Here at MDC we offer a variety of activities that support both academic and spiritual growth.
Students are encouraged to participate in various extracurricular opportunities, including joining in various guilds, attending chapel services, and contributing to community initiatives.
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Chapel
Every week during the Fall and Winter terms, our community gathers for Chapel. This hour-long service is a time where students, staff, and faculty pause their work and study to gather for a time of worship, prayer, and reflection on Scripture.
Our Chapel services are open to all who would like to join us. We meet in-person in the Nathaniel Parker Memorial Chapel at McMaster Divinity College or via livestream. To view our upcoming Chapel services on the calendar, click the link below.
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Divinity Students' Association (DSA)
The mission of the DSA is to create & foster spiritual growth & fellowship within the MDC student body; promoting an open relationship between MDC, its students, & the broader community.
Some of their initiatives include hosting retreats, facilitating weekly prayer times, pointing students to resources, sponsoring Surviving Academia, stocking the DSA kitchen, managing the avenue to learn page, and many more.
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Student Interest Groups
Old Testament Guild
The OT Guild is a monthly gathering for students, staff, and faculty studying, teaching, and interested in Old Testament studies. All are welcome to join. Contact Dr. Mark Boda for more information on the OT Guild.
New Testament Guild
MDC’s New Testament (NT) Guild is a monthly meeting open to all faculty and students studying or interested in New Testament at MDC. The NT Guild gives everyone an opportunity to meet outside our regular curriculum to discuss various topics concerning being a good NT scholar. Topics include: NT studies, theological education, scholarship, job market and job application, professional developments, and many more. For more information contact Ankit Harry or Aaron Jung
Practical Theology Guild
The Practical Theology (PT) Guild is a monthly Zoom meeting open to all MDC students and faculty interested in Practical Theology. The PT Guild offers an opportunity to meet outside our regular curriculum to discuss various topics concerning being a good PT scholar. Topics include practice-led research, qualitative research methodologies, theological reflection methods, publishing, current developments in the field, job market and applications, and more. If you would like to receive the Zoom meeting links and email reminders, please contact Mat Lortie.
Theological Studies Guild
The Theological Studies Guild provides a community for those pursuing academic studies in the area of theology, historical theology, Christian history, and related subjects. The meetings take place over a bag lunch discussion or presentation, with the focus on how to flourish in the discipline and how to develop a trajectory of meaningful success in one’s vocation. For more information on the Theological Studies Guild, contact Dr. Jim Payton or Dr. Gord Heath.
Seraphim Arts Guild
The Seraphim Arts Guild is a group for creatives at MDC to join together in discussion and the experience of the intersection of faith, theology, and the arts. This year they are meeting to discuss the relevance of theology to many kinds of art practice: visual art, architecture, theater, poetry, music, film and dance. For more information, contact James Tughan, artist in residence and MTS / DPT student.
Linguistics Circle
The Linguistics Circle is a monthly gathering of students, faculty, and others who are interested in biblical linguistics. Each gathering, we have a discussion of a biblical linguistic topic, based on a paper presented by someone in our community—either a student, professor, or a volunteer or invited guest. Anyone with an interest in biblical linguistics is welcome to join, regardless of experience or knowledge in the field. To join, email cblte@mcmaster.ca to gain access to the CBLTE (Centre for Biblical Linguistics, Translation, and Exegesis) site where announcements and papers are posted.
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Seminars
Theological Research Seminar (TRS)
The MDC Theological Research Seminar (TRS) is a bimonthly gathering for all MDC students and faculty. TRS meets over the lunch hour on Wednesdays, and includes about thirty minutes for the paper presentation and twenty minutes for discussion.
All advanced degree students, faculty, alumni, and guests are invited to present a paper and share your research with your colleagues. TRS is an excellent opportunity to “test drive” a paper you will be presenting at an upcoming conference and receive helpful feedback on your current research projects. Thinking about submitting an article to a journal and want some interaction first? TRS will provide it. Just published an article or an essay and want to share it us? TRS is an excellent opportunity to broadcast it.
The organizing committee consists of Dr. Francis Pang, Dr. Phil Zylla, and Dr. Gord Heath. To submit a paper, contact a member of the organizing committee.
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Spouse Support Group
Surviving Academia
Surviving Academia is primarily a group for spouses of people in graduate school or spouses of those working as an academic. It is a gathering of people who want to thrive through the ups and downs of academic life while:
- Passionately loving God,
- Building healthy relationships, and
- Finding their place in Kingdom work.
Spouses invited to select ZOOM evenings. This is a place to build supportive friendships! For more information contact Rev. Jan Mutter, Pastor and Spiritual Director at Wentworth Baptist Church.
