Additions to Perspective Archives

We have been working on scanning our archives of Perspective starting with Volume 1 Issue 1 from 1967. Find them on our website at http://www.icscanada.edu/perspective along with more recent issues. The old pictures alone are worth the visit!

Distinguished Alumni Award for John Hulst

John Hulst, long-time ICS supporter and FICS board member, is being honoured by the Calvin Theological Seminary with a Distinguished Alumni Award. This award is given annually to recipients who have brought unusual credit to their alma mater by their distinction in Christian ministry. John Hulst has had an immensely fruitful ministry as author, speaker, and servant of the church. He has published scores of articles, reviews, and essays and has addressed innumerable church and educational bodies across North America and in international settings.

Congratulations from the ICS community!

Phone-a-thon 2011

We are wrapping up our annual Phone-a-thon. A BIG THANK YOU to our ICS Board members, FICS Board members, faculty members and student volunteers who are making the calls and to all our supporters for taking the time to speak with them.

Many of you have shared your ICS stories with our callers—stories that encourage us as we look to a positive future, including the opening of the Research Centre. Our students also enjoyed sharing their ICS stories—stories that have given you a first-hand glimpse of how your gift is helping ICS through its programs to bring renewal and hope to our world.

If for some reason we missed connecting with you by phone, you still have time to send in your gift. Your gift is vital to our work. You can donate online at http://www.icscanada.edu/ics/giving/, call us at 414-979-2331 ext 223 (Vidya Williams) or ext 221 (Kathy Lynch) to make a credit card donation or mail your cheque to Institute for Christian Studies, 100-229 College St., Toronto ON M5T 1R4.

THANK YOU for your partnership!

Senate Report: 2011

The Senate, ICS's academic governing board, met on May 19 to review the work of our faculty, junior members, and research centre during the past academic year. After discussing materials prepared by ICS's Professional Status Committee and conducting interviews, the Senate approved Senior Members Nik Ansell (Theology) and Ron Kuipers (Philosophy of Religion) for continuing appointment (i.e., tenure). Nik and Ron also received approval for sabbaticals next year, and Ron was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. Senior Member Rebekah Smick (Philosophy of the Arts and Culture) was re-appointed for a further three-year term. In addition, Doug Blomberg was appointed Academic Dean for two years, and Lambert Zuidervaart was appointed to a second one-year term as Director of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics. We thank these faculty members for their excellent work and congratulate them on their significant achievements.

ICS's Senate has fourteen members: six "internal senators" from our administration, faculty, and junior members, and eight "external senators" from other schools. Each external senator serves for a five-year term and can serve two consecutive terms. Two of our senators reached the end of their terms on May 19: Professor Barbara Carvill (Emerita, Calvin College) and Professor Nicholas Wolterstorff (Emeritus, Yale University). They have served us faithfully and well for a combined total of more than 20 years. Professor Carvill has also served as ICS's chancellor in recent years. We offer our heartfelt thanks to Barb and Nick.

On May 19 the Senate appointed Dr. Jennifer Harris to be ICS's next chancellor. The chancellor represents ICS in public academic settings, most notably in the awarding of master's and doctoral degrees. A member of ICS's Senate for the past five years, Dr. Harris is Associate Professor in the Christianity and Culture Program at the University of St. Michael's College and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. We extend our hearty congratulations to Jennifer and thank her for taking up the chancellor's position.

April 9 in Edmonton: Healing Art

Music, creative writing and the visual arts can be agents of healing in a broken world. But they need healing too. Join Lambert Zuidervaart as he shares insights from his most recent books. Lambert will talk about the role of the arts in society, and he will reflect on how music and creative writing have helped him live with personal loss.

You will have a chance to greet Lambert at a book-signing reception, where copies of Dog-Kissed Tears: Songs of Friendship, Loss and Healing and Art in Public: Politics, Economics and a Democratic Culture will be on sale.

Saturday, April 9, 2011
The King's University College
9125 50 St., Edmonton

10:00-11:30 Art in Public
11:30-12:30 Break, book sales
12:30-1:30 Dog Kissed Tears
1:30-2:30 Book signing, reception

April 7 in Calgary: Dog-Kissed Tears: Songs of Friendship, Loss and Healing

Dog-Kissed Tears explores the life and loss of a remarkable 15-year-old retriever named Rosa. Lambert Zuidervaart tells the story of a furry family member’s unconditional love and gives voice to the quiet grief of losing a canine companion and dear friend. His meditative memoir, sprinkled with musical references and spiritual overtones, connects Rosa’s friendship to his circle of human friends. Lambert's reflections on Rosa’s life and death bring back childhood memories and lead him into self-discoveries of middle age. Join Lambert as he reads from his book and reflects on how music and creative writing can help us live through personal loss.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 7:00 pm
Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church
3020 51 Street SW, Calgary