Volume 2 Issue 9 - CTS Learning Commons

Transcription

Volume 2, Issue 9 - Chicago Theological Seminary
THE CTS PROPHET -1- March 18, 2008
The Quilting Experience-Celebrating Our Connectedness
So What’s On Your Mind?
By Kelli K. Harrison, Guest Columnist
Recently, Waltrina Middleton, editor of The
CTS Prophet, asked me to consider writing an article
for the publication. Surprisingly, she said this as I was
walking over to speak to her about an article I had
written and wanted her to consider for publication. In
all truth, I was actually in the process of chickening
out. I walked to where she was sitting, but then decided
that I did not have anything to say. As much as I love
to talk and write, I often doubt my own voice.
As I planned my escape (I was thinking I would
walk over and get coffee instead) she approached me
and I had to acknowledge that it was time to speak up.
As much as I worry that I have nothing substantive to
say, I fear more what happens when we forget how to
speak up. I also know that I think best in dialog with
others. I am a better version of myself in relation to this
CTS community.
Since this occurred, Waltrina has talked to me
about her deep desire to see “The Prophet” become a
publication which truly belongs to and flows out of this
community. “The Prophet,” as an open forum for the
CTS community, is a wonderful venue for dialog on
your passions as well as mine. In times of harmony,
free press at our seminary allows us to hone our skills
as theologians. In pain we can grieve as one. In conflict
we have a space that provides equality of all perspectives. Because of this, free press always carries the
hint/promise of the subversive.
The free press on college campuses has often
provided opportunities for announcements and com-
munity building among unrecognized student groups.
At my Catholic undergrad institution the student newspaper provided the only method for GLBT students to
communicate in the hopes of forming a student led
group. Up against a hostile administration, the free
press at an academic institution is a vital part of the
community conversation. Although I have not personally experienced the CTS administration as being hostile to my needs or my existence on campus, I must
insist on the importance of that subversive nature
present in free press. We must have it! It has the
potential to be our lifeblood and our advocate for
change.
“...free
press always carries the
hint/promise of the subversive.”
I often think of the importance of free press in
a free democratic society when I see President Bush,
or members of his administration at a press conference.
I always feel that this administration is hostile, snide,
condescending, and sarcastic to the media. It seems
like hostility to free press is official administration
policy. This infuriates me as an American citizen. For
good or bad, the media at a press conference represents
the interests and questions of the people. You may
argue that they do, or do not, do it well, but that is their
function.
The free press allows a space for diversity in
perspectives, and accountability to community. We are
quite fortunate at CTS to have “The Prophet.” We have
an opportunity to express our needs, fears, joys, and
concerns and to engage one another in discussion
about them. All that is missing now is your voice.
What’s on your mind?
The CTS Prophet is designed as a weekly open forum, placing a high value on freedom of speech. All
submissions from members of the CTS community will be considered for publication. Submissions that engage
in defamation or ad hominem attack against any person or group of people will not be considered. The editor
reserves the right to edit text for clarity or length without altering the spirit of the article. The Student Senate
serves as an advisory board for this publication. The CTS Prophet strives to follow standards for student
journalism in higher education, as outlined by the Student Press Law Center, www.splc.edu. The views
expressed in The CTS Prophet do not necessarily reflect the views of Chicago Theological Seminary.
GOT MILK?
THIS IS THE FOOD
OF LIFE.
Scott Haldeman’s Spring “Leading Worship: A Practicum in Presiding” gathered in Graham Taylor Chapel to break
bread and drink milk. Student Bob Puhr lead the group in a
unique Eucharist exchange which included a tall glass of milk
and raspberry strudel bread. A circle was formed as students
repeated the phrase, “This is the food of life. Eat, drink,
rejoice.”Each student must lead the group in worship and are later
critiqued by their classmates.
EAT, DRINK, REJOICE!
A Holy Week Message
A Word to Sustain the Weary
By Rev. John H. Thomas,
so that the elderly may lean back on their chairs in
comfort and tranquility saying farewell to their children when leaving for school or work without anxiety
or fear; so that mothers think only of happy, prosperous, and peaceful futures for their daughters and sons.
General Minister and President, United Church of Christ
O Lord, have pity on us, we Iraqis. Let the light
The daily lectionary invites us to read these of your face shine on us, bless us, strengthen our belief,
words from Isaiah’s Song of the Servant on Wednesday and bestow patience upon us.
in Holy Week:
Can this word keep alive an imagination born of
God’s
promise,
free from the grip of the world’s impeThe Lord has given me the tongue of a teacher,
rial projects? Can this be a word to sustain us?
that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.
Amid our weariness on this sad anniversary day,
Morning my morning he wakens – wakens my ear to and in the midst of our Holy Week pilgrimage, may we
listen as those who are taught. (Isaiah 50.4)
be confronted once again with a messenger telling us
On Wednesday, March 19, as we mark the fifth “Do not be afraid!” May we turn from our vigil over the
anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq we seek dead and the dying to a courageous witness to life and
words to sustain those who have grown weary with the peace in the Risen Christ. May our lights, reflecting the
drumbeat of destruction and the cadence of injury and light of Christ, dispel the shadows, that morning by
death that have accompanied us and the people of Iraq morning our voices may sing and our deeds proclaim,
over these long years. We listen for words that can call “The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ
us beyond our weary lament to action, wakening us to their legions has dispersed; let shouts of holy joy outcommitment, rousing us from resignation, calling us to burst. Alleluia!”
hope. And we dare to claim the vocation of God’s
Servant, sustaining a weary world with a Word that
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - join UCC members and
speaks and acts for justice and for peace.
supporters across the country as we observe the 5th
The betrayals, deceptions, and moral compro- anniversary of the Iraq War. From lament to action to
mises of this war weigh heavily upon us. With the hope, we will share in a unified day of prayer and be
disciples we have felt the urge to run away from coura- lights for peace. Please participate in our 100,000
geous word and witness against the war. We have tried Lights for Peace effort.
to wash our hands of complicity in the crucifixion of
Iraq and its people. Here and in Iraq we have buried the
dead, sometimes in dignity and honor, often in frightened secrecy. We have wept for all who have slaughtered in this conflict, but have shrunk from bearing the
burden of the cross. This Holy Week the “judgment of
the cross falls steady, clear, and sure.” Is there a word to
sustain the weary?
A prayer written by the Rev. Yousif al Saka, an
elder in the Presbyterian Church in Baghdad , offers one
word, full of poignancy and promise:
We beseech You, we humble ourselves for the
name of our Savior Jesus Christ, to send your Holy
Spirit to shade the land of Iraq , so that peace may
prevail in its dwellings, and the acts of violence, kidnapping and persecution may cease; so that the displaced
may return to their homes, the churches may reopen
their gates without fear from shells and explosion; so
that smiles may be seen again on the faces of children
that have been stolen from them here in this difficult time;
What’s really going on here? First, it may state
the obvious to point out that these television and radio
Reflections on the Rhetoric of Preaching
shows have very little interest in Trinity Church or Jerin Light of Recent News Coverage of Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.
emiah Wright. Those who sifted through hours of sermons searching for a few lurid phrases and those who
and Trinity United Church of Christ
have aired them repeatedly have only one intention. It
By John H. Thomas,
is to wound a presidential candidate. In the process a
General Minister and President United Church of Christ
congregation that does exceptional ministry and a pasOver the weekend members of our church and tor who has given his life to shape those ministries is
caricatured and demonized. You don’t have to be an
others have been subjected to the relentless airing of
Obama supporter to be alarmed at this. Will Clinton’s
two or three brief video clips of sermons by the Rev.
United Methodist Church be next? Or McCain’s EpisDr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., pastor of Trinity United
Church of Christ for thirty-six years and, for over half copal Church? Wouldn’t we have been just as alarmed
of those years, pastor of Senator Barack Obama and his had it been Huckabee’s Southern Baptist Church, or
family. These video clips, and news stories about them, Romney’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?
have been served up with frenzied and heated commentary by media personalities expressing shock that
such language and sentiments could be uttered from
the pulpit.
What Kind of Prophet?
One is tempted to ask whether these commentators ever listen to the overcharged rhetoric of their own
opinion shows. Even more to the point is to wonder
whether they have a working knowledge of the history
of preaching in the United States from the unrelentingly grim language of New England election day sermons to the fiery rhetoric of the Black church
prophetic tradition. Maybe they prefer the false prophets with their happy homilies in Jeremiah who say to
the people: “You shall not see the sword, nor shall you
have famine, but I will give you true peace in this
place.” To which God responds, “The prophets are
prophesying lies in my name; I did not send them, nor
did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and
the deceit of their own minds. . . . By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed,” (Jeremiah
14.14-15). The Biblical Jeremiah was coarse and provocative. Faithfulness, not respectability was the order
of the day then. And now?
Many of us would prefer to avoid the stark and
startling language Pastor Wright used in these clips.
But what was his real crime? He is condemned for using a mild “obscenity” in reference to the United
States. This week we mark the fifth anniversary of the
war in Iraq, a war conceived in deception and prosecuted in foolish arrogance. Nearly four thousand cherished Americans have been killed, countless more
wounded, and tens of thousands of Iraqis slaughtered.
Where is the real obscenity here? True patriotism requires a degree of self-criticism, even self-judgment
that may not always be easy or genteel. Pastor
Wright’s judgment may be starker and more sweeping
than many of us are prepared to accept. But is the soul
of our nation served any better by the polite prayers
and gentle admonitions that have gone without a real
hearing for these five years while the dying and destruction continues?
We might like to think that racism is a thing of
the past, that Martin Luther King’s harmonious multiracial vision, articulated in his speech at the Lincoln
Memorial in 1963 and then struck down by an
assassin’s bullet in Memphis in 1968, has somehow
been resurrected and now reigns throughout the land.
Significant progress has been made. A black man is a
legitimate candidate for President of the United States.
A black woman serves as Secretary of State. The accomplishments are profound. But on the gritty streets of
Chicago’s south side where Trinity has planted itself,
race continues to play favorites in failing urban school
systems, unresponsive health care systems, crumbling
infrastructure, and meager economic development. Are
we to pretend all is well because much is, in fact, better
than it used to be? Is it racist to name the racial divides
that continue to afflict our nation, and to do so loudly?
How ironic that a pastor and congregation which, for
forty-five years, has cast its lot with a predominantly
white denomination, participating fully in its wider
church life and contributing generously to it, would be
accused of racial exclusion and a failure to reach for
racial reconciliation.
The gospel narrative of Palm Sunday’s entrance
into Jerusalem concludes with the overturning of the
money changers’ tables in the Temple courtyard. Here
wealth and power and greed were challenged for the
way the poor were oppressed to the point of exclusion
from a share in the religious practices of the Temple.
Today we watch as the gap between the obscenely wealthy and the obscenely poor widens. More
and more of our neighbors are relegated to minimal
health care or to no health care at all. Foreclosures destroy families while unscrupulous lenders seek bailouts
from regulators who turned a blind eye to the impending crisis. Should the preacher today respond to this
with only a whisper and a sigh?
“Theology in the Public Square”
Source: www.ctschicago.edu
Throughout history, the prophetic voice of the
church has created, influenced, and inspired public
debates and movements, lending moral authority,
courageous leadership, and organizational power to
movements and struggles over such things as abolition, women’s suffrage, civil rights, abortion, and
same-sex marriage – and usually the church has been
present on both sides of any given issue. In the 2004
election, religious affiliation and attendance were
better predictors of a person’s vote than standard demographic information such as age, gender, and income! As of July 2006, Americans were roughly
divided over whether churches should or should not
speak out on political matters. In short, that religion
and theology are in the public square is not in doubt.
Just how theology should be in the public
square, however, and how the church and other religious organizations can and should contribute to the
debate, is a matter for discussion. Ministerial Institute 2008, “Theology in the Public Square”, will be
exploring these vital questions. Featuring keynote
addresses and workshops by such luminaries as Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Timothy Ahrens, and Dan
Schultz, we will ask how the church can create forums for the responsible contribution of theology to
public debate.
Ministerial Institute 2008 will be held on
April 1 and 2 in the main buildings of Chicago Theological Seminary, 5757 S. University Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637. Registration for the event is $100 and
includes entrance to all Ministerial Institute events,
plus lunch on the first, and breakfast and lunch on the
second. Registration for CTS Students and members
of ACTS has been waived. You can register by
downloading the registration form and mailing that in
with your check, or register online through PayPal at
Is Pastor Wright to be ridiculed and condemned
for refusing to play the court prophet, blessing land and
sovereign while pledging allegiance to our preoccupation with wealth and our fascination with weapons? In
the United Church of Christ we honor diversity. For
nearly four centuries we have respected dissent and
have struggled to maintain the freedom of the pulpit.
Not every pastor in the United Church of Christ will
http://www.ctschicago.edu/general/miregistration.php
want to share Pastor Wright’s rhetoric or his politics.
The Registration Deadline has
Not every member will rise to shout “Amen!” But I
trust we will all struggle in our own way to resist the
been Extended until March 24th.
lure of respectable religion that seeks to displace evanTo learn more about the speakers, schedule
gelical faith. For what this nation needs is not so much
and
registration,
visit:
polite piety as the rough and radical word of the prophet
http://www.ctschicago.edu/general/ministerial.php.
calling us to repentance. And, as we struggle with that
ancient calling, I pray we will be shrewd enough to
name the hypocrisy of those who decry the mixing of
religion and politics in order to serve their own political
ends.
FREE FOR CTS/ACTS
STUDENTS!
PRAY, TALK, AND CELEBRATE
A Look Inside the Al-Sadiq Ahmadiyya Mosque
By Heather Remaly, Faith Alive
There is a small, unassuming mosque located at
4448 Wabash Avenue, a fifteen minute drive from CTS.
No curved ‘onion’ dome graces the top of the structure;
no gleaming crescent marks it as a mosque. Only a
peeling sign out front announces to the casual observer
that this is a meeting place for Muslims to pray, talk, and
celebrate. But this isn’t an ordinary Sunni or Shia
mosque. It is one of only ten locations in the United
States where the Ahmadiyya Muslims gather to practice
their faith.
The Ahmadiyya movement is a controversial and
little-known offshoot of mainstream Islam that was originally established in 1889 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad (1835-1908), who claimed to be the Awaited
One prophesied by many of the world’s religions. The
Second Coming of Christ, the Mahdi spoken of by the
Shia Muslims, the Mujaddid longed for by the Sunni
Muslims, the One who would heal the ills of humanity
and usher in a new era of peace and goodwill. Though
the Ahmadis are not considered to be ‘true’ Muslims by
those followers in the mainstream, the movement nevertheless has a strong following in various pockets
throughout the Middle East. The small community of
250 regular members at the Al-Sadiq Ahmadiyya
Mosque is straightforward about their beliefs and very
willing to answer questions.
There are two separate entrances, as at all
mosques. One for men, which is located in the rear of
the mosque directly across from the parking lot. The
other, on the side facing the street, is reserved for
female followers. A very relaxed dress code is required, women being allowed to don long pants instead of a full-length skirt as at other mosques. A light
scarf may be casually tossed over the hair instead of a
full hijab. Talk is free and easy, and everyone goes out
of their way to make visitors feel welcome.
The Imam, or spiritual leader, is a short energetic man named Abdul Karim. He speaks with a soft
accent, a relic of his youth in the Deep South. On the
day of my visit he preached very passionately about
the need to come together as a community, urging his
listeners to set aside their differences and support one
another in bringing the Ahmadiyya message to a wider
audience. After the sermon, I spoke with several of the
regular members, asking questions, trying to understand something completely foreign to me. They were
helpful, patient and kind.
Whether you agree or disagree with their overall message, one thing is certain: if you wish to have a
unique theological experience, look no further than the
Al-Sadiq Mosque. Friday services begin at around one
o’clock, and last approximately an hour. It is not
necessary to call ahead, and the Imam is always available for questions before or after the service.
Help Keep Faith Alive!
Faith Alive! Introduces seminarians and guests
to unique and diverse worship experiences. The group
will visit congregations throughout the Chicago area,
including temples, mosques and meeting houses. If
you would like to learn more about Faith Alive!, contact
coordinator
Heather
Remaly
at:
[email protected]
Faith Alive! Will visit Rockafeller Chapel
(Christian), March 23, 11 a.m.. The group will meet at
Chicago Theological Seminary’s George Commons
one hour before services begin in order to travel as a
group to the site. All are welcome!
The Ahmadiyya movement was established in 1889 by
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908).
In Celebration of Women’s History Month
Remembering Benazir Bhutto
June 21, 1953 - December 27, 2007
Only three months ago, Benazir Bhutto, a leading Prime Ministerial contender and anti-terrorism crusader, became a martyr during an election rally and only days before parliamentary polls in Pakistan. The Associated
Press citing Rehman Malik, a party official, reported that Bhutto was shot in the neck and the chest before the
gunman blew himself up. Controversy over the cause of Bhutto’s death remains as government officials have
recanted the cause of death from gunshots to head trauma. Bhutto may have hit her head on the car’s sunroof
following the explosion.
In Rawalipindi, the Anti-Terrorism Court No 1 adjourned the hearing into the Benazir Bhutto murder
case until April 21, and directed investigators to arrest and produce five other suspects, including militant
commander Baitullah Mehsud, before the next hearing.
Benazir Bhutto was born in Karachi, Pakistan to a prominent political family. At age 16 she left her
homeland to study at Harvard's Radcliffe College. After completing her undergraduate degree at Radcliffe she
studied at England's Oxford University, where she was awarded a second degree in 1977.
Later that year she returned to Pakistan where her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, had been elected prime
minister, but days after her arrival, the military seized power and her father was imprisoned. In 1979 he was
hanged by the military government of General Zia Ul Haq.
Bhutto herself was also arrested many times over the following
years, and was detained for three years before being permitted to leave
the country in 1984. She settled in London, but along with her two
brothers, she founded an underground organization to resist the military
dictatorship. When her brother died in 1985, she returned to Pakistan
for his burial, and was again arrested for participating in anti-govern
-ment rallies.
She returned to London after her release, and martial law was lifted in Pakistan at the end of the year. She
was elected co-chairwoman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) along with her mother, and when free elections
were finally held in 1988, she herself became Prime Minister. At 35, she was one of the youngest chief executives
in the world, and the first woman to serve as prime minister in an Islamic country. Only two years into her first
term, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Bhutto from office. She initiated an anti-corruption campaign, and
in 1993 was re-elected as Prime Minister. While in office, she brought electricity to the countryside and built
schools all over the country. She made hunger, housing and health care her top priorities, and looked forward to
continuing to modernize Pakistan.
Photo and Sources Compiled from: Dailytimes.com, Wikipedia.com, Achievement.org and News.yahoo.com
CONVERSATIONS WITH
THE LEAD CANDIDATE
Students and the Presidential Search
By Matt Frizzell, PhD Student & Presidential Search
Committee Student Representative
On Wednesday, March 5th, the Presidential
Search Committee hosted some events to meet and
greet Rev. Dr. Alice Hunt, the lead candidate in the
Presidential search. I was personally involved, along
with my fellow student Gracie Bates-Davis, introducing Alice at an open gathering in the George Commons at 11 a.m. We had a great turnout. Alice joined
the CTS community for Chapel. After, she enjoyed
Orly’s at community lunch. There, she gave a brief
personal introduction, inviting others into a conversation with her that she hoped would be ongoing.
Dr. Alive W.
Hunt, is the lead
candidate for president of Chicago
Theological Seminary. She visited
CTS, March 5
during chapel and
community lunch.
A few students expressed a desire to have an
open Question and Answer session with Dr. Hunt.
One fellow student shared this personally with me. I
responded by sharing a little of my experience with
Alice. I invited him to pull up a chair and talk to her
personally. Knowing she would enjoy the opportunity, I’m glad he did.
It’s been my privilege to be close to the candidates in the Presidential search. The committee has
been exceptionally interested in our input as students,
beyond my expectations. With this commitment in
mind, frankly, why wouldn’t it make sense for students to have an open Q&A with Alice? I know Alice would welcome this kind of interaction on a
one-on-one basis with anyone who wanted it. Many
students on March 5th took that opportunity. However, an open Q&A wasn’t planned. As one of your student representatives, I want to share the reasons.
seminary, Alice would be subject to answer openended questions in a public environment without any
preparation. This alone can be difficult and awkward.
Certainly, a President should be able to handle this
kind of situation. However, in addition, the environment created by an introductory Q&A cannot avoid the
feeling of a student evaluation of the candidate. This
was not the purpose of the visit or the PSC’s intention.
The committee wanted students to personally
meet and interact with Alice as the lead candidate. That
is why there were three community gatherings. This
kind of gathering set a new precedent for CTS Presidential searches. The students who met and talked to
Alice one-on-one helped make it a success.
Secondly, a Q&A session doesn’t reflect the
day-to-day responsibilities of the President. With faculty searches, of course, this is very different. Students
interact with faculty almost daily and are much more
closely involved in the search process. In fact, student
input is integral. Last year, when CTS was searching
for a New Testament professor, Professor Seung Ai
Yang was among three candidates who met with and
received input from students as part of the search process. We’re glad she’s here!
There has been more student involvement in
this Presidential Search than CTS’s two previous
searches. That said, my intention is not to defend an
institutional position or “choose sides” on the issue.
Having been a pastor and seminary student, I’m aware
that the theological and ethical questions surrounding
just involvement and true participation in processes
and community decisions are important. And, they are
many. I simply want to respond to an important question.
Know there is still time and opportunity to pose
questions to Alice or give input to the PSC. Please direct them to the Presidential Search Committee cochairs, Dave Bueschel or Craig Mousin through the
President’s Office. Or, you can also email me and Gracie, your student representatives. A few students have
done so already. Thank you.
To contact your student representatives,
email Gracie Bates-Davis and Matthew Frizzell at
their CTS student accounts.
Practically, this kind of open session is potentially unfair to the Presidential candidate. It can be
awkward for a couple reasons. First, as a guest of the
READING WEEK March 24-29 A WARM CTS WELCOME!
Natasha Williams will be joining us for six weeks
Library Public Hours
9:00 - 4:30, Monday - Friday
Closed, Saturday
During Holy Week, the Library
will be CLOSED (Good Friday (the
21st and Holy Saturday the 22nd).
REGISTRATION
Summer Term AND
Fall Semester
2008
will take place Monday-Friday,
***** April 7-18, 2007*****
DON'T FORGET TO.....
Register on time!
Registration will take place over two weeks.
You are welcome to stop by my office, call or
e-mail me with your registration, but if you do
not contact me within that two week period of
time, you will be assessed a $50 late fee.
to help out in the president's office while Executive Administrator, Kim Johnson is away. If you haven't done so,
please stop by and introduce yourself!
Let us continue to keep Ms. Johnson in our
thoughts and prayers during her period of healing and
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT CROSS-REGISTRATION
Cross-Registration into other ACTS schools will
be handled via the CTS website and e-mail beginning
with registration for summer and fall 2008.
You will find an interactive form on the CTS
website under the “CURRENT STUDENT” drop down
menu. You will need to down load the form into WORD,
type in your information, and then e-mail to the registrar
for her signature at [email protected].
No Cross-registration will be official unless it has
the registrar’s signature and is sent to other ACTS
schools via the registrar’s e-mail. The form is exactly the
same as what you are used to, only you type in the information instead of writing it longhand.
Please note that this is now the only way you can
cross-register.
See registrar, Cherie Miller for further assistance.
The CTS Prophet’s
editor, Waltrina Middleton, takes a bird’s
eye view of the Hammond Library (Left)
and a glimpse of the
library
from
the
hallway’s glass door
(Right).
Share your photos
of Life at CTS.
Email:
thectsprophet@
gmail.com
Breast Cancer Nutrition and Fitness
Workshop
Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The Trinity Can-Cer-Vive Ministry and Oakdale Covenant Church invite you to participate in a nutrition and
fitness workshop to be held at Oakdale Covenant
Church, 9440 S. Vincennes, Chicago.
WANT TO BE A STORM GOD?
Register by calling: 773-962-5650, Mailbox #857.
Speakers include Dr. David Ellens, Tonya RobersonWinter can't last forever, can it? We need a group of
Turner and Stephanie Jackson-Rowe.
committed folks who are willing to go out there and
Just Do It! Only skill requirement is the ability to have
fun. So, who's in? Maybes are okay too. To learn more
Yes, you CAN SURVIVE!
about the Storm God Softball League, contact:
Jason W. Coulter@
[email protected]
CTS GRAHAM TAYLOR CHAPEL SERVICES
March 19 Play - “You Belong to Me”
March 26 Break Week (after Easter)
April 2
Development Office
April 9
ISO (Sakai/Sudhakar)
April 16
Convocation – Dean’s Office
April 23
GOP-Eco Justice Group
April 30
Carolyn Roncolato (Kitch)
May 7
Contemplative Service (Herrera)
May 14
Senior Chapel (Haldeman)
*PLEASE NOTE: Signing up for chapel represents a commitment to lead worship. If you find yourself (or your group) unable to keep this commitment, you are responsible for finding
replacement worship leadership.
Faith Alive! Returns in the interest of spiritual enlightenment. Join us as we kick off our return in March
with a visit to a Baha'i house of worship! In order to help us estimate the size of our group, please contact us to
confirm your interest in participating. A full schedule for all church / temple / mosque / meeting house visits for
the entire Spring Semester is listed. Faith Alive!will meet at Chicago Theological Seminary’s George Commons
one hour before services begin in order to travel as a group to the site. In many cases, the worship leaders will
be available for questions either before or after the service. Help us keep Faith Alive! Join us. Bring a friend.
Faith Alive! Worshipped with congregations throughout the Chicago Area in the Fall,
including Hyde Park Union Church (Photo on
Left). The group will visit a Baha’I House of
Worship, a Mosque and a Buddhist temple this
Spring.
Contact Coordinator Heather Remaly at [email protected]
March 23 - Rockafeller Chapel (Christian): 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
March 28 - Chabad House (Traditional Orthodox Jewish dinner provided): 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
March 30 - Zen Buddhist Temple (Zen Buddhist): 9:30 am - 10:30 am
April 6 - Augustana Lutheran Church (Lutheran): 9:30 am - 11:30 am
April 13 - 57th Street Meeting of Friends (Quaker): 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
April 20 - Congregation Rodfei Zedek (Jewish): 9 am - 11:00 am
April 27 - Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (Gr. Orthodox): 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
May 4 - Christ the King Sovereign Priest Shrine (Catholic): 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Any questions, feel free to call (989)854-5997 or e-mail [email protected].
INSIGHT By Elena Jimenez
PATHWAYS
MA/STM Meeting
Honoring the journeys of alumni, former faculty, staff
and friends of CTS.
All STM and MA students are invited to meet with the Program Director, Professor Sandoval on Tuesday March 18 from 12:15 to 1:30 pm
in Rm. 430. Lunch will be provided. This will be an informal meeting
to discuss the program in hopes of improving it further. Please RSVP
to Tim Sandoval if you plan on eating.
Rev. Damon R. Jones, passed the oral defense
of his dissertation March 4. Jones received his Master of Arts in Religious Studies
Nightline Video
and Master of Divinity from
The Chicago Theological
There will be a showing of a Nightline video from five years ago debating the possibility of invading Iraq on March 19 at 5:00 pm in room
Seminary in 2002 and 2005
450. Pizza will be served.
respectively.
US Immigration Through the Lens of Faith
For You Were Once a Stranger: US Immigration Through the Lens of
Faith, an Education Night. Join the Hyde Park New Sanctuary Coalition, March 18th from 7-9pm, as we listen to personal testimonies
from people who have immigrated to this country and learn from professional analysis of the current immigration experience in the US from
an immigration attorney and local immigrants’ rights organizers. There
will also be time for sharing and discussing our own preconceptions,
challenges, and opportunities concerning immigration. The event will
be held at Congregation KAM Isaiah Israel, 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd.
Make Crocheted Mats from Grocery Bags
The newly reincarnated Eco Justice group is hosting a workshop on
making mats out of plastic grocery bags! Come to the George Commons on Wednesday, April 2 at 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome - no
prior knowledge is necessary. You will need to bring a pair of scissors,
and 10-15 plastic grocery bags to get started. If you happen to have a
6mm, 'G' crochet hook, bring it with you. If not, let Mark Winters
know and he will bring one for you. Dinner will also be provided for
you if you RSVP to Mark Winters at CTS email address.
Jones went on to pursue a Doctorate of Ministry
with an emphasis in Christian
Education and Urban Ministries at United Theological
Seminary in Dayton, OH. His
dissertation is entitled, “Teaching for Prophetic Social Action: Empowering Christian Educators to
Transform Students.” Rev. Jones’ project was implemented at Calvary Baptist Church of Chicago
where he is an Associate Pastor and Religious Educator.
Jones and wife of 13-years, Stephanie, reside
on the Southside of Chicago. Together they have
mentored several children and youth over the years.
Narratives of Spectral Forgiveness
Andy Manos, a Ph.D. candidate at DePaul University Philosophy Department, will be reading his paper entitled “Narratives of Spectral
Forgiveness,” starting at 5:10 p.m., April 1, in Room 133. His paper is
about Derrida and Butler centered on the question of political forgiveness and ghosts. Questions and answers will follow. Food and drinks
will be served for those who have evening classes. Please contact
Kunitoshi Sakai if you have any questions
Ongoing Events
Wednesdays at noon: Chapel in Graham Taylor Chapel
followed by lunch in McGiffert
Thursdays, 7-8 p.m.: Happy Hour (Praise and Worship)
in Graham Taylor Chapel
Fridays at 3 p.m.: Yerba Maté tea and conversation in
George Commons
First Fridays of the month at 4:30 p.m.: First Fridays in
George Commons
The CTS Prophet would like to
hear from alumni, former faculty, staff and friends. Help us
celebrate their journeys by
sharing achievements and special announcements in the
weekly edition of PATHWAYS.
InSight is published by the Office of the Academic Dean on
Mondays of the academic year.
N A TIO N A L W O R K S H O P
ON
C H R I S T IA N U N IT Y
The National Workshop on Christian Unity is taking place in Chicago Monday, April 14 through Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare,
8535 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago.
The goal is to bring together a diverse group of young adult ecumenists to
pray and to share their passion for the ecumenical movement. Your prayers and
presence are vital for fostering greater Christian unity.
Visit the following link to access a brochure providing further details about
this wonderful opportunity:
www.nwcu.org/Documents/NWCU2008WebBrochure.pdf
Additional paper copies of the brochure are available by request and you
may also download the brochure at the given site. Moreover, we would also ask that
you keep this National Workshop in your prayers. For those local to Chicago, please
note that the registration fee of $50 for students is reasonably affordable and we expect a strong local presence.
For further information, please contact us directly for any questions you
might have. For periodic updates on the program of the National Workshop, please
visit the website at www.nwcu.org or contact Jason Renken, Chair, Seminaries and
Universities Sub-committee at [email protected].
THE IRON LADIES OF LIBERIA SCREENING
On Thursday, March 13, CTS hosted a free film screening and post-discussion on the Iron Ladies of
Liberia film in Graham Taylor Chapel. The panelists included the Honorary Consul General of Liberia for Chicago and the Midwest, Alexander Poley Gbayee; Linda Johnson Seyenkulo with the Lutheran School of Theology and native Liberian and scholar, D. Jensen Seyenkulo with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The discussion covered women in leadership, debt and poverty, war ravaged countries and capitalism.
Photos by Waltrina N. Middleton
CTS Student and Activist Prepares to Serve Time
A Letter from LeAnne Clausen
I received the letter this evening with orders to report to jail for my 30-day sentence for civil disobedience at
the U.S. Army School of the Americas. I will need to arrive at the McHenry County Jail in Woodstock, IL on
Thursday, April 3rd, at 2 p.m. Oddly enough, the jail is located at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Someone in the Bureau of
Prisons
may
have
a
good
sense
of
humor.
For
details
about
the
jail,
visit:
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/Common/CountyDpt/Sheriff/ShrCorrections.asp
Woodstock, IL is 60 miles Northwest of Chicago, apparently not far from Crystal Lake. I know that this will
come as a great disappointment to the many of you who have hoped to come visit me while I was serving my sentence.
I also need to tell you that the visiting policy at this jail is quite restrictive. The details are listed on the website listed.
If any of you feel that you would still like to come, please let me know and we will see what can be arranged.
There is a third restriction that I will find intensely difficult: I will not be allowed to have any books,
magazines, newspapers, or other media (including clippings or internet copies of the same) while I am in jail. In
addition to class books, I had hoped to have my Bible and my closest companions of Bonhoeffer, Berrigan(s), and
Dorothy Day to see me through the month. I will however be allowed to send and receive mail on plain
paper/envelopes. You may not send any packages or gifts in the letters, including extra stamps or envelopes.
I had been previously advised that the conditions in a county jail are more restrictive than in a federal prison
camp; and that there was a chance they could send me somewhere outside Chicago and/or my hometown in Mason
City, IA. There are male and female prisoners in this facility, including one floor dedicated to U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement; as well as violent and non-violent offenders; and people awaiting trial as well as people serving
sentences and/or awaiting transfer to other prisons for longer sentences. County jails receive funds from the federal
government to take federal prisoners due to overcrowding. I am not exactly sure how prisoners are separated; I
imagine I'll get to make quite a few new friends.
I confess that I am far more afraid of the isolation than the conditions, though. I will look forward to your
letters. Some classmates have asked about the possibility of arranging a farewell event or service before I go in, and
I would welcome this also, as it's quite possible I may not see many of you again until at least the fall. I see though
that I will be leaving just after Reading Week and the Ministerial Institute, which may be a pretty crowded week
already. When I return, it will be the middle of finals, another chaotic time. I would welcome the efforts of any friends
who would like to think on this and arrange a time; and meanwhile, I'll start getting my bills and other things in order.
There are other things that would be helpful in support of my civil disobedience and to further the cause of
closing down the SOA. First on the list is contacting your Representative to support House Resolution 1217, cutting
funding to the SOA and thereby ending its continuing contributions to human rights violations in Central and South
America. The SOA Watch website, www.soaw.org, has all the details.
Second is learning more about the SOA, and if desired, I am able to provide several videos that could be
played between classes on campus about the history of the School while I am away. [Susan Sarandon's in some of
these, too, as one of her main causes, and I hear we like her a lot around here!]
Third, if you would like to drive out to the jail on April 3rd to see me off, I believe there will be a caravan
from among the peace community in Chicago and Northern Illinois. They'd love to meet you, and I hope you will
enjoy their company.
Finally, I will welcome and lean on the help of my classmates in Dr. Terrell's, Rev. Karen's, Dr. Speller's, and
Dr. Haldeman's classes for good notes. I will also need some friends to type my handwritten replies and forward them
to others by email or share in class. Who knows? Perhaps I will find something of Community Transformation in
McHenry County Jail. Can there be Worship that is/ as Transformative Art in jail? Perhaps being housed with so many
other women, white and black, in jail, they will have things important to say to Womanist and Feminist Christologies,
or on Religion in America. I hope the time can be of the greatest benefit to the most.
I will let you know if I find out anything more.
peace to you,
Le Anne
SAFETY AT CTS
Do you feel safe at CTS?
What are your safety concerns?
What are your recommendations for making the campus more secure?
PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS MESSAGE
Help us improve safety measures on campus by responding to the questions
above. Your response will be shared with facilities and community life.
Your Voice Can Make A Difference!
Email: [email protected]
FREE
weekly
YOGA
classes, Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., McGiffert Hall.
Don’t have a mat? No worries. Mats will be provided and no experience is necessary. Beginners are welcome.
Yoga is perfect for spiritual
growth, meditation, reflection on
faith and fitness and health. You’ve
been thinking about Yoga so here is
the opportunity to JUST DO IT!
Just show up. No registration
or sign up required.
For more information contact Brian Carmany:
Email
[email protected].
Pardon Our Mess
Academic Calendar 2007-2008
By Gregory “Man in Pink” Briggs
Director of Facilities and Events
Spring Semester
Reading Week/Easter Recess
March 24-28, 2008
Semester Ends
May 16, 2008
Commencement
May 17, 2008
Registration for Summer/Fall Terms April 7-18, 2008
WELCOME NEW TEAM MEMBER!
Please welcome Emily Mitchell as the
newest facilities assistant. She will be starting
March 24, and is replacing Adam Yates, who
will be the new Program Assistant for the Office
of Spiritual Care at Norwegian American Hospital.
Don’t Get Penalized $50!
Register for Spring On Time!
Now that spring is almost here, we can
look forward to work continuing on the tower.
Once the weather gets consistently above freezing, we will see workers back on the tower. The
replacement stones are due to arrive at the end
of April, and the tower is currently scheduled to
be finished before the end of this year.
In other news, as many of you may have
noticed, there is a pool table in the McGiffert
lounge area, donated by our President, Susan
Thistlethwaite. Currently, a couple of the balls
are missing, but we will be getting replacements
within the next week. Also, we have re-installed
the wireless access point in McGiffert, so you
can connect to the CTS network from your
laptops.
Facilities is continuing to work to make
McGiffert a more enjoyable space, so if you
have suggestions, please let us know. We invite
you to use the lounge area as a place to study or
to relax.
Just a friendly reminder, if you are
scheduling a meeting, please check with facilities to make sure the room you want is available before you announce your meeting. You
can email [email protected], or dial
extension #226.
Visitor Nancy Strickland (parent of a prospective
student) and CTS student, Emily Mitchell, relax and enjoy
the comfort of the Hammond Library.
Photo by Waltrina N. Middleton
This Week Contributors:
LeAnne Clausen
Matt Frizzell
Kelli K. Harrison
Elena Jimenez, Insight
Waltrina N. Middleton, Editor
Heather Remaly, FaithAlive!
Rev. John H. Thomas, President of UCC
Credits/Sources:
Photo of Lower Cloister Hall by dkimages. Visit
www.dkimages.com for more photos of Chicago Theological Seminary. Other photo credits include www.ctschicago.edu, and
www.galen-frysinger.org.
Maps.uchicago.org
www.ctschicago.edu
www.dkimages.com
www.galen-frysinger.org
Waltrina N. Middleton
www.dailytimes.com
www.wikipedia.com
www.achievement.org
ASK BECKY
Email your questions to
[email protected]
Becky will use a combination
of reason and "Bible Dipping"
to respond. Borrowed from
Augusten Burroughs's book,
Running With Scissors, Bible
Dipping is a technique where
Bible verses are chosen with
eyes closed. The answer to
your question will be derived
from Becky’s translation of
the biblical text chosen.
Becky cannot promise to give
any actual advice, but she
will have a good time trying.
All questions are welcome!
The CTS Prophet
Attention Editor-in-Chief
Chicago, IL 60637-1507
Tel: (773) 752 5757
www.ctschicago.edu
HSB
CTS Insight
CTS Faculty Ofc.
CTS Comm. Life
CTS Facilities
CTS Safety

Volume 2 Issue 9 - CTS Learning Commons

Transcription

Similar documents

City Design Tour

TULLIAN TCHIVIDJIAN – BIO GLORIOUS RUIN

cadillac cts navigation interface kit

ol` man treestands - millenniumstands.us

a publication for the community of CHICAGO

We Care Chicago Family Health Center 2011 Annual Report

to full article

Power is the ability to define phenomenon

Community Justice Centers - Cook County State`s Attorney`s Office

Sensores de Revezamento

Positive thinking makes for happy old people - Life

“BROADWAY on PARADE” at the PIER 55th

2014

CTS 330 - Interlink Supply

CTS 450 - Interlink Supply