Student Recruitment Discussion

At the recent AGM the Task Group on Student Recruitment made a presentation outlining some of their research.  Click here for their report on student recruitment .  (It’s interesting stuff.)

At the end of their report are a few discussion questions.  We invite you to leave a comment with your thoughts.  (Or if you don’t want to go public with your opinions, you can write directly to the Principal at mmaybee@ccsonline.ca.)

Here are the questions:

1. Likes – If you are or were a student, what brought you to CCS and what kept you here? If you weren’t a student, what draws you and keeps you connected? How would you use that experience to encourage other students to enrol at CCS?
2. Strengths – What are the unique strengths and gifts that CCS possesses? What steps should we take now to make them know and used by the wider community?
3. Looking ahead – What are your hopes and fears for the future of diaconal ministry (Anglican and United)? How should CCS promote or adapt its program (a) if our status as a testamur granting institution for the United Church of Canada were to change? (b) in order to accommodate Anglican ecclesiology and structures?

Thanks for engaging these questions.

Tie or No Tie

It’s fall, and we’re gearing up for a new year of learning and preparation for ministry.  As we enter into the new school year, we’re aware that we’re doing so with a new Principal.  Not only that, but with a new-ish Development and Community Relations Coordinator.  It’s time to update the staff photo.

Marc wanted to know whether he should wear a tie for the photo or not.  We decided to do one with a tie and one without.  Which do you like better?

back: Ann Naylor, Liz Bachmann, Marc Desrosiers. front: Scott Douglas, Maylanne Maybee, Ted Dodd

back: Ann Naylor, Liz Bachmann, Marc Desrosiers. front: Scott Douglas, Maylanne Maybee, Ted Dodd.

Survey

Marc wants to hear from you.  Leave a comment or email him directly at mdesrosiers@ccsonline.ca .

1. The current CCS logo features ‘happy, dancing people.’ In your opinion, does that graphic best portray the Centre of Christian Studies, the essence of its educational ministry and / or the work that is being done and has been done over the years with/for both the ACC and UCC? Yes… no… expand…suggestions…
2. Within the existing logo is featured the phrase: “living a theology of justice”. In your opinion, does that phrase best portray the Centre for Christian Studies, the essence of its educational ministry… (as in question #1)?
3. Have you a theme / slogan to suggest for the 120th Anniversary year in 2012?
4. A “120th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend” is being planned for August, 2012 in Winnipeg. Would you consider attending?
5. What elements within a Homecoming Weekend would greatly encourage you to attend? i.e. Seminars? Featured Speakers? Meet-n-Greet? Worship celebration? Other CCS-UCC-ACC-related events/activities? Other?
6. Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding our print publication Tapestry? Do you receive the electronic version? The print version? Both versions? None of the two versions? Which version do you prefer if received
7. You get the last word: any other comments / opinions for the good of CCS?

Tell us what you are doing

CCS is getting a new database sometime fairly soon.  And one of the things we’ve realized is that we don’t know what some of our graduates are currently up to.  We’d love to know.  If you’re working, where are you working?  If you retired, where did you retire from?  Are you volunteering in your retirement?  If you’re on sabbatical, what are you doing with your time?  Drop Glenda a line (Edit: Marc is the new staff person: mdesrosiers@ccsonline.ca ) and let her know.  CCS grads are some of the most interesting people, and the way they integrate their faith, their work, and their lives is inspiring.

Living in the midst of dying

The next CCS Tapestry newsletter will be about “Life and Death”.  We are grateful that so many people are willing to share their experiences and ideas.  We are hoping to have an article on the topic of living in the midst of dying; this could be someone who has been identified as terminal and willing to discuss their thoughts on faith and where God is in their living.  If you’d like to write something for the newsletter, our deadline for articles is September 17.

So here’s the discussion question – feel free to leave a comment:  What is your experience with living in the midst of dying?

How’s your summer going?

The idea of including discussion questions on the blog is to draw on the experience of our wider community.  Maybe we’ll ask something like, “How do keep from getting burned out when you’ve been in ministry a long time?” and invite you to post your ideas and stories as comments.  Or maybe we’ll ask, “What’s the deal with the Trinity?” (to which some will reply, “I know, tell me about it!” and others will reply, “What do you mean?” and others will post twenty page essays which may or may not get read).  But since the blog has only just started up, and it’s sunny outside, I’ll softball it and ask, “How’s your summer going?”  Feel free to leave a comment.