How does a theological college respond when a pandemic rolls across the world and the premier shuts all educational institutions? This year we found out.
On March 13, Quebec Premier François Legault closed all schools and colleges—initially for two weeks but then for the rest of the year. Classes shifted to online-only, libraries were closed, and syllabi hastily rearranged to account for the new reality.
That was true for the college’s worship life, too. Regular daily prayer is a foundation of the college’s common life. This smoothly moved online, thanks to the leadership of College Council president Ben Stuchbery, who began leading four services per day on Facebook Live. Not only did this provide helpful continuity for members of the community in grounding their day and schedule, the services also began attracting a wide range of other attendees, who were drawn to the simple format.
The Daily Office teaches me that the work and rest of an ordinary day are all part of our daily offering of prayer to God. It is a touchstone of our community life. The pandemic
overturned our expectations of what an ordinary day looks like. Yet life continued—and so prayer continued. Thus, it seemed only fitting that, insofar as it was possible, we should continue to pray the Office together. Despite our separation, we remained a community, tied together by common goals, common tasks, bonds of collegiality and friendship. And of course, above all we remained a church, a community of prayer with a common identity in Christ. And praying is what a church does! ––Ben Stuchberry, on offering online prayer
The weekly Eucharist and lunch are a focal point of the college community’s week, and students and staff felt their absence keenly. During our retreat at the beginning of the year in September, we had introduced students to the practice of Gospel-based discipleship, a Bible study method that originates in indigenous Christian communities. As our Wednesday services and community time moved online, our experience with Gospel-based discipleship proved pivotal. Rather than focusing on the Eucharist and a shared meal, our focus shifted to a close study of a gospel passage and prayer for one another in usual and difficult times.
The disruption and difficulties caused by the pandemic fell particularly hard on many students. Some had to decide whether to return home or stay in Montreal. Others have financial concerns as they look to a summer with few of the usual summer jobs available. The college adapted its network of pastoral support for students to the new online reality and focused on connecting students with new resources available to them.
The closing of the border with the United States had a particular impact on the growing number of American students at the college. Some had gone home when schools initially closed, thinking they would be able to come back before the end of the semester. Instead, some found themselves at home while books necessary for school—not to mention clothes and other personal belongings—were back in Montreal.
“Navigating an academic institution through a pandemic is not something you can ever be fully prepared for,” said Principal Jesse Zink. “But in looking back at the last weeks of the school year, I think we can say that we brought the year to a conclusion with the integrity of our academic program intact and the life of our community strengthened. But we were only able to do this because of the work we had done to build such deep relationships before the pandemic emerged.”
This article is part of our 2019-2020 Year in Review publication. If you would like a printed copy, drop us a line at [email protected].