UTC eNews 201160 Wk5

VISITORS

Welcome to Jenny Byrnes from Vic/Tas and Vicky Balabanski from South Australia, who are the Visitation Team for the College of the Ministerial Education Committee of the Assembly.  They are undertaking the five yearly review around questions of education for specified and lay ministries.

Also on campus this week is Dr Young Ihl Chang, President of the Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary, Seoul.  See below for details of his lecture on the Psalms.

FROM THE FRONT DESK

ALL full time domestic students who are enrolled can come to student administration and receive a student concession foil for travel on public transport.  But this ONLY applies to full-time students enrolled in three or more subjects and they must bring their CSU Student Card so we can attach the foil.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

Our series of meditations continues. Each session commences with some breathing exercises, followed by a guided meditation.  At present we are experiencing mantra style meditations.  This will be followed by Ignatian meditation in which we take up imagination based prayer.  The final weeks of semester will be given over to lectio divina, a form of reading the scriptures in prayer.

The dates and times are

Thursday during semester 12.50-1.30

Starting July 28^th till the final week of semester.

At present we do not plan to meet during the semester break, but that can be renegotiated.

Venue: G1

Simply come: If you need to bring a cushion do so, comfortable loose clothes preferable, smelly shoes outside.

NATIONAL SURVEY OF THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS

Students of Theology: Let your voice be heard!

Australian and New Zealand Council of Deans of Theology

 Incorporating student experience and transformative learning into curriculum design and planning of undergraduate theological degrees

Student Surveys: Invitation to Participate

The Australian and New Zealand Council of Deans of Theology is conducting a major research study into theological education in Australia. As a key research strategy, the Council is inviting students currently enrolled in an Australian Bachelor degree in Theology, Ministry or Divinity to assist in gathering research data concerning their theological studies. We are hoping to hear the views of as many students across Australia as possible. You might be approached in class to complete a survey.  However students can also complete one of three online surveys that have been designed for this purpose:

·        First Year Students Survey (for those in the first third of their degree)

·        Final Year Students Survey (for those in the last third of their degree)

·        Longitudinal Survey (for students who are in a position to complete two stages of a survey over a period of 12 months).

If you can find around 15-30 minutes to complete one of the surveys, your contribution to this important project will be greatly appreciated. For information on the research project and how to participate in the surveys, please visit the project website at

          http://web.me.com/anzcdt

On the website, click on “Activities” to go to the details of the student surveys.

While the survey is to be completed anonymously, before participating you will need to read and complete the relevant Project Information and Consent Form, which is an ethical requirement for all such research. (Follow the link under “Activities”.)

Once you have done that, the survey may be accessed via the incorporated Survey Monkey Online Survey link. The survey itself is done online, is very easy to complete, and may be done at any time using any computer that suits you, although we would like it completed by 31^st August 2011 (with the second stage of the Longitudinal Survey by May 2012).

Your participation in these surveys will provide a valuable “voice of the students” which can then be used in the development of theological programs. The team sincerely hopes you will be able to take the time to let us hear your voice.  For further details contact Gerard Moore.

FROM THE ACADEMIC DESK

LATEST PUBLICATION: Congratulations to Clive on his chapter “Exploring a public theology for here on earth” in Christianity and the Renewal of Nature: Creation, climate change and human responsibility (edited by Sebastian C.H.Kim and Jonathan Draper for SPCK, London).

The timetable is now out in draft form.  Thanks to all who have responded to the various consultations.  Note that there are two intensives planned for January.

STRESSES AND STRAINS of the shortened semester were discussed last week with students and some faculty.  More on the key points next week, with an invitation for further discussion.

FROM THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Pool Competition is rollicking along: please roll up and play.

THIS WEEK

• RETREAT: August 10 at AWCE from 9.30am to 3.30pm.  This will be on “Creation Spirituality” led by Sister Jacinta Schaler: For more details see Carolyn or posters in the foyer
• On Thursday August 11^th 2011 at 4.00 there will be a public lecture in Korean at UTC: The Myths and Power of the Psalms, delivered by Dr Young Ihl Chang, President of the Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary, Seoul.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Look out for the Messy Church Conference next week
• The Climate Crisis and the Crisis of Humanity conference with Ernst Conradie and Clive Hamilton: Tuesday 20^th September.
• The conference on Atheism is on later in October: See William Emilsen for details.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Our weekly eNewsletter is also posted on our utcnews blog. To follow or subscribe go to http://utcnews.blogspot.com/

The newsletter is from the desk of Gerard Moore News items to him by 3.00 pm each Friday gerardm@nsw.uca.org.au