Interviews
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Canadian musical icon and former choirboy talks about his beginnings, faith and activism in conversation at St. Paul's United in Orillia, Ont.
By Karen Hilfman Millson June 2013
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Pioneering composer talks about contemporary church music and his ongoing "Tour of a Lifetime"
By Ken Gallinger April 2013
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Internationally acclaimed Canadian philosopher talks about building bridges between different cultures and faiths
By Liette Michaud March 2013
Interviews
Scottish theologian and former mental health chaplain John Swinton talks about disability and dementia — and why churches have got this “inclusion” thing all wrong
By Chelsea Temple Jones February 2013
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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of "Death of the Liberal Class" talks about how liberal institutions have helped the rise of the Christian right
By Evie Ruddy January 2013
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American author and lecturer talks about religion, spirituality and the emerging church movement
By Karen Hilfman Millson December 2012
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Parker Palmer, bestselling author, educator and founder of Seattle's Center for Courage & Renewal, talks about democracy, the “mentality of scarcity” and revitalizing mainline churches
By Alicia von Stamwitz November 2012
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Debra McGrath and Colin Mochrie are one of Canada's best-known comedy couples. They talked about their faith and humour at their home in Toronto.
By Ken Gallinger October 2012
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Born a Palestinian Christian in Jerusalem just months before the founding of Israel, Nora Carmi talks about support for her dwindling community of Christians in the Holy Land
By Kasia Mychajlowycz September 2012
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The United Church moderator talks to her former Spirit Connection co-host, Ken Gallinger, about her three years in office
By Ken Gallinger July 2012
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Theology-school dropout and author talks about environmentalism, anti-militarism and service to the poor.
By Pieta Woolley June 2012
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The Vancouver Sun's religion reporter and 'The Search' blogger answers the deep questions
By Pieta Woolley May 2012
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The American essayist, poet and bestselling author of "Dakota: A Spiritual Geography" and "The Cloister Walk" talks about writing, monastic spirituality and mysticism
By Alicia von Stamwitz April 2012
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The sociologist, author and theologian explains why North America’s largest religious group — mainline Protestantism — is struggling
By Pieta Woolley March 2012
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The head of Ryerson University's Centre for Indigenous Governance talks about the crisis in Attawapiskat and other First Nations reserves
By Ken Gallinger January 2012
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The minister of Toronto’s Metropolitan Community Church presided over the state funeral for Jack Layton last summer. He recently spoke to The Observer.
By Ken Gallinger December 2011
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The host of CBC Radio’s “Tapestry” program often engages in wide-ranging discussions with the most interesting thinkers on faith and spirituality. She recently talked to The Observer.
By Cory Ruf November 2011
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Three years after the global financial meltdown, the co-author with Neil Brooks of “The Trouble with Billionaires” talks about how growing income inequality is changing Canada
By Mike Milne October 2011
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American biblical scholar talks about his recent books — 'Putting Away Childish Things' and 'Speaking Christian' — and the importance of story and language
By Therese DesCamp September 2011
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Jesus Seminar co-chair and author talks about Jesus and the Roman Empire
By Ken Gallinger July 2011
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Anglican priest and author talks about his latest book, 'Born Again,' and his path of faith from childhood to age 82
By Ken Gallinger June 2011
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Author and social justice advocate talks about the values that inform her work and the ideas that sustain her
By Frank Dabbs May 2011
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Author and former United Church program officer talks about his new memoir, August Farewell
By David Wilson April 2011
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The first known transgendered person to be ordained in the United Church talks about her ministry at Central United in Stratford, Ont.
By Larke Turnbull March 2011
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Reserve chaplain talks about his eight months with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan
By Ken Gallinger November 2010
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The founder of the Reform and Canadian Alliance parties and CEO of the Manning Centre for Building Democracy talks about the centre’s faith-politics interface program and Christianity today.
By Frank Dabbs October 2010
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Former United Church moderator and Canadian senator talks about the state of the union on the occasion of the United Church’s 85th anniversary
By Ken Gallinger June 2010
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Vanderbilt University professor and one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars discusses the current state of Jewish-Christian relations
By David Wilson May 2010
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An Ontario MPP and United Church minister, who authored the book Qu(e)erying Evangelism, says the United Church has lost its political edge
By Ken Gallinger March 2010
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Shortly after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, the United Church’s co-ordinator of Caribbean, Central America and Colombia partnerships talks about the church’s response
By Richard Wright March 2010
