Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: March 31, 2009

Calvin receives four stars

Festival of Faith & Music

The Festival of Faith & Music, which will take place this year from April 2 through 4, is a biennial conference that brings together musicians, critics, journalists, musicians, artists, and listeners for three days of discussing and celebrating insightful music that explores, in some significant way, issues of faith. They seek to be conscientious listeners, agents of renewal and prophets of the Light, but this is only one aspect of their mission.  There is now a News & Stories feature on faith and music, Calvin-style, which includes links to the artists and their music, as well as a link to an interview with Ken Heffner, Calvin's director of student activities.

Spring break photos

Now that students are back from spring break, you are able to view photo galleries from the Women's Chorale tour to the Pacific Northwest where they interacted with alumni, friends, families and prospective students.  Also, you can read the entire "story" from the track and field team as they trained in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Holy Week on campus

There are worship opportunities every day of Holy Week, April 6-10, including the intensely meaningful Tenebrae service on Good Friday.  See the schedule for all the worship opportunities, including those of Holy Week, here. 

Ecosystem preserve activities

Did you know that the Ecosystem Preserve is located around the headwaters of a local stream, Whiskey Creek, which flows through Calvin's east campus, and is the source of water for the Seminary Pond. Its varied environment hosts about 100 bird species each year, with approximately 60 that nest within its boundaries. All ages are invited to the Ecosystem Preserve this Saturday, April 4, dressed in any favorite camouflage clothing (optional, of course) to discover how and why animals use camouflage.  Hidden animal pictures and an active hide-and-seek activity are sure to create a fun learning experience for children ages five to 12 years. Please come dressed for the weather. For more information about our free family programs and other upcoming opportunities, visit the page that links to all the events hosted by the Ecosystem Preserve.

Celebrating John Calvin's 500th birthday

"In ourselves, we are scattered; in Christ, we are gathered together." 
-John Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah 53:6

Calvin College, along with the world-wide Reformed community, is celebrating the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth in 2009.  Although named for a single reformer, Calvin is home to students, faculty and staff with roots in many Christian traditions.  This diversity strengthens us because we are united, not only by a common Christian faith, but by a common calling and common vision. 

Information about the celebrations, and those worldwide, are listed and linked on Calvin 500, sponsored by the H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies.  The conference, "John Calvin: Myth and Reality," April 16-18, is hosted by the Meeter Center and co-sponsored by the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship and the Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity.

Events for alumni, friends and families

Bookmark the alumni events calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, to which you are warmly invited, as a parent, alumni and/or friend of the college.  More information is found there for each of the following events:

Apr. 16: Heritage chapter event
Apr. 23: Prof. Doug Koopman in Iowa
Apr. 25: Calvin 5k Spring Classic and Family Fun Run
May 22-23: Class of 1959 50-year reunion
Jun. 19: Heritage class reunion