Presidential Musings from Dawn

I love it that ICS students write their term papers after classes are done. They have completed all of the course readings (in theory, at least) and class discussions this term and can now focus on their own research and writing. This approach seems to facilitate excellent learning with reduced stress throughout the term. Maybe students are stressing now, but we don't see it. Someone was really thinking when they came up with this approach!

The Institute is implementing a new “institutional repository” (IR). I asked a student if she thought our Junior Members might be interested in publishing their papers after it is launched. She said that it sounded like a great idea. Isabella Guthrie-McNaughton, our librarian, writes: “There is a section in the IR for Graduate Student Research and Publications. This section will contain both class papers (put into the IR only after they have been vetted by their Professor), preprints or postprints of published articles and conference papers and/or presentations." I am looking forward to reading student papers in the future.

I have followed some discussions about schools asking students to submit a summary video related to their papers. This sounds like an exciting direction for education, in general. The IR can address audio and video media as well as papers. Not everyone is inclined to sit down and read academic papers, but for someone like me, watching a short video where the student provides an overview is something I would definitely enjoy.  I hope we see more video from academics in the future.

There are many ideas for how we can share research from the Institute with the community. If you have ideas you would like us to hear, feel free to email me at dwolthuis@icscanada.edu.

Tom Wolthuis to Preach in Scarborough and Guelph

On Sunday, April 21, ICS President Tom Wolthuis will be preaching at Grace Christian Reformed Church, 25 Channel Nine Court, Scarborough.
On Sunday, May 25, he will be preaching at New Life Christian Reformed Church, 400 Victoria Road North, Guelph.

May 11: Convocation and Installation

You are invited to attend the Annual Convocation of the Institute for Christian Studies for the Conferral of Degrees upon Junior Members and for the Installation of our Presidents, Tom and Dawn Wolthuis.

Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 2:00 pm
St Joseph Chapel, Regis College, 100 Wellesley Street West, Toronto

Please join us for the celebration! We have seven Junior Members on track to graduate, and we will be installing our new Presidents. If you are able to join us for this important celebration in the life of ICS and its Junior Members, please RSVP no later than Wednesday, May 8, 2013 to sstovell@icscanada.edu. Space is limited.

PERSPECTIVE Now Available

We are pleased to have published the latest issue of PERSPECTIVE. Enjoy!

In this issue:
• 1. Q&A with Tom and Dawn Wolthuis
• 2. By the Numbers: Facts about ICS
• 3. Poem: “Unemies” [sic]
• 4. Relating Justice and Faith
• 5. Faculty News: New Book by Ron Kuipers
• 6. Student News

Read this issue online at http://perspective.icscanada.edu

Download the printable version at www.icscanada.edu/perspective

Annual Phone-a-thon

It's Spring...

The time of the year when ICS connects with you through our annual Phone-a-thon.

Our annual phone-a-thon will begin on April 26 and run for a few weeks. It’s the end of the 2012/13 academic year and our ICS Junior Members look forward to the Phone-a-thon as an opportunity to share some of their ICS journey with you. It’s also a simple and personal way for them to express their gratitude to you for ‘being in the classroom’ with them through your prayers and generous gifts and notes of encouragement. We also look forward to talking with you to thank you for your commitment to ICS and to invite you to extend your support and prayers as we look to the future.

Your generous support makes all of our work possible. Let’s talk!

Interview with ICS Presidents

There is an interview with ICS Presidents Tom and Dawn Wolthuis in the April 8, 2013 issue of the Christian Courier.

Send in Your Prayer and News Requests

The Prayer Letter goes out with the first Channel 229 of every month. If you have any prayer requests for the next issue or news items for next month please submit them to news-admin@icscanada.edu.

April 5: Richard Rorty Book Launch

Toronto area readers, mark your calendars to attend a book launch on April 5 at 7pm. CPRSE will officially launch Director Ron Kuipers’ latest book, Richard Rorty, with Professor Tom Reynolds of Emmanuel College providing a reflection on the book. This free event, which is hosted by Crux Books, will take place at Leonard Hall at Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Avenue (off Tower Road) on the University of Toronto Campus.

Google Map

 Facebook Event Page

This is a free, public event, and there is no need to RSVP.

Doug Blomberg in Toronto

Senior Member Doug Blomberg will be participating in the International Academy of Practical Theology at the University of Toronto, April 11-15 and presenting a paper titled “Welcoming Diverse Religious Practices in Schools.”

Lambert Zuidervaart in West Michigan

Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart is speaking on April 12 at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in West Michigan. His talk begins at 3:00 pm in Mackinac Hall BLL-110 on the Allendale campus. Titled “How Not to Be an Anti-Realist: Habermas, Truth, and Justification,” it is a version of the keynote lecture Lambert gave at ICS’s Truth Matters Conference. The talk is sponsored by the GVSU Philosophy Department and is open to the public. Earlier the same day Lambert will lead a discussion about “artistic truth” with the student-led Philosophical Society of GVSU.

Shannon Hoff in Stony Brook

Senior Member Shannon Hoff is presenting a paper at a conference for alumni at Stony Brook University, April 26-28, titled "Frontiers of Philosophy: 42 Years of PhDs from the Philosophy Department at Stony Brook University."

Carolyn Mackie in Toronto

On April 6th, Junior Member Carolyn Mackie will be presenting a paper titled “Standing Alone—With Help: Kierkegaard and the Dash” at a conference celebrating the 200th birthday of Søren Kierkegaard. The conference is hosted by the Kierkegaard Circle, Trinity College, University of Toronto.

Prayer Letter: April 2013

Monday, April 1: Work continues to finalize the upcoming edition of Perspective. We ask God's blessing and guidance for all those involved.

Tuesday, April 2: We pray for blessings and energy for ICS Presidents, Tom and Dawn Wolthuis, as they manage their many responsibilities.

Wednesday, April 3: We ask God's blessing on all Senior Members as they gather today for a Faculty meeting. We pray for guidance and wisdom.

Thursday, April 4: We offer prayers of gratitude for the many people who have presented ICS with gifts of prayer, money, and expressions of appreciation. It is wonderful to be blessed with so much support and interest.

Friday, April 5: Senior Member Ron Kuipers is launching his new book, Richard Rorty, this evening. We pray for blessings on all who attend.
Junior Member Carolyn Mackie is presenting a paper in Toronto tomorrow. We ask God to bless Carolyn and everyone who attends this event.

Monday, April 8: This is the final week of the semester and the academic year! We offer prayers of thanks for another semester of learning. We also ask God's blessings on Junior Members as they balance their course work with their families and jobs.

Tuesday, April 9: Librarian Isabella Guthrie-McNaughton will be attending a two day Association of Research libraries (ARL)/Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Institute on Scholarly Communications. We pray and for blessings on all those attending.

Wednesday, April 10: The Leadership Team and the Finance and Fundraising Committee meet today. We offer prayers for God's guidance for these important committees.

Thursday, April 11: Librarian Isabella Guthrie-McNaughton will be attending the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) conference in Indianapolis from April 11-13. We pray for safe travel and fruitful sessions.

Friday, April 12: On this last day of classes we offer prayers of thanks for the past semester and for energy and enthusiasm for students as they complete papers and assignments. We look forward to an evening of celebration, reflection, and fun!
Senior Member Doug Blomberg will be presenting a paper in Toronto and Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart will be speaking in Michigan today. We pray for God’s blessing on all participants.

Monday, April 15: 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.

Tuesday, April 16: The Board Executive meets this evening. We pray for God’s wisdom to guide this meeting.

Wednesday, April 17: Today the Academic Council meets. We ask God to guide their discussions and decisions.

Thursday, April 18: We ask for blessings on Senior Member Ron Kuipers as he continues his work as director of our Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics.

Friday, April 19: We ask for God's guidance for everyone who is involved in planning for next year, including those doing work on our budget.

Monday, April 21: We thank God for all the applicants to our programs. We pray that the successful applicants will be able to join us in our mission.

Tuesday, April 23: We pray for God’s blessing for the alumni association. We ask for strength and that God will make it an instrument of his will.

Wednesday, April 24: The Leadership Team meets today. We ask for God's wisdom to guide this committee.

Thursday, April 25: We ask God for energy for the candidates for graduation who are pushing to complete their programs and defend their theses.

Friday, April 26: Senior Member Shannon Hoff is presenting a paper in Stony Brook, New York today. We pray for safe travel, and ask God to bless everyone attending this event.

Monday, April 29: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS both in Canada and in the US. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.

Tuesday, April 30: We pray for stamina and patience for all those who are involved in planning for next month’s Senate and Board meetings, and our Convocation.