City Life: reading the city/relating to the city
A five-week Monday evening course - January 14- February 11 2008
(image: Internal City, 2005, Carmina French)
Most people living in cities have mixed feelings. Some delight in everyday sights and sounds from their sidewalk, nodding to neighbours and relishing the rhythms of urban lifestyles. Other lament the lack of peace, bemoan the busy streets or even fear to venture out into the downtown core.This course embraces such ambivalence, seeing such mixed feelings as part of our human makeup, but also reaching back to discover the meaning of the city and forward to find out how our best hopes might be realized. And how we might be part of the good news for the city as actively involved citizens.
That context is found in Christian reflection on and engagement with the urban world, from the symbolically sinful sites of Sodom or Babylon to the joyful New Jerusalem where light and life are full and free. The course aims to help us “read” today’s city in fresh ways and to “relate” to it, rolling up our sleeves to get right in there.
The course aims to understand city life in general, but Kingston is the focus. We’ll use our own city as a source of case-studies for study and action. Expect illustrated, interactive talks on aspects of Christianity and urban life in Kingston and around the world, opportunities for
discussion of central themes, and edgy, practical components obliging us to think about our own responsibility as Christians in the city.
(image: facade, 2005, abi lyon wicke)
Urban experience, biblical drama - January 14
The drama of the city as dynamic theme of the Bible. How do Christians live in the city? The majority of the world’s population now live in urban spaces. How does this affect us? Are there any “sacred spaces” left in today’s cities? How do we get to know our streets and workplaces?
A city evolves - January 21
Kingston: from native site to military base to industrial centre to services and tourism. The daily life and power-struggles of the limestone city. The seamy underside: Sodom and Babylon as symbolically evil cities. Can we make a difference?
Hope for the city - January 28
Who cities are for? The differences made by good and bad design. Why God cares about the aesthetics and the environment of the city. How dreams become practicable: the task of implementation. Does painting the porch; planting a tree; joining your neighbourhood association help?
A rainbow city - February 04
Who lives in this place and what difference does it make? Aristotle said it’s not a city if the people are the same: was he right? Ethnic diversity in Kingston: the world in our backyard. Splintered spiritualities? Religious diversity in Kingston. Richness of diversity in the New Jerusalem. How does it feel to be different? Knowing our neighbours, welcoming recent arrivals.
The good of the city - February 11
Why Christians live in two cities; citizens with dual attachments. Kingston and Kingdom some times clash but real responsibilities and challenges must be faced. Seeking the welfare of the city: building community. How do we mobilize churches in urban neighbourhoods?
Course materials: Sidewalks of the Kingdom: The New Urbanism and Christian Faith, by Eric Jacobsen (2003)
Where: McLaughlin Room, JDUC, Queen’s University (except Jan 28 at John Orr, Queen’s University)
When: 7:00-9:00 Monday evenings January 14-February 11
Register: Call (613)544-7573 or email invisiblecollegekingston@gmail.com
Cost: $30, $15 low/no wage and students (includes beverage, snack)