Online Zoom Forum: Henri Nouwen: The Spiritual, Ethical, Artistic, and Social Vision in His Life and Work.
Date: Wednesday 29 October 2025.
Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).
Event Description:
Format: There will be five talks, each of 12 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A.
Chair:
The Rev'd Canon John McLuckie:
Bio: John McLuckie is Rector of Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
He is also a teacher of spirituality, a retreat leader, spiritual director and Zen practitioner.
His research on William Johnston’s relationship with Zen Buddhism led to an MPhil thesis examining Johnston’s ritual practice as a participative form of comparative theology.
Speakers:
The Rev Dr Arthur Boers:
Title: The Maternal Care of Father Henri.
Description: A testimony about encounters with Henri that providentially helped unwind PTSD in a survivor of child abuse.
Bio: Arthur Boers, an Anglican priest in Toronto, is the author most recently of Shattered: A Son Picks Up the Pieces of His Father's Rage and is currently writing a trauma-informed exploration of the Merciful Samaritan story. He visited with Henri several times between 1981 and the early 1990s. He wrote about Henri for several periodicals, including Christianity Today and had an award-winning interview with him published in The Other Side magazine
Reverend Bruce G. Adema:
Title: Henri Nouwen, A Spiritual Guide for All Traditions.
Description: Henri Nouwen was a Catholic Priest committed to the doctrines and standards of that tradition. However, his spiritual writings have been embraced by people of a wide variety of denominations. In this presentation, Bruce will explore the factors that contribute to Henri's broad and lasting appeal.
Bio: Reverend Bruce G. Adema is the Executive Director of The Henri Nouwen Society and The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. Bruce assumed these roles after serving as the lead Pastor of the Christian Reformed Churches in Bloomfield and Waterdown for the past decade. Prior to this, he held the position of Director of Canadian Ministries for the Christian Reformed Church in North America, served as the President of the Canadian Council of Churches, and was on the faculty of Koinonia Theological Seminary in Davao City in the Philippines. Bruce brings a wealth of experience as a pastor, missionary, seminary director, and faculty member, all complemented by his profound connection to Henri Nouwen’s teachings.
The Henri Nouwen Society reaches thousands of spiritual seekers through events, webcasts, a highly regarded podcast series, and initiatives targeting Spanish-speaking audiences. In addition, the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust oversees publishing projects and plays a pivotal role in supporting the Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives and Research Collection at the University of St. Michael’s College within the University of Toronto.
The Henri Nouwen Society is dedicated to introducing Henri Nouwen to a new generation of spiritually eager readers and seekers through innovative programs, partnerships, and initiatives. The Society collaborates closely with the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust, which holds the copyright to all of Nouwen’s works. Together, they share Henri Nouwen’s profound spiritual vision that individuals can experience transformation by recognizing themselves as God’s Beloved.
Fr Ron Rolheiser:
Title: Henri Nouwen’s Struggle as a Person and Its Effect on his Writing.
Description: What’s most personal is also what’s most universal. Henri Nouwen wrote out of that dictum (coined by Carl Rogers). His unique power to touch hearts was rooted in an exceptional faith and a keen emotional intelligence, but it is also rooted in his wounds. His wounds color all is writings and help make him, in his own words, a wounded healer. What were those wounds and how did they help shape his deep insights? This presentation will focus on four of Nouwen’s major insights and how each of these was partially shaped by his wounds, indeed by his “wound”.
Bio: Ronald Rolheiser, a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is a community-builder, lecturer, and writer. He has published more than a dozen books, including the awarding winning books: The Restless Heart, The Holy Longing, and Sacred Fire. His books are popular throughout the English-speaking world and have now been translated into many languages. His weekly column is carried by more than 50 newspapers worldwide.
He is in demand and well known as speaker. Keeping an active speaking schedule. Along with his academic knowledge in systematic theology and philosophy, he has become a popular speaker in the areas of contemporary spirituality, religion, and the secularity.
Prior to this present position, he taught theology and philosophy at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Alberta, for 16 years, served as Provincial Superior of his Oblate Province for six years, and served on the General Council for the Oblates in Rome for six years. He was President at Oblate School of theology from 2005 – 2020. He is now a professor of Spirituality at Oblate School of Theology.
Dr Sharon Y. Ramsay:
Title: Therapy as Communion.
Description: Using Nouwen's focus on the intersection of joy and suffering, this talk frames the therapeutic relationship as an act of bearing witness.
Bio: Sharon Y. Ramsay, M.Div., Ph.D. (Cand.) RP, RMFT-SM is a bilingual, Canadian woman of Caribbean descent. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO), a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and Supervisor-Mentor (CAMFT), and a Professional Member of AAMFT who holds the designations of Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor. Since 1994, in the settings of private practice, post- secondary institutions, community and children’s mental health agencies, she has been learning how context influences our ability to survive and thrive through the expected and surprising rhythms of life. Her clinical work focuses on the search for hope and change through the healing power of being seen and heard. Currently, she is a Ph. D student at the Université Saint Paul University in Ottawa (Canada).
Rev Dr John A. Vissers:
Bio: John is interested in the history and theology of the Reformed tradition and its significance for the church in a global context today. He teaches and writes widely in the areas of Reformed theology, spiritual formation, and theological interpretation of the Bible. His areas of academic research and writing focus on the theologies of John Calvin and Karl Barth, Trinitarian theology, Reformed spirituality, and Canadian Protestant theology in the 19th and 20th centuries.
John is an ordained minister of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and a member of the Presbytery of Oak Ridges. In 2012-2013, he served as Moderator of the 138th General Assembly of the PCC. Previously he served as Principal of the Presbyterian College, Montreal at McGill University (1999-2013); Senior Minister at Knox Church, Toronto (1995-1999); and Professor of Systematic Theology at Tyndale Seminary (1987-1995).
John is a graduate of the University of Toronto (B.A.), Knox College (M.Div.), Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and the Toronto School of Theology (Th.D.). In 2012 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in sacred theology (D.D.) from the Montreal Diocesan Theological College affiliated with McGill University for his contributions to Reformed theology and ecumenical theological education.
An archive recording will be made for the EICSP archive.
NB: There will be no refund if you cancel your booking.
Booking: By Paypal.
Contact: Neill Walker, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Here are the bank transfer details:
Account Name: Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace
Bank: Bank of Scotland
Bank Address: Edinburgh Royal Mile Branch
Account Number: 06131159
Sort Code: 802000
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The IBAN number:
GB70 BOFS 8020 0006 1311 59
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BOFSGB21168