GroshLinkBecome part of daily conversations on living in the Biblical Story here & now . . . |
|
Last night Eden graduated from preschool today. Wow! Can you believe it? It's amazing how much improvement Eden's made and that she can't wait to go to kindergarten. Praise God!
Your prayers and care for Eden (and our family) continue to be a rich blessing and great encouragement. Thank-you.
Pray for Tom’s fruitful engagement in the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Scientific Affiliation: Science, Faith, & Public Policy (Washington D.C., July 30 - August 2). He’s attending to
What a joy it will be to see, hear, and learn more about the beauty/complexity of creation and our interaction with/care for it. To God be the glory!
No doubt I will be reminded of my high school gifted program classes/internships with the F&M geology lab and undergrad years as biology major at Grove City College, not to mention the 24/7 scientific community with which I interacted at Carnegie Mellon University/Pitt. Hope to come across some friends from these and other campuses.
Note: Since beginning ministry at PSU-Hershey Medical Center, my interest in BioMedical Ethics and the Call to Care has been strongly renewed. I'm looking forward to how BioMedical Ethics (in addition to Creation Care) will be explored in the coming days. I'll be exploring resources/materials to use in preparation for Dennis Hollinger's 9/26 Christian Scholar Series presenations on Christian Ethics in Life & Death and Challenging sexual ethics issues Christians, http://www.etownbic.org/hollinger/.
Go to http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_August_Prayer_Calendar.pdf to print our August 2010 Prayer Calendar and continue to walk with us in prayer over the course of coming month.
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
We rejoice in your standing with us in so many ways during a full year of sharing Christ in the complex mission field of higher education. Pray for us as we jump into a new "academic term" of ministry at PSU-Hershey Medical Center with a Christ-centered passion, intensity, and "call to care." Pray for the new students (medical, nursing, and graduate) who are arriving to "get settled," find their way around, and come into contact with the various new year activities provided by CMS. Key upcoming activities/dates to remember in prayer: orientation beginning (8/2), 1st classes (8/9), 1st CMS weekly lunch outreaches (8/10).
A few updates:
1. The August Prayer Calendar is posted at http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_August_Prayer_Calendar.pdf. Note: page 2 has a list of upcoming events. For those
2. Fiscal Update: Many of you have asked and given sacrificially during a stretching economic time. Thank-you. We rejoice in your concern and your standing with us in prayer, gifts [financial, office supplies, food, household (especially with Eden), time, skills, even services], and encouragement. The numbers are in and the bottom line is that we ended with a shortfall of $5,318 (reduced from the anticipated $15,000 shortfall). This will be addressed in the 2010-2011 fiscal year by adding the amount to the $92,000 which we're budgeted to raise in the coming fiscal year. Please email us if you desire some detail regarding our budget and unique forms of giving/volunteering to advance the work.
How about PR and making "must attend" movie openings, e.g., Marketing ‘Tron: Legacy’ Brings the Hardest Sell Yet (Brooks Barnes, NY Times. 7/26/2010). http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/business/media/26tron.html).
“If this thing isn’t a hit,” said John Juarez, a Comic-Con attendee, “somebody at Disney is going to have a lot of explaining to do.”
Yes, it's a business with the importance of getting material on screen which will sell and being sure to lock-down advance ads (Brooks Barnes. "Screenvision to Revamp Preshow Ads at Cinemas." NY Times. 7/26/2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/business/media/26screenvision.html). Some complementary thoughts shared in yesterday's post: "A fan of a critic ...," http://groshlink.net/archives/2010/07/26/a-fan-of-a-critic-....
One of several trailers emphasizing a variety of threads: http://www.youtube.com/v/L9szn1QQfas
Do you remember in 1982 when we heard, "In the future video game battles will be a matter of life or death"? I think that I liked Jeff Bridges more "back in the day."
Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084827/.
I really appreciated A. O. Scott's "Everybody’s a Critic of the Critics’ Rabid Critics," (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/movies/25scott.html, NY Times, 7/21/2010), generated by the reviews of "Inception." Below's his "conclusion," opening up further reflection/conversation.
Film culture on the Internet does not only speed up the story of a movie’s absorption of a movie into the cultural bloodstream but also reverses the sequence. Maybe my memory is fuzzy, or maybe I’m dreaming, but I think it used to be that “masterpiece” was the last word, the end of the discussion, rather than the starting point.
But in this case we end up with where we should have started, wondering what the movie is about, what it means, puzzling over symbols and plot points. It’s almost as if we’re all in a movie that’s running backward, like “Memento.” Which was totally overrated. Unless it was a masterpiece. I’m going to have to see it again.
When I shared Scott's article with Theresa, she mentioned her agreement with the over-rated nature of the current review structure (in both positive/negative directions). With regard to the question of when a "piece" becomes a "masterpiece," she used the illustration of the Beatles, i.e., when did the Beatles become such a monumental band ("a masterpiece" or those which churned out "masterpiece" albums and/or songs)?
So, we find "masterpiece" too much for a new release (let alone use in a "pre-release" commentary). Maybe in the larger culture, on-line critics provide the much needed yes/no filter to sift through the overwhelming stream of new media options. It seems that some "take it all in" (or as much as they can) despite how bad it is, whereas others prioritize based on what is supposedly a "must see" by those they consider "well-informed." I guess for us, other concerns set the stage (Note: Earlier post related to "Inception," What do you dream about? Who is in your dream world? -- http://groshlink.net/archives/2010/07/20/what-do-you-dream-about).
As for "Inception," I'm afraid that at present I can envision/dream enough of it for myself.
Confession 1: Scott's typically the first film review I read on new releases. As such, I've read his review (http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/07/16/movies/16inception.html), along with some others (e.g., Steven D. Greydanus. Christianity Today. 7/16/2010. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/reviews/2010/inception.html), and watched some trailers. Result: "Inception" has been wait listed for so we can enjoy the summer with our family (and extended family). Nothing like the "masterpiece" of God's creation, God's story, family, friendships, the Body of Christ. ... which reminds me of a post which I wrote about "Inception" on July 20, What do you dream about? Who is in your dream world? (http://groshlink.net/archives/2010/07/20/what-do-you-dream-about).
Confession 2: I don't want to come across as "holier" than the silverscreen and leave the impression that movies (and the media in general) have been taken out of our family's mix this summer. So to come clean, in addition to the reading frenzy (some below, more coming a future post on this topic), recently ...
I've met several descendants of French Huguenots, including the seminar instructor for my first term of Grove City College's Core Curriculum. Although born in the United States, she had grown up in a family which had never disconnected from it's Huguenot faith, ethnicity, and culture (including speaking French).
During my first year in college I had much to criticize with regard to the Christian faith. I was wrestling with recent issues in the community of faith in which I had been raised and projected these concerns upon Christian Theology/Church History. My instructor listened patiently, asked questions, shared her family's story (going back generations), lived as a Christ-follower, and pointed me to next steps in Christian community/exploration of faith (in particular choosing a local congregation which deeply opened the Word of God each week and taking a my second term of Core Curriculum with a faculty who could address/discuss my 'pile of questions). What an inspirational picture of an Emerging Scholar. To God be the glory!
If you are unfamiliar with Huguenots and are interested in learning about them this summer, a number of on-line resources are available. For example, Christian History &
Biography has issue focused on "The Huguenots," http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/2001/issue71/.
A couple articles of particular interest:
At PSU-Christian Medical Society's Tuesday Bible study, we focused upon I Peter 4:12 - 5. This week we'll finish our summer study of I Peter by focusing upon I Peter 5:5-11. I Peter 5:5-11 has returned to my mind several times over the course of the past several days. I share it for your edification and to ask for you to pray for growing Christ-likeness in my life/ministry.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble."Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. -- I Peter 5:5-11 (NIV)
Desire equipping in Youth & Young Adult Ministry? At the Brethren in Christ General Conference, I found that a masters degree is in the works at Messiah College, possibly starting in Spring 2011. Wow! Until then, take advantage of Byron Borger's excellent book list about young adult ministry (7/15/2010, http://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/book_list_about_young_adult_mi/) and the numerous posts/resources provided by the Center for Youth & Parent Understanding (CPYU, http://www.cpyu.org).
Comment: As you know, I've been seeking to address this concern for quite some time, visit Next steps for Next Steps, http://groshlink.net/archives/2009/03/17/next-steps-for-next-steps. Honestly, I've found youth ministers for the most part unable to address/engage these issues. For awhile I thought it was a lack of engagement and interest. But it probably has more to do with them giving all they can to keep the middle schoolers/high schoolers involved, i.e., they lack the time/resources to invest in next steps and continue to connect with young adults.
My most 'successful' conversations regarding the post-high school journey in Christ (w/an emphasis on college) has been with parents. Recently, I've begun to wonder if a focus upon material for parents of middle schoolers would be a better approach ... this would carry into engagement with high schoolers and young adults. Not suprisingly I continue to move more and more in the direction of family-based youth ministry. Maybe I should start a thread focusing on our family's experience through these years (twins enter 5th grade in the fall).
Note: In August I'll be speaking with Young Adults on "What Faith Can Do, http://www.roxburycamp.com/#/camp-meeting/2010-young-adults. I'll share material from these sessions on the blog. Praying for more opportunity to wrestle with these concerns with youth, parents, youth/college/young adult ministers, and local congregations. If you (and/or your local congregation) have interest in discussion, let me know.
This week is "Know Your Christian Hipster History" week... Throughout the week, if you re-post a FB item from Hipster Christianity (tag Hipster Christianity in your post) or tweet a link to a Hipster Christianity post (tag @brettmccracken on Twitter), you'll be entered in a drawing for a free autographed copy of the book. 5 books will be given away on Friday!
Still not convinced of and/or have the time for twitter, so hope this post places me in the running ;-)
More seriously, a few more thoughts on Hipster Christianity: When Church and Cool Collide (Brett McCraken. Baker Books. 2010), http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/about.php to add to What's your Christian Hipster Quotient? Note: As with the first post, the material is an adaption of a BIC-TALK post. This post touches upon how Hipster Christianity overlaps with fashion/looks and whether the whole thing is just a joke. As you may guess, concerns stemming from taking the quiz, http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/quiz.php ;-)
==========
Yes, in some ways Hipster
Christianity is a joke or at least a concept which deserves a ;-) Below's part of the author profile, http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/about.php, which helpfully shares the genesis of the book.
Yes,
there are some "looks" which have become more acceptable to "cool
Christians" in Evangelical circles, e.g., http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10278&id=112719812101235&ref=mf,
http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/anatomy.php,
but I don't think it's about 'the look' as much as 'Evangelicalism's
younger generation's' journey, attitude, issues, and questions in
relationship to the mid-to-late-20th Century/21st Century Evangelical subculture. I
think that the issues are probably different for those born-and-raised
in the Evangelical subculture versus those who entered in as 'adults'
[e.g., Some such as myself have a stronger critique of the larger American culture which we left (e.g., "American Dream," "Amusing Ourselves to Death," "Consumerism," "Cultural Relativism"/Tolerance, "The End of Education," lack of "Creation Care," etc.) and don't quite 'understand' a lot of Evangelical subculture (the pieces of 20th Century and 21st Century wider Evangelicalism with which we didn't interact with as children and have concerns regarding its purpose/direction). The point is to embrace, be continually present in/transformed by, and share the salt, light, and leaven of Christ to the glory of God through all of one's person as a member of the people of God directed by the Word and Spirit of God].In addition, I think that Evangelicalism has more of a range than the Evangelical and popular press acknowledge (by denomination, colleges/seminaries, geography, family). Question: How does your local congregation/denomination currently relate to the 'Evangelical subculture' as widely understood by the Evangelical and popular press?
As I've been rooting around the author's blog, http://stillsearching.wordpress.com/,
I found a number of posts to help frame Brett McCracken's perspective.
Came across a NY Times Op-Ed entitled, Tweet Less, Kiss More (Bob Herbert. NY Times Op-Ed. 7/16/2010). Below's the conclusion. Enjoy today. This summer. Into the fall, i.e., the new academic year :-)
We need to reduce the speed limits of our lives. We need to savor the trip. Leave the cellphone at home every once in awhile. Try kissing more and tweeting less. And stop talking so much.
Listen.
Other people have something to say, too. And when they don’t, that glorious silence that you hear will have more to say to you than you ever imagined. That is when you will begin to hear your song. That’s when your best thoughts take hold, and you become really you -- Tweet Less, Kiss More (Bob Herbert. NY Times Op-Ed. 7/16/2010).
How do you score on the Christian Hipster Quotient (CHQ), http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/quiz.php? Note: A feature of the website for the soon to be released Hipster Christianity: When Church and Cool Collide (Brett McCraken. Baker Books. 2010), http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/about.php. Other features include profile pics, http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/anatomy.php, and a chapter download, http://www.hipsterchristianity.com/freeChapter.php.
I'm sure that it will not surprise many that I have a Low CHQ. But what do you think about the accuracy of the below description?
Your Christian Hipster Quotient:
68 /120Low CHQ. You probably belong to the purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive, Hawaiian shirt-wearing Christian establishment, even though you are open to some of the "rethinking Christianity" stuff. You seem to like edginess in some measure but become uneasy when your idea of Christian orthodoxy is challenged by some renegade young visionary who claims the virgin birth isn't necessary.
I think that the quiz makes too strong a point by the questions themselves. A number are difficult for me to answer. I wish 'none of the above,' had been a regular option or that all the questions didn't need to be answered for the quiz
to calculate its results.
Yes, I'm encouraging you to take and reflect upon the quiz. Yes, you are more than welcome to share your results/reflections and larger meditations on the relationship of Christ - the follower of Christ - the Body of Christ - Kingdom of God - Culture :-)
When I was younger, I watched, dreamed, and imagined films like Inception (2010). Furthermore, I wondered why everyone else wasn't generating similar dreams and desiring to jump into them (and their media creations) with me.
Over the past couple years real life has become too gritty to regularly watch, dream, and imagine these type of realities. As such, I long for, dream, and strive toward much different realities:
To conclude, at present, This Time the Dream’s on Me (A.O. Scott. NY Times Movie Review. 7/15/2010), ‘Inception’ Exceeds Box-Office Dreams (Brooks Barnes. NY Times. 7/18/2010), and Inception's Official Website are all I need regarding the film. But if you were one of the many to see the film (who helped make Inception #1 in North American theaters, so much so to give Leonardo DiCaprio his biggest opening ever), feel free to share your thoughts on it and lure me to the theater .... Otherwise, I'll wait until DVD ... or fill the gaps between the clips/trailers for myself :-0
The summer has been full and it does not appear to be letting up. Please forgive me for not posting our July Prayer Calendar earlier, it is now available at http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_June_Prayer_Calendar.pdf. Your intercession is greatly coveted/desired by our family and those with whom we minister on campuses in Central PA, in South Central PA as a community, within InterVarsity Christian Fellowship [through a variety of connections including InterVarsity Press (IVP) and Emerging Scholars Network], and on the web (e.g., http://blog.emergingscholars.org).
Fiscal Update: Many of you have asked. Thank-you. We rejoice in your concern and your standing with us in prayer, gifts [financial, office supplies, food, household (especially with Eden), time, skills, even services], and encouragement. So the numbers are in and the bottom line is that we ended with a shortfall of $5,318. This will be addressed in the 2010-2011 fiscal year by adding the amount to the $92,000 which we're budgeted to raise in the coming fiscal year.* At the beginning of July, we received a $2,000 gift to address the shortfall, adjusting the number at $3,318. God provides through His people through His means in His timing. We wait upon Him. To God alone be the glory for the provision and the work on campus!
Reconnecting: If you're in the Pittsburgh area, let us know if you're available to connect when we're in the area 8/21-22, for more swing by 8/21-22 Pittsburgh Visit. If you're not from the Pittsburgh area (or not available over that interval) and desire to touch base, please email, call, or message us.
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. -- II Corinthians 5:14-15, NIV
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Lord willing, our whole family will visit Pittsburgh August 21-22. The purpose of the visit will be to share how God has led/cared for our family during a long transition in ministry/family life and give praise for God's continuing provision for the work to which He has called us. Note: We ended the year with a shortfall of $5,318 to be addressed in the 2010-2011 by adding this amount to the $92,000 which we're budgeted to raise in the coming fiscal year. At the beginning of July, we received a $2,000 gift to address the shortfall, leaving the number at $3,318. God provides through His people through His means, His timing. We wait upon Him. To God be the glory!
Back to the visit ... we're still developing the itinerary. At present it appears that we'll have:
Please email me to let me know if you're available
More information coming shortly. For those in Pittsburgh, stay tuned :-)
One more day by the grace of God alone,
Thomas
B. Grosh IV
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Graduate & Faculty Ministry
http://www.groshlink.net/
10_July_Prayer_Calendar.pdf
For Tom & Theresa's work with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, direct gifts to "InterVarsity Christian Fellowship" P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895. Please enclose a separate piece of paper indicating that the gift is for the work of "Tom Grosh." On-line giving available at www.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh
Before flying out, Steve Lane (Pastor of Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ) dropped me an email to let me that he'll be joined at Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA, http://www.theologicaltraininginafrica.org/) by Matthew S. Harmon. Matt is the Professor of New Testament Studies, Grace College & Theological Seminary. And his blog on Biblical Theology, http://bibtheo.blogspot.com/, is #11 on Christian College dot com's Top 100 Theology Blog List, http://www.christiancolleges.com/blog/2009/top-100-theology-blogs/.
Hmm. The world of blogs. I wonder if Matt will post about his time at TCCA with Steve. Maybe I can get an inside scoop before he returns (or after the trip if the connection isn't good). Maybe Matt will be an inspiration to Steve to start a blog for Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ ;-)
Note 1: Earlier post TCCA Connections -- Example of a small world & the work of God.
Note 2: I wonder how this list was generated. Good to see that Scot McKnight's Jesus Creed made the list. I'd rank it much higher ;-) Wonder if BioLogos or Emerging Scholars might make future lists.
Last weekend I was at the Brethren in Christ General Conference, serving as one of the delegates from Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ. To catch some superb summaries of presentations and lots of pictures (including of Bible Quizzers) visit the conference blog at http://bic-church.org/gc2010/blog/.
As for myself, it was a joy to get to know the Brethren in Christ more deeply, both on the level of vision/strategy and those from the Body of Christ who were present. Some personal highlights:
Continuing to pray for God's transforming work among the Brethren in Christ over the course of the next two years. Looking forward to the stories of God's transforming work which
will be shared along the journey to and at General Conference 2012. To
God be the glory!
Steve Lane, Pastor of Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ, is en route with his family to teach for several weeks at the Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA, http://www.theologicaltraininginafrica.org/). While at the Brethren in Christ General Conference (7/9-12), I had the opportunity to meet TCCA faculty Richard and Kathey Stuebin, http://www.theologicaltraininginafrica.org/staff.php. One of the first things Richard shared with me was that he is an alum of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, who served with InterVarsity in the U.S. and later assisted with IFES. And as you can tell, the call to open up the Word and equip others continues.
What a joy to meet Richard and Kathy, to hear their stories and to learn of how their passion for the Word has been passed on to their son who ministers with youth at Grantham Brethren in Christ! A gift of God. The Call of God. That's why we love doing what we're doing as part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.* Looking forward to some partnering with two generations of Stuebins in the coming months, years. ... To God be the glory!
*As you may remember Steve is also an InterVarsity alum. Both Steve and Richard received theological training at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the president of which will speak for the Central PA Christian Scholars Network on Sunday, September 26. For information visit http://www.etownbic.org/hollinger.
Movies are a wonderful form of entertainment, and for Christians, are a great way to affirm faith and learn more about Christianity. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, drama, history, or just a good Christmas story, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Check out our list to find 100 of the best Christian movies of all time -- Britney Wilkins, 100 All-Time Best Movies for Christians, Christian Colleges Blog, http://www.christiancolleges.com/blog/2009/100-all-time-best-movies-for-christians/.
Recently read and discussed the below passage of C.S. Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader with the twins. I was still thinking about the section when I was clearing out the reader, "Are We More Than Bodies?" (Commentary written by the BioLogos editorial staff. 7/4/2010. http://biologos.org/blog/are-we-more-than-bodies/).
In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace declares, “In our world a star is a huge ball of flaming gas.” The fallen star Ramandu replies, “Even in your world, my son, that is not what a star is but only what it is made of” (emphasis added).
Are we more than bodies? How about stars? A question for living, for fiction, for theology, for Hubble, for all of the above? I'll bring it with me to the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Scientific Affiliation: Science, Faith, & Public Policy (July 30 – August 2, Washington D.C.) when I visit NASA: Goddard Space Flight Center with Jennifer Wiseman, Chief of the Laboratory for Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics.
At http://blog.emergingscholars.org/2010/07/more-reactions-to-cls-v-martinez/, Micheal Hickerson shares some quotes/insights gathered 1 week after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Christian Legal Society v. Martinez. What are your thoughts? How do you think this ruling will affect Christian organizations on college campuses? Please let us know.
Looking to explore Kingdom living and social transformation? Then check out the Hearts & Minds Bookstore story and the related book deals at http://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/hm_travels_through_the_alphabe/. Note: I have almost every one of these books on my shelf (not just because many of them are excellent InterVarsity Press books, but because they truly are excellent resources), so let me know if you'd like to borrow one to take a look at before investing ;-)
PS> Anyone willing to volunteer to help me fill out my library with the couple books I'm short on?
“We answer to a higher authority,” the voice proclaims. -- Red, White and Kosher (Sue Fishkoff, NY Times Op-Ed, 7/2/2010).
Yes, our Gentile family has bought into kosher, well at least Hebrew National, with pride. Maybe it's the New York City influence ;-) One found Hebrew National beef hot dogs w/the Hebrew National Mustard (but they were wheat, not kosher rolls) next to the vegetarian burgers, hot dogs, and baked beans. How about you? What does a Fourth of July spread look like for you? Note: We also had watermelon, hummus/chips, various cheeses, corn, salad, and cornmeal muffins with the impression of the statue of liberty. Drinks included iced tea, chocolate soymilk, water. Vanilla ice cream, blueberry/gooseberry crumble, and chocolate chip cookies to top it all off outside next to the kiddie pool.
FYI: According to the Op-Ed ...
"Kosher is the fastest-growing segment of the domestic food industry, with bigger sales than organic. One-third to one-half of the food in American supermarkets is kosher-certified, representing more than $200 billion of the country’s estimated $500 billion in annual food sales, up from $32 billion in 1993.
Given that Jews make up less than 2 percent of the population, and most of them don’t keep kosher, it’s clear that the people buying this food are mostly non-Jews. While some consumers probably aren’t aware that their pasta or cookies are kosher, many are folks who believe that “higher authority” promise." ... Comment: But there has been some issues with the orthodox, not to mention business/slaughterhouse intrigue. Looking forward to reading more about it. For more visit Red, White and Kosher (Sue Fishkoff author of the forthcoming “Kosher Nation: Why More and More of America’s Food Answers to a Higher Authority." NY Times Op-Ed. 7/2/2010).
My response to John Simpson's, president of the University at Buffalo, SUNY, article Framing the Conversation on Research Universities (Inside Higher Ed. 7/2/2010.) may be as simple as Americans seek avenues to enjoy life and sustain a certain lifestyle. They do not embrace a craft/vocation to the benefit of the larger community/culture/society. Why should they? What larger meaning, purpose, and direction has been offered, nurtured, sustained for them by K-12 education, mass media, local communities, family? Note: Living in rural Lancaster County, PA, I am struck by the fact that there has never been a time when all Americans have sought after the higher education.
Yes, the 1862 Morrill Act/Land Grant College Act was a great step forward for our nation which provided an educational opportunity for many. But the individualistic foundations and mass media focus of our larger culture are hard to shake. Higher education should continue to address these concerns through special summer programs and increased partnership with K-12 education. But their strongest investment should be in relationships with parents, educators, local school boards, libraries, etc. In the end, transformation occurs on the local level where word/narrative and example come together ... but what narrative do they have to offer? Quite frankly, U.S. prosperity, security, and global competitiveness in the 21st century is not the narrative for my family. Time for us to start writing out our family's narrative/mission/core values, for some of my personal narrative visit here
Two additional items:
Powered by Lime Daley
and LifeType
Original Design By Michael Heilemann,
modified for LifeType by Knight