We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Royce Francis in a new series on writing and a new format for the ESN blog. The new format is called Masterclass, and like a Masterclass in music or performance, it provides the opportunity to learn skills from an expert, as well as exercises designed by that expert to help you deepen those skills in your own academic life. Dr. Francis is Associate Professor of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at the George Washington University, and he has extensive experience in writing and teaching writing to engineers. In this series, which will run for the length of the spring semester, he will weave together theological reflection and practical suggestions on becoming a skilled writer in general and within your field. He will also provide exercises each week to give readers a way to put the ideas in the series into practice. Join ESN for a Masterclass in writing this spring. Questions and conversation are welcome—feel free to use the Comments section to express them, or email them to http://www.intervarsity.org/contact/emerging-scholars-network. [Read more…] about Written on Their Hearts: Writing, Worship, and Spiritual Formation in the Life of the Mind
Finding Your Voice
Addressing Loneliness in 2014
The Innovation of Loneliness from Shimi Cohen on Vimeo.
Yes, I posted The Innovation of Loneliness in Reclaiming Conversations (9/12/2013) when considering some of the work of Sherry Turkle and offering Transformative Conversations as a resource. But the recent attention given to Saving the Lost Art of Conversation: In a fast-paced digital age, an MIT psychologist tries to slow us down (Megan Garber. The Atlantic. 12/22/2013), an extensive amount of time on-line in the midst of the holidays[1], a lengthy conversation with one of my teenage daughters about the influence of technology, and the encounter of meeting John Hundley (ESN blogger) in person when at InterVarsity Staff Conference 2014[2] leads me to once again offer this piece for your reflection as we (individually and as a network) prayerfully seek direction in the new year. More in the notes and in future posts, but feel free to get things moving by sharing comments below. . . .
Christian Women in Sciences On the Move
As you may remember, this summer I once again attended the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) Annual Meetings. What an exciting opportunity not only to be in dialogue regarding In God’s Image: Celebrating Creativity in Science and Invention (click here for audio files and slides of presentations), but also to deepen relationships with friends who are connected with InterVarsity as alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
Interested in becoming part of such a community, rich with a mixture of academic material/presentation and informal conversation? Then don’t miss out on the free ASA student membership! Whether or not you’re a member [or able to join me for what looks to be a great conference on From Cosmos to Psyche (July 25 – 28, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)], enjoy the steady stream of material available through God and Nature and ASA’s Facebook Wall. Note: God and Nature magazine is a literary resource for everyone who’s ever been confused, conflicted, intrigued, or inspired by the intersection of science and faith.
Drum roll: Yesterday, I received the below email regarding the launch of the Christian Women in Science (CWIS), the formation of which was a dynamic part of this summer’s annual meetings. So yes, I’m enthusiastically spreading the word AND inviting you to do likewise 🙂 In addition to personal communications, maybe your campus fellowship could include the link to this post in their chapter communications (via email, Facebook, etc). ~ Thomas B. Grosh IV, Associate Director of ESN, editor of ESN’s blog and Facebook Wall.
PS.  Note: For an Emerging Scholars Network Blog interview of a significant member of this launch, click here.
——
Dear Thomas,
We are delighted to announce that Christian Women in Science (CWIS), a new affiliate organization of the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), was launched on July 22, 2013, under the leadership of ASA council member Lynn Billman. Founded in 1941, the ASA is an international network of Christians in the sciences.
The mission of CWIS is to encourage Christian women of all ages to pursue, sustain, and grow in a career in science, technology, engineering or math, and to encourage women in these endeavors to pursue, sustain, and grow in the Christian faith. See the CWIS homepage for more info. CWIS is already having an impact — check out the CWIS blog here — and is planning several programs and activities. [Read more…] about Christian Women in Sciences On the Move
Rejection
Note:Â This post was written nearly a year ago, but only recently submitted to the blog.
I had a new experience recently. I guess I’m a bit behind, since many people have been dealing with this for decades. But it’s new to me, and I want to share it with you.
For the first time ever, I was refused the opportunity to serve at church in a ministry I feel called to because I’m a woman.
I don’t normally label myself a feminist. I’m grateful for the opportunities available to me because feminists before me have fought for them, but that’s not a fight I feel compelled to join right now. I’m remarkably conservative, all things equal. Theologically, I suppose I’m complementarian. I hold up the stay-at-home mom as an ideal, even though that’s not who I am. I was raised in a church where women didn’t preach, pray in public, or even serve as ushers. But that was never a problem for me. I didn’t want to preach, pray, or usher. I have other gifts, and my feminine qualities have been an asset more than a hindrance in the areas God has called me to. My passion—and training—is for student ministry and small group leading. I’ve had more than two decades of experience as an undergraduate, grad student, and international student ministry volunteer. I’ve taken classes in Christian Education. My ministry experience has spilled over into my professional life, as I lead seminars and discussion groups and mentor students, now as a college professor. I am a shepherd—a pastor—but not the kind who stands in front of a church.
So here I am, attending church in a foreign country while conducting research abroad. The church has an outreach to international students at the local university, so I feel right at home. English-language small groups, international student ministry, supporting Christian students on a secular campus—it’s what I love! [Read more…] about Rejection
Join the heavens in proclaiming the glory of God
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. . . . The sun bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat. — Psalm 19:1-2, 5-6
A few weeks ago my three year old daughter responded to the sunrise by shouting out, “Mom! I see God at work!” “Hi God!”
How do you respond to the glory of God by which you are surrounded as you make your way to campus, around campus, in your academic endeavors . . . living moving, breathing, thinking, loving, righteously Deploying Vocational Power for the common good in a body “fearfully and wonderfully” knit together “in the image of God” in your mother’s womb?
Today (and each and every day), I encourage you to join me in taking time to observe God’s “craftsmanship.” I have found starting this practice first thing in the morning leads to a day framed by (and many times filled by) praise, thanksgiving, and the longing to invite others to “see” God at work through the lens of His Word which is more desirable than gold, even the finest gold . . . . sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb (Psalm 19:10)! Come, take, eat, and enjoy.
[Read more…] about Join the heavens in proclaiming the glory of God