Important Dates
February
17 Art Institute Field Trip (hosted by Dave Bjorlin & Alex Macias), register here
27 Dinner at the Widmans’ (hosted by Bret & Janine Widman), register here
March
6 VSFL Papers Due
10 January Term Ends
14-18 Reading Week and March intensives
28 Fall Registration Opens – 7:00 am
27-April 7 VSFL Interviews
Community Worship
Join us in Isaacson Chapel at 5 pm on Thursday for a Community Worship Service. This week in Community Worship Eugenia Wright will be leading us in a Visio Divina. Be sure to stick around afterward as we gather for dinner together in Olsson Lounge!
Join us in Isaacson Chapel or online! To join chapel via zoom click here or use:
Meeting ID: 814 1389 7592
Passcode: 055307
Panel/Q+A with Denominational Leaders
Thank you for your input in response to our Nov 3, 2022, email. Far and away the primary interest expressed was for an (1) information session and (2) panel/Q&A. Moderate interest was noted in small group conversation. In response, we have scheduled the following:
- Feb 13, 4pm CT, Q&A with Herb Frost, Executive Minister of Ordered Ministry, and Danielle Ng, Director of Credentialing
Rev Frost will begin with a brief (10 min) overview regarding policies and polity relevant to this vote after which he and Rev Ng will engage with your questions. If you would like to submit a question in advance, please do so through this form; there will also be opportunity to ask questions directly. You can join this event in person or by Zoom. This discussion will be recorded so that those with scheduling conflicts may still participate. Please register here to receive the meeting link—or if you would like to receive the recording link following the event.
- We have also created sign-ups for unmoderated small group discussions, both by Zoom and in person in Nyvall Hall. Please follow this link to see times and to sign up. If you are unable to join any of the groups listed but are interested in connecting with your peers for discussion, please email Emily Wagner, Director of Student Life & Formation (eawagner@northpark.edu).
We are grateful to Revs Frost & Ng for welcoming this time—and to you all for your engagement.
Gratefully,
Dean Edwards & Dean Ondrey
Kudos to Michael Simmons!
Let’s congratulate School of Restorative Arts alum/WRIT000 and Church History Teaching Fellow/Writing Advisor Michael Simmons on his publication on the CCDA (Christian Community Development Association) “Locked in Solidarity” blog.
If you don’t know Mike personally (or might only recognize him by his handwriting), here’s a clip where he introduces himself for an on-demand presentation happening at the CCCCs (Conference on College Composition and Communication) next week:
We Are Right Here: Black Male Student Success at North Park University
Wednesday, Feb. 15th | 12:30 -2:00 pm | Anderson Chapel + Zoom
Join us for a book reading and discussion panel celebrating Black Male student success at North Park University!
Published student authors – undergraduate Education major Jeffrey Williams (We are Right Here: The Hope Constantly Buried) and Seminary School of Restorative Arts graduate Marcos Gray (Lost Innocence: The Life of a Juvenile Lifer) will occur reading from their latest books.
Sponsored by North Park’s Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life (ODIL) and the DEI Grant Award from the Council of Independent Colleges.
Words Unspoken
Thursday, Feb 16th | 6:30 – 9:00 pm |Johnson Center, Room 325
Join us for a night of open mic with our guest, CAMERON “CAM” BOLDEN
SPOKEN WORD AND RAP ARTIST specializing in art, poetry, rapping, and guest speaking. Performances will range at the event from spoken word, hip hop, singing, and art piece presentations, with a theme of joy and preservative.
Sign up to perform during the open mic portion!
Brandel Library is Recruiting Student Supervisors!
Brandel Library is looking for a dependable and leadership-minded graduate student who can work 15 hours per week including morning, evening and weekend shifts. Come join our friendly team and help create a hospitable environment for campus learning.
Interested parties should write directly to the Brandel Head of Public Services, Bethany Bates, at bbates@northpark.edu for a full job description and application instructions.
Senior Pastor Opening at Covenant Church of Thomaston, CT
The Covenant Church of Thomaston, CT is seeking an enthusiastic, family oriented Senior Pastor. We are a strong church with 50-65 active members on Sunday morning. All members are active in one or more ministries as we try to grow after the pandemic. Our church is known for children’s programs, young families and amazing youth programming. Please read the job description and consider us as your next career move.
Thank you!
Jessica (Search Committee Chair, 203-910-0945 and jbed546@aol.com)
Navy Chaplain Career Day at Navy Recruit Training Command in North Chicago, IL
Who: Those interested in Navy chaplaincy, seminary students, seminary professors, denominational leaders, and Pastors, Priests, Imams, Rabbis, and Ministers.
What: Observe Navy chaplains as they provide ministry to new recruits going through their initial training. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, eat with recruits, and tour the facilities.
Where: Recruit Training Command, Naval Station Great Lakes (North Chicago)
When: Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Crux Formation Coordinator Position Opening
North Park University’s Crux Discipleship Cohort is now hiring for the position of Formation Coordinator! Crux is a first year curricular and co-curricular community of discipleship for undergraduate students at NPU that focuses on fresh theology, civic engagement, and intercultural relationships both on campus and in the city of Chicago.
Applications are due March 31st at 11:59pm, after which they will be reviewed and an interview process will begin. Compensation is an 8K stipend across the year, with free housing included throughout the school year. The position can qualify for internship credit, and is open to all seminary students living on campus or willing to relocate to campus. See job description for more details, and please reach out to Matt Butin (mwbutin@northpark.edu) if you are interested!
To download the full job description click below!
Continuing Education Workshops
The School of Professional Studies at North Park University is offering three Continuing Education (CE) workshop opportunities throughout the spring 2023 semester for mental health professionals seeking to expand their skills. Continuing Education Units–required by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation — are available for Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors.
NPTS’s Dr. Elizabeth Pierre will be teaching one of these workshops on Singleness and Mental Health.
Procrastinators Anonymous
It is that time of year again. Want to stay on top of your homework AND build community? Study with Procrastinators Anonymous! In these dynamic study sessions, we either discuss study skills (such as notetaking and following the rubric) or break into small groups to catch up on reading, discuss class content, or build community. This space will be what the group desires and needs for it to be. We meet in front of the writing center (inside the library) weekly. Meetings are held Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am-1pm.
Questions? Email Antonio Pizarro, Assistant Director of the Writing Center at apizarro@northpark.edu.
University Partner Fest at the Art Institute
On Saturday, February 25, the Art Institute of Chicago will host University Partner Fest, a daylong event at the museum where students from University Partner institutions are invited to explore the museum, meet their peers, and learn from faculty and museum professionals across institutions. The program will include:
- Art talks led by college and university students
- A museum career panel
- Gallery activations led by University Partner faculty
- An art-making activity
- An exclusive reception for all guests featuring museum staff and intern alumni
- Information about internships and job opportunities
This event is free and open to students, staff, and faculty at North Park. Simply show a valid ID at a registration table, located in either lobby on the day of the event, to receive a free ticket and event program. Contact gvazquez@northpark.edu with any questions.
Spring Semester Counseling Resources
Counseling Support Services is offering a variety of counseling support options for students this semester free of charge. If you are experiencing unmanageable anxiety, sadness, difficulty adjusting, problems in relationships, or if you are hurting due to the many challenges before us, Counseling can help. We also offer Mental Health First Aid Training so that you can learn how to help friends and family that might be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.
Individual Counseling Support – Free, confidential, short-term individual counseling support is available via telehealth and in-person. Request counseling via the counseling request form at northpark.edu/counseling, or by walking into our offices at 3317 W Foster, #24 on the campus map.
Group Counseling Support –
Practical Ways to Manage Anxiety
Mondays, 10:30–11:30 a.m., February 6–April 24
Do you have trouble letting go of anxious thoughts? Do you feel worried all the time? You are not alone. Come learn the skills to combat anxiety and to help you navigate life’s daily stressors.
Feeling Good About Me: Boosting Self-Esteem
Tuesdays, 4:30–6:00 p.m., February 7–April 18
How we feel about ourselves can dictate how we respond to stress, build relationships, and make decisions. This group offers skills, strategies, and artmaking to help students learn to develop a healthier self-esteem and feel more confident.
Effective Strategies for Managing Stress
Thursdays, 4:30–6:00 p.m., February 9–April 20
Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Join us to learn strategies to better manage daily stressors, and to build confidence in managing overwhelming situations and feelings.
For registration and inquiries, email: counseling@northpark.edu
TAO – TAO is an anonymous, self-service digital mental health support tool that is available free 24/7 to all current North Park students, faculty, and staff. Information and registration link at TAO
Let’s Talk – In collaboration with campus partners, Let’s Talk is an informal, walk-in support service that offers confidential meetings with a North Park counselor free for all NPU students at various locations around campus. Students can drop in (no appointment necessary) to speak with a counselor.
All sessions are from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Mondays: Helwig Recreation Center, 207A
Tuesdays: Brandel Library, Helwig Conference Room on 1st floor
Wednesdays–Fridays: Health & Counseling Office, 3317 W. Foster Ave.
Additional information at Let’s Talk
Mental Health First Aid – Students, faculty, and staff are invited to register for this free training opportunity that is designed to teach you how to approach, assess, and assist a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge
Upcoming training dates include February 15 & Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 2:00pm-4:30pm and Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 10:30am-4:00pm. Click here to register for training!
Seminary Shenanigans
Courtesy of our very own @nptscampus account. Be sure to like and follow on Instagram or TikTok!