The Reverend Krista Hilton, Chaplain at Brock University
I serve as the ecumenical chaplain at Brock University, located in St. Catharines, in the lovely Niagara region of Ontario. The Faith and Life Centre has one of the prime locations on campus, as it is nestled into the Niagara Escarpment, and the large windows of the Centre look onto the wooded area.
As I anticipate the coming school year, I am excited for the establishment of a Student Christian Movement chapter at Brock University. The Student Christian Movement (SCM) of Canada is a student-led grassroots network passionate about social justice, community in diversity, and radical faith in action. The SCM website states, “As a radical ecumenical movement, we welcome all at our table, regardless of belief, sexual orientation, faith tradition, and age. Together, we take action for social justice, engage in progressive spiritual and faith activism, and seek to foster community in diversity.” [https://scmcanada.org/about-us]
Two Brock students, Ava Cattran and Em Schilling, are the new local coordinators for the chapter, and I’m working with them to create this new expression of faith on campus. Back in May, the three of us attended a conference sponsored by SCM. The plenary sessions provided many opportunities to consider topics we may wish to offer, such as “Recovering from Religious Trauma,” “Entering into Trans Solidarity,” and “Faithful Climate Conversations.” Reflecting on the future establishment of SCM, Brock student Ava said, “I’m excited for this new gathering of people who wish to use their diverse experiences and knowledge to gain a new understanding of the teachings of Jesus and our role as Christians within the context of our complicated world. I look forward to applying our gifts in faithful service of those in need within our SCM chapter community, our student community at Brock, and our greater Niagara community.”
Other chaplaincy initiatives include addressing food insecurity and providing winter clothing. Food security is a concern for many university students. I coordinate a frozen meal service for which volunteers from local churches make meals, freeze them, and bring them to their church; I then pick them up, store them at the Faith and Life Centre, and distribute them to students upon request. We also host a community dinner once a month so that students can enjoy a home-cooked meal and fellowship. These are always well attended. In the late fall, we host a winter clothing drive where students can receive a free winter coat and accessories.
There are ways for members of parishes to become involved in the various ministries offered at Brock University. I invite prayerful consideration of the following: 1) contribute to the Frozen Meals ministry; 2) help host a monthly Community Dinner; 3) collect items for the November Winter Clothing Drive; 4) make a financial donation to the Ecumenical Chaplaincy. All of these are ways to support the faith development of students at Brock University, and all contributions of support and prayers are deeply appreciated. For more information, please feel free to contact me at nb_khilton@brocku.ca.
The Reverend Krista Hilton is Ecumenical Chaplain at Brock University in St. Catharines. Krista was born and raised in Quebec, then attended the University of Guelph for her Bachelor of Applied Science degree, with a major in Family and Social Relations. On completion of her Master of Divinity degree at Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Krista was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church. She joined the team of chaplains at Brock in 2021.
Ecumenical Chaplaincy at Brock University
I serve as the ecumenical chaplain at Brock University, located in St. Catharines, in the lovely Niagara region of Ontario. The Faith and Life Centre has one of the prime locations on campus, as it is nestled into the Niagara Escarpment, and the large windows of the Centre look onto the wooded area.
As I anticipate the coming school year, I am excited for the establishment of a Student Christian Movement chapter at Brock University. The Student Christian Movement (SCM) of Canada is a student-led grassroots network passionate about social justice, community in diversity, and radical faith in action. The SCM website states, “As a radical ecumenical movement, we welcome all at our table, regardless of belief, sexual orientation, faith tradition, and age. Together, we take action for social justice, engage in progressive spiritual and faith activism, and seek to foster community in diversity.” [https://scmcanada.org/about-us]
Two Brock students, Ava Cattran and Em Schilling, are the new local coordinators for the chapter, and I’m working with them to create this new expression of faith on campus. Back in May, the three of us attended a conference sponsored by SCM. The plenary sessions provided many opportunities to consider topics we may wish to offer, such as “Recovering from Religious Trauma,” “Entering into Trans Solidarity,” and “Faithful Climate Conversations.” Reflecting on the future establishment of SCM, Brock student Ava said, “I’m excited for this new gathering of people who wish to use their diverse experiences and knowledge to gain a new understanding of the teachings of Jesus and our role as Christians within the context of our complicated world. I look forward to applying our gifts in faithful service of those in need within our SCM chapter community, our student community at Brock, and our greater Niagara community.”
Other chaplaincy initiatives include addressing food insecurity and providing winter clothing. Food security is a concern for many university students. I coordinate a frozen meal service for which volunteers from local churches make meals, freeze them, and bring them to their church; I then pick them up, store them at the Faith and Life Centre, and distribute them to students upon request. We also host a community dinner once a month so that students can enjoy a home-cooked meal and fellowship. These are always well attended. In the late fall, we host a winter clothing drive where students can receive a free winter coat and accessories.
There are ways for members of parishes to become involved in the various ministries offered at Brock University. I invite prayerful consideration of the following: 1) contribute to the Frozen Meals ministry; 2) help host a monthly Community Dinner; 3) collect items for the November Winter Clothing Drive; 4) make a financial donation to the Ecumenical Chaplaincy. All of these are ways to support the faith development of students at Brock University, and all contributions of support and prayers are deeply appreciated. For more information, please feel free to contact me at nb_khilton@brocku.ca.
The Reverend Krista Hilton is Ecumenical Chaplain at Brock University in St. Catharines. Krista was born and raised in Quebec, then attended the University of Guelph for her Bachelor of Applied Science degree, with a major in Family and Social Relations. On completion of her Master of Divinity degree at Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Krista was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church. She joined the team of chaplains at Brock in 2021.
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