Important Dates:
October
17-21 Reading Week and October Intensives
26 Public Theology Lecture: Rest as Resistance, 12pm- Register here
29 Contemplative Prayer Retreat, 9 am-noon (Nyvall)- Register here
31-Nov 11 VSFL Interviews
November
4 Diwali Trip to Devon (afternoon-evening)- Register here
14 Home Dinner at the Palmerlees’ (hosted by Dennis Edwards and Luke Palmerlee), 5 pm- Register here
19 Last Day to Withdraw from a Class (with permission)
23-27 Thanksgiving Break (no classes)
Community Worship Thursday @ 5 pm
There will not be a Community Worship service this Thursday during Reading Week, but we will be back together next in Isaacson Chapel!
Rest as Resistance: A Public Theology Event
How can individuals and faith communities find healthier rhythms of rest and resistance without falling into apathy on the one hand or burnout on the other? Our panelists will draw on their expertise in the legacy of Howard Thurman (Rev. Dr. Amy Elizabeth Steele) and community mental health (Rev. Dr. Paolo Anabalón) to draw practical insights for the church today.
This event is free and open to the public but requires registration here.
Contemplative Prayer Retreat: October 29th
On Saturday, October 29 (9-noon) we are going to take a pause from the gift of learning and enter into the gift of practicing the presence of God and each other. Our time together will include prayer, silence and reflection. Our hope is that you will encounter God and find yourself slowing down enough to notice what is most important. We look forward to seeing you.
To register for the Prayer Retreat click here.
January & Spring Term Course Schedules are Up!
Course schedules for January term and Spring term are now posted on the Student Resources page. On October 24 registration will open through Self-Service, and draft syllabi will be added.
As you plan for your spring courses, remember the following resources:
- Your academic advisor! Your advisor will be reaching out this week—and is available to you at any time in the semester. Don’t hesitate to email questions and/or schedule an advising meeting.
- Degree planning core sheets
- Progress tracking in Self-Service
Remembering Emmett Till
On October 25th, Wheaton College will be hosting Rev. Wheeler Parker, cousin and childhood best friend of Emmett Till, and Dr. Dave Tell (University of Kansas), author of Remembering Emmett Till, for a special event titled: “Remembering Emmett Till: A Conversation on Race, Nation, and Faith.” (see promotional poster below)
Rev. Parker was with Emmett in Mississippi before Till’s tragic murder. He is the last surviving witness of Till’s abduction. He is the author of the forthcoming book A Few Days Full of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey for Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till.
The event will take place at 7:15pm on October 25th in Armerding Concert Hall (520 E Kenilworth Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187) on Wheaton’s campus.
The event is free and open to the public.
October Opportunities for Latino Heritage Month
October 3, 4 Thinking about Padilla and Perkins: Exploring the Intersection of Misión Integral and Christian Community Development
From CCDA: “Dr. Rene Padilla and Dr. John M. Perkins were founders of a distinct theo-praxis in their geographic and ministry contexts. Their models of ministry focused on social, economic, political, ecological, and spiritual restoration for the marginalized in Latin America and the US. This event will explore the intersection between the theological contributions of misión integral through the lens of Dr. Rene Padilla and the philosophy of Christian community development through the lens of Dr. John M. Perkins. This event is put on by CCDA, World Outspoken, Candler Foundry and Candler School of Theology’s pastoral leadership certificate program.”
October 6: Necessary Care to Inhabit the Earth: Theological Reflections from the Global South with Leonardo Boff
From Garrett: “Recognized worldwide as one of the leading liberation theologians, Leonardo Boff has expanded his work since the 1980s, delving into ecological issues as extensions of liberation theology. As a tireless activist for the poor and excluded, he argues that we need to hear not only the cry of the oppressed, but also the cry of the Earth–both are in need of deliverance.”
Applications are LIVE for Hispanic Summer Program’s 2023 Programming!
We’re happy to announce that applications are live for:
- The HSP 2023 Summer Session
- Applications Due December 1, 2022
- The Latinx Discernment Workshop
- Applications Due December 1, 2022
- Through Hispanic Eyes
- Applications Due December 1, 2022
- The HSP J-Term Session
- Applications Due November 8, 2022
Click here to apply today!
The HSP Exchange
The Hispanic Summer Program together with our Co-Host: Union Theological Seminary welcome Rev. Daisy L. Machado, Ph.D. Executive Director of the Hispanic Summer Program and Professor Emerita of American Religious History at Union Theological Seminary
On the Topic:
”God Gave Me My Money”: The Prosperity Gospel and the Latinx Context
Date: October 12, 2022
Time: 7:00pm – 8:15pm (EST)
Click here to RSVP!
5th Annual TACL Fall Conference
The Academy of Church Leadership at North Park University welcomes pastors, church staff, and lay leaders of all denominations to attend our 2-day Annual Pastoral Leadership Retreat, Tuesday, October 25, 2022-Wednesday, October 26, 2022. The retreat is an experience of prayer and reflection, as well as, interdisciplinary workshops, and conversation. For more information and to register, please click here or scan the QR code in the attached image.
Feather Bricks Vol 13 Sept/Oct: “Writer’s Block”
Congrats to Co-editors Alum/Teaching Assistant Johnny Marizetts and Cohort 2 student DeCedrick Walker at Stateville for including a wide variety of material that highlights programming supported by North Park SRA Alumni who are now Teaching Fellows.
To view Volume 13 of Feather Bricks click here! To learn more about Feather Bricks and view past volumes visit the Writing Center’s page here.
NPTS Public Theology Lectures
Our 2022-2023 public theology series will focus on being centered in Christ–not as an escape from the needs of the world, but as a necessary means to the transformative work of the church in the world.
Seminary faculty from each disciplinary field will facilitate dialogue on reflection on Jesus’s invitation in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
We invite you to join us as we seek Christ’s unforced rhythms of grace. Zoom sessions are free and open to the public but require registration. Save these dates, and stay posted for registration details!
Graduation Applications Currently Due
Graduation is not automatic. The graduation application is due one calendar year prior to your anticipated graduation date. The application can be found under Graduation Overview at www.northpark.edu/selfservice. If you are planning on December 2023 graduation, your application is due this semester, no later than Friday, December 9th. You don’t need to wait until the deadline. Turn in your graduation application today! Please be sure to fill in all required fields in the application, in order to activate the Submit button. If you have any questions, you may reach out to Tanya Pashkuleva.
Life Together This Fall
As we embrace the change from summer to fall, so we seek to embrace the many transitions at NPTS. In this new season, we look forward with a deep sense of anticipation. As a faculty/staff, we are excited about reimagining community life on campus this semester and establishing some rhythms as we continue to emerge from pandemic restrictions. I am thrilled to lay out a framework for opportunities to connect, eat, worship, rest, and play with one another this fall! We hope you will join us.
Field Education
If you are looking for internships or ministry opportunities (some of them paid) while you attend NPTS, please see this list. It will be updated as more opportunities are made available. If you have any questions, please contact Bret Widman, Director of CALL
CALL department is looking for a TA to help with some administrative work. If this is something you are interested in, please contact Bret Widman for more information.
Seminary Student Leadership Team
The Seminary Student Leadership Team exists to serve the student body and foster community. Stay tuned for Fall events!
For community updates and events, follow the seminary student leadership team on Instagram! Click here or search for the page on Instagram under @nptslead.
Job Board
The Office of Seminary Student Services hosts a job board! To browse jobs click here or go to the “Job Board” tab on the Nyvall News website.
North Park Writing Center
The North Park University Writing Center provides free assistance to the university community through our drop-in center, one-on-one conferencing, and specialized workshops.
Graduate/SPS students can request a writing coach for assistance in any academic writing assignments at any stage of the process by clicking here.
Fall 2022 drop-in hours are offered both in person and virtually according to the following schedule:
Sunday
4:00–8:00 p.m.
Monday–Thursday
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
1:00–5:00 p.m.
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
Closed
Fall Counseling Support Services
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 –
Seminary Women Coming Together
A support group devoted to exploring and addressing the concerns and issues for women in the seminary. Open to all current female-identifying seminary students. Mondays at 10:00am, Virtual group, Starts September 26, 2022
For registration and inquiries: 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 Let’s Talk sessions are 11:00am-12:00pm
Mondays: Helwig Recreation Center, 2nd Floor
Tuesdays: Brandel Library, Helwig Conference Room on 1st Floor
Wednesdays: Health & Counseling Office, 3317 W Foster Ave
Thursdays: Health & Counseling Office, 3317 W Foster Ave
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 or in a mental health crisis. A variety of training dates and formats are available this year. Sign up today! Request Training
Seminary Shenanigans
Courtesy of our very own @nptscampus account. Be sure to like and follow on Instagram or TikTok!