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You are invited to the Spring Family Fun Day!

Thursday, May 9, 2013 from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Take a break from papers and come chill with other students and their families! Food, games, fun. Balloon animals and face-painting too!

Activities will be held in the Atrium and on the Seminary Hall Lawn.

See you there!

Continue reading »]]> The events of this past week in Boston have affected us all here at Drew University. Our thoughts and prayers go to everyone affected in this tragedy.

Here are some of the thoughts and prayers sent by students on campus, posted here as tribute:

“I heard the heartbreaking news from Boston just as I’d returned from a weekend of reflection on my time at Drew and my ministry ahead. I am reminded of the powerful call we all have to do the work of peace and love. Today, we hold the residents of Boston and all those affected by violence and hate in prayer.” – Janessa, TSA President

“Praying for the safety of the people in Boston, especially Waterton right now, and for the recovery of those who were injured. Praying for the comforting of those who lost loved ones. Praying there may be healing now, and forgiveness someday. Praying those wishing to harm will be stopped, first for the good of innocent others, and for their own good.” – Lana

“God is always with us even when things appear to be out of our control he is there. In the midst of darkness light is there in his steps ever near. Boston you are in our prayers.” – Nilsa

“I was angry with the world, humanity, and even God the day the tragedy happened. However, the following day I was no longer angry, but hopeful for the future after witnessing God’s grace and love portrayed in acts of kindness for the perfect stranger.” – Chris

“Oh Great Jehovah thank you for your grace that is new every morning. Grant peace and comfort to the families of all the victims. Grant that your peace will begin to abide in the hearts of all your creation. Continue to strengthen all who hear your voice that we may work towards peace on earth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen” – Harriet

“What a horrible day, when we saw what had happened at the Boston Marathon. My husband ran a marathon several years ago, and I can’t even imagine what many of the families are going through. The finish line is sacred ground to runners… to have that violated is affecting runners everywhere. Our hearts are broken with you. Peace to your city this day, and beyond. Know that we are thinking of you and sending our love.” -Laurel

We would like to end this tribute with a beautiful article, written by Christine Smith, that poignantly lays out the rush of emotions on that fateful day.

“Again We Grieve”

Boston on Marathon Day, tax day for many, a Monday, a Sunny day in the Northeast. First it came from a friend on chat, did you hear ? Did I hear what? About Boston she answered. Then the Facebook feed started to change, PRAYERS FOR BOSTON read a friends post. I was on the phone with a customer service agent trying to pay a bill, I asked him if he was in the United States, he said no, I told him and we sat for a moment in silence not knowing what to say before we continued on with the task at hand. My fiancee was at the grocery store, I asked him if he knew when he got back a few moments after I turned on the television for the first time this semester. He had not heard. We held each other and I cried, he asked if I was scared, reminding me that everyone I knew was safe, I was crying for our world, the world of my children, the world that someday will be home to Grandchildren of mine. He understood and held me a little tighter.

What do we do when our world is turned upside down? Where do we turn? Here, on the campus of my seminary, I am sure many have gathered in the chapel, I will go there too, later. I am sure that many will go to their synagogues, chapels, mosques, cathedrals, temples, churches and houses of worship of all creeds and doctrines we will cling to each other and ask why? Some will blame, some will be angry with God, or Muhammad, or Buddha, but no matter where or who or how we worship, in some way one thing will be universal; we will gather together.

That is how it is intended to be. We do not live in this world in isolation, we live in community. We were created to compliment each other and work together. I am a Christian, you may not be, maybe you are one of the people who mark the box labeled “none” when the form says religious affiliation, maybe today you will not?

This weekend many churches and religious institutions will see an increase in attendance, that is what we do, we seek sanctuary, in whatever way we define it. My fervent prayer tonight is that “we” (those of us who attend, and those of us who lead) we will greet all who enter, with the open arms that God calls us to have, may God’s arms surround you and your family tonight, and may you be the arms of God in this world as you go through the week. God Bless You.
AMEN

Continue reading »]]> Nominations for all positions begin April 8, with TSA Elections starting Monday, April 15. Well, it is time once again to begin considering next year’s leadership for TSA – everything is open for voting from President to committee-level positions, all of which are very important.

Sheets will be posted on the bulletin boards outside the Cyber Cafe Monday through Friday. If you would like to nominate someone (you can certainly nominate yourself) write the name in on the sheet. If you are nominated, initial next to your name to show that you accept the nomination.

We have a lot of available roles to fill, so don’t be shy! If you have questions about any of the positions feel free to contact Janessa Chastain, or any member of the TSA Executive Committee by email or in the halls. There will be TSA representatives in the Cyber Cafe after chapel on Thursday, April 4 to answer any questions about positions and what they require.

Continue reading »]]> April 10 at 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm – Town Hall with Deans Kuan and Samuel about the future of the theological school and tuition. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

April 18 is the TSA Chapel Service!

May 9 from 3:00-6:30 is the Spring Family Fun Day! There will be food, games and fun for students and families. See Janessa Chastain, Jennifer Berry-McNulty or Nicole Biondi if you’d like to help with the event.

As always, upcoming events are posted on the Calendar Page.

Continue reading »]]> “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and Prayer: Writings to End Violence Against Women and Girls” was performed on March 20, 2013 in the Theo School Chapel by a stunning group of men and women (including Dean Kuan, faculty and students) to bring awareness to the ever-present topic of violence against women.

There was barely a dry eye in the chapel as the actors and actresses gave stories about human trafficking, abuse, war, and violence. “I’m so grateful to be part of a community that sees ministry in movements like this,” said co-director and TSA President Janessa Chastain, “It’s a radical thing to tell these stories from a chapel, and to acknowledge the work of God in the telling and the pain. I hope to see the monologues continue next year, and I hope that we all grow to understand that none of these are just women’s issues.” And the two male performers, Dean Kuan and Paul Smith, were very powerful components to the performance and demonstrated that very fact: violence against women is an issue that affects everyone.

Many thanks to both Janessa and Claire Saunders for their hard work in putting this production together, it was a magnificent and moving performance.

Continue reading »]]> Contributed by Rochelle McSam

Although I’ve lived in NJ for the last ten years, as a native New Yorker there’s one thing about the lovely Garden State that can still send me into a series of fits…. Jug Handles! If you’re a first year student and haven’t come across one yet, give it some time. A jug handle is a right turn ramp that allows you to drive in a semi-circle so that you’re positioned on the street where you initially wanted to make a left turn.

Common scenario: You need to turn left at the intersection, but no left turns are allowed and by the time you’ve realized it, it’s too late to get into the right lane to catch the exit for the jug handle.

The jug handle is usually placed before the intersection but on occasion it’s after. Confusing right? Here are some tips that I found helpful in navigating my way around town:

• Stay alert and watch for signs. You may need to make a left on Green Street, but there will be a sign on your right indicating the jug handle exit for Green Street.
• Stay in your middle lane and drive at the speed limit. This may give you the extra time needed to get in the correct lane.
• Can you spot a left lane turning signal ahead? If you’re approaching a busy intersection and you can’t spot a turning signal, most likely there’s a jug handle involved.

One last tip- Drive safely. There’s certainly not a shortage of police officers in Madison or the surrounding towns!

Webmaster’s note: for a good video on what these look like, click here for a video.

Or if the video makes you a little motion sick… click here for an article with pictures instead.

(Thanks to Susan Goodman for help finding these links!)

Continue reading »]]> Last semester, I transferred some of my student loan funds onto my Drew Card for books. But then, when I didn’t spend all of it, I found myself at a conundrum: you can’t get a check for the money left on your bookstore balance, but then what can you do with those funds? Sure, you can wait until next semester and use it on books again, but if you’re like me you probably need that money for things like groceries or Day-Quil.

Good news! You are not only relegated to shopping at the bookstore with your “Drew Dollars,” as they are called. Although it is a good Christmas idea for family and friends, don’t get me wrong, there are other options. There are stores, pharmacies, and even restaurants around Madison that will accept your Drew Card, and you can find the list here: http://www.drew.edu/fba/students-parents/drew-dollars/ – it changes every so often so be sure to check it before you go out.

Pizza on your Drew Card? Yes! Toilet paper? Yes! So it’s good news, the money isn’t just sitting there only to be spent at the bookstore. Just make sure of two things: always be sure to check the link above first in case the places have changed (and your Drew Dollars balance on Treehouse – this is NOT the same as a meal plan), and make sure you buy your books first if you need them, ok?

Continue reading »]]> The Black Ministerial Caucus of Drew Theological School invites everyone to hear noted speaker and leader Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammed, who will be sharing: A Lecture on Mass Incarceration. Join us on Wednesday, March 20 at 5:30 pm in the Dorothy Young Center, Theatre Arts Room 106. The injustices and issues associated with mass incarceration have reached epidemic proportions; it is time for us to be informed and take a stand on the side of justice:

Continue reading »]]> Attention first year students: there’s a new blog being started called “First Year Findings” that addresses all those questions you wish you had answers to at the beginning of the year! Like: where is that list of classes I should be taking again? Or, how do I get a parking pass and how much does it cost? Or, how do I get someone to come fix my dorm issues? We need your help compiling all that information, so email any ideas you have to Laurel, one of the first year representatives for 2012-2013 at Drew.