Monday 1 October 2012

Prayer Letter: October 2012

Monday, October 1: As the second month of the fall semester begins, we ask God's guidance and wisdom for all our Junior Members who are working hard in their courses and for a sense of balance as they deal with families and jobs as well. We pray too that student jobs will be found where they are needed.

Tuesday, October 2: We offer prayers of praise and gratitude for the talents of Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart, and Junior Members Dr. Allyson Carr, Matthew Klaassen and Ronnie Shuker, as the book they have edited, Truth Matters: Knowledge, Politics, Ethics, Religion, will be published.

Wednesday, October 3: The Leadership Team meets today. We pray for God’s guidance for this meeting.

Thursday, October 4: We continue to pray for blessings and energy for ICS President, Chris Gort, as he manages his many responsibilities and provides ICS with such excellent leadership.

Friday, October 5: Many of our Junior Members are working on their their Masters and PhD thesis projects. We pray for our Junior Members and ask that they will have time, concentration, and wisdom.

Monday, October 8: Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. As we celebrate and give thanks for the bounty of the harvest, may we reflect on the grace of God and the rewards of our labour. May we remember that ICS is sustained by both God's grace and the dedicated work of its support community, administrative staff, and Senior and Junior Members.

Tuesday, October 9: As the Thanksgiving weekend ends, we offer prayers of gratitude for the many people who have given ICS gifts of prayers, money, concern and appreciation. It is truly a blessing to have the interest and support of so many people.

Wednesday, October 10: The Interfaculty Colloquium will be held this afternoon. We pray for God’s blessing on all participants, and for good and positive insights that will further important academic work.

Thursday, October 11: Senior Member Shannon Hoff will be presenting a paper in Ottawa. We ask God to bless everyone attending this conference.

Friday, October 12: The Art Talks! event “Imagination’s Truths” opens tomorrow with a lecture, panel discussion and evening performance. We ask God to bless all who attend this event.

Monday, October 15: We are now fully into our new academic year! Give thanks for the insightful, talented, and hard working ICS faculty and staff, and pray for energy and enthusiasm to sustain with their workloads.

Tuesday, October 16: We ask God to bless the Rev. Dr. Thomas Wolthuis and Ms. Dawn Wolthuis who have been appointed to the position of President of the Institute for Christian Studies. We pray for energy and a smooth transition.

Wednesday, October 17: Today we ask for God's help for those who are struggling with cancer and other illnesses. We pray for strength, patience and for good results from treatment.

Thursday, October 18: Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart will be giving a keynote lecture in Langley BC today. We ask for blessings for all who are attending this event.

Friday, October 19: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.

Monday, October 22: Reading Week begins today! Please pray that our Senior and Junior Members will be able to use this break from classes to catch up, get ahead, or use the week for whatever they may need to help them in their studies.

Tuesday, October 23: As Reading Week continues, please pray that it will be a fruitful week for the academic body at ICS as many Senior and Junior Members have projects they are working on beyond normal class work. Whether these are publications, papers for conferences, or other scholarly activities, pray that this week will afford extra time to make progress in these areas.

Wednesday, October 24: The Leadership Team meets today. We pray for God's wisdom to guide their discussions and decisions.

Thursday, October 25: Senior Member Doug Blomberg will be presenting a paper in Cambridge, ON and Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart will be presenting a paper in St. Louis. We pray for blessings on both of these events.

Friday, October 26: The Executive will be meeting tomorrow. We pray for God’s wisdom to guide their discussions.

Monday, October 29: Reading Week is over! We ask God for insight, energy and enthusiasm for everyone who is returning to classes this week.

Tuesday, October 30: We ask for God's blessing on those who are planning the Annual General Meeting to be held next month. We pray for energy and enthusiasm for all who are involved.

Wednesday, October 31: Please pray for the ICS Board recruitment process, that committed and able candidates for Board vacancies will be offered to the ICS membership for approval this fall.