Anthem - Winter 2023

A Christian UrbanUniversity

Bringingpeopleandnewideastogether tomakeapositiveimpactincommunities nearandfar

Dr.StephenJeans

Readaboutwhywe’ve alwayswonderedabout stars on pages 18–19.

SPOTLIGHT: InstitutingChange

AmbroseUniversity is hometo threeinstitutes blending research, public engagement and action to be powerful forces for change — and have a deep and lasting impact in communities near and far,

4 Canadian PovertyInstitute: Buildingresilience tohelppreventvulnerablepeoplefromsliding intopoverty,and to improve thelives ofthose who are already struggling

8 FlourishingCongregationsInstitute: Looking intotheheartofchurchestoprovideknowledge andtoolstohelpcongregationschange,grow andthriveinanincreasinglycomplexworld

12 JaffrayCentreforGlobalInitiatives: Launching newideas, collaborativeinitiativesand new ways oflookingatGod’sglobalmission

16Reframingsalvation

DowneyLectureshipsinviteChristianstounlearn andrelearn—tobetterknowGodandreframethe visionofwhatit meansto beChristian

18Stars ofwonder

Whydoeslookingupattheheavensholdusin such raptattention? Perhapsbecause it’sbecause it’sgoodforus

20Notableconnections

Royaltiesfrom two new choral compositions support AmbroseMusicstudents and enricha vibrantlearningenvironment

21Avatars onstage

Researching recent developments in music-making —holographicperformances—willhelpdefine ‘live’concerts

byKatherineWinston ActingDiplomaprogram

Thelinksbetweenthe heavens,earthandfaith werewellknown;this wastheirYouTubeand ancientpeoplesused ittocommunicate.

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Winter2023

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Publishedtwiceperyear, Anthem informs,educates,inspiresand engagesitsaudienceandthe widercommunitybysharingthe accomplishmentsandcontributions ofalumni,students,faculty,staffand supportersofAmbroseUniversity.

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SPTLIGHT InstitutingChange

AChristian URBANuniversity

Wearestrategicallyplaced where…wecanequipour studentstoberesidentsof redemptivechange.

Whatdoesitmeantobea Christianuniversityinthecity?

InthecaseofAmbroseUniversity,itmeansthat weareinCalgary,atthewestendofthelightrail transitlinefromCityHall,themainbranchofthe publiclibrary,ArtsCommonsandthefinancial district.Weareverymuchauniversitythat recognizesthatintheprovidenceofGodwehave beenplacedinthiscity—andthatouridentity andvisionissurelyonewhereweseektobe salt,lightandakingdomwitnesstoandwithin thecity.

Webuildbridges,notwalls.Weactivelyask:howandinwhatways isCalgaryabetterplacebecauseAmbroseUniversityhasbeen placedhere?

Thistranslatesintohowweequipourstudentstobeallthattheyare calledtobe.Wherevertheygo,itisourhopethattheyknowwhat itmeanstobeanurbanChristianwho,inthewordsofJeremiah29, “seek[s]thepeaceofthecitytowhichGodhastakenthem”wherever Godtakesthem—whetheritistoanotherCanadiancity,acrosstheworld toBogota,BangkokorBeirut,or,perhapsjustdowntheroadfromCalgary toasmallercityorruralcommunity.

WearelocatedinthefourthlargestcityofCanada,strategicallyplacedwhere wecanmakeadifferencenotonlyinourcityorprovince,ourcountryandour world,butalsowherewecanequipourstudentstoberesidentsofredemptive changewithinwhateverurbancontextGodtakesthemto.

Doingsomeansthatwearefullresidents,eagerlybuildingbridgesandpoints ofconnection.Weaskhowwecanconnectwithcityhallandwiththearts communityandwiththebusinessesandschoolsofthiscity.Weequipstudents inourTheologyfacultytoestablishandcultivatechurchcommunitiesthat, inlikemanner,arearedemptivepresenceinthecity—again,eitherherein CalgaryorwhereverGodtakesthem.

GordonT.Smith, PhD President ProfessorofSystematicandSpiritualTheology

INSTITUTING CHANGE

AmbroseUniversity contributesmuchand inmanywaystothe well-beingofthisplace wecallhome.Turntothe Spotlightfeaturestartingon page4toreadaboutthree leading-edgeinstitutes,all centredattheUniversity, whichareimprovinglives andbetteringcommunities throughinnovative,collaborativeandmeaningful initiatives.

Canadian Poverty Institute

Buildingresilience tohelppreventvulnerable peoplefromslidingintopoverty, andtoimprovethelivesofthose thatarealreadystruggling

MISSION: acompassionate andjustsociety wherethematerial, socialandspiritual giftsandneeds ofallpeopleare realized.

Puttingknowledge intoaction

TheCanadianPovertyInstitute(CPI) isCanada’sonlyacademic-based nationalinstitutethatfocuseson poverty.Groundedincompassion, justiceandreconciliation,CPIaims tohelphealpovertythroughinterdisciplinaryresearch,teachingand practice,withasharpfocuson makingadifferenceinpeople’slives andanimpactincommunities.“We lookatpoverty—material,social andspiritualpoverty—holistically,” explainsDirectorDerekCook.“We talkabouthomelessness,financial security,foodsecurity.Becausewe’re inafaith-basedinstitution,welook atspiritualpovertynotinterms offaithtraditions,butintermsof havingmeaningandpurpose inlife.”

Makinganimpactrequiresthatwegetallthedifferent solutions,allthedifferentparts,workingtogether.This is‘collectiveimpact’andwecanseeit.

DerekCook

MuchoftheCPI’sworkcentres onknowledgemobilization.“In manycases,wedon’tneedmore research,”Cooknotes.“Wehavethe information.Wejustneedtoconnect itwithpeoplewhocanuseitto makeadifference.”

Buildingpartnerships, buildingtrust

TheCPIbringstogethermyriad stakeholders,governmentagencies, non-profitorganizations,academics, students,churches,communities andbusinessestowrestlewith ideas,developsolutions,andtake knowledgeouttowhereitwilldo thegreatestgood:informingpublic policyandadvancingbestpractices pivotaltopreventinganderadicating poverty.

Initiativesincludethreeroundtables onissuesofprimeconcern(Energy Poverty,FairAccesstoInsuranceand NewEconomy),research(including theimpactofCOVID-19onthenewly vulnerableandtheroleoftheChurch inpovertyreduction),consulting servicestoenableorganizations toimprovetheireffectivenessand growcapacity,povertystudies programsatAmbroseUniversity, developingahostofresourcesand publications,andapartnershipwith YorkUniversitytobuildtheCanadian PovertyHub,anonlinerepositoryof dataandresearchonpoverty.

BecausetheCPIbelievesthatpoverty mustbeaddressedthroughthe restorationoftrustrelationshipsthat buildresiliencebystrengthening thebondsofcommunity,Ambrose isanidealhome.Thisgroundsthe InstituteintheChristiantraditionof extendingcompassionwhileseeking justiceandreconciliationforthe marginalizedandoppressed.

Growingalegacyof povertyreduction

Buildingcapacitywithinorganizations workingdiligentlytoreducepoverty andinspiringgovernmentpolicy changeisameasureofsuccess— butseeingrealimpactinpeople’s livesandwithincommunitiesisthe CPI’smostenduringlegacy.

“We’renotonthefrontlinesrunning programs,”Cooknotes.“Rather,we’re creatingthesupportsthatothers needtodotheworkthey’redoing, andtodoitmoreefficientlyand withbetterresults.”Thatincludes helpingpolicy-makersandahostof organizationsseeandthinkabout povertyinadifferentandholistic way,challengingassumptionsand equippingfuturegenerationsof leaderswhocanbechangeagents inthecommunity.

“Issueslikepovertyarecomplexand thereisnosinglesolution,”Cook says.“Makinganimpactrequiresthat wegetallthedifferentsolutions,all thedifferentparts,workingtogether. Thisis‘collectiveimpact’andwe canseeit.

“ThepovertyrateinCanadais trendingdownwardinrecentyears. Thisisgoodnews.Andit’snot becauseofanyoneorganizationor anylevelofgovernment.Itisbecause ofallofourcollectivecontributions.”

MoreCanadianPovertyInstitute onthefollowingpage>

OntheeveningofJune13,2020, theskiesoverCalgaryblackenedand amonsterstormfiredaferocious barrageofhailstones,someas bigastennisballs,atnortheast Calgary.Itwreckedroofs,tore apartsiding,shatteredwindows, hammeredvehiclesandshredded treesandgardens.Atthetime,it wasconsideredthefourthcostliest naturaldisasterinCanadianhistory. Butitdidn’ttakelongtofallfrom mediaandpublicattention.Afterall, isn’thailcoveredbyinsuranceand everythingwillbebacktonormal quickly?Thosewholivedthrough thedisasterknowadifferentreality. Eventoday,manyhomeshaveyet tobefullyrepaired,manypeople stilllivewiththeongoingimpactof traumaandmanyliveshavebeen disruptedinunimaginable,and sometimestragic,ways.Thisisan eventthatcannotbeforgotten— andthankstocommunityadvocates andtheCPI,itwon’tbe.

Findingthe answersto problemsby engagingthe communitytolead, driveresearch thatwillbolster resilienceina changing world

Drawingon

thepowerof communityto helppeople recoverfrom disaster

“Wewereapproachedtohelp supportpeoplewhowerestruggling withthestorm’saftermath,”explains LauraNauta,CPIResearcherand ProjectLeadfortheCalgaryHailstorm ImpactStudy.“Thestormhappened inJune2020,duringtheheightof COVID,whenfinanceswerereally tightformanypeople.

Somepeoplecouldn’taffordto paytheirdeductibles,andwith depreciation,someneededmoney theydidn’thaveinordertomake repairs.

“Manypeopleinthiscommunity devoteahighpercentageoftheir incometohousing.Theywerejust doingokayandthenthisdisasterhits.”

Inadditiontofinancialimpacts, peoplereportedemotional,social andmentalhealthimpacts.Children andparentsalikewereimpactedby profoundtrauma,manyrelivingthe storm’snightmareeverytimedark cloudsrolledin.Forsome,theevent

Wehopethisaddstothediscoursebyprovidingone moreperspectiveandresourceatacrucialtime.

LauraNauta

wascatastrophic:onewomanand hersonendeduphomelessafterthe stormsweptthemintodeeppoverty. Theresultingcommunity-based participatoryresearchprojecttook theformofanimpactstudytohelp documentpeople’sstoriesand nuancedexperiences,andhelpwith recovery.Itwasledanddrivenbythe community,withallbenefitsaccruing backtothecommunity.Funding fromTheCo-operatorssupportedthe initiative,whichlaunchedformallyin December2021.Thefinalreportwas publishedinmid2022.

“Atthesametimeaswewere buildingcommunitycapacityabout theresearchprocess,wewerealso learningmoreaboutthecommunity, howbesttoengagepeopleand whatoutcomeswouldbemost useful,”Nautaexplains.“Weknow thatwithextremeweatherevents, noteveryoneisimpactedthesame wayorrecoversthesameway.For manypeople,thisprojectwastheir firsttimetotalkthroughandmentally processwhathappened.”

Sharingthestoriesishelpingto informchangesinpolicy,government practiceand,importantly,insurance, soitisbetterpositionedtohelp peopleinthefuture.“Thereisnota lotofinformationaboutinsurable disasters,andhailspecifically,”Nauta says.“Itisuniquebecauseitiscovered inmostpolicies,unlikeothernatural disasterswheregovernmentsteps intohelp.

“Wehopethisaddstothediscourse byprovidingonemoreperspective andresourceatacrucialtime.We knowthatextremeweatherevents areincreasinginfrequencyand severity,andmostoftenpeoplewho arelessadvantagedaregoingtobear theimpactdisproportionately.” p

Insuringaccess,equity

Doesthetypicalmodelof insurance,requiringpremiums anddeductibles,workforlowincomeCanadians?Isappropriate insurancecoverageaccessible andequitableforall?Isthe financialriskgreaterforsome thanforothers?

Anunexpectedoutcomeofthe CalgaryHailstormImpactStudy isanewinitiative,thefirst-ofits-kindFairAccesstoInsurance Roundtable(FAIR),fundedin partbyTheCo-operatorsandthe CityofCalgary.TheCanadian PovertyInstituteisbringing togetherindustry,government, non-profitorganizations,people withlivedexperienceand academiatolookatwhether insuranceworksforeveryone.

Meetingmonthly,FAIRaims toimprovethesocialand financialresilienceofvulnerable householdsbyaddressingbarriers topersonalinsurancecoverage andbybuildingcommunity resiliencetomitigatethe impactsofemergencies.

“Ideally,asweworkdirectlywith theinsuranceindustrythrough FAIR,wewanttoseechangesin practicesopeoplehaveaccessto insuranceinawaythat’snotgoing toputthematriskofpoverty, homelessnessorworse,”says DerekCook,CPIDirector. povertyinstitute.ca/fair.

LearnmoreabouttheCanadian PovertyInstituteanditsworkat povertyinstitute.ca.

Knowledgefuellingchange

ChurchattendanceacrossCanada hasbeenindeclineforsometime. Arealdesiretohelpchurchand denominationalleadersbetter understandthereligiousscenein Canada—andinparticularCanadian congregations—liesattheheart oftheFlourishingCongregations Institute(FCI)atAmbroseUniversity. Foundedin2016inpartnershipwith theUniversityofSaskatchewan,FCI aimstogatherandshareknowledge churchleaderscanusetogrow,inspire andengagetheirowncongregations, buildingonbestpracticesfoundacross thecountry.“Thiskindofworkisrare inCanada,”notesDr.JoelThiessen, ProfessorofSociologyandFCIDirector. “Thereisageneraleagernessfordata, theologicalreflectionandpractical application.”

Makingadifference together

Thedistinctiveenvironment atAmbrosemakesitanideal homefortheFCI,giventhe convergenceofArtsandScience faculty,undergraduateSchoolof Ministry,theologicalpreparation andSeminaryofferingthediverse perspectivesneededtoresearchand understandcomplexandevolving societalchange.Scholarsnationwide arealsodrawntothisone-of-a-kind centralizedhub.

Anintentionallycollaborativeand ecumenicalapproachensures researchisconductedinpartnership withdifferentChristiancommunities, creatingnewopportunitiesfor interactionanddialogue.Inaddition, aformalpartnershipcouncilof churchanddenominationalleaders fromacrossthecountry,aswell asmanyfinancialpartners,ensure voicesfromoutsideacademiaare atthedecision-makingtable.

FCIunleashesthepowerofdata throughreflectionandanalysis. “Weharnessouracademicskills toprovidebroadanddeepunderstanding,andtounderstand processes,mechanismsand structures,tohelpchurchesprocess andapplythedata,”Thiessen explains.“Wecarefullyconsider whatthedatameaninatheological environment,andhowdifferent congregationsarethinking,acting andbehaving.

“Scholarlyresearchandanalysis isthebedrockofwhatwedoat Ambrose.Beingembeddedwithina scholarlycommunitygivescredence towhatwelearnandsay.”

Impactripplesfar andwide

Dataispowerful,withthepotential tohelporharmdependingonits application.“Wehavearesponsibility tohelpchurchesandleadersunderstandandcorrectlyinterpretdata, andtoprovidesomesoundpoints ofdepartureintangibleways,” Thiessennotes.

“Manyofusarenotchurch practitioners,sowedothiswith ahighdegreeofcautionandby leaningheavilyonthepractitioner inournetwork.Wedon’tholdall theanswers.Wewanttoleverage thevoicesofothers.”

Asdatacomesin,itishelping churchleadersthinkmore carefullyaboutthesocialand culturalenvironmentinwhich congregationslive,andtobemore intentionalabouttheirpracticesand foundationalsupportsystems.The levelofengagementwithchurch leadersisincreasingandtheappetite forwhattheFCIisdoingisgrowing.

“Thereislotsofjoyinthis,”Thiessen saysofworkthatisbeginningto takeonalifeofitsown.Positively framedstories,supportedbydata, thatemphasizewhat’sgoingright incongregations,offersomething ofincalculablevalueacrossCanada: hope,promiseandpotentialfor thrivingcongregations.

More FlourishingCongregations Institute onthefollowingpage>

‘Wedon’tholdalltheanswers.Wewant toleveragethevoicesofothers. JoelThiessen

Divingdeeper

TheFlourishingCongregations Institute’sinformationgathering (typicallythroughsurveys,interviews, focusgroups,observationsand documentanalysis)offersinsights intocongregationallifeinCanada. Casestudiesnowunderway(begun in2021becauseofpandemicdelays), supportedbysubstantiveresearch grantsfromtheSocialSciencesand HumanitiesResearchCouncilof CanadaandtheCouncilforChristian CollegesandUniversities,are takinganevencloserlookatwhat’s happeninginthenation’schurches.

TheFCIhasbroughttogetherscholars fromacrossthecountrytotakepart inadozenstudies,fromVancouver toHalifax.They’reattendingservices andconductingsurveysandindepthinterviewswithleadersand congregantstogetintothenittygrittyofchurchlife.

“Localresearchteamsindifferent regionsarelookingatthedeepparts ofcongregationallife,including

Findingoutwhat works—anddoesn’t —isanintegralpart ofunderstandingwhy congregationsflourish

tounderstand thenuances of congregational life

TheFCI’s researchshowsthatmany variablescontributeto flourishingcongregations, asillustratedinthisconstruct .

structure,polityandleadership changes,over6–12months,”explains Dr.JoelThiessen,Professorof SociologyatAmbroseUniversityand FCIDirector.“It’sdifferentfromthe snapshotsurveyswedo,andreally excitingtogetthatlevelofaccess andtolookatcongregationsthrough ascholarlylens.”

Whiletheprocessoftheresearch itselfcanbeuseful,oftengivingrise toquestionsthatotherwisemaynot havebeenaskedbychurchleaders, therealvalueofthecasestudieslies inprovidinggreaterclarityonthe structuresandmechanisms,often unseen,thatcontributetoflourishing congregations. (SeetheFlourishing CongregationsConstructgraphic fordetails.)

“Weareworkingwithchurchesthat areperceivedtobeflourishingin differentways,forexample,in communication,discipleshipor leadership,tobetterunderstandtheirsuccess.This qualityofdataand analysisdoesn’t existrightnow.”

Whileitis temptingto thinkof flourishing asastatic state,Thiessen explains thatthrough researchthere isincreasing awarenessthat there’sanebbandflow toflourishing.“It’snotall goodnewsallthetime,”he says.“Andit’shelpfultoknowabout andunderstandthegranularnuances overtime.”

Atimelinewillbedevelopedfor eachparticipatingchurch,charting highsandlowsandnotinghowkey events,bothinternalandexternal, havecontributedtoordetracted fromcongregationalflourishing.“The pandemicservedasagreatreminder thatexternaleventscanhavea traumaticimpactoncongregations, throughnofaultorintentof churches,”Thiessensays.

Thousandsofpagesofdataare expectedtobecollectedbythe summerof2023,followedby analysisandthenwritingand sharinglearningsovercomingyears viabooks,articles,videosandpublic eventsthatwillhelpallchurches acrossthecountry.

“Thisisthoroughandexhaustive research,wellbeyondwhatany pastorwouldbeabletodoon theirown.Wehopeitwillbean importantpartintakinginformed, intentionalactionstogrowand sustainflourishingcongregations.” p

Newvideosprovepopular Awell-receivednewvideoseries, launchedinAugust2022,isgetting helpfulinformationintothehands ofchurchpractitioners—andinto action—morequicklyandeasily.

Short,accessible,digestible five-minutevideos—featuring scholarsandpractitionersfrom acrosstheologicaltraditions andCanadianregions—share research,offerthoughtson practicalapplicationofthat knowledge,directpeopleto resources,promoteeventsand increasetheprofileandawarenessoftheFCIandAmbrose.

LearnmoreabouttheFlourishing CongregationsInstituteandcheck outvideos,reportsandresources atflourishingcongregations.org.

It’snotallgoodnewsallthetime.It’shelpfultoknow aboutandunderstandthegranularnuancesovertime.

JoelThiessen

JaffrayCentre forGlobal Initiatives

Launchingnew ideas,collaborative initiativesandnew waysoflookingat God’sglobalmission

TheJAFFRAYCentreis… acollaborativeproject development,trainingand researchcentreseekingto makeadifferenceinthelives ofstudents,localcommunities, theCanadianChurchandits partnersaroundtheworld.

Kindlingcreativity, innovation

TheJaffrayCentreforGlobal InitiativeswaslaunchedatAmbrose Universityin2008,respondingto adesirebymanyintheCanadian churchtofindnewwaystoengage inmissionintheincreasingly connected,complexandchanging 21stcenturyworld.Acombination incubator/greenhouse,theCentre isaplacewherenewideas, collaborativeinitiativesandfresh waysoflookingatGod’sglobal missionareexplored,developed andnurtured.“Webringtogether the‘threeMs’—marketplace, manseandmissions—tolookat today’sconcernsandissues,and toinspirechangethatotherwise wouldn’tbepossibleiftheseentities

CharlesCook

wereworkingindependently,”explains Dr.CharlesCook,ExecutiveDirector oftheCentreandProfessorofGlobal StudiesandMissionatAmbrose.

Makingadifference together

CallingAmbroseUniversityhome positionstheJaffrayCentreas a“bridge”betweentwoworlds: academiaandcommunity.“The conveningpoweroftheCentreisour strength,”Cooknotes.“Becausewe areembeddedinauniversityandlook outwardtothecommunity,churches andNGOs,wefindwe’reabletobring peopletogetherinwaysthatother organizationsarenotabletodo.”

Strategicandintentionalpartnerships bothlocalandinternationalengage peoplefromdiversebackgrounds andperspectives.Throughresearch, workshops,seminars,training programs,books,symposia,teaching exchangesandotheractivities,the JaffrayCentrefostersconversations anddevelopsresourcesthatmakeit easiertoexploreGod’sworkinthe worldandparticipateinhismission ofsharingtheGospelininnovative andcreativeways.

“Wedeveloppartnershipsthatvalue theOther,andbringtogetherdiverse culturalvoicestocomeupwithnew andcreativeinitiatives,”Cooksays. “Becausewe’reanincubator,wehave becomegoodatthrowingmudballs atthewallandseeingwhatsticks.”

Fanningtheflames ofchange

TheJaffrayCentre’scoreproject management,interculturaleducation andresearchworkisintegralto makingameaningfuldifference. Whetherhelpingtofacilitatethefirst

KairoscourseinCanada,partnering withtheMKNetworktohelpthe childrenofInternationalWorkers transitionmoreeasilybacktolife inCanada,creatinganaccounting programfornewCanadiansto upgradetheirskills,ormobile theologicaltrainingforpastors workinginthehardplacesofthe world,theCentre’ssightsareseton creativenewinitiativeswhichcan besustainedandreplicated.

Acurrentinitiativefocusingon digitalmissionisaprimeexample ofhowtheJaffrayCentreisonthe leadingedgeofchange.Astheworld becomesmoredigitalandpeople’s day-to-daylivesareaffected,the Centrefindsitselfinanidealposition tohelptheChurchunderstandand advancetheuseofdigitaltechnology inmissions.

“Fewpeoplearetalkingaboutthis, butdigitizationispartoflife,”Cook explains.“SotheCentreisdelving intothesubjecttobetterunderstand theissues.Thisisanewtooland, likeanytool,weneedtolearnhow touseitwell.”

TheCentreintendstohelpleadin thedevelopmentofacodeofbest practicefordigitalmissiontohelp organizationsharnessthestrengths ofthissignificantnewresource. “Givenourroleasanincubator/ greenhouse,initiativeslikethisare wellsuitedtowhatwedo.It’spart ofourDNA.”

MoreJaffrayCentreforGlobal Initiativesonthefollowingpage>

Becausewe’reanincubator,wehavebecomegoodat throwingmudballsatthewallandseeingwhatsticks.

Learningtothink, actdifferentlyin anintercultural

“Intimesofrapidchange,itistoo easytofallbackonwhatwe’ve alwaysdonebecausethere’sa comfortinthat,”saysCharlesCook, ExecutiveDirectoroftheCentre andProfessorofGlobalStudiesand MissionatAmbroseUniversity.“But thequestionfacingusishowwe engageinanewworldwithnew waysofcommunicatingoldtruths.”

TheJaffrayCentreisleaninginto thechallengesofachangingworld, whichincludesanemphasison interculturalconnections.Efforts centreonasymposium,adiaspora networkandhelpingpartners developgreaterculturalfluency.

Thethirdinstallmentofthe JaffrayAngSymposium,Beyond Culture:KingdomValuesina FracturedWorld,willbeheldin2023. Thethreadlinkingallthesymposia isakeyquestion:Howdoweget multiculturalismtowork?“We’re exploringhowwebreakdownour

Globalmigration compelsnewways ofseeingtheworld —andinteracting withdiverse communities

world

silosofmulticulturalismtocreate genuineinterculturalcommunities,” Cookexplains.“Canadaisrapidly changingasimmigrationpatterns shift.Sohowcanwe,thecommunity offaith,getpastlatentracismand theissuesunderlyingit?Howcanwe helppeopleunderstandthatweare allcreatedintheimageofGod,and thereisimmensevalueandworthin interactingwitheveryone?”

“TheJaffrayCentreishelping peoplerecognizeassumptionsthey mayhaveheldforalongtime,” addsLaurenUmbach,Research andProgramCoordinator.“We areencouragingpeopletothink aboutthefactthatweallcame fromsomewhere,weallhavea culturallens,soweneedtofoster conversationsandworktowards understandingwhereothersare comingfrom.”

Helpingchurches,organizations andNGOsdevelopculturalfluency isonemeanstothatend,and

Youcanlookatculturalfluencyasaskillthatenablesone toengageinmeaningfulinterculturalconversations.

CharlesCook

theJaffrayCentrecontinuestodo significantworkinthisarea.“Itis similartolearningalanguage,”Cook explains.“Youbecomemorefluent andbetterabletofunctionwhen interactingwithpeoplefromdifferent cultures.Youcanlookatcultural fluencyasaskillthatenablesoneto engageinmeaningfulintercultural conversations.

“Weareallethnocentrictosome degreeandeveryone,regardlessof theirbackground,needstoworkon this.Weneedtobemoreintentional inhowweseetheworldandreflect onhowweengageinitaswe understandhowourculturehas shapedus.”

“ThechallengeforusinCanadais thatifeveryonecontinuestokeep theirculturalframework,wewill continuetocreatesilos,andmiss outonopportunitiestointeractwith eachother.Weareconvincedwe simplycan’tcontinuetodothings thewaywealwayshave.Andfanning thesparksintoflamesofchangeis exactlywheretheJaffrayCentreis mostvaluable.”

Withsupportandencouragement fromtheJaffrayCentre,more churchesareexploringwhatitmeans tobemoreintercultural.“We’re havingsuccesshelpingotherstobe opentoexploringchangeintheir owncontexts,”Umbachsays.

Doors,dialogue,diaspora

Some160diasporacongregations existintheCalgaryarea,and typicallyhavelittlecontactwith oneanother.Arecentseminar hostedbytheJaffrayCentre broughtpastorsandleadersfrom differentethnicchurchestogether aspartofaDiasporaNetwork initiativethatwilllookatcommon issuesfacingthemall.

“Werecognizethatbringing diversegroupstogethercould createacontextthatdemonstrateshowpeople,regardlessof ethnicity,canallwork,engage, liveandflourishtogetheras membersofthebodyofChrist,” CharlesCookexplains.

“Everynew-Canadiangroup thinksthattheissuesthey’re facingareuniquetothem.Canada hasalonghistoryofimmigration andtheseexperienceshavebeen sharedbypreviouswavesof immigrants.TheJaffrayCentre hasanimportantroleinbringing peopletogethertohavethese conversations,tolearnfrom andsupporteachother.”

LearnmoreabouttheJaffray

Reframing salvation

DowneyLectureships

inviteChristiansto unlearnandrelearn — tobetterknowGod

andreframethevisionof whatitmeanstobeChristian

Groupphoto(L–R):Dr.JonCoutts(AssociateProfessor ofChristianTheology,AmbroseUniversity),Dr.Willie Jennings(AssociateProfessorofSystematicTheologyand AfricanaStudies,YaleUniversity),Dr.GordonT.Smith (President,AmbroseUniversity).

Jenningsoffersusamaptobeabletotake thisjourneytogetherandwithlessfear.

Near-capacityaudiencesweretreatedtothought-provokingandchallenging ideas Oct. 12–13, 2022, atAmbrose University’s 2022DowneyLectureships.

Dr. Willie Jennings, anordainedBaptistminister andAssociate Professor of Systematic TheologyandAfricana Studies atYale University, andauthor of acclaimedbooksincluding TheChristianImagination:TheologyandtheOrigins ofRaceandAfterWhiteness:AnEducationinBelonging,presentedkeeninsights into raceandtheology thatareespecially relevantin society today.

ReframingSalvationwastheoverarchingtheme.InReframingtheJourneyof Learning(Oct.12) andReframingtheJourneyof Embodiment(Oct.13),Jennings sharedknowledgegleanedoveryearsofextensiveresearch,whichunderpinshis diagnosesofcurrentchallengesandisinstrumentalinchartingapathforward.

“Jenningshasdoneagreatamountofhistoricalwork,includinggoingtooriginalsourcestoreadtheaccountsofboth missionariesandslaves,tounderstandhowChristiansgotcaughtupinslaveholdingandcolonization,”explainsDr. JonCoutts,Associate Professor of ChristianTheologyatAmbrose.“He wasable todetectthe‘diseasedimagination’ thatinvaded Christians’thoughtprocessesatthetime.To moveforward today witha newvision aboutcross-cultural encounters,hesaysitisnotenough forusto havegood intentions.To befaithfulin ourtime,wehaveto think critically andlookinside ourselvesandour systems.”

There is no denying that the conversation about race is difficult andthat people can become defensive when their heritageorperceptionsarechallengedortheyfeelattacked.AlthoughJenningsspeakswithintensity,hiskind,warm andgenerousapproach invitespeopleto join himona journey ofthought.

“ReframingsalvationisthinkingofGod’sworkintermsoflearningandtakingajourneywithothers,”Couttssays.

“AccordingtoJennings,ourviewhasbeendistortedbyassumptionsabouthumanitythatprioritizewhathecallsthe ‘dismalvirtues’ofpossession,controlandmastery.ThatintheWesternworld,tobefullyhumanyouhavetocontrol othersandhave masteryof knowledge.Thishasdistortedtheabilitytolearnfromothersbecause thesettler mindset wastrainedtoenteraforeignspaceastheteacher,notthelearner.”

WithhisfocusonrenewingtheChristianimagination,JenningshashelpedmanystudentsrecalibratetheirunderstandingofsalvationintermsofChrist’sreconcilingofawonderfullydiversecreation.

“Comingdownfromsomeof our privileges,unlearningandrelearning,thinkingcritically,lookingoutfor others… allofthishelpsusgetbacktotheheartofwhatChristiansshouldbedoing,”Couttsexplains.“Thereisnonice,neat resolution to these issues, but Jennings offers us a map to be able to take this journey together andwith less fear.

“Peoplewhoacceptthisinvitationtorelearnwhotheyareinrelationtoothers,whotakethisthoughtfuljourney, whogetbeyondtheloudvoiceswhoseemtodominatetheairwaves,will,asthedisciplesdidintheBookofActs, ‘learn God’—andmake a difference in the world.”

TheDowneyLectureships

TheDowneyEndowmentandScholarshipFundandLectureshipSerieshonoursthememoryof MurrayW.Downey,afoundingmemberoftheCanadianBibleCollegefacultyin1941.Hewasan instructorfor31years,AcademicDeanforsixyearsandDirectorofChristianServicefor30years. In1982,theCanadianTheologicalSeminaryandCanadianBibleCollegeestablishedtheMurray W.DowneyChairofEvangelism.TheAmbroseUniversityDowneyLectureshipsrecognize Mr.Downey’sservice,passionandcommitment,andassistfutureM.Div.students.

Missedthelectures? Visitambrose.edu/downey-lectureshipstowatchDr.Jennings’lectures.

PhotosbyEliseFitzgerald,HannahSvensson

Stars Wonder of

Whydoeslookingup attheheavensholdus insuchraptattention?

Perhapsit’sbecause it’sgoodforus

It’sachilly,darkSeptembereveningand Dr.StephenJeansisinhishappyplace: outside,onAmbroseUniversity’s MahoodCommons,surroundedbystudents, lookingupintothenightsky.It’sanimpromptu andunplannedstarparty,wrappingupa BiologyMovieNight,andtheLecturerinEarth andSpaceScienceisdelightedbyevery“ooh,” “aah,”“wow”and“noway—thatcan’tbereal!”

“Whenstudentsstarttounderstandthemotion oftheheavens,that’sreallysignificant,”Jeans says.“Itopenstheireyestomanydifferent disciplinesatthesametime,andthereisreal excitement.Studentsconnectwitheachother, andalsowiththenaturalworld.”

Theyalsoconnectwiththeirfaith.“TheBible waswrittenatatimewhenpeoplewerein touchwiththelandandtheskyandtheworld aroundthem.Thelinksbetweentheheavens, Earthandfaithwerewellknown;thiswas theirYouTubeandancientpeoplesuseditto communicate.”Throughstarpartiesandother eventsopentothewiderpublicthroughoutthe year,Jeansshowshowthesciencesinteractamongeachotherandwithfaith,howscienceisasystematic pursuitofknowledgeandhowitcanhelpstudentsintheircareers,regardlessofpath.

(left)AnimagetakenbythetelescopeonwhichAmbrose Universitystudentslearnedtocaptureresearch-based astrophotography,withtheassistanceofRothneyAstrophysicalObservatoryDirectorDr.Langill.(above)Stephen Jeans’sstarpartiesarealwayspopular,butnothingbeats the450+peoplewhogatheredontheAmbroseUniversity campusonAug.21,2017,toseeanear-totaleclipse oftheSun.

“Studentsdon’talwaysunderstandthecomplexrelationshipsamongdisciplines,butsciencecanhelp themapplywhatthey’relearning.”Thatincludesopeningdoorstonewavenuesoflearning(oneofJeans’s studentswassocaptivatedbyAstronomy,she’snowworkingonhermaster’sinAstrobiology)andtotackling urgentglobalissueslikeclimatechangeorspeciesdiversity.

JeansisworkingwithateamsponsoredbytheAmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScienceto studytheconnectionbetweenSeminarystudentsandthescienceofclimatechange.“Seminarystudents whowillbeourleadershavequestions,andperhapsmisconceptions,aboutwhatitmeanstobegood environmentalstewards,”hesays.

“Allstudents—theleadersofthefuture—needtounderstandtheimportanceoftheheavens.”

Gatheringoutside,lookingskyward,wonderingaboutdistantstarsandplanets,marvellingatthepassing InternationalSpaceStationandaskingquestionsisagoodstart. p

Cometornot?

Debatehasragedformillennia.WhatwastheStarofBethlehemthatguidedthemagito theplaceofChrist’sbirth?Acomet?Aplanetaryconjunction?Somethingelse?Dr.Stephen Jeanshostsafamily-friendlyStarofBethlehemeventeveryDecember,focusingonthe astronomyofthemessageanddelvingintotheintersectionofscience,educationandfaith. Asalways,thepresentationconcludeswithanopportunitytogooutside—andlookup atthestars.Watchfornextyear’sevent,cominginearlyDecember2023.

Allstudents—theleadersofthefuture—need tounderstandtheimportanceoftheheavens.

StarpartyphotobyJesusSalazar(Ambrosealum)

Notable CONNECTIONS

Royaltiesfrom twonewchoral compositionssupport AmbroseMusic studentsandenrich avibrantlearning environment

MichalisAndronikouishelping

toputbacktogetherwhat COVID-19pulledapart.

“Ourartrequiresconnectionand peoplecomingtogether,”saysthe sessionalinstructorofcomposition andtheoryatAmbroseUniversity. “Duringthepandemic,weallmissed beingtogether,learningtogether, performingtogether.Iwanted studentstoknowthattheywere notalone.Onewaytodothatis tocomposeforthem,tocreate somethingthatsays‘thisisforyou.’”

Tothatend,Andronikouisdonating theroyaltiesfromtwonew choralworks— God’sGrandeur (commissionedbyAmbrosetoput musictoachallengingpoemby GerardManleyHopkins)and Of LoveandNothingness —tosupport students.Royaltieswillbegenerated whenthemusicisusedforaudio recordings,videos,performances andotheruses.

Bothcompositionswereperformed bytheAmbroseUniversitySingers, underthedirectionofDr.MarkBartel, inApril2022aspandemicrestrictions

eased.“Itwashealingforallofus,” Andronikousaysofcomingtogether againasagrouptoperform.“We reconnectedandIcouldseethe shiningeyesandfacesofyoung peoplewantingtodomusic.Itwas veryinspiringforeveryone,and gaveushope.

“Afterseeingalltheworkthestudents putintotheseperformances,Iknew thatthesepiecesreallybelonged tothem.ItwastheleastIcoulddo forthem.”

Bothcompositionshaveyettobe formallypublishedandreleased, whichisexpectedin2023.Thiswill makethescoreswidelyaccessibleto choirsandothersworldwide.While Andronikouexpectsthefinancial contributionfromtheroyaltiestobe modest,andlikelyusedtoestablish anewscholarship,hehopesothers, particularlyAmbrosealumniwho havesuccessfulmusiccareers,will lendtheirsupporttostudentsaswell. Butperhapsmostimportantthan moneyishowactionslikethiscan

Whenour programis morevibrant, morepeoplewill startdoingmusic forthecommunity, forthecommon goodandfor futurestudents.

inspireandcreateanimpactfar beyondthecampus.“Someofmy studentsarealreadycomposing piecestheywanttoperformand film,”Andronikousays.

“Royaltiesarenothingcomparedto thevibrantatmospherethiscreates atAmbrose.Andwhenourprogram ismorevibrant,morepeoplewill startdoingmusicforthecommunity, forthecommongoodandforfuture students.” p

Experiencethecreativespiritand vibrantatmosphereofMusicatAmbrose. Visitambrose.edu/program/musicto learnmore.

Enjoythemusic

ListentotheAmbroseUniversity Singers,underthedirectionof Dr.MarkBartel,perform God’s Grandeur and OnLoveand Nothingness.Visityoutube.com andsearchforAndronikou.

Natalie Cole singsaduet withherfather. RoyOrbisonand BuddyHollyperformarock-and-rolldreamconcert.Tupac hitsCoachella.MariaCallasgoesontour.ABBAreturnsto thestage.

Ordothey?

Holographic performances—using technology to project aliving, dead or fictional performer’s 3-D likeness onto the stage — aretaking to venues worldwide, challenging thelong-heldnotionof“liveconcert.”

Arethese‘real’concertsorarethey‘fake?’Howdoaudiencesunderstandandengage withconcertsthatdon’thaveliveperformersatcentrestage?Howwillthisformat serve orconstrainartists? Thequestionsare manyforAlyssa Michaud, Assistant ProfessorofMusic at Ambrose University, whohasreceiveda$52,141Social SciencesandHumanitiesResearchCouncil granttoexplorethesenewphenomenaandtheirmanyimplications.

“Holographicperformancetechnologyhasgrownfromanichetechnologicalstuntintoaviable performance option,” Michaudexplains.“Forcenturies, ourwhole understandingoflive concertshas centredonthedynamicbetweenaperformeronstageandanaudience.”

Howdoholographic performances, whichare thesame everytime, measure up? “Live concertsare still aboutthedynamicofthemoment,andaudiencesengageemotionallyandcollectivelyatholographic performances,” shesays.“Inthose I’ve attended, I’ve beenstruckbyhowmuchaudience membersinteract witheachother. Theyattendwithfriendsandfamily, andshareadeeplymeaningful experience that draws ontreasuredmemoriesandfeelings.Whatismostcaptivatingattheseshowsiswhatishappeninginthe audience,notonstage.”

Given this flashpoint in the history of technology andperformance, andthat artists, critics andaudiences are still workingouthowtoreact, Michaud’sproject, “Live Experiencesat Holographic Concerts: Artistry, Integrity, and Audience Immersion in Virtual Performances,” is timely. Over the next two years, she will explore the creation of immersive audience experiences in holographic concerts, revealing the implications of this emerging performance technology to offer a newunderstanding of thelive concert’s function andfuture

Ambrose students willbe engaged in the project, honing their research and publication abilities. Ambrose Arts will contribute to the field of performance studies by advancing methodologies connected to the studyof“audiencing” andlistenerexperiences, andwill breaknewgroundfordiscussions relatedtoparticipation,fandomandnewmediatechnologies.Doingsowillshedlighton holographic technology’s potential andfuture avenues that can benefit society asa whole.

“It’sexcitingtotrytomakesenseofsomethingatthesametimeasitisunfolding,” Michaud says. “As a musicologist, Ihave always been mostinterested in exploringwhat mattersinourworldrightnow,andwhatmatterstolistenersandmusicians.”

“Holographic performances are new anddifferent. They are not all good or all bad, andcanbe verypowerful experiences.Butthese are theearlydays.We haveno ideawherethiswillbein5–10years.” p

Researchingrecentdevelopmentsinmusicmaking— holographicperformances— will helpdefine‘live’concerts

Forthe latestnews andinformation,visit ambrose.edu/news

Businessschoollaunch

TheSchoolofBusinesshaditslaunchpartyonNovember17. Alumni,students,faculty,andboardmembersallattended toshowsupportforthismonumentaloccasion.

Dr.MurrayMacTavish, DeanoftheAmbroseSchoolof Business,openedwithalandacknowledgmentandsome wordsonthelongjourneytheprogramhasbeenon.President,Dr.GordonT. Smith,spokeonthejourneyoftheprogramwithaspecialacknowledgment oftheworkDr.MacTavishhasdone.Bothformerandcurrentstudentsspoke, high-lightingtheirexperiencesatAmbroseandhowithasshapedtheirfutures inbusiness.Therewasacommonthemebetweenthestudentsoftheconsistent encouragementfromtheirAmbroseprofessors.Boardmember,DaleMeister, concludedtheceremonywithacongratulatorymessagetobothDr.MacTavish andDr.SmithnotingtheirhardworkanddedicationtotheSchoolofBusiness. Followingtheceremony,aluncheonposedasafunnetworkingopportunity forstudents,facultyandboardmembers.Guestswereencouragedtogive awordofadviceforcurrentbusinessstudentsastheycompletetheir educationsanddiscovertheirpaths.

Growingadeeperlife

SCHOOLOF BUSINESS

AMBROSE SCHOOLOF BUSINESS

DeeperLifeDaywasheldOct.5,2022,integratingChristianfaith andlearningtohelpflourishineveryway.SpeakerDr.O.AlanNoble, AssociateProfessorofEnglishatOklahomaBaptistUniversityand Editor-in-ChiefofChristandPopCulture,setthetoneforthe day’smanysessionswithatalkentitledYouAreNot YourOwn:WhyBelongingtoYourselfisUnbearable. Avarietyofsessionsthroughoutthedaydelvedinto topicsincludingHowtoEarth,HowtoCareer(What kindofworkamIbeingcalledtodo?)andHowto TellaGoodStorywithYourLife.Learnmoreabout thedayatambrose.edu/deeper-life.

Walkingtogethertowardtruthandreconciliation

AmbroseUniversitystudents,facultyandstaffrecognizedtheNationalDay forTruthandReconciliationwithtwodaysofactivitiesheldSept.29–30to acknowledgetheprofoundinjusticeandharmcausedbyCanada’sIndian residentialschoolsystem.

Recognizingtheimportantrolethe Universityanditscommunityhave inmovingforwardwithtruthand reconciliation,theUniversityundertook severalmeaningfulactivities,including: encouragingpeopletowearorange shirtstoaspecialChapelserviceledby Rev.TonySnow,amemberoftheStoneyNakodaFirstNation,whospokeon “BlessedarethePoorinSpirit;”hostingafilmscreenofWeWereChildren andHolyAngels,followedbyalightmealfromKokumsBannockKitchen; encouragingtheAmbrosecommunitytowatch“RememberingtheChildren,” acommemorativegatheringbroadcastlivefromOttawa;and,offeringaPlant WalkinFishCreekProvincialPark,ledbyKalynKodiak,MétisHerbalistand CulturalGuide,tolearnhowtheMétismakeandusenaturalmaterialsofthe landformedicines,clothes,foodandshelter.

Dr.O.AlanNoble

AMBROSE

Newpartnershipopens doorstolearningin Edmonton

AmbroseandBeulahAlliance ChurchinEdmontonhaveentered intoanexcitingnewpartnership toexpandlearningopportunities. The BeulahTrainingInstitute buildson100yearsofthechurch’shistorytohelppeopleknowJesus deeplyandbeknownbyHimfullybyprovidingabalanceofknowledge, coachingandexperience.

TheEdmonton-based,part-time,holistic,affordableandaccreditedtwoyearprogramwillenablepeopletogrowintheirunderstandingofthe Bibleandtheology,whiledeepeningspirituallifeandfaith;developstrong leadershipcompetencies;engageinanexcitingministryenvironmentto practicallyapplyknowledge;and,beequippedtoliveouttheirfaithand sharewhatyoubelieveineverydaylife.

Learnmorebeulah.ca/bit

biblio biblio

Kickingoffanew academicyear

Men’sandwomen’ssoccer competition(theLionstaking onLethbridgeCollege),lawn gamesontheAmbrosecampus, “theamazingtacobar,” aneveningbonfire andlivemusicwere ontaponSeptember9, 2022,markingthestart ofthe2022–23academic year.Thefunandhighenergygatheringsetthe toneforthecomingyear: comingtogetheras communityonceagain tolearnandgrow.

Throughpublications,presentationsandmyriadotherscholarlyactivities, Ambrosefacultyandstaffcontributetotheexpansionofknowledgeworldwide. Recenthighlightsinclude:

family & friends

Readaboutsomeof themanypeople— friends,colleagues andclassmatesalike — whoarepartof the largeandgrowing AmbroseUniversity community. Telluswhat’s new inyour lifebyvisiting ambrose.eduoremailing anthem@ambrose.edu.

Stayin TOUCH!

facebook.com/AmbroseAlumni

youtube.com/ambroseuniversity

@ambrose_uni

@ambrose_uni

SherryMartensretires

ThisSpring,Dr.SherryMartens,AssociateDeanofEducationwill beretiring.TheAmbroseUniversityBachelorofEducationprogram hasbeenfortunatetohaveDr.SherryMartens’guidinghand sinceitsinception.Dr.MartensactedasamemberoftheAdvisory CommitteebeforebecomingtheAssociateDean,providingnearly 15yearsofcontributionstothiscommunity.Underhertenureshe hasexpandedtheprogram,staff,andfaculty,supportedfaculty scholarship,andfacilitatedprofessionaldevelopmentinareasof IndigenousPedagogies,school-basedliteracy,andleadership.

Dr.Martenswasanadvocateforland-basedlearningforbothour studentsandourinstructorsandledbyIndigenouscommunity members.InhertimeasAssociateDean,ourlearningcommunity experiencedBlackfootCrossing,BrownBearWoman LearningCentre,DodginghorseRanch,Elders, KnowledgeKeepers,aswellasorganizing Indigenousauthorbookstudies.

Dr.Martenshasbeenagreatencourager. Ourwork,bothinternalandexternal,has alwaysbeenrecognizedandcelebrated. Thesuccessesourstudentsexperience, whetheritbethenominationforteaching awards,newpersonalmilestones,or receivingoffersofemploymentare alwaysshared.

What’snew?

Isyourfamilygrowing?Workingonanewdegree?Wheredoyouwork?Received anaward?Published?YourAmbrosecommunityiseagertoknow!Sendashort note(andaphoto,too,ifyoulike)toanthem@ambrose.edu.

DorothyBentley(formerstudent’18) wroteabookfor youngadultreaders, EscapefromtheWildfire,abouttherecent fireinLytton,B.C.Thefictionalaccountisbasedinpartonher ownexperienceoflivingthroughawildfire,whichledherto researchtheexperienceofLyttonresidentsandtowritethe storyofaresilientteensurvivinganenvironmentalcatastrophe.

BernieVanDeWalle(BachelorofTheology

’90)wasawardedaQueen’sPlatinumJubilee medalbyHisHonourtheHonourableRuss Mirasty,LieutenantGovernorofSaskatchewan (leftinphoto),onOct.21,2022.Theaward recognizestheserviceheprovided,asone oftheEvangelicalliaisonswiththeprovincial government,tothelargerSaskatchewanfaith community,andtotheC&MAingeneral, inhelpingtoguidepeoplethroughthe challengesofCOVID-19.

PassingintothepresenceofJesus

Prayersandcondolencesareextendedtofriendsandfamilyofthosewhohavepassed away.Pleasesubmityourmemorialannouncementsatambrose.edu/anthem.

Dr.DaleHerendeen

WemournthepassingofaformermemberoftheSeminaryfaculty,Dr.DaleHerendeen,on Dec.24,2021.Forme,thisispersonal.Dr.HerendeenwasoneofmyprofessorswhenIwasa Seminarystudentbackinthe1970s.TwothingscometomindwhenIthinkabouthisinfluence inmylifeandthatofmyfellowstudents.First,hisobsessionwith10points.Hebelievedall lecturesandtalksneededtohave10points.Andiftherewereonlyninethingsworthsaying onthetopic,hewasquitecleverwithcomingupwithatenth;iftherewere11,heknewhow tomergetwoofthem.Wesoenjoyedteasinghimaboutthis.Butsecondandmuchmore significant:allofuslookbackandrealizethatDr.Herendeenintroducedustothebestandmost significantliteratureinthediscipline.Hehadusreadingtherightbooks.Fromhim,forexample, IdiscoveredLeslieNewbigen,likelythemostinfluentialandsignificantmissiologistofthepast century.WhenIthinkofNewbigen’sinfluenceinmyownlifeandministry,IgivethanksforDr.Herendeen. Asignificantsectionofmypersonallibraryhasbooksrecommendedtomebythisdearprofessor.Hewasclearlyreading thebestliteratureinthedisciplineandhisgifttohisstudentswastointroducethemtotheseresources.Wemournthe lossofProf.HerendeenwithdeepgratitudeforhisteachingandinfluenceinthelivesofourSeminaryalumni.

GordonT.Smith,President,AmbroseUniversity

Leona(Pekrul)Iseli (WCBI’43)passedaway inB.C.onMay4,2021, daysbeforeher101st birthday.Leonaandher husband,Henry,were dedicatedtoGod,involvedinMusic Ministryfor30+years.Leonawas alsoinvolvedinhostingbiblestudies, women’swork,supportofVancouver’sUnionGospelMissionand attendingwomen’sconferences.

JackKlemke (WCBI’50) passedawayonJuly5, 2022,lovinglyrememberedbyhiswifeof69 years,Carol,andtheir family.Jackhadan unshakeablefaithinJesus. Hislegacywillliveonthroughhis globalChristiancharitablework.

VelmaRust (CBC’56) wenthometoherLord and Saviour on July 6, 2022attheageof89. Hergreatestjoywas lovingandserving people,especiallytheweeones. Shevolunteeredinthebabynursery ofEdmonton’sBeulahAllianceChurch for56years.

Irene(Schultz) Shareski (WCBI’52) passedawayonApril 28, 2022. She and her husbandArniservedin ministryfor44years, includingpastoralandmissionary work.IreneworkedintheC&MA nationalofficeformorethantwo decades,andherbusylifeincluded servingasdistrictpresidentofwhat isnowAllianceWomeninthe Hamptons,N.Y. area. Shepassed away in Fort Myers, Fla., and is survived by Arni and their family.

PeterWilliamGillian (CNC’77–’79)was welcomedintoheaven byhisawesome,Lord andSaviouronNov.26, 2021,attheageof65, aftera14-monthbattlewith ALS.Petewillbelovedforeverbywife Gloria(Davis) (CNC’75–’79),children Kristi,CarolynandJeff,theirspouses, andsevengrandchildren.Peteserved asworshipleaderformorethan40 years intheChurchoftheNazarene andisnowsinginginGod’schoir.

StarlitDutton (spouse ofalumni)wascalled home by her Lord and SaviouronFeb.1,2022, afteralifefilledwith loveforGodandfamily.

Starhadazestforlifeandarewarding careerinthehealthcarefield.Sheis survived by the love of her life, Jim, and their family, a legacy of faith her greatestgifttothem.

Maxine(Craig)

Thomson (CBC‘58) wentintothepresence ofherLordonDec.15, 2022,sadlymissedby herhusbandof53years, Keith,andtheirfamily.Agraduate ofEdmonton’sRoyalAlexandra SchoolofNursing,Maxineserved asamissionarynurseinVietnam forfiveyears.Shewasactiveinher church,AllianceWomen,theGideon’s, abiblestudywhichwasresponsible forthebeginningoftheEdmonton VietnameseAllianceChurch,and InternationalStudentMinistries Canada.

coming events

ACACMen’sBasketball Championships

Ambrosehostseightschoolsfrom acrosstheprovinceastheycompete forthe2023ACACmen’sbasketballtitle. AmbroseLionsDen(Gymnasium) March2-4

AthleticsAlumniReception

JoinusonMarch2at7pmMTfor anopportunitytoconnectwithall athleticsalumniandsupportthe Lionsmen’sbasketballteamintheir firstgameoftheACACChampionship tournament.RSVPbyscanningQRcode.

JazzattheIronwood

FeaturingtheAmbroseJazzCombo, AmbroseBigBandandguests. IronwoodStageandGrill

March7•7:30pm

FeaturedEvents

AmbroseGolfClassic

LinksofGleneagles

August31,2023

VirtualPublicLecture

WhoNeedsaPastor?The PastoralVocationToday

Withthestrongandright affirmationofthesacred characterofallvocations,werightlyraise thequestion...whatthenofthepastoral calling?Whatisitscharacterandpurpose?

Presenter:GordonTSmith,President March16•6:30pm(MDT)•Virtual

EdwinGnandt

ConcertoConcert

FeaturingsoloistsChelsea Woodard,JohnCabalsa andtheAmbrose ChamberOrchestra. CalgaryFirstChurchoftheNazarene

March17•7:00pm

SimpsonSymposium

FormativeFeasting: HowBiblicalMeals

ShapeMoral Communities

Presenter:Dr.MichaelRhodes

CareyBaptistCollege March21•1:30pmVirtual

NazareneAssembly

FromJune9-12joinusin Indianapolisaspartofthe

NazareneGeneralAssembly!

Foropportunitiestoconnect atassembly,pleasejoinour emaillist.ScanQRcodefor moreinformation.

ambrose.edu/golf

AMBROSE

Earn both the BA in Christian Studies andthe Master of Divinity in as few as fiveyears!

IntheFallof2023,Ambrosewillbegintoofferanewministrypreparationtrack.Studentswhoearneitherathree-orfour-year BachelorofArtsinChristianStudiesatAmbroseUniversity,will qualifyfor1yearofAdvancedStandingintheMasterofDivinity programatAmbroseSeminary.Itwillsoonbepossiblefor AmbrosestudentstograduatewithboththeirBAandMDiv degreesinasfewasfiveyears.Formoreinformation, contactenrolment@ambrose.edu. Ambroseiscommittedtocreatingnewandinnovativeministrypreparationracksthatmeetthegrowingneedforhighlyqualified individuals forthechurchinarapidlychangingworld.

2023PASTOR’SCONFERENCE

JoinusonMay4fortheannualAmbrosePastorsConference featuringDr.Elizabeth(Lisa)SungandRev.DanielIm. Staytunedforfulldetailsandtoregister.

May4,20239:00AM•Virtual•https://ambrose.edu/event/1734

Rev.DanielImisLeadPastorofBeulahAllianceChurchinEdmonton, Alberta.Hispassionistocreatealignmentandmomentumwithin teamsandchurchesbyimplementing)!strategiesandsystemsto movethechurchtowardsmultiplication.

Dr.Elizabeth(Lisa)Sung,Ph.D.,isasystematictheologiananda spiritualdirector.SheisVisitingAssociateProfessorinTheology atRegentCollege(Vancouver,Canada).Inbothacademicand ministrycontexts,sheteachestheologytofosterthelived realityofpersonalintegrityandflourishinginChristas thecatalystformissionalliving.

KatherineWinstonisinthefinal yearofhertwo-yearActingDiploma programatAmbroseUniversity.Sheis passionateinallshedoes,andloves storytelling.Sheiseagertoshare newstorieswiththosearoundher, andhasaparticularpassionforfilm, TVandtheatre.Agraduateofthe PerformingandVisualArtsprogram atCentralMemorialHighSchool,she hasalwayshadanaffinityforthearts andisthrilledtobeabletocontinue tocultivateherskillsinAmbrose Arts.Aftergraduation,shehopesto continuetosharestorieswiththe worldinwhateverwaysshecan.

Actingonpassion forstorytelling

byKatherine Winston

AfterbeingastudentatAmbroseUniversityforaboutayearandahalfnow,oneof thethingsthatIthinkIwillalwaysrememberishowamazinglysupportiveallofthe professorsandstaffwere.Everyoneissoreadytoassistwithanyproblemsthatmay arise,andthatsupporthasbeenincrediblyhelpfulduringmytimeattheschool.The professorsarewillingtohelpwithnotonlyassignmentsorprojects,butalsowithany personalproblemsthatyoumighthave,andtheircompassionandwarmthissuchan amazingthingtofeelatthisschool.Inthisprogram,Ifeltchallengedtodomybest andtoreachevenfurtherthanIthinkpossible.Itmakesmelearnwheremylimitsare andthenpushpastthem.

I’velearnedsomuchaboutmyselfinthisprogram,notjustfromanacademic standpoint(thoughI’vealsolearnedalotinthatregard),butalsofromapersonal standpoint.Ihavelearnedaboutmytendenciesandhabits,andsomepersonality quirksthatIneverrealizedIhad.I’velearnedaboutthelimitsI’veputonmyselfand continuetolearnhowtobreakthroughthem.Ithinktheserealizationswouldnever havehappened,orwouldhavetakenmuchlongertooccur,hadInotdonethe programatAmbrose.Icanonlyimaginethatinthelastsemesterandahalfofmy timeatAmbrosethatIwillonlylearnmore.

WhenIthinkaheadtograduation,thefutureseemsabithazyandalittlescary,but Ialsoknowthatit’sfullofpossibilities.AfterIgraduate,Iplantobeginworkingin theactingindustry.Iwanttogetanagentandstartputtingmyselfoutthere;doing auditionswhereverIgetanopportunity.Tellingstoriesisapassionofmine,andthat iswhatIplanondoingafterIgraduate.Ofcourse,everyoneknowsactingisdifficult tobreakinto,soofcourse,Iwillbeenjoyingitparttimeforsometimeaswell.ButI wanttolivealifeinthearts,notjusthaveitbeahobby.Iwanttoencourageothers toconsideractingandtheartsasafull-timecareeroption,notjustanunattainable dream.SowhileIcan’timaginebeingwildlysuccessfulrightoffthebat,Idothink thatmakingalifeandacareerintheartsispossibleandthatismylong-termgoal.

Whetheritbeintheatreorinfilmandtelevision,Idobelievethatmakingactingand artafull-timejobissomethingthatIcandoanditissomethingthatIamdetermined tomakeareality.WiththehelpofAmbroseUniversityanditsamazingActingDiploma program,IbelievethatIcanmakemydreamsareality.Iamgainingtheskillsandthe knowledgeI’llneedtomakeitintheindustry,aswellasmakingconnectionsto helpsupportthatjourney.

Iamexcitedtoseewhatamazingthingsawaitmeinthefuture. p

Iwantto livealifein thearts,not justhaveitbe ahobby.