Fall semester begins today!
Convocation live broadcast - 9:50 a.m. EST
Celebrate the start of the new school year by watching Convocation today, Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 9:50 a.m. President Byker will be speaking on Psalms, and it will be his last Convocation as he is retiring as the president of the college at the end of this school year (see below to find out how you can be a part of the process). His message to students, faculty, staff and community members will be, "Near to God: To Trust and Obey".
You can find the broadcast link on the Convocation page or by going here: www.calvin.edu/go/live.
Psalms
The whole Calvin community will be studying—and praying—the Psalms through this year's all-campus Bible study starting Sept. 12. You can join in! The book that we will be using, Psalms: Prayers of the Heart by Eugene Peterson, is available at a discounted price at the campus store, and all of the study guides are available online.
Consider joining us to see what God will do when the campus and community gather together to study his word, pray and love each other through Psalms.
Happenings last week
Were you here, too? We-Haul volunteers made move-in-day at Calvin easy for first-year students. Watch the coverage from the local news station.
Also last week, Streetfest leaders scrubbed, remodeled and stayed one step ahead of the beaver at the re-vitalized Camp Waltman, Calvin's recently-donated, 319-acre retreat.
Career Link
At Calvin, your student will find themselves on the verge of more than he or she can imagine. New ideas, unexpected opportunities, new territory in his or her life, studies and faith. From the verge, your son or daughter will catch a vision of how to live and see how Calvin will take student there. A new issue of VERGE is available online now.
Join us for chapel and LOFT, too!
Join us for worship beginning with Chapel, Wednesday, Sept 7. The live feed is available 10 a.m., Monday through Friday for Chapel, and 8 p.m. on Sunday evenings for LOFT (Living Our Faith Together) services.
Our worship in chapel will parallel the Psalms study and our worship at LOFT will look at the life of David, the author of many psalms. Here is our Chapel Pattern for the semester:
Mondays - GROW together, listening and responding to the Word of God.
Tuesdays - PRAY in a variety of ways, bringing our community and world before the face of God.
Wednesdays - TESTIFY as individuals, groups, and departments to God’s work among us.
Thursdays - BREATHE and rest in God’s grace through meditative acts of worship.
Fridays - SING to the glory of God, proclaiming Christ’s Lordship over our campus and world.
And all throughout the year you are encouraged to pray with Calvin.
Cokes and Clubs tonight at 5 p.m.
We hope your student is making a smooth transition to life at Calvin. If they are wondering how to get connected to their Calvin community, you might remind them of the Cokes and Clubs event tonight at 5 p.m. on the Commons Lawn. There he or she can check out the many exciting things—from ultimate Frisbee and table games to Rubgy and Chimes—Calvin students can do to occupy their time outside the classroom. Also, see the online information for student opportunities offered.
Worship resources
In his latest column, former college chaplain Dale Cooper looks at the Spirit's work in guiding God's people as they read and apply the Word.
Please consider other recently added resources from the Worship Institute, including ideas for worship planning on September 11, preserving community when people have different ways of looking at communion, doing multilingual worship and more.
Finally, you also can stay connected to the Worship Institute via Facebook!
Praying for the Presidential Search
Speaking of Facebook, you are invited to join the group Praying for the Calvin College Presidential Search. As you may already know, Calvin is seeking a new president. Join with us in praying for the process, the search committee, and our next president.
The search committee is updating this site regularly. We covet your prayers as we seek God's leading. (And all throughout the year you are encouraged to pray with Calvin.)
Student Treats
Parents may send their student some "love" by having the parent relations team deliver a treat to them during the school year. There are birthday, exam, holiday and special event treats to send for on- or off-campus students. The full list of treats is available on the Student Treats page and you can order online now!
To start off the year, send a Pizza Treat, but do it soon. The order deadline to send your student(s) a large pizza from a popular, locally-owned pizzeria is September 14, 2011.
For a great deal, order A Year of Treats, which happens to include a Pizza Treat, and save $$. This package deal includes a free birthday treat. The order deadline for A Year of Treats is also September 14, 2011.
Alumni and FRIENDS events
Here are several alumni and friends events coming up. Parents and family members are invited--encouraged---to join us!
- StreetFest International: September 3-11, 2011
- DC 9/11 Interfaith Conference: September 8-10, 2011
- 42nd Annual Golf Tournament: September 10, 2011
- San Diego (CA) Cruise: September 17, 2011
- MBA@Calvin: September 20, 2011
- Newport Beach (CA) Cruise: September 24, 2011
- Fall Lakeshore Luncheon: October 5, 2011
- Calvin Around Town - Grand Rapids Symphony & ArtPrize: October 6, 2011
- Homecoming and Family Weekend (which includes 10-, 25-, 40-, and 45-year class reunions): October 21 & 22, 2011
