Important Dates
March
28 Fall Registration Opens – 7:00 am
27-April 7 VSFL Interviews
April
10 Easter Break: No Classes
12 Sabbath without Sabbatical: Pastoral Rest in the Midst of Ministry (Zoom) 12-1:30 pm register here!
15 Botanic Gardens Field Trip (hosted by Elizabeth Pierre) register here!
15 Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (with permission)
28 Contemplative Prayer Retreat: Discernment (Isaacson Chapel) 9am-12pm register here!
Community Worship
Join us in Isaacson Chapel at 5 pm on Thursday for a Community Worship Service. This week Mandy Olson, a local Covenant pastor and NPTS alumna, will be preaching! Rev. Mandy Olson is the founder of Adaptive Church, an organization that applies “adaptive leadership skills to ministry settings providing faithful guidance for challenging times.” Be sure to stick around afterward as we gather for dinner 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
TLDR? Go to the end of this “thorough” communication for summary!
Greetings NPTS seminarians!
Some exciting changes are coming to NPTS, beginning with the incoming class this fall 2023. The purpose of this post is to (1) share those changes with you, (2) make clear how these changes do and do not impact you as a current NPTS student, (3) share next steps for your course planning toward degree completion.
First, the changes
Beginning this fall, all students entering a master’s degree program at NPTS will join a cohort of students that will complete their degree together along a defined path. These cohorts will integrate campus and distance students, bringing these communities together for in-person learning in the fall and summer, and in combined classroom spaces one evening each week across the fall and spring semesters.
How this will not impact you (i.e., what stays the same)
- Your degree completion will largely continue unchanged, completing course requirements each semester as required. You are not being shifted into a cohort, and your course pathway is not being set. You will still have flexibility of scheduling—with all the benefits and challenges this entails!
- We are mindful of the courses each one of you has completed and the courses each one of you has yet to complete in order to fulfill your degree requirements. We are considering this information in scheduling each year’s courses and will continue to offer the courses you need to complete your program.
How this will impact you (i.e., what changes)
- Combined classrooms. We continue to move away from purely asynchronous online classes and toward synchronous classes in classrooms that combine students on campus (in person) and distance (virtually). Our responsive, ad hoc entry into combined classrooms has been ‘uneven’—and you’ve likely had both positive and negative experiences with these early attempts. We are now deliberately learning from our successes and failures—and from the successes of other institutions—to put in place the technological infrastructure and pedagogical best practices to employ this format effectively. (To this end, we welcome your input on this survey, where you can also indicate interested in a follow-up conversation to share more.) What this means practically:
- Distance students: Classes will continue the trend of being fixed times vs purely asynchronous.
- Campus students: You’ll be guaranteed in-person classes, often joined by distance students.
- Hybrid classes. You will be able to join classes scheduled for new cohorts (and in some cases may be encouraged to if your course need aligns with that schedule). If you join a class being offered to a new cohort, the format will be hybrid, with 1.5 hours of weekly in-person class time and 1.5 hours of some online components—drawing on the best aspects of interactive and independent learning.
- More electives. Another benefit of the new model is consolidating electives in June. Because all new students will be scheduled to complete summer electives, we will be able to provide a number of unique electives for all students.
We want to assure you that as we make this transition we will walk alongside you, providing the courses you need and ensuring your timely degree completion. To this end:
- Be on the lookout for registration recommendations for both summer and fall 2023—which is targeted to open April 3—as well as a plan for spring and summer 2024. You’ll receive these individualized recommendations by email prior to summer and fall registration opening April, you’re your academic advisor copied.
- This email will also include a link to schedule a transition consultation to talk through any questions you have about these upcoming changes or your own degree progress/completion.
- If you are very early in your program, it may be to your benefit to join an incoming cohort. If we think this is the most appropriate option for you, we will recommend this in your advising recommendation.,
- Save the date, September 12–15, for our 2023 campus immersion days, when all new cohort students will be on campus. Come participate in enriching academic and community activities and welcome new students!
In addition to the above, you are welcome to reach out to us at any time with questions, concerns, feedback, etc. As with any change, we know this one will include some trial and error, but we believe this model will provide greater predictability and a richer learning community to all students, campus and distance, new and returning.
A huge THANK YOU to each one of you for all you contribute to the NPTS learning community—and for the specific insights you have contributed to our discernment through focus groups, surveys, etc. We are grateful for you!
Hauna (hondrey@northpark.edu) & Alex (amacias@northpark.edu)
TLDR
- All fall 2023 incoming students will join a cohort made up of campus and distance students.
- Returning students won’t be moved into a fixed cohort, but you can join a cohort course if it works well for you.
- We know which courses you need and will schedule classes with this in mind.
- We are moving away from asynchronous online classes and moving toward courses that have students in the classroom and students online.
- We are working on improving the tech support to facilitate a combined classroom. Take this survey to give us your thoughts on how to support you in a combined classroom!
- Hybrid courses will have a mix of in-person time and online components.
- Electives will be primarily in the summer term so that you can be sure to have a selection to choose from.
- You will receive a personalized advising recommendation for summer and fall registration to help with the transition.
- Mark September 12–15 on your calendar now so that you can participate in some enriching academic and community activities and welcome new students!
- We’re grateful for you!
Sabbath without Sabbatical: Pastoral Rest in the Midst of Ministry
April 12, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30pm (Central)
What is Sabbath from a biblical and theological framework? And how can the pastor and Christian leader experience a Sabbath rest in the midst of a busy ministry and competing demands, especially when their church may not be able to afford a sabbatical or extended leave of absence? You are invited to join a panel discussion between biblical scholars and pastors on celebrating Sabbath through the challenges and rhythms of the Christian life.
Registration is free and open to the public, click here to register.
All Things Music: Feather Bricks Vol. 16 Feb/March 2023
Please enjoy our “All Things Music” edition:
Feather Bricks Feb-March 2023 Volume 16.
Huge congrats to inside co-editors Todd Smith and Luigi Adamo. Special thanks to outside Writing Advisors Priya Bajracharya, Citlalli Cardenas, Destiny Correa, Lily Gerow, Hellen Pava, and Writing Coach Nancy Gorman for extra help with layout and design!
Last Call for Crux Formation Coordinator Applications
Applications for the Crux Formation Coordinator position are due March 31st at 11:59pm. For more information see the job description attached below!
The Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association Summit
May 19-20, 2023 | Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL
The Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA) summit will take place at Wheaton College, May 19-20. CMCA is a professional organization, founded in May 2011, through which Christians can celebrate their faith and passion for correctional ministry with other individuals, organizations, and churches; develop professionally through online resources, trainings, and certifications; and be inspired through uplifting journal articles, networking, and conferences. For more information on this year’s summit: https://www.cmcainternational.org/event/cmca-2023-summit-registration-2/
A pre-summit workshop on “reading the Bible with current and former prisoners” will be offered on the evening of Thursday, May 18, with Bob Ekblad, author of the book Reading the Bible with the Damned. This workshop is FREE and open to the public, but we do require registration: https://www.cmcainternational.org/event/cmca-2023-presummit-may18/
There is a significant student discount for the summit on Friday and Saturday. The cost for students is $20 without meals or $50 with meals (lunch and dinner on Friday, lunch on Saturday, and the food at Wheaton is quite good!). The discount codes are not being posted publicly. Please email Will Andrews at waandrews@northpark.edu if you would like that information.
The 2023 CM CARES Religious Scholars Program
CM CARES will award up to $62,500 in scholarships to deserving graduate-level religious scholars. Twenty-five scholarship winners will each receive a $2,500 award that may be used to pay for tuition, fees, books or other costs of attending school during the 2023-24 academic year. We encourage students of all faiths to apply.
Apply today!
The application window closes April 3, 2023 at 3 p.m. CST. No additional applications will be accepted after that time.
Centennial Scholarship Fund
Kenilworth Union Church created the Centennial Scholars program thirty years ago to fund MDiv students who are called to serve under-resourced areas of metro-Chicago, including service to individuals facing challenges with finances, education, housing, food security, personal and family safety or healthcare. While in graduate school (full-time or part-time), scholars are expected to conduct their work in the metro Chicago area through churches or other organizations serving under-resourced populations. Upon graduation, scholars will continue to receive funds for two years as they pursue full-time work in agencies, missions, hospitals, or faith communities who preferably serve metropolitan Chicago under-resourced populations as described above.
Full-time student recipients receive a total of four years of scholarship and part-time student recipients receive a total of six years of a smaller scholarship after completing the first third of their academic program. Here are the scholarship amounts provided:
Payout schedule for full time students:
$5,000/year for final two years of graduate school paid in quarterly installments.
$7,000/year for the first two years employed in full-time work in areas described above, also paid in quarterly installments.
Payout schedule for part-time students:
$2,500/year for the final four years of graduate school paid in quarterly installments.
$7,000/year for the first two years employed in full-time work in the areas described above, also paid in quarterly installments.
Applicant requirements for the Centennial Scholarship:
- Must be an MDiv student who has completed at least 1 year of study
- Must be ministering or planning to minister to under-resourced populations in metropolitan Chicago
For more information and to access the online application, visit https://kuc.org/centennial-scholars-fund/.
Play and Joy: A Way of Being & Doing Justice With Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm (EST)
For this seventeenth HSP Exchange, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes. Originally from Brazil, Cláudio Carvalhaes is an eco-theologian, performance artist, activist, and liturgist. Cláudio has pastored two churches for 10 years in Brazil and the USA and taught at Louisville Seminary, Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia and McCormick Seminary. He is now the Associate Professor of Worship at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Married to Katie, they have 3 kids and one dog. He is the author of “Liturgies from Below: Praying with People at the End of the World” and “Praying With Every Heart: Orienting Our Lives to the Wholeness of the World.”
Dr. Carvalhaes’ HSP Exchange lecture will investigate the misconceptions in the work of justice: we tend to think that the work of justice has to be serious and that it is something to happen out there. This workshop will show how play is intimately connected with justice and how joy can be an expansive place within us where justice can be lived and organized.
In addition to his role at Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Carvalhaes will teach a Liturgical/Homiletics course at the HSP 2023 Summer Session entitled “Humor, Laughter, Foolishness: Performing Love, Resilience and Resistance.”
Note: this lecture will be followed by a Q&A with the speaker.
If you would like to be part of this event, please RSVP by Monday, April 10, 2023.
Zoom invites will be sent to RSVP’d guests on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Register here!
A Prayer Resource for Lent
Prayerful Reflections: Lent 2023 is a daily resource for connecting with God and the larger Christian community during the season of Lent, using a lectio divina (Read, Reflect, Respond, Rest) format. The majority of the 45 contributors to this devotional are alumni of NPTS or work with the Evangelical Covenant Church. You can download a PDF of the full devotional here: www.spiritualdirectionwithjulia.com/prayerful-reflections/ or read daily on the blog www.spiritualdirectionwithjulia.com/blog
France Travel Course – MNST 6152: The Art of Mission
October 13-23, 2023
Experience how God speaks through the arts. This hybrid travel course traces the church’s use of visual and musical art forms from the Catacombs to the various expressions arising today. Focused discussions with practitioners will discern contextual lessons about the role of art in God’s mission applicable wherever God’s calls and sends. Beginning with several days in Paris, we will engage with artists in ministry, then connect with international work in Lyon, ending with several days worshiping with the Taizé community. Fulfills Cultural Diversity Elective requirement in all degrees. To receive more information and an application form, contact: Paul de Neui at pdeneui@northpark.edu.
Click below to download the PDF for more information or to download an application
Temporary Worship Leader Position in Green Bay
Bay Covenant Church in Green Bay, WI is seeking a seminary student to lead the congregation for the month of August, 2023. The responsibilities will include preaching during the four worship services on August 6, 13, 20, and 27. This assignment would give the student the opportunity to temporarily experience the life and ministry of a small congregation. For more information, contact Pastor Nancy Sneller, 920-889-8957.
Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program
Once again, we are hosting a Career Conversation on March 29th at 2 pm EST to share more about the calling of AF Chaplaincy and specifically what the AF Chaplain Candidate Program could look like for students on your campus.
Awakenings Conference-Free/Discounted Registration
April 27-29th
Seminary Admissions has limited free or discounted registration codes for the Missio Alliance Awakenings Conference. If interested email Baily Warman, Director of Admission, at brwarman@northpark.edu. Awakenings: Disruption in the Life of the Church is a brave space to have hard conversations that will awaken the Church. Speakers include Dennis Edwards, Mark Charles, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, Soong-Chan Rah, Michelle Ferrigno Warren, and many many more!
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 Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 10:30am-4:00pm (In-person) and Wednesday, June 21, 2023 & Thursday, June 22, 2023, 9-11:30am (Virtual, must attend both dates). Click here to register for training!