FROM THE ACADEMIC DEAN
Every
blessing for the celebrations of the incarnation of the Christ: may the
indwelling of the Lord fill us with joy and enliven us for mission. May
the circumstances of his birth and early life make us mindful of the poor.
GRADUATION 2013
The
School of Theology graduation was held last Monday in Canberra, hosted by St
Marks Theological College. In all there were 96 new graduates, including
six PhD graduates and two Doctor of Ministry. Our congratulations to
distance education student Paul Baker, who graduated in the BTh (Hons) and was
awarded the University Medal. The School has produced six University
Medallists in a row, an amazing achievement in itself.
Especial
congratulations to the UTC graduates and their families:
Doctor of Philosophy
-
Helen Jamieson
- Xavier Lakshmanan
- Anthony Rees
- Aukilani Tuiai
- Sioeli Vaipulu
-
Peter Hall
- Krikor Youmshajekian
-
Nicole Fleming with Distinction
- Young bock Chang
- Ki Ok Jung
- Haloti Kailahi
- Rebecca Lindsay
- Esther Palau
- Veitinia Waqabaca
- Clara Khayat-Nordblom
- Tioti Timon
-
Eguavon
Eguaibor
-
Ryang
Joon Kim
- Teresa Parish
- Martin Schulzer
-
Suzanne Stanton with Distinction
- Robert Anderson
- Grant Atkins
- Brody Collins
- Sofilisi Hakeai
- Helen Paine
- Amanda Thomson
-
Simon
Bohr
LEARNING AND TEACHING
2013
The
results of the CSU online survey of student satisfaction have been
collated. Over 50% of UTC students participated, which is a terrific
return. Overall the faculty have been scored by you as excellent
teachers, with nearly all classes scored at over 6 out of 7 in nearly all
categories. This is an excellent result, especially given the high rate
of returns, and shows that the student body as a whole appreciates the efforts
of our teaching staff. Many thanks to our community of adult learners,
faculty and students, for your efforts in the classroom this year.
The
College has been awarded a series of grants from CSU to enable our research in
2014, totaling over $200,000.
-
Dr Anthony Rees has been appointed the Public and Contextual Theology Fellow for 2014
- Dr Ruth Sheridan has been awarded a 12 month continuation of her postdoctoral fellowship
- Ben Myers and Jione Havea have received small grants allowing them to pursue particular research projects in
2014. The grants have freed them from some admin and teaching roles
for the year.
- Gerard Moore (session one) and Jeff
Aernie (session two) are on study leave.
- William Emilsen has received a grant to
enable an extra month of research for his study leave.
- Janice Rees and Steve Wright have been
awarded grants to rework their doctoral theses into published books.
FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL
THANK
YOU! to all who prepared for the “Red Carpet Dinner” on October 12, for the
Finau troupe who entertained us and for those who helped in various ways; the
group clearing up, Renee and Jenny for the Supper and support in preparing the
liturgy, Gerard for preparing the liturgy, Ben for the preaching. The evening
went very well. We farewelled Candidates Helen Paine and Suzanne Stanton along
with a number of people who have completed degrees; B.Th, M.Th, M.A. D. Min and
Ph.D. Congratulations to all!
Carolyn
Thornley
FROM THE FACULTY
Out and About
Ben led a two-day retreat in October for Australian Defence chaplains. He gave a series of talks on "The Cloister and the Barracks: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Formation of Christian Community." A written version should eventually be available in a new journal of military chaplaincy.
Ben led a family retreat for Terrigal Uniting Church, with talks on the poetry and spirituality of the Song of Songs.
New Publications
Ben Myers, "A Tale of Two Gardens: Augustine's Narrative Interpretation of Romans 5," in Apocalyptic Paul: Cosmos and Anthropos in Romans 5-8, ed. Beverly Roberts Gaventa (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2013).
FROM THE STUDENT
ASSOCIATION
The
Student Association Executive wishes everyone a restful, joy-filled Christmas
break, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2014.
The
Student Association Executive 2014 comprises:
Grant
Atkins (Senior Student)
David
Stuart (Chairperson)Radhika Sukumar (Secretary)
Adrian White (Treasurer)
Simote Finau (Non-Portfolio)
We
are here to serve you, so please come and talk to any of us if there's anything
we can do, or contact us via email: david.stuart77@gmail.com.
ATTENTION FACEBOOK
USERS: We
now have a group, just for current UTC students! Find us and join, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/utccommunity//
This is a place to connect with your fellow students, share news and prayer
requests, publicise special events, and advertise any book exchange or
borrowing opportunities.
FROM THE FIRST YEAR
MENTOR
CSU Study Link Subject: SSS028 Transition to University
-April 5-6 2014 at UTC - this is a highly recommended subject for
those beginning study at CSU and also students who wish to brush up on their
reading, writing and critical thinking skills. The subject also covers the following
topics:
- Academic
expectations
- University culture and structure
- CSU support systems (online & other)
- On-line learning strategies
For
more information, including how to apply: www.csu.edu.au/student/studylink.htm
Alternatively
contact Sef Carroll: secarroll@csu.edu.au
FROM STUDENT ADMINISTRATION
Students
are encouraged to enrol in their subjects now for first semester 2014 if they
haven’t already. Enrolling now helps the lecturers prepare their materials
based on their student numbers and also helps with the classroom bookings.
There
are three Intensive running in First Semester:
THL304
The Pentateuch with Jione Havea 28-31 January and 7 March
THL421
Principles of Church Leadership 28-29 March, 1-3 May, 29-31 May
Enrolments for these Intensive are also open now.
First day of classes will be Monday 3 March 2014.
On behalf of Renee, Jenny and Joanne, we wish all the students a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Uniting for Asylum Seekers - www.givehope.org.au
- this initiative of the Uniting Church in support of asylum seekers is a great
example of the Uniting Church at its collaborative best. Watch the video - which involved the wonderful talents of our
students, Radhika and Charissa - tell your friends, and post to social
networks. Check out how you can get involved.
Women of Faith Dinner, Sunday 9 February, 5.45pm - Westella Renaissance, 3 New Street East, Lidcombe. Cost $60. Please
RSVP by 28 October to registrations @affinity.org.au or phone 8065 2502
(vegetarian meal on request).
PLEASE
NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2014.
Pastoral Counseling Skills Course 2014- The Pastoral Counseling Institute provides training in a variety of
areas for pastoral carers, lay ministry, counselors and chaplains;
Dates for Counseling Skills Course 2014 (12 days);
March 8 & 9 May 17 &18 July 12 & 13 Aug 9 & 10 Sept 13
& 14 Oct 11 & 12.
If you are interested please contact Fiona Fernandez
on 9683 3664 (Tues, Wed & Thurs 10:30am to 5:30pm) or visit www.pastoralcounselling.org for
more information.
Christian Studies Teacher for SRE
Years 7-10 at Normanhurst Boys’ High School
3 days per week.Contact: email d_s_richardson@bigpond.com or phone 9980 8353.
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 Academic Dean & College
Assistant
|