
Relevant is a week-long series of dialogues and talks about faith, culture, science, life, and more topics that are relevant to students.
Join us this year from January 16-20, 2023!

About Relevant Series
Relevant is a week-long series of dialogues and talks about faith, culture, science, life, and more topics that are relevant to students. Join us this year from January 16-20, 2023!
The goal of Relevant Series is to engage students in thoughtful discussions and be a launching point for important conversations.
If you are a student and you are interested in exploring God’s role or existence in our world, then join us this year.
Relevant Series is brought to you by Power 2 Change Students.
Stream Relevant 2023 on YouTube
Relevant is a series of dialogues and talks about faith, culture, science, life, and more topics that are relevant to students.
Schedule
Each day features a theme. Click a button to navigate that day’s talks.
Monday, January 16th
God & Mental Health
Evening Talk - "Loneliness in a Culture of Connectivity"
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm EST
Location: Medical Science Building, 1 King’s College Cir.
Room: MS2172
Speaker: Dr. Alan Fung
Panelist: Dr. Karen Wang
Description:
Although technology has enabled us to stay more connected than ever, many of us experience deep loneliness. Join us for a discussion on loneliness in a culture of connectivity and what hope we have.
Tuesday, January 17th
God & Science
Evening Talk - "God & Science: Friend or Foe?"
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm EST
Location: Mechanical Engineering Building, 5 King’s College Road
Room: MC254
Speaker: Dr. Kirk Durston
Panelist: Dr. Martha Brown
Description:
Within the context of 21st-century science, does belief in God get in the way of science? The idea that science and religion are inevitable in conflict is a popular way of thinking. Naturally curious ever since his boyhood, scientist Kirk Durston has always loved both science and God. How is it that he could both practice science and grow stronger in his faith as a Christian? In this seminar, he will share several factors that have been instrumental in developing a positive relationship between faith and science. During Q&A, Dr. Martha Brown will join Kirk in further exploring this topic.
Link to Livestream: https://youtu.be/4zFw4UzZwQA
Wednesday, January 18th
God & Suffering
Lunch Talk - "Why Would a Loving God Allow Suffering"
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST
Location: Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Ave
Room: Great Hall
Speaker: Alycia Wood
Panelist: Logan Gates
Description:
This talk deals with the ways that the existence of God is not incompatible with suffering. It is possible for God to exist and for suffering to exist. What are the reasons? Well, there are many and the goal of this talk is to cover a few of them. It will also look at Where is God in suffering? Is He distant? Does He care?
Link to Livestream: https://youtu.be/br5cjyN9gvU
Free Lunch Provided
Evening Talk - "Residential Schools and the Church: First Nation Perspective"
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm EST
Location: Medical Science Building, 1 King’s College Cir.
Room: MS2172
Speaker: Levi Beardy
Description:
Join us as we discuss residential schools and the church.
Link to Livestream: https://youtu.be/_WnGhOLthlk
Thursday, January 19th
Interfaith Dialogue & Failure of the Church
Lunch Talk - "Jesus and the Failures of the Church"
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST
Location: Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Ave
Room: Great Hall
Speaker: Alycia Wood
Panelist: Logan Gates
Description:
There are many reasons why the concept of allegiance to God would be incomprehensible to many people. One of those is the way that the church has failed people. The question to ask ourselves is, “Do the failures of the church give us enough reasons to not consider Christianity?” This talk will look at if there is still hope for belief in God in a world where His followers seem to always fail.
Link to Livestream: https://youtu.be/E-BdIaCWYQA
Free Lunch Provided
Interfaith Dialogue - "Muslim & Christian (Love & Sacrifice)"
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm EST
Location: Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Ave
Room: Great Hall
Description: Join us for a dialogue between a Christian and Muslim as we explore our commonalities and differences.
Link to Livestream: https://youtu.be/1drXYszqBFc
Free Light Dinner Provided
Friday,
January 20th
God & Race
Lunch Talk - "God & Race: Does God See Color?"
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm EST
Location: Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Ave
Room: Great Hall
Speaker: Rose Thompson
Panelist: Esther Wong
Description:
In the past few years, conversations about race have flooded the headlines and our personal worlds. Most people have an opinion about these race discussions- even if it’s the opinion that it doesn’t matter. But how does God factor into this often polarizing conversation? Does God see color or is it non-issue? Bring your questions and thoughts as we engage this topic from a different perspective.
Link to Livestream: https://youtu.be/l55WehQMYpM
Free Lunch provided
Art Exhibit - "What Does It Mean To Be Human?"
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Ave
Room: Seeley Hall
Artists: Komi Olaf, Ruthia Pak Regis, Brain Johnston
Description:
What Does It Mean to be Human? Art as a Humanizing Influence.
Perhaps the most urgent question for us today is the call to discern what it means to be human. How we answer that question has profound implications for our life choices. This will be an evening of conversation where we explore our humanity and the place of the arts in the human journey. A brief talk will begin the evening followed by an interview with three practicing visual artists who will speak to the theme of the evening. Each artist will have two of their works on display and will answer questions from the audience. At the conclusion – Food and more conversation. Don’t miss this unique opportunity.
Link to Livestream: https://youtu.be/c253ETopmQs
Free Admission
Speakers
Dr. Alan Fung
Loneliness in a Culture of Connectivity
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Dr. Karen Wang
Panelist: Loneliness in a Culture of Connectivity
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Dr. Kirk Durston
God & Science: Friend or Foe?
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Dr. Martha Brown
God & Science: Friend or Foe?
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Alycia Wood
Why Would A Loving God Allow Suffering?
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Ruthia Pak Regis
What Does It Mean To Be Human?
Read Bio
Komi Olaf
What Does It Mean To Be Human?
Read Bio
Brian Johnston
What Does It Mean To Be Human?
Read Bio
Rose Thompson
God & Race:
Does God See Color?
Read Bio
Esther Wong
God & Race:
Does God See Color?
Read Bio
Logan Gates
Why Would a Loving God Allow Suffering?
Read Bio
John Franklin
What Does It Mean To Be Human?
Levi Samson Beardy
Residential Schools and the Church:
First Nations Perspective
Read Bio
Partners
Relevant series 2023 is organized in partnership with the following campus clubs and Churches










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