Chaplains Connect

CPCA Chaplains serve law enforcement officers across our Nation who are as unique and diverse as our Canadian landscape. Since 2021, I have hosted a variety of presenters through "Chaplains Connect" who were well versed in the Muslim faith, Hindu faith and Sikh faith. Although the Chaplains Connect lay dormant for some time, I feel it's right to revive the CC for the purpose of expanding our interfaith journey via a new presentation; a presentation on Buddhism. If we as police chaplains truly desire to provide the best emotional & spiritual care while "serving those who serve with excellence," we need understanding and resources as diverse as the law enforcement officers and their families whom we serve. 

CPCA Chaplains, please consider joining me as I host a presenter who holds the position of the Interfaith Leader of the Living Interfaith Sanctuary and the Minister of Community Life of Canadian Memorial United Church, both located in Vancouver, BC. Rev. Cathy Merchant holds an MDiv from the Vancouver School of Theology and an MA in Middle East Studies from the University of Washington. She has been teaching Compassionate Listening in North America and in Israel and Palestine since 2009 and is an ordained Interfaith minister. Her faith tradition is Mahayana Buddhism, and her husband and children are Ismaili Muslims. 

On August 28th at 1 PM Vancouver Time (Pacific Time), Cathy will provide CPCA Chaplains with a foundatonal understanding of Buddhism. She will share some of her journey that has brought her to become a public educator of the Buddhist Faith while serving as a minister within the United Church. In order to celebrate diversity within the law enforcement officers we serve, we need to know how their faith provides peace in the midst of chaos so that we can provide appropriate means for their emotional and spiritual care. Cathy will provide connections to Buddhist resources across Canada which will aid CPCA Chaplains when they are assisting a Buddhist faith police officer in crisis. Cathy is developing a power point presentation unique for CPCA Chaplains and at the conclusion of her presentation there will be time designated for questions. 

This two hour presentation is provided free to CPCA Chaplains. It will be a time of providing incite and understanding from a leader well versed in her faith. You must register for this event in order to receive the Zoom link. Please register prior to the actual day of the Chaplains Connect to ensure receipt of the Zoom link. This is an educational presentation, not a certificate training session. Participants will not receive a CPCA certificate or have their trainnig records credited. 

Please consider joining me and other CPCA Chaplains across Canada for "Chaplains Connect" at 1 PM Pacific Time - it will be time well spent.

Warmest regards,

Bruce Ewanyshyn

CPCA President

ICPC Director of Region 1