- November 26‐27 Thanksgiving Break: No Classes
- December 3rd, 5pm: Night of Lights
- December 6th, Virtual Lessons and Carols
- December 9th, Study Day: No Classes
- December 10‐11: Exam Days
- December 12 End of Semester
Important New Guidelines for Campus
Due to rising COVID numbers and changing regulations from the state, NPU has decided to transition all courses to fully online for the remainder of the semester. Read the announcement about new safety protocols here.
Gathering our Flames
As announced last week, we are spending this advent season gathering light with one another (if you missed the post, here’s a link). We want to use these final weeks of the semester to join with one another no matter where you are as we experience the light of God in our daily lives. So send in those photos! Here a couple we received this week.
We had hoped to have a final gathering of the season, but with new COVID restrictions, we will not be able to congregate. We will however still culminate our theme with a Night of Lights Celebration on December 3rd beginning at 5 pm directly in front of Nyvall Hall! We will ‘gather our flames’ and be reminded of our connection to one another and this community as we walk the illuminated path (distanced and masked of course). So come, light a candle and add it to the path, and grab a sweet treat to go! Until then, keep sending us photos of how you are experiencing light in the midst of this season! Send them to semservices@northpark.edu
Later this week, paper bags will be available in the Nyvall kitchen, grab one or use one from home- to decorate. The bags will become luminaries to light a path outside Nyvall. Bring your bag with you when you come, we will also have bags available at the event Dec 3.
Unique Opportunity! Hybrid Online Course with SRA Students
You’ve heard about NPTS’ program in Stateville prison. You’re interested in taking a course together with incarcerated students in the School of Restorative Arts but don’t know how. Here is your answer: Spring semester ’21, Drs. Paul de Neui and Obed Manwatkar will teach MNST 5110 Religions and Cultures in a unique hybrid correspondence/online format. This option makes it available to distance students as well! You will be grouped with SRA students into study teams to work on a world religion project, to exchange learning, and to mutually encourage one another. Questions? Contact Paul de Neui (pdeneui@northpark.edu). Sign up online soon for next semester!
Virtual Festival of Lessons and Carols
Just like everything else in 2020, North Park’s beloved Festival of Lessons and Carols will look a little different this year. The school of Music, Art, and Theatre pulled together to make sure the annual Christmas tradition will take place, virtually, with the involvement of seven ensembles: Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, University Choir, Chamber Singers, Gospel Choir, and Women’s Chorale.
The performance will also include eight speakers, including President Mary K. Surridge and Campus Co-Pastors Terence Gadsden and Laura Kraybill. Each part of the festival is being recorded in the evening at Anderson Chapel (to maintain consistent lighting), with some performances being recorded by students from their homes.
The event, which is being produced by Atlas Production Company, will air Sunday, December 6 at 4 p.m. on YouTube and Facebook. Mark your calendars!
J-term and Spring Registration is open!
Registration for January term and spring term are open! Please be sure to connect with your advisor if you need help identifying which courses to take. You can view the full schedules on the student resources page. Registration is done in Self-Service.
Remember NPTS has made some adjustments to the spring calendar that are not exactly the same as the University so be sure to check out this post from Seminary Academic Services if you missed it a few weeks back.
Feather Bricks Newsletter
Check out the latest edition of the School of Restorative Arts newsletter! The theme of this newsletter is “Waiting” and it is full of writings from students, professors, and other contributors! Here is a link!
https://www.northpark.edu/wp-content/uploads/Feather-Bricks-Oct-Nov-2020-Vol-2-Oct-21-Revision.pdf
Update Self Service
Make sure to keep your contact information current in self service so you have the best access to support from staff and faculty. In order to best contact you, your self service account needs to have current information especially while you are working to register for the spring.
Black Support Group
In partnership with the Office of Diversity & Intercultural Life, Counseling Support Services and NPU Residence Life & Housing are hosting a Black Support Group led by Black Professional Counselors for students.
This support group will be a time for connecting, expressing, mourning, processing, and healing. This group will meet virtually once a week on Sunday evenings. For more information, questions, or to access the link to join the group, please contact Raevhann Rush at rnrush@northpark.edu.
Free and Confidential Student Mental Health Counseling Services
NPU has recently increased professional and intern staff in the Counseling Support Services office. If you are experiencing anxiety, having difficulty adjusting to seminary, or are hurting due to the many challenges before us – the pandemic, the suffering of family and friends, or the painful news of local and national events, we can help. Go to northpark.edu/counseling to request an appointment for free, confidential counseling services. We also have a new Instagram @npuhealth.