Spiritual Care Services
528 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
204-474-8721
spiritualcare@umanitoba.ca
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed statutory holidays)
Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre
At heart, spirituality reflects our human longing to find meaning in life and explore what will make it worth living. The Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre (SCMC) supports students as they navigate through the highs and lows of academic life, helping to piece together and make sense of the troubling, confusing, and exciting parts that make up their lives.
Spiritual health services are available to all, whether you identify as spiritual, atheist, religious or agnostic. We recognize, affirm and work with your existing values and beliefs.
On this page:
Who we are
The Spiritual Care team includes chaplains and other spiritual care providers representing a variety of faith traditions. Each chaplain is an appointed spiritual care provider by a recognized faith community in Canada, called or assigned to work at the University to support its members. We are also pleased to host Indigenous Elders-in-Residence and a Muslim Spiritual Care Provider as part of our team.
What we offer
- Existential/spiritual care, supporting students in their ability to make meaning of life’s struggles and opportunities.
- The gift of presence, accompanying students through the twists and turns of their dynamic lives.
- Hospitality and community, creating space for belonging and social connections.
- The use of a Multi-faith Centre where UM members can engage in individual and communal spiritual practices.
- A variety of programs and workshops aimed at addressing spiritual wellness.
Spiritual care office
Edgar French | Spiritual Care Coordinator
As the University’s Coordinator for the Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre, my main role is to provide direct one on one support or refer students to spiritual care that is attentive to their uniqueness of identity in all its dimensions. I work with an incredible team of Spiritual Care providers from numerous traditions including Indigenous Elders, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim. I also facilitate numerous workshops related to spiritual health and the building of community. I am privileged to oversee the provision of our multi-faith sacred space, at Fort Garry campus, and host students, staff, and faculty.
How did I land this awesome role? It’s a long story! Ask me sometime, and I’d be happy to share. Coffee or tea included. I am trained in spiritual clinical care, through the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care, and have a master’s degree in Theological studies.
An interesting fun fact about me - I was born and have roots in the tail end of Turtle Island, in the beautiful, warm, and tropical country of El Salvador.
528 UMSU University Centre
SpiritualCare@umanitoba.ca
Sabina Loewen | Office Assistant
As the SCMC’s Office Assistant, Sabina is dedicated to supporting the Spiritual Care Team in their care of students. She is committed to ensuring students are provided a space and opportunity to feel welcome, connected, and supported at UM through the Spiritual Care offices and programming. She is an integral part of the day-to-day function of the Centre, as well as assisting with its programming, communication with students and external groups, and liaising with other UM departments, faculty, and staff.
When Sabina’s not at the office, you might find her enjoying time at Assiniboine Park, camping with family and friends, or cheering on her daughters playing Ultimate frisbee or soccer – all of which may include a cup of coffee!
528 UMSU University Centre
SpiritualCare@umanitoba.ca
Spiritual care providers (Chaplains)
Chaplains listed in alphabetical order:
Jewish
Raya Margulets is a recent alumna (2022) of the University of Manitoba. Raya was born in Israel, but for the past 14 years, she has found her second home in Winnipeg. After graduating high school, she remembers her first year, “It seemed the campus was a whole world of its own. It was overwhelming with tens of faculties, hundreds of professors and thousands of students.” She quickly discovered Hillel, the Centre of Jewish life on campus, a place that felt like home in this vast new world. Within four years of her degree, she gradually became involved with Hillel, and soon after graduating, she became Hillel’s Post-Secondary Leadership Coordinator in Winnipeg.
Raya plans to continue Hillel’s mission of creating a safe and supportive space for Jewish students and providing opportunities to deepen their identity through social activities, social justice programming, and religious/holiday events. Then, of course, there are always the famous Hillel Bagel lunches!
Raya Margulets
Hillel Post-Secondary Engagement Coordinator
149 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
rmargulets@jewishwinnipeg.org
Lutheran
Michelle Collins (she/her/hers) is the Lutheran chaplain as part of her role as the Assistant to the Bishop for the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada). As a lifelong learner and as one who wrestles with questions that likely have no easy answers, Michelle’s passion is for helping people of all ages explore spiritual formation for the sake of meaning, impact and community. She is committed to conversation and connection that urges engaging faith, trusting discernment, partnering with community and neighbour in peace-making work, and questioning boldly that which challenges justice. There is not much Michelle is absolutely sure about—except that life is better when infused with hot drinks, friends and card games.
Michelle graduated from Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN) with a B.A. in Communications, and from Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN) with an M.A. in Educational Leadership. She currently lives in Winnipeg.
Michelle Collins (she/her/hers)
524 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
mcollins@elcic.ca
431-278-5146
Mennonite
The university years can be an exciting but also challenging time of life. For many, these years can raise a lot of questions and coincide with major life choices about things like vocation, significant relationships and finding one's place and voice in the world. I was a U of M student for seven years and completed an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and eventually a Masters of Landscape Architecture .
After working a few years in my field, I caught the academic bug again and found myself studying at a Mennonite Seminary in the USA, where I walked away with Master of Divinity (a rather presumptuous name for a degree) and some incredible experiences with students from around the world. This journey lead me to probe and wonder about some of the big questions of life: meaning, joy, peace, suffering, justice, God, connection and belonging.
Since 2003, I've been working as a Mennonite Chaplain here on campus, walking alongside students from many different backgrounds and helping to facilitate a welcoming and safe space that's affectionately known as the "Menno Office". There, students hang out between classes, eat their lunch, strum on the instruments and find support and friendship as they experience the ups and downs of student life together and process their experiences and questions from a Christian faith perspective. I'm in the office Tues, Wed and Thurs and the office remains open and available to students on Mon and Fri. Come join us!
Mark Von Kampen
524 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
Mark.VonKampen@umanitoba.ca
Muslim
Reminiscing on my time as a university student, I recall the many periods of excitement & fun, confusion & crisis, loneliness, hopelessness & hope, pain & pride that marked my journey. I learned more than my field of study--I had also learned about myself, my relationships with others and with Allah (the One God).
As a Muslim Spiritual Care Provider and Registered Psychologist, my goal is to help Muslim students on-campus (and non-Muslim students with strong ties to Muslims or Islam) foster their emotional, mental, and spiritual growth so that they are better positioned to become successful, not only at university, but also in navigating life outside of, and after, university.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree from McMaster University, Master’s degree from McGill University, and Ph.D. from New Mexico State University (USA)—all in Psychology. As an international student in the USA, I discovered the protective factor that comes from practicing my faith. My aim is to use my personal life experiences as an undergraduate and graduate student, a domestic and international student, a woman, and a person of colour, plus my knowledge of Islam (where applicable) to assist my practice of psychology. To accommodate the vast diversity amongst Muslim students, my mission is to serve with unconditional respect and compassion.
Dr. Natasha Ali
522 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
Natasha.Ali@umanitoba.ca
204-474-7980
Pentecostal
Born in the (late) 60s, immigrated in the 70s, graduated in the 80s, entered vocational ministry in the 90s, married in the 2000s (days after 9/11), minted as a PhD in the 2010s, I am journeying on in the 2020s. As a friend of Jesus, I am expanding my capacity to enjoy God, people, and life. I consider it an honour to journey with university students through this exciting, if sometimes bewildering, time of life, providing them with individual care, community, and learning opportunities. As a counsellor, teacher, and coach, my passion is to help people heal and grow toward their God-given purpose. With an MA (Counselling) and a PhD (Theology), I have served in pastoring, counselling, and academic teaching. Beyond the university, I am a counselling therapist in Steinbach and teach for SBC.
Fun facts: I am a hobbyist songwriter and musician; my son has passed me in chess and weightlifting; I have lived in/visited 17 countries, and learned five languages (and phrases in about seven more).
Dr. Elmer Chen
523 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
Elmer.Chen@umanitoba.ca
204-380-3932
Ukrainian Orthodox
I serve as both a priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and chaplain at St. Andrew's College. Feel free to drop by the college for a visit or for spiritual support. All students are welcome. A fun fact about me - I enjoy listening to Québec rock and Cajun music.
Fr. Roman Bozyk
523 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
Roman.Bozyk@umanitoba.ca
Resources
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Multi-Faith Calendar
A resource for instructors, educators, and event-coordinators to assist in fostering scheduling that is attentive and inclusive of the special observances of diverse spiritual and cultural traditions.
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Sacred spaces on campus
Information on and location to access diverse sacred spaces on UM campuses.
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Addressing aggressive religious recruiting
Most students have positive experiences with faith-based groups recognized by the University of Manitoba. However, you should be aware that high-pressure, aggressive religious groups do exist, and you may be approached by a member of one of these groups.
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Spiritual health & wellness toolkit
An informative resource on the nature of spiritual health, its relevance in academic life, and practical ways to cultivate this aspect of wellness.
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Faith and religious-based student clubs
A list of faith and religious-based student communities on campus.
Programming and events
Contact us
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Student Services at Bannatyne Campus
S211 Medical Services Building
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2204-272-3190
bcstudentservices@umanitoba.caThursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.