Kanata Centre
The Kanata Centre for Worship and Global Song recognizes that people everywhere in our multicultural, multifaith world are striving to embrace the mystery of life. We celebrate and support this pursuit by creating opportunities to develop and participate in worship, art, and song practices that are woven with the richness of diverse cultures and faiths.
We link the public expression of faith to our deep connection with all of creation, and we hope to fulfil our mission by keeping forefront in our hearts and minds the goal of working for the common good. We welcome the public as well as students, faculty and staff from all Laurier campuses to attend our events.
Kanata Centre Programs
Inshallah is a choir of more than 130 voices gathering from across campus and throughout Waterloo Region to sing songs of praise and prayer, of joy and lament, from around the world. It’s a fun and welcoming space where we explore multifaith and multicultural diversity through music at rehearsals and public gatherings.
Art — whether in the form of music, architecture, movement or a myriad of visual expressions — has aided worship and reflection since prehistoric times. In addition to all of the liturgical arts that we incorporate into our worship services, we stimulate critical reflection through our Art on the Wall program, which explores faith and justice through visual art.
Each month throughout the academic year, we display the work of a different artists. Past exhibitions have included quilts, paintings, mixed-media pieces, photography and poetry. Our worship leaders and faculty members often draw from this artwork during their services and for their classes.
We are happy to collaborate with artists from across Laurier’s campus and throughout Waterloo Region. If you think your artwork would help us stimulate conversation and reflection, please contact Debbie Lou Ludolph, dean of chapel and director of Martin Luther University College's Kanata Centre for Worship and Global Song.
See details about Arts and Vespers 2024 – Celebration of the Winter exhibitions on Feb. 11, 2024
If you have further questions, please contact Kanata Centre director Debbie Lou Ludolph at dludolph@luther.wlu.ca
Past Exhibits
- A Visual Reconciliation
- Stitching our Prayers: Martin Luther University College women's auxiliary quilts.
- Thoughts: Paintings by Ashwini Raghuram.
- The B.E.S.T.: The Beauty of Embracing Spectacular Talent, various artists supported by Christian Horizons.
- A Time To Pray: Graphite drawings and glass-on-plywood works by Ala Al-Thibeh.
- transFORM III: Work by Grand River Collegiate Institute's graduation class.
- Lenten Meditations: Photo exhibition by the Foto:RE collective.
- Waterloo Winters: Paintings by Sharon Woodley.
- Reflecting on Shadow: Considering shadow through a Jungian lens.
- Every Day: Photos from Palestine-Israel by Kitchener photographer Carolyn Gray.
- Quilts: Made by members of the Women's Auxiliary.
- Sharing our Creative Spirits: Various artwork by Martin Luther University College faculty and staff.
- Dances of India: Acrylic and metallic paint on canvas by Shwetha Subramanya. Text by Manu Pallapa.
- Inawendiwag – They Are Related to Each Other: Mixed-media by Catherine Dallaire.
Art and Vespers is an annual gathering focused on the Art on the Wall exhibition's theme.
See details about Arts and Vespers 2024 – Celebration of the Winter exhibitions on Feb. 11, 2024
Previous Art and Vespers events
Art and Vespers 2022, an online event, was held Feb. 13, 2022. It featured live jazz and presentations by artists who contributed to the exhibition Unmasking, Breathing, Moving Forward
The art exhibition can be viewed online on Flickr or in person at Luther. If you'd like to send a message to one of the artists; to comment on a piece that moves you; or to begin a conversation; sign up for a free Flickr account.
If you have further questions, please contact Kanata Centre director Debbie Lou Ludolph at dludolph@luther.wlu.ca
- Art and Vespers (2020). The official opening of the art exhibition Reconciliation: JOY on Flickr
- Art and Vespers: The Crack Where the Light Gets In Various artists (2017)
Sing Fires of Justice is an annual festival of music and words, presented jointly with the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community, that’s designed to raise awareness and support for social justice.
Event Images
- Sing Fires of Justice 2021 website.
- Sing Fires of Justice 2020 video on YouTube.
- Sing Fires of Justice 2019 video on YouTube and photos on Flickr
- Sing Fires of Justice 2018 on Flickr
- Sing Fires of Justice with Tom Jackson video (2017)
Welcome to Contemplative Pause, a brief time to be still and reflect.
Hosted by Gerard Yun. Sponsored by the Kanata Centre for Worship and Global Song.
This series of 13 collaborations with local musicians, poets, students and other guests is available on the following YouTube playlist.
