism. What trends should we be paying attention to? What's it like working for a Christian publication in an era of deconstruction? Come with your own stories!

    Bio: Angela became Editor-in-Chief of Christian Courier in 2009. Under her leadership, the independent Canadian news publication has navigated the unceasingly-tumultuous news industry – remaining in print despite serious headwinds, with a growing online audience – and won dozens of awards. In 2020, Angela received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Redeemer University for her “professional achievements, community engagement, and personal accomplishments for the glory of God.” Her writing has also been recognized for “excellence in religious journalism” with the prestigious A.C. Forrest Memorial Award (2016) from the Canadian Church Press, and by the Debra Fieguth Social Justice Award from the Word Awards (2018) for “outstanding work that addresses social justice issues.”

  • 11-11:15 - Coffee break

  • 11:15-12:15 - Workshop 6 with Q & A

    Is it unethical to avoid evil? 
    Evil is popular in media because it is sensational, taking conflict to an extreme. But what are the ethical implications behind creating media that focuses on evil? Should we avoid the topic because it makes us uncomfortable? How do we use philosophical and Christian values to frame stories about evil? What is our obligation as Christian artists and journalists?

    Bio: Murray Stiller is Canadian filmmaker and professor with 25 years of experience in the film industry and working at universities. He currently teaches media production at Redeemer University in Hamilton, commuting from his home outside of Vancouver. Murray’s company, Toolkit Media and Education, helps Christian universities develop and deliver media BA and MA degrees.

  • 12:30-1:30 - lunch at local restaurant and goodbyes

Staying longer? There is tedsrunforliteracy.com on Sunday afternoon you can join or cheer on one of our own. On Saturday afternoon there is a free outdoor choral festival until 4 p.m. The Human Rights Museum is open 10-5 daily (except Mondays). Sunday 2 p.m. you can hear pianist Richard Hamelin.

Register now

Full conference: $175

Partial conference - THURSDAY: $35
Partial conference - FRIDAY: $100
Partial conference - SATURDAY: $50

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Info from last year's retreat can be viewed here, and some videos are here.