Interdisciplinary Studies Conference – “You’re Richer WHEN you Think”

January 18 and 19, 2012

Black Friday, Occupy Wall Street, economic instability – these topics are front and centre in public discourse – and front and centre at this season’s

King’s University College’s semi-annual Interdisciplinary Studies conference as well.  Our theme is “You’re Richer WHEN you Think”.  Our plenary session lectures will be offered by Scott Bader-Saye, author of “Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear”; William Cavanaugh, author of “Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire”; and also Aiden Enns, editor of GEEZ Magazine.  There will also be several breakout sessions and a Fair Trade Fair.  For more information please visit www.kingsu.ca .  Admission is free of charge and open to the public.

View the complete schedule here.

In light of our upcoming conference on consumerism, here’s a good read from the U of A’s Parkland Institute:

The Debt Crisis: A case of false memory syndrome

by Trevor Harrison

“The acclaimed author, Milan Kundera, has written that, “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” But the ongoing world financial crisis shows how false memories can fool us and make us unable to confront corporate power.

For over a year, we have been bombarded with stories of the threat of “sovereign defaults.” The PIGS – one can imagine political conservatives salivating as they arrived at that acronym – Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain (to which add another “I” if one includes Ireland) have been roundly denounced for the size of their public debt to GDP (83 percent in Portugal, 94 percent in Ireland, 118 percent in Italy, 144 percent in Greece, and 63 percent in Spain). Then, to these countries as the year progressed was added the United States at 60 percent to GDP.

In terms of the latter, US debt is substantially lower than it was at end of the Second World War. Government spending helped win the war (in conjunction with the other Allied countries), while also pulling the country out of the Great Depression and, through the programs of the New Deal, set the stage for economic growth and a more egalitarian society in the decades that followed.”

For the rest of the article, click here.

Dr. Harrison is Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Lethbridge.  He is also co-director of the Parkland Institute.

The Parkland Institute is an Alberta research network situated within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. It operates within the established and distinctive tradition of Canadian political economy and is non-partisan.

Check out the December newsletter for stories and reflections from students, interns, and Micah staff. This is a great chance to hear the insider’s voice on what happened in the Micah Centre this Fall! Included in this issue is a development update from Geoff Brouwer in Kenya, a thoughtful reflection from Sarah Stad on her YWAM trip to Mexico, and what one student learned from volunteering for Homeless Connect. Click the link below to read:

2011 December Newsletter PDF

Jim Wallis from Sojourners magazine writes a critique on Fox New’s war on Christmas – which he argues isn’t worth claiming for the Christian faith anymore.

“The Real War on Christmas…by Fox News”

by Jim Wallis

“Each Advent in recent years, around the time when those prefab, do-it-yourself gingerbread house kits appear on supermarket shelves, Fox News launches its (allegedly) defensive campaign commonly known as the “War on Christmas.”

Fox News’ “war” is designed to criticize the “secularization” of our culture wrought by atheists, agnostics, liberals, leftists, progressives, and separation of church and state zealots— i.e. Democrats. This irreligious coalition force is allegedly waging a strategic offensive on Christmas, trying to banish the sacred symbols of the season, denying our religious heritage, and even undermining the spiritual rubrics upon which our great nation is built.

Fox News positions itself as the defender of the faith and all things sacred. And Bill O’Reilly fancies himself the “watchdog” of Christmas.

Fox News’ usual targets include shopping malls and stores that replace their “Merry Christmas” greetings with “Happy Holidays,” and state governments that no longer call their official “Christmas” trees by their rightful name, or municipalities that ban any depictions of, or references to, the Christmas season in public places. Those who are attacked defend themselves, often claim that they are really religious too, and the perennial war is on.

But what we actually have here is a theological problem, where cultural and commercial symbols are confused with truly Christian ones, and the meaning of the holy season is missed all together…”

Read on here.

Amanda Jackson, Campaigns & Policy Coordinator for Micah Challenge International, writes on the past year and concrete ways we can seek hope amidst dismaying events.

“2011 has been an incredible year for NEWS – so much has happened it is bewildering to think about the significance (though pundits are full of words in trying to do just that) How can we be wise men and women as we ponder “how to interpret this present time” (Luke 12:56)

A rare bright news spot was the marriage of William and Kate. But look at the summary of gloomy news:

Christchurch in NZ had a huge earthquake that destroyed much of the city then a month later, Japan suffered a huge earthquake leading to the Fukushima nuclear emergency.

Two of the most reviled names on the world stage – Osama Bin Laden and Col Gadaffi – were removed from power and both were killed. Yet stability seems no closer.

The Arab Spring has reached 9 nations, 4 leaders have fallen from power and in some places a frosty Arab winter has descended. The USA has been embroiled in two budget crises. Europe faces bailouts for weaker economies that could total a trillion (!) Euros and mean a huge shake-up of the Eurozone.”

Want the hopeful part of Amanda’s message? Read more…

December 3, 2011

7:00PM

Calvary Baptist Church

Join us for an evening of learning, reflecting, and hope for AIDS.

So often we attach a stigma to the AIDS issue – both locally and globally. But AIDS is claiming the lives of mothers, children, and husbands everywhere – people whom God loves. Churches need to be unified in their response to preventing AIDS through education and reaching out to those that have it.

Guest speaker Nema Aluku is part of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s AIDS response team in Eastern Africa, and will be talking about how Christians can begin to address the staggering issue of AIDS by first embracing people affected by it.

We will also be viewing the short film, “Living With Slim”. In this film, seven African children, ranging in age from 6 to 17 years old, talk about what it’s like to be HIV positive.

Hosted by Micah Challenge Canada, in coordination with CRWRC and the Micah Centre. Refreshments provided. Admission by donation. All proceeds go to supporting CRWRC AIDS programs in Eastern Africa.

Join Christian community developers, students, and organizations from around the world for this year’s FIDC at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan! The conference is from February 2-4, 2012.

The conference (FIDC) explores where faith, development and poverty meet. Participation has grown to over 600 students, faculty leaders, and organization representatives from all over North America and the world. FIDC balances prayerful discernment of student’s callings, realtionship building among students and professionals, and practical learning about international dvelopment. Past speakers have included Dirk Booy, Executive Vice-President of World Vision Canada, and Leymah Gbowee, leader in the Liberian women’s peace movement.

Special offer for King’s students: Every year, the Micah Centre sponsors about 6 students for up to $500 each to attend FIDC in Grand Rapids, MI. To get a grant application, see Hannah De Jong in the Micah Centre and return filled application by December 6, 2011. Students are responsible for registering and booking flights on their own.

More info and registration at http://www.calvin.edu/academic/ids/conference/

Join the River Community Church in their annual speaker series featuring Amanda Lindhout. Along with an inspiring talk from this young activist, the night includes dessert, coffee, and other beverages.

In 2008, freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout traveled to Somalia to research a story on the millions of people affected by war, drought and famine. Unfortunately, she became the story. Kidnapped by teenage criminals, Lindhout spent 15 months enduring unimaginable hardships as a hostage in the world’s poorest country. Following her release in November 2009, Lindhout became an unlikely and passionate advocate for Somali women’s rights. As an eloquent speaker, she moves beyond the 460 days she spent in captivity to share the need for compassion, the triumph of personal transformation, and, most of all, the process of forgiveness.

For tickets, go to http://www.tixonthesquare.ca/event/detail/4173/

For more info, go to http://rivercommunity.ca/lindhout/?trcc or contact sjc@rivercommunity.ca

The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton and Bishop Jane Alexander would like to invite you to a Truth and Reconciliation Workshop hosted by Father Micheal Lapsley on Nov 19 from 9am to 3pm.  It is being held at King’s College for a small registration fee of $25.

Micheal Lapsley is the Director of the Institute for Healing of Memoies (www.healing-memories.org) and former Chaplain to the Trauma Center for Victims of Violence and Torture in Cape Town South Africa.  He had his hand blown off from a letter bomb, and from the experience he has grown in courage to speak the truth that in  dark times people need to have their stories heard.

Father Lapsley is a champion for giving voice to the those that have had their voice stolen from them.  This is a wonderful opportunity to hear wisdom from a truth teller and journey to a place where peace is the last word.

Please Register for the Truth and Reconciliation worship at reconciliationconference.eventbrite.com

View the Poster here.