Cathie Nicholl Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship is expected to assist generally throughout the conference -- from Wednesday through to Sunday evening (ie an extra pair of hands for the guest speakers, but also generally... from facilitating conversation and participating in outdoor walks to setting up chairs to helping serve meals and doing dishes…alongside other academics doing the same).
The recipient will attend all group discussions/events, and is invited to engage in the general conversation and fun throughout the conference. It is expected that the CNS scholar will richly benefit from relationships built, observations made, and adventures experienced whilst part of the ‘Linlathen Team.’
For more information on this scholarship, please contact:
​
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15, 2024
​
If you are interested in contributing to or partnering in the
CNS scholarship fund, please contact us.
Each year the Linlathen Committee offers the “Cathie Nicholl Scholarship” to a graduate student of Theology (or a grad student with theological interests) in or from Ontario. This Linlathen T.A.-ship seeks to honour Cathie Nicholl (1910-2004) and her significant educational legacy of practiced theology and integrated community. The Cathie Nicholl Scholarship includes free conference registration plus room & board for the Linlathen Conference.
Why Cathie Nicholl?
Cathie Nicholl worked with Canadian and international university students for half a century and was awarded the Order of Canada for her life-long contribution to the lives of Canadian youth.
Cathie was born to Scottish missionaries in Northern China, who inspired in her a deep love of reading scripture and singing hymns. Her early years of study were at Cheefoo School in Yantai, on the northeast coast: “There was a wholesome, normal spiritual foundation for everything [we] did. They constantly stretched us. They never undershot us.” Just before turning 19 Cathie left China for Toronto, intending to train as a teacher – in preparation for which she took business and Canadian history courses. She was sidetracked by a job however, one which intervened in her own academic plans but ensured university engagement for the remainder of her life: she became administrator for the fledgling Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. Soon Cathie was working directly with undergraduates and graduate students, challenging them intellectually, spiritually, relationally – seeking to encourage (and model) a holistic expression of living fully the Life More Abundant. “When I started, I didn’t plan to work for 50 years, but was very conscious of the fact that God had called me into this thing … I loved the kids. They were like adrenaline to my system.” This vocation took Cathie to each of Canada’s provinces, as well as to Jamaica, pioneering high-school chapters in addition to her university work. Cathie also helped to develop Pioneer Camps across Canada, and was a director in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Through campwork she shared with both teens and young adults a theology that delighted in knowing and caring about Creation.
Cathie was a life-changing mentor and life-long friend to thousands of young people. Many of these now seek to model similar holistic expressions of faith in educational institutions and relationship-oriented communities around the globe.
​
The Linlathen Team is committed to honouring Cathie’s work and to supporting her passions with this scholarship. If you are interested in contributuing financially to this fund, please contact linlathenlectures@gmail.com.
For more about Cathie Nicholl, see: www.canadianchristianleaders.org and the video produced by Wilbur Sutherland & IMAGO in 1990: This May Be Your Life’s Work: A film about Christian Leadership Training Based on the Life of Cathie Nicholl.
Previous Scholars
2024
Bio's & Photo's Forthcoming
​
Josh Tiessen & Kaylen Beekman
2023 Summer
Gracious Chitenderu is originally from Harare, Zimbabwe. She holds an undergraduate degree in architectural studies from Carleton University. Gracious is currently working towards advancing in her studies in architecture, to become a certified architect whose designs are inspired by theology, ecology and community.
“I believe, attending Linlathen leaves one wanting more. Like a child, I felt a flame ignite within and witnessed it happen to other attendees that attended the conference. To have been able to experience that as CNS, inspired me to be a part of something bigger than myself- to thoughtfully reconcile art, architecture and music with nature alongside my community and to do so with confidence, trusting the gifts that we are given are for the good of all creation”
​
Gracious Chitenderu
2023 Spring
Mickeelie Farrell
​
Originally from Huntsville, Ontario, Mickeelie is a psychotherapist in Ottawa working with children, teens, and adults who have experienced trauma. She completed her undergraduate degree in Medieval History and English Literature at the University of Ottawa, a Master’s degree in English Literature at Queen’s University, and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.
“Being a CNS at Linlathen was an opportunity to engage with many loves at the same time: theology, literature, art, and the universal human story that God weaves in community. My time at both the spring and summer Linlathens reinforced the importance of story that is at once both deeply personal and deeply communal, meant to be shared and received, co-created and witnessed, and explored imaginatively to discover the hope it may hold for the future.”
​
​
Alain Ngabitsinze
​
Alain Ngabitsinze is from Rwanda and currently studying actuarial science at Carleton University and working towards Actuary certification(ASA - Associate of the Society of Actuaries).
"Linlathen was such a blast. The CNS opened doors for me to experience God in a different way. Seeing the power of art, music and culture as a means to express God's goodness and beauty in our lives was a literal paradigm shift for me. It has allowed me to harmoniously live out my Rwandan culture, love for music & art and faith. As I think back to Linlathen, I am filled with joy."
​​​​​
​
​
Mickeelie Farrell & Alain Ngabitsinze
2021-2022
2019
2018
.jpg)
2017
Julia Brousseau is a proud Northern Ontarian hailing from Sudbury, Ontario. She completed her Master of Arts in Religion at Yale Divinity School in 2022, and is now working towards her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She is passionate about spirituality, healing, and the arts, and how they all intersect.
"Being a part of Linlathen was a truly life changing experience. Never before had I been welcomed by a team of people who exemplify grace, humility and trust in one another than the Team who runs the show. In addition to learning from world class scholars, I created deep and meaningful relationships that I know will last a lifetime."
Julia Brousseau
Maya Clubine is from the small hamlet of Glen Williams, Ontario. She studied English Literature and Rhetoric at the University of Waterloo, and Art History at Trinity College Dublin. She is presently a Pastellist and an MLitt candidate at St. Andrews University.
“Being the CNS was a wonderful experience. I was brought into a community of new faces who quickly became lifelong friends. My time at Linlathen solidified my desire to pursue graduate studies in theology and the arts, and rekindled my passion for painting. It was a surreal, life changing weekend.”
Maya Clubine
Elise Urness is from the small town of Peachland BC, in the Okanagan Valley. She followed her ‘husband-to-be’ east to Ottawa in 2017 to start a Masters of Biology at Carleton University and to be closer to his family. Elise’s passion to “live out faith in Jesus through taking time to notice His glory in all things” played a role in her search for rare plant species, the focus of her thesis research. In addition to being the 2018 CNS, in 2019 Elise led the annual ‘A Rocha Walk & Talk,’ augmented by Malcolm Guite’s interspersed recitations.
​
“Caring for Creation is not just a call on the environmentalists, activists, and naturalists, it is a call on all Christ followers. 'The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it' (Ps 24:1). We remember the garden and why we were put there: to tend and keep the land. In so doing we take every opportunity to love the Lord, and to love our neighbours (no matter how small). To participate in Linlathen as the CNS in 2018 was a privilege and an honour. Though the theme of the lecture series/retreat may vary, the foundation of community gathered around the person of Christ is what brings light to all the wonderful content and literature of each conference weekend."
Elise Urness
Originally from London Ontario, Abigail Holt studied English Literature at the University of Ottawa and is currently working on completing her masters at Western University. Her primary interest of study is representations of autistic individuals in contemporary literature and media.
​
"As a recent graduate about to enter into the first year of her M.A., Linlathen was a delightful foretaste of everything (and more!) that awaited me in grad school. Through the CNS I had the extreme pleasure of meeting individuals across a variety of backgrounds, life seasons, and academic interests, each of whom invested in me over our time together. I came away from the weekend feeling immense gratitude as well as motivation to pursue a holistic, community-centred approach to my academic studies."
Abigail Holt
2016
Jeremy Mulder is from Ottawa, Ontario. His undergraduate and graduate degrees are in Music & Performance from University of Ottawa. Nate Wilson is from Hamilton, Ontario. His BA from Trinity Western University was followed by work in Applied Leadership and Public Policy at Laurentian Leadership Centre. He is currently completing a Masters in Theology at Regent College.
"I’m still feeling overwhelmed by all of Linlathen! It was such a pleasure to have had the opportunity—through the CNS—to serve and enjoy the conference, and I look forward to participating in some way in future Linlathens!" JM
​
"Linlathen is a perfect platform for kindred souls to play with meaningful ideas. I found myself launched into this brilliant intersection of faith, imagination, and wild things. Brushing up against visiting scholars and thoughtful participants, through the CNS, was deeply inspiring. I'll alwys carry my time at Linlathen close to my heart." NW
Jeremy currently assists in the CRC Chaplaincy at UofO, and in music ministry at his church and elsewhere, as he discerns his next steps. Nate will begin training in Hospital Chaplaincy when his degree at Regent is complete.
Jeremy Mulder & Nate Wilson
2015
Tolu Awobusuyi is originally from Ekiti, Nigeria. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and the University of Ottawa, respectively.
"Being the 2015 CNS pushed me towards researching the evolution of African-American music, a project which is developing my understanding of race and the role of the past in shaping present-day black experience in Africa and the diaspora. The gift of that journey is recommendation enough for the CNS program."
Tolu is currently working on plans for advanced studies in Old Testament theology and Ancient Languages and Cultures, and building a career in environmental engineering.
Tolu Awobusuyi
2014
Margaret McKerron
Margaret McKerron is from the rural outskirts of Waterloo, ON. She studied philosophy at Queen’s University, before beginning a Masters degree in Theological Studies at Regent College.
In 2014, Margaret was selected as the first CNS, when she was introduced to the nineteenth-century Scottish divine A. J. Scott, who became the focus of her final Masters’ project. She is now a PhD candidate at University of St Andrews, continuing her research on Scott as well as Thomas Erskine of Linlathen.
“Not only did the Cathie Nicholl Scholarship change the course of my studies, it let me share hospitality with a vibrant community as we explored the dimensions of Christian faith and practice together. I can’t recommend it enough.”