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Resources for Advent

advent wreath photo
Photo by York Minster

ESN frequently commissions new material designed for Christian academics to use in the seasons of the church calendar. In the past few years, our talented authors have created an impressive archive of ESN material for the Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter seasons. We’re so grateful to have so many authors sharing their perspectives and experiences of the season. This year, with some big transitions and new projects in the works, we’ve decided instead to create a list of Advent resources you may find helpful this year, including some from our archives. We hope they’re helpful in your Advent reflections. [Read more…] about Resources for Advent

A Prayer from Andrea Bridges at The Well

Earlier this summer, we were delighted to welcome Andrea Bridges as a colleague. Andrea is the new editor for The Well, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA’s online magazine and community for women in the academy and professions. Today, Andrea shares a favorite prayer from The Book of Common Prayer to encourage Christian academics and others as we enjoy the summer and look toward our fall labors. [Read more…] about A Prayer from Andrea Bridges at The Well

Science Corner: Objects in Poster May Be Further Away Than They Appear

Poster for Star Wars film <em>Rogue One</em> showing the Death Star filling the daytime sky of a planet.
The poster in question, with the enormous Death Star dominating the horizon. (© Walt Disney Films)

In the week when nerds make their annual pilgrimage to San Diego Comic-Con, I couldn’t resist this little tidbit on science fiction meets science fact. Last week, a poster was revealed for the upcoming Star Wars movie Rogue One. As you can see, the Death Star looms large over a surface-bound skirmish. While fully acknowledging that the Death Star doesn’t exist as such and so obviously computer graphics and Photoshop were involved in rendering this image for our galaxy, one might wonder if it would be physically possible to ever photograph such an image in the land of Luke and Leia. As it happens, optically speaking the poster is a plausible image–although it raises some red flags about the gravity involved in this scenario. The math and the physics aren’t particularly complicated and the conclusion isn’t terribly profound, but I like to be reminded every now and again that our human intuitions need to be sanity checked.
[Read more…] about Science Corner: Objects in Poster May Be Further Away Than They Appear

“Christian Faculty Mentoring Students” Resources

When Kelly Arispe first dreamed of becoming a professor, she hoped to follow in the footsteps of the mentors who had so deeply enriched her own college experience. . . .  — From Beyond Academics: Kelly Arispe and Spanish Linguistics

Christian Faculty Mentoring Students and Beyond Academics: Kelly Arispe and Spanish Linguistics are two of several excellent resources for Faculty Ministry. As you may guess, I’m really excited about the growing bank of resources focused on gathering students and faculty together. Yes, another subtle plug for what has been referred to as Dinner Table Conversations 🙂

Read, share, discuss, brainstorm on summer/fall gatherings for conversation/storytelling/mentoring. . . .

For additional material visit Faculty Ministry Resources and the Faculty tag at The Well. If you have similar stories to share from your campus, please visit Faculty Ministry Writers’ Guidelines and Write for Us (The Well).

PS. I’m on a road trip to As We Worship, So We Believe: How Christian Worship Forms Christian Faith. I can’t wait not only for the presentations, but for the Dinner Table Conversations (especially meeting on-line friends in person) at the 2014 Ancient Evangelical Future Conference (6/5-6, Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA). AND writing about them. To God be the glory!

Review: March Madness ’14 Finals, Dialogue . . .

Integrating faith & field vs. Realizing justice in action

Ready for finals . . . graduation?

Yes, we’ve made it to the finals of ESN March Madness ’14. I have learned a lot as we have wrestled with the question:

What is the most pressing issue for the Christian to engage when journeying in higher ed?

Please share your vote and invite others to do likewise. Winner will be announced on Good Friday (4/18). Note: If you haven’t voted in ESN March Madness ’14 (and invited others to do likewise), now is the time to engage to make sure your vote is heard.

As I’ve shared before, this tourney is influencing our priority of focus as we prepare for Fall 2014. If you have a desire to address a particular topic or recommend a possible contributor (e.g., book to be reviewed, book reviewer, interview, offer a reflection), please let me know.

Engaging in the conversation . . .

Below are a few pieces which really caught my attention and yes, there are more on ESN’s Facebook Wall 🙂 Please do not hesitate to share your must reads in the comments section below, on Facebook, via email, etc. . . . [Read more…] about Review: March Madness ’14 Finals, Dialogue . . .