SMCE3003 F26 Faith & Food

• Delivery: In-person (Various Locations)
• Duration: 4 weeks
• Locations, Dates & Times: October 21st to November 11th, 2026, places of worship in various locations around Toronto (see description below). All visits are scheduled from 6 pm – 9 pm.
  • Wednesday, October 21 at the Ismaili Centre (49 Wynford Dr, North York, ON M3C 1K1)
  • Tuesday, October 27 at St. Basil’s Catholic Parish (50 St Joseph St, Toronto, ON M5S 3L5)
  • Wednesday, November 4 at Toronto United Mennonite Church (TUMC) (1774 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1G7)
  • Wednesday, November 11 at Beth Tzedec Congregation (1700 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5P 3K3)
• Cost: $150
• Level of Interfaith Dialogue (for learners taking the Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue): Dialogue of Life

Course Overview

Faith can meaningfully shape what we eat: what we eat, where and when we eat, and how and with whom we eat can all express our values and beliefs, as well as how we relate to one another within our communities. From how we use food in celebrating holidays, to how we bless it around the table, to the role of religious and cultural laws and global histories that shape what’s on our plates, food plays a key role in how we can learn about and experience each other’s faith traditions.

In this course, you will visit a new place of worship each week and prepare and share a meal together with the host congregation. In this way, you will learn about and experience each other’s cultures and flavours, receive hospitality, explore each other’s spaces, and hear about the ways that faith and fellowship are practised across Toronto.

Method of Teaching

SMCE3003 Faith & Food will consist of four meetings on site at different places of worship over four consecutive weeks, and weekly asynchronous learning activities.

Learners will actively participate in making and sharing meals on site, as well as touring the spaces. Lessons that bolster themes of dialogue, including short readings, videos, and reflective writing, will be used. A final culminating assignment will tie together themes and teachings from all four sites.

No foods containing pork or shellfish will be part of the menu at any site. USMC CE will make every effort to ensure that dietary needs will be accommodated, but we are unable to guarantee zero contact with certain allergens or other items (i.e., gluten, dairy, etc.), please contact ce.stmikes@utoronto.ca to inquire further.

SMCE3003 is an elective course within the Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue. Learners who wish to complete this program can learn more on our website. Enrolment in this course is open to all learners.

Learning Outcomes

In this course, learners will:
• Explore the connection between faith and food between four distinct faith traditions, including dietary laws, cultural histories, holidays and feast days, and everyday life
• Experience prayer, ritual, and cultural norms in places of worship across Toronto
• Learn recipes and practice cooking techniques tied to faith and culture
• Reflect on the role of hospitality in the practice of interfaith dialogue

Information about Host Places of Worship

Beth Tzedec Synagogue, 1700 Bathurst St.

St. Basil’s Catholic Parish at the University of St. Michael’s College, 50 St. Joseph St.

The Ismaili Centre, 49 Wynford Dr.

Toronto United Mennonite Church, 1774 Queen St. E.

About the Instructor

Dr. Ren Ito

Dr. Ren Ito is the Coordinator of the School of Pastoral Leadership at the University of St. Michael’s College. He has taught broadly on topics ranging from theories of hope to religious political movements and social justice leadership. His PhD in theological studies focused on racial politics and on theological speech as a way of articulating collective identities. Prior to joining USMC, Ren coordinated social justice programs and networks at The United Church of Canada, where he worked across denominational and religious lines to promote faith-based advocacy initiatives. His participatory teaching style aims to draw out insights through critical questions and active discussion, helping learners arrive at and articulate new understandings that can shape and reshape their perspectives on the world.

Questions?