Deep Down on the Edge Study Tour
Irma was born and grew up in Winnipeg,
Manitoba. She has been a university chaplain and
a pastor before beginning her teaching
career at CMBC (a predecessor college of
CMU) in 1991. She received her Doctorate of
Theology from Victoria University at the
University of Toronto, a Masters of Divinity
from the University of Winnipeg, and a
Bachelor of Arts from the University of
Waterloo.
Irma’s research interests frequently lead her to themes connected to the practices of the church and the theology purveyed/conveyed by those practices. In the past few years she has given more sustained focus on the rituals of the church such as worship and baptism and on themes related to power. More recently Irma’s commitment to peacemaking has led her to participate in a number of reconciliation endeavours including Muslim-Christian dialogue (sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee); she also continues to be involved with Mennonite-Catholic dialogue groups around Winnipeg.
Irma is frequently on the road speaking and leading workshops in various settings on a variety of themes. She is currently completing a book manuscript on Mennonite worship and ethics to be published as part of the Polyglossia Series of Herald Press.
When not hanging around CMU or travelling, Irma hangs out with her two favourite guys, husband Ken and son Zachary—who, among other things, love canoeing and wilderness camping. In addition, she enjoys cycling, is an avid novel reader, quilts with her sisters and unabashedly loves all food and social functions (preferably together). She and her family are actively involved with the saints at Bethel Mennonite Church.
Some quotes:
“True theology is practical; speculative theology belongs with the devil in hell.” — Martin Luther
“Christians are a people whose vision of the moral life is formed by adoration and praise, by penitence and pardon, by thanksgiving and offering, by petition and intercession, by revelation and confession . . . and by all of these ascribed and supplicated to the God whom we know through Jesus. When our vision of the moral life is formed in these ways, we Christians will know that we worry about war and sexuality and racism and the rest soli Deo Gloria.” — Harmon Smith
“I think joy and sweetness and affection are a spiritual path …” — Anne Lamott
