Seminary Without Walls

Painting of Mary Magdalene by first year seminary student, Kersti Bury

“After rising from the dead, Jesus appeared early on Sunday morning to Mary Magdalene, whom he had delivered from seven demons. She went to his former companions, now weeping and carrying on, and told them. When they heard her report that she had seen him alive and well, they didn’t believe her.”

–Mark 16:9-11, The Message

The painting that I did represents what might be the last illustration in a comic made about Mary Magdalene.  I found inspiration in Baroque ecstasy sculptures, American Pop Art, and even Japanese anime.  This painting is meant to illustrate Mary in a sort of ecstatic reaction—she has just witnessed angels and her resurrected Lord.  The colors are meant to express a feeling of a new morning and being washed anew.  The gold highlights illustrate what I imagine to be a sort of residual radiance coming from the newly resurrected Christ.  Mary is crying both with a sheer joy at seeing Jesus alive, but also with a kind of sadness that He has to move on without her.  If I were to make a comic about Mary, this is where I would end it—with hope.

For Midwinter Participants

The following eBook is available to Midwinter participants as a download during the period February 2-27, 2009

Linda Cannell. 2006. Theological Education Matters: Leadership Education for the Church.  Go to www.wardconsultation.org/theologicaleducationmatters.html (Print version is available at www.amazon.com) Click the book cover graphic to download.

Back Jacket Information Update

Linda Cannell served churches and theological schools in Canada for about 20 years before joining the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois in 1990. While at TEDS, she served as professor of Educational Ministry and directed the PhD in Educational Studies program. From 2006-2008 she served as the Lois W. Bennett Distinguished Professor of Educational Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts.  In September 2008 she became the Dean of Academic Life at North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois.  Linda also directs the CanDoSpirit Network (www.candospirit.org) which supports such ventures as the Ward Consultation, Common Ground Journal, and MorgenBooks.

Photo taken from www.cbcnews.ca

In light of the spectacular inaugural event of our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama, NPTS faculty and staff were asked to sum up in 3 sentences or less their thoughts and impressions of the inauguration.  Thank you to all who participated for sharing your heartfelt thoughts.

Obama gave a magnificent and brutally uncompromising speech. All temptation to moderate campaign promises and goals in the face of crisis was decisively rejected.

Stephen Chester

“Where were you when JFK was shot?” Remembering the moment when the space shuttle Challenger blew up. Where were you during the tragic events of 9/11? When tragedy and crisis serve as the symbols of unity, it often leads to cynicism, (a very common malady for the younger generation). As of January 20, 2009, hope has replaced cynicism.

Soong-Chan Rah*

African-American cadence in both inaugural address and Lowry prayer moves the listener with it, with confidence, with hope evocative of an “Amen,” -so be it.

Richard Carlson

In President Barack Obama whose campaign was driven by the theme of hope, so many Americans saw in his election forgotten dreams coming to fruition. It was a personal reminder to pray for our president. As much as our elected leaders can indeed act as servants of God (Rom. 13:4), no one person can embody hope other than the author of our salvation, Jesus Christ. He will need God’s grace and God’s hand to work for the good of all.

Max Lee

Millions, MILLIONS, all over the world watching transfixed as this nation stood to hear the OATH of office. We know the challenges are great, we know that many are still disappointed that “their man” didn’t “win”; BUT the will of millions is clearly to pull together, to get around this new president, and to help shoulder the burden. We should remember daily that his life and the life of his family is from this day on always under threat. Pray for that concern.

Linda Cannell

The inauguration made me want to dance with joy. The music, the prayers, poetry and speech come together in a message of hope, joy, tolerance and love. Yes, we are facing difficult financial times, but we still have so much for which to be thankful.

Guylla Brown

Two “simple gifts” were highlights: Yo-Yo Ma’s joyful expression as he played so beautifully, and the news from commentators that Obama’s daughters will be making their own beds.

Kris Bruckner

I was moved by the radiant, tear stained faces in the crowd.

Jay Phelan

Where else in the world would the entire service of transfer of power be completed in less than 40 minutes? Most speeches by world leaders are just getting warmed up in that amount of time. I was also struck with how many references were given to the peaceful transfer of power, another feature of our American system for which we can be truly thankful.

Paul De Neui

I thought Lowry’s prayer was moving, intergenerational, hopeful, challenging, demanding and inspiring. I prayed. May we embody this in days ahead. The music and the musicians were beautiful!

Phillis Sheppard

It was so encouraging (and such a nice change) to see President Obama delivering a powerful, energizing speech to this country that is desperately in need of motivation and hope.

Jess Stanley

I was moved by the panoramic views of the sea of people standing, cheering, singing, crying and even saluting in the cold, the overwhelming sense of how much good will there was for this president, and how hopeful people are even when the outward circumstances of many people’s lives are more difficult rather than less so. Our nation is at a ”crossroads” moments, an open moment. Will we live into this sense of good will and possibility with maturity and a new understanding?

Helen Cepero

Today’s inauguration of President Barack H. Obama was one of the most important moments in my life: God has opened the windows of heaven and poured out blessings upon him and his family.

Velda Love

I felt an amazing sense of hope that so many people could come together to support this man from our own city and a sense of excitement that we have a new president who can both inspire and lead.

Mary Chase-Ziolek

In my mind, the singing of “My Country, Tis of Thee” by Aretha Franklin was especially fitting. Denied a concert at Constitutional Hall, in 1939, African-American Marian Anderson sang that patriotic song to open her concert at the Lincoln Memorial. For the first time in a long time, I feel great pride in my country.

Bob Hubbard

I felt astonishment at what we, as a people, can accomplish fueled simply by hope and an overwhelming desire for change. I also thought of the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, and how my own daughters can now know that there is someone in the White House just like them.

Deidre J. Robinson

“We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider’ (Inaugural poem by Elizabeth Alexander). January 20, 2009 was a good day for words.

Paul Koptak

*To read more of Soong-Chan Rah’s thoughts on the inauguration of President Barack Obama, check out his blog www.xanga.com/scrah

What were your thoughts while watching the inauguration of President Obama?

Velda Love, Director of the Center for Justice Ministries, contributed this post.

The standard greeting upon the stroke of midnight on December 31^st is “Happy New Year” That’s because in every time zone on the planet we’ve officially begun a new year that’s dated January 1^st. This year I said this phrase less only because I’m concerned if I start out the year this way I’ll give well-wishers a false sense that it is indeed going to be a happy new year. Now, don’t think me pessimistic. My hope for everyone is that they sustain an attitude of happiness through the year. However, as I get older and pay attention to what’s happening on a global scale, I can’t say I’m as happy as I’d like to be. 2008 was a horrible year for millions of people and not just in the United States. The human family across the globe is witnessing an economic downturn like never before. The housing market is at an all-time low and families with medium to middle incomes face foreclosure on their dream homes which were once their long-term financial nest eggs. Two days before Christmas I watched people walk away from GM plants. Some of these people have spent their entire careers building automobiles and this is all they know. What does the future hold for them and how can I even begin to think they feel sentiments of happiness as they face unemployment and an uncertain future. The war along the Gaza strip has escalated; and the United States is still spending billions of dollars a day on the war in Iraq. Happy New Year!? Well, I can say I’m happy that Barack Obama will be the 44^th President of the United States. I’m happy that children of color have a new leader that will inspire them to reach their highest potential. I’m happy we as a country are finally voicing our opposition to greedy business leaders and corrupt politicians. So, I guess there are a few things that make me happy. Finally, I’m happy God is still in control of the earth and everyone on it. My faith is grounded in God; a God who will see us through another year; regardless of whether we’re happy for the next 359 days. Ok, I’ll say it and mean it—Thank you God and may we all have a New Year where happiness meets us daily.

Many of you have received the Exploring Covenant Affirmations DVD. We would love to hear your thoughts on the dvd, how you use it in your church community and any other feedback you may have. We hope that it has been a wonderful resource for you!

Last week students descended on North Park University’s campus from six different conferences of the Evangelical Covenant Church to take part in this year’s Youth Nexus program. The program is a part of the Making Connections Initiative which strives to strengthen connections between North Park Theological Seminary and Evangelical Covenant Churches. The program is funded by a Lilly grant and seeks to help develop a “Culture of Call” in the lives of youth across the denomination, as well as expose them and their youth leaders to theological thinking and experiential learning. The program is staffed by seminary students as counselors and support staff and the teaching and discussion times are led by both Seminary and University Faculty.

This year, students gathered from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska and California. However, the participants were not only from different regions. This intentionally diverse group included people from at least 6 different ethnic backgrounds as well. This diversity in socio-economic, cultural and regional backgrounds sets the stage every year for some great conversations as each participant brings their own lenses through which they view life and important issues.

Each day the group shared in a time of spiritual formation which ranged from worship, to using the arts to understand themselves in relation to others, to seeing the big picture of who was a part of God’s kingdom here on earth. A time of theological discussion around important issues followed each day, as participants wrestled together by challenging their own preconceptions. On one particularly poignant day, the focus was on race and immigration. Participants were struck by the way in which opportunities had shaped their position in life and how the lack of these same opportunities made for some very different circumstances for others. Another important aspect of this day was struggling with the many-faceted sides of the immigration issue. Students were able to hear from activists within the organized church who were trying to make a difference in determining what is and is not “just” related to this important issue.

Each afternoon held an activity related to the topic of the day, to help bring theology to the everyday.

In the evening, participants were able to sample some of the great aspects of living in the world class city of Chicago. From dinner on the great lawn at Pritzker Pavilion while listening to classical music, to taking in the sights and sounds of Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile and a great Wendella Boat Ride, to theatre and museums, there was something for everyone to see and experience.

At the end of the week, participants were looking forward to sleep after a pretty amazing adventure. Even in this short time together, a strong sense of community forms and it is hard to go our separate ways. Participants are connected through a Facebook group and share pictures and stories together, keeping each other informed of what they are doing in their post- Nexus lives and praying for each other.

If you want to be challenged in your faith, and experience how faith and theology impacts real-life, then maybe you should check out Youth Nexus. Next year’s program is scheduled for the end of June on the North Park University Campus, so watch for more info to follow. You can find out more about Youth Nexus at: http://www.northpark.edu/sem/mci/nexus.cfm There will be updated downloadable forms available soon to apply for next year’s program on the site. We hope to see you next year at Youth Nexus!!

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

Waiting in their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry

A WORLD PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK (C. John Weborg)

Merciful God, Creator of all who inhabit the earth, you behold your image and likeness in each of us.
How grieved you must be, even angered, at the suffering your image-bearers in China and Myanmar now endure. While the devastation exceeds one’s imagination, the demand of it defies our comprehension.
Merciful God, awaken in those near and far an unquenchable compassion and an equal outrage wherever injustice permits your image bearers to suffer degradation. May the people who name the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, as their own be like him, emptying themselves for the sake of those who now, like Jesus, have nothing except death and loss.
We pray this through Jesus Christ, who has dominion with you, merciful God, and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and always. Amen.

Let me begin with an incident that occurred outside my clinical consulting room on a warm day here in the Midwest. This morning I had driven into the city early to grab a cup of coffee before my day started. I went to my usual place, and as usual, was greeted warmly by a young African American woman behind the counter. As my latte was being prepared, we discussed the Sox’s victory. When we reached a pause, our conversation took what I considered to be an odd, and sad, turn: leaning forward and speakly a little quieter, “what are you mixed with?” she asked. I must have drifted here, I thought, with some anxiety. Was she asking me about the coffee? I looked at her—hoping for some clarification, some clue as to what I had missed. “I beg your pardon” I offered. “What are you mixed with? You’re not from Chicago? Where are your people from? Are you part Indian? Your skin—it’s nice—not too light or too dark. And your hair, your hair is good hair”. “Oh”, I said, “no, I’m not mixed”.

I wondered what other lessons she had learned in her twenty-something years of life concerning color/blackness/her self. I felt sad as I imagined her looking at her chocolate brown skin each morning with her thick dreads reaching her shoulders and her wondering if her hair, her skin—her lovely brown skin–her self—“was good”.

What happens when a black girl encounters a mirror–here, in a place, called home?

Kimberlyn Leary has stated it ever so eloquently, “race is worn and lived similarily and differently by each of us”. Yes. We all wear this highly contested and socially created and perpetuated idea called race. Do we choose how we wear race? Do we choose what we see reflected in the mirror? What happens to the mirror image when we move into blackness? Move with me.

This entry is taken from the blog of Dr. Phillis Sheppard http://womanist-journal.blogspot.com/

Last week pranks, proof read commencement directions, prayers before phone interviews, extra treats for final studying – all are known in the seminary these days. Outside there are ducklings and baby bunnies but no undergrads (they graduated last weekend.) Inside are Pentecostal scarlet chapel cloths (paraments designed and sewn by Lois Weborg) and the sounds of a new song at the closing of class.
Like the sweet spring air, the Spirit is moving around us. As one chapter is closing, we thank God for the gifted teaching, warm friendship and engagement Paul Bramer has given the Lord and Covenanters here for the last thirteen years. We hold him and Marlene in our hearts and prayers as they move to Toronto for a new chapter of ministry and warmth of family. And we anticipate another chapter opening here as Linda Cannell transitions from Gordon-Conwell into leadership among us as Dean of Academic Life. She will begin with new students and new insight, arriving with our returning seminary community in August. We hold her in prayer too.
Like the seminary graduates, we at the seminary are growing into who we are meant to be. We know Who we belong to and who we are. We have wisdom of years of experience and growth in the Lord. Like the students, we have followed God’s calling to resource, guide, pastor, empower, teach, discipline and befriend those called into Christian ministry. God is not done with us yet, even though commencement is at hand!