United Church Chaplain

Phone: 250.472.4159

Email: hlock@uvic.ca

Hello! My name is Henri Lock.

My role on campus is to support you to integrate spirituality into your student experience.

I teach meditation and facilitate spirituality discussion groups. I have a particular passion for contemplative practice, ecological sustainability, spiritual diversity, nature mysticism, and social activism.

I can help you connect with other students who are interested in exploring spirituality.

I will also meet with you individually if you need spiritual counseling. You may have had a spiritual experience and you want to understand what that means for you. You may be asking questions about life and death because someone close to you has died. A friend may have invited you to a church or temple and you have questions about what you experienced and whether their practice is for you. Or you have an assignment due and it has to do with religious issues and you need someone to help you think it through. Call me at 250.472.4159 or e-mail hlock@uvic.ca to set up and appointment.

You may also be interested in finding meaningful ways to express your spirituality through service to the community – social activism or volunteerism at local service agencies. I can help you get connected and help you with mentoring your experience if you wish.

My spiritual orientation is Christian, and in particular, of the United Church of Canada variety. My faith community prides itself in being inclusive of diversity – such as in spiritual experience, sexual orientation and individual conscience. It is not a church that demands doctrinal compliance, but rather encourages debate and diversity of perspectives. It holds love of God and love of neighbor as core values. It has a strong tradition of social activism and is not afraid to take courageous positions on controversial social and political issues.

In my own life I look to the radical teaching and life celebrating example of Jesus Christ, as well as others in my faith tradition. I also learn from spiritual luminaries in other traditions who teach compassion, transformation of consciousness, inspiration of God, non-violence and who seek peace and healing for humanity and the earth.

I take the bible seriously but not literally. I understand the scriptures to be human documents, written by people who were inspired by God’s presence and action in their lives. There is stuff in the bible that is wise and profound. There is also stuff that is downright silly and off-putting. We have been endowed with reason and intuition to discern what is worthy for our spiritual well-being and what is not.

I have been the United Church chaplain at UVic since 1992. Prior to coming to UVic, I served in a small First Nations community in northern BC for five years, together with my spouse Leslie. I received my undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta (Philosophy major, English minor). I hold a Masters degree in Theology with the Vancouver School of Theology, and a Masters degree in Applied Behavioral Science through the Leadership Institute of Seattle.

As a chaplain I work with the university community as counselor, spiritual companion, teacher, and presider at worship services, weddings and memorials. I enjoy the challenge of representing my faith community on campus.

Sometimes I am asked why the university should concern itself with religion or spirituality -- often it is assumed that religion and spirituality belong only in churches, temples and synagogues. I usually answer that the University's concern is the whole person: physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. Much of life at the University is focused on our intellectual, physical and emotional identities. And yet our spiritual identity finds expression in everything we do as individuals. Religious communities on campus help to articulate and explore the spiritual life. My role as a chaplain is to provide a forum at UVic through which spirituality, in all its diversity, may find thoughtful and respectful expression. As a United Church chaplain, my role is to offer the particular riches of my own faith tradition to the academic and social community of UVic.

I love cycling, hiking and squash. In fact, if you're looking to play a game of squash on campus - try me!

Blessings,

Henri