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Calvin's Preparations Leading Up to the Equality Ride Visit

  • Mark Yarhouse Lecture, March 1, on “How Christians Make Meaning of Same-Sex Attractions”

  • Three “Uncommon Conversations at Commons” where students heard the traditional, orthodox Christian viewpoint about homosexuality

  • Weekly meditations available online from Chaplain Dale Cooper, beginning February 28, that were used as devotions and in Bible study and shared with Equality Riders

  • LOFT Services in late March and April by Paul Ryan, Mary Hulst, and Dale Cooper, which wove in biblical themes applicable to having this conversation with our visitors

  • A Student Life Division staff development presentation by Vice President Shirley Hoogstra

  • Panel Presentation, March 7, on students’ and parents’ reflections on what it is like to be Christian, a Calvin student, and gay

  • Three spring semester luncheons with faculty, staff, and administrators at which members of the Broene Educational Team spoke about their Calvin experiences

  • Two faculty conversations led by Provost Claudia Beversluis

  • A staff forum led by Vice President Shirley Hoogstra

  • A presentation to the Faculty Senate by Vice President Shirley Hoogstra

  • Prayer time in Tuesday Chapels and a special Thursday Chapel dedicated to prayer for the visit

  • Letters to all CRC churches in the US and Canada asking them to pray and giving context for Calvin’s response

  • Letters to other churches in the area that are home churches for many of our students

  • April 18 lunch with area Christian high school principals and guidance counselors about events at Calvin and our response to the Equality Ride visit

  • Meetings with the staff members of Advancement, the Major Gifts team, and Admissions, Vice President Shirley Hoogstra

  • Briefing for our Board of Trustees members at the February meeting

  • Development of a “Frequently Asked Questions about Calvin College and Homosexuality” and the creation of an Equality Ride Visit website

  • Weekly task force meetings in anticipation of the visit, starting in February

  • Biweekly conversations between Vice President Shirley Hoogstra and ER Coordinator Bram Wispelwey

  • Opportunities during the spring 2006 Sexuality Series for discussions on the topic and experience of homosexuality and the church’s response