Anglicans in Centretown will have an opportunity to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury take on the economy later this month, when he participates in a globally webcast theological conference.
Rowan Williams is the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, a title that puts him at the head of the Anglican Church. He is also an expert on global economics.
“This will be very valuable for Anglican’s in Centretown, and also in the Ottawa area,” said John Price, the rector’s warden at St. Luke’s Anglican Church on Somerset Street.
The conference is in its 40th year and will be webcast from New York’s Trinity Institute. Webcasting the event allows more Anglican churches and their congregations to participate in a cost-effective way, by saving money on airfare and accommodations.
“We could never bring these speakers to Ottawa. It would be very costly,” said Marilyn Box, coordinator of the conference at St. Matthew’s and chair of the church’s education committee. Rev. Pat Johnston, minister at St. Matthew’s says she is looking forward to the conference “to learn, reflect on faith and issues of contemporary life.”
“I don’t get to as many lectures, conferences or events as I would like to. I don’t read as many books as I would like to. So, I see it as an opportunity myself, to learn and to engage with issues that are relevant and current,” she said.
The Trinity Institute’s conferences focus on issues affecting people in their day-to-day lives. Past conferences have addressed issues of sustainability and religion and violence. The upcoming talks focus on ‘Building an Ethical Economy: Theology and the Marketplace.’ The conference Jan. 27-29 will be webcast live and shown at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church at 217 First Ave., in the Glebe.
Williams will deliver the keynote address on the relationship between theology and economy.
“I think he has deeply thought about the issues and his insights will be valuable to us all,” said Price about Williams.
Price hopes to attend the event and says that other people in the St. Luke’s congregation have shown interest.
“We’re very glad to be able to offer St. Matthew’s as a venue for this,” said Johnston.
While the conference is not offered in Centretown, Price does not consider it an issue, given people's mobility and the way Anglican churches in Ottawa act co-operatively to promote events in each parish.
This is the first year St. Matthew’s is expected to take part in the conference. It is one of 10 Canadian churches, and the only one in the Ottawa area to participate.