GroshLink

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:

• 8/21 evening:  informal gathering to share vision, updates, financial concerns. Time/location in process.  Maybe 4:30 pm in the Highland Park area.
• 8/22:  local congregation in Pittsburgh

Please email me to let me know if you're available

1. to connect by appointment on Saturday during the day
2. to participate in an informal update gathering on Saturday evening

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

Note: A version of this letter was sent via email.  For more information request information by email, phone, or posting a comment. 

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, I will visit Pittsburgh June 26-27.  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 the importance of addressing our $15,000 fiscal year end shortfall (6/30 year) as we seek to

• create a Central PA Christian Scholars Network:  a pilot project of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN), http://www.emergingscholars.org/, & Faculty Ministry, http://www.intervarsity.org/gfm/faculty/.  To learn more, visit
  • http://www.facebook.com/CentralPaChristianScholars
  • http://www.etownbic.org/emergingscholars.
• establish the ESN blog, http://blog.emergingscholars.org/author/tomg/.  My interview series with Nathan Foster, son of Richard Foster and author of "Wisdom Chaser: Finding My Father at 14,000 Feet" (InterVarsity Press. 2010), began last week, http://blog.emergingscholars.org/2010/06/chasing-wisdom-with-nathan-foster/.   Next post will be 6/9/2010.  Note:  ESN Members: 3,604 as of April 2010 (8.4% increase from June 2009).   More stats coming in a future communication.
• further develop the Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS, http://www.pennstatecms.org/) in partnership with the Christian Medical & Dental Association, http://www.cmda.org/.  CMS is a ministry with a focus on Medical students but touches a wide diversity health care professionals (graduate students, medical students, nursing students, nurses, physicians, researchers). 
  • 40-60 participate in our weekly lunch outreaches (meals provide by partners in ministry)
  • 20-30 in our weekly Bible studies. 
  • 20 served in our Spring Break Project to the Dominican Republic. 
  • Quotes from alum regarding the value of the ministry coming in future posts.

The current itinerary for my visit:

• 6/26 evening:  informal gathering to share vision, updates, financial concerns. Time/location tba.
• 6/27, 9:40 am - 1 pm  Allegheny Center CMA, http://www.acac.net/.  Meet/greet/chat.  Details to tba.

Please email me to let me know if you're available

1.  to connect by appointment on Saturday during the day or Sunday in the afternoon
2.  to participate in an informal update gathering on Saturday evening
3.  (for those who are members of Allegheny Center CMA) to chat on Sunday morning.

I'll post an update when more details are available. 

One more day by the grace of God alone,

Thomas B. Grosh IV
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Graduate & Faculty Ministry http://www.groshlink.net/
http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_June_Prayer_Calendar.pdf (June prayer calendar)

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

A friend passed along to us Forbes.com names Pittsburgh 'most livable' (Sally Kalson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/3/2010).  Yes, it was a great place to live and engage in campus ministry.  Maybe that's why Theresa's "running back" to participate in Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with her mom on Mother's Day ;-) Hope she enjoys her visit to our old "haunts."

As for the rest of us, if it doesn't rain, I'm heading in a different direction in order to take the kids to the Landis Valley Farm Museum's Herb & Garden Faire.  I truly wouldn't be doing this without the help of my parents!  BTW, the twins love Landis Valley Farm Museum, and I wouldn't be surprised if the younger two do also, it seems to be in the blood which runs in both of our families.  

Reminds Theresa of the fun which we had with Odyssey of the Mind in high school.  Those were the memories, she particular remembers how much I talked in the car on the way back from Altoona ;-)  Now that's not much of a surprise, but I had even more to say back in the day -- believe that one?

HT: friend in 'da Burgh. 

Passed along to me by my friend Miller.  Looks great!  Wish this would have been in motion when I was in the 'da Burgh. 

WCD is a one year program in pittsburgh... live missionally in community, work part time, study, minister in multi-cultural East End ..scott sunquist, of pittsburgh seminary, is the director..

The World Christian Discipleship Program is designed for young university graduates who are interested in discerning and preparing for Christian vocation, regardless of occupation (church planter, lawyer, teacher, pastor, etc.). The program is non-traditional so students should be prepared to live a simple life, live in community, serve the East End communities, and live according to a  religious rule.

The WCD program is located in the East End of Pittsburgh, a multi-cultural area. Participants in the program live in the homes of local church members, work in local businesses, and share in the lives and  experiences of people in East Pittsburgh. The “classroom” is the community: its businesses, homes, parks and schools. Disciples meet in homes for meals, worship, discussion and community building.

Disciples work 15-20 hours per week in local businesses. They are to see themselves as a  missional presence in the East End. In addition they will be volunteering with local ministries (homeless, housing, etc.) and be assigned to a local church plant or a church in redevelopment. A one year commitment is expected.

PS.  It's great to see Scott Sunquist, W. Don McClure Associate Professor of World Mission and Evangelism at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and B.J. Woodworth, lead pastor of Open Door (PCUSA church plant in Pittsburgh's East End), bringing together the World Christian Discipleship Program.  Please forward to those with possible interest.  Note:  Application due by June 1.   

While serving on the prayer team at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Spring Leadership Team Meetings, I connected with a number of friends from across the movement.  With regard to Great Lakes, I particularly appreciated the opportunity to

1. be one of the first at the Spring Meetings to see pictures of Ronen Lewis (born 3/22/2010), i.e., the first grandchild of Fred Bailey, Great Lakes East regional director.  May God the Father richly bless Ronen.  May Ronan truly utter joyful sounds/song to the Lord.
2. room with York Moore and learn more about his current work with The Price of Life Outreach.
3. chat with Grove City's College's current campus staff member, i.e., Paul Hassell, regarding the increasing involvement of Missionary Kids (MK's) in the InterVarsity Mission Fellowship (IVMF) chapter of which Theresa and I were members.  He shared that they particularly resonated with a series on multi-cultural ministry, which led to an MK panel for large group.  Excellent idea to bridge multi-cultural, bi-cultural, and cross-cultural ministry, wish I could have been there to hear some of the stories.  Reminded me of the joy of growing in Christ as a member of IVMF.
4. discuss the Emerging Scholars Network with several interested staff.  Pray for new opportunities to develop in Great Lakes.

PS.  For those connected with InterVarsity Staff in Great Lakes/GFM:  Today, while at a gathering of the Brethren in Christ's Atlantic Conference, I met a couple who knew Christian Anible and Cam Anderson.  They shared memories from several decades back about their time on Michigan Tech and Cedar Campus.  I wish that I would have written down their names! It was a great encouragement to share memories of God's great work through Christian and Cam during their time with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  We miss Christian greatly, but know that his musical gifts are being offered in the presence of our King right now.

Wow! HT to my friend who posted the link on their blog, inspiring me to pack-up and head back to the Urban slopes, i.e., in my imagination. I'm probably too old to give this a try, but the footage helps me envision how the snowstorm blessed places which I used to trek around near our house and the campus. 

In Emerging Scholars at Jubilee 2010 my colleague Mike shares about the connections he made in 'da Burgh last weekend. Pray as he explores next steps in partnership with a number of ministries. I'm expecting that we'll both be back in 'da Burgh for Jubilee 2011. In addition to a reception/meal and various conversations (even interviews), hoping we have a booth to meet/chat with lots of students about the vision of the Emerging Scholars Network.

Time to turn my focus to today's ESN blog post.  Which reminds me, make sure you swing by the read Addressing Our Errors where I share notes from a presentation by a professor/practitioner of family medicine and an encouragment to meditate upon living out the Greatest Commandment as we journey through Lent (and beyond!).

Ever have a course which keeps coming back, one which you wonder whether you should have taken? After 15 or so years of such a dilemma in which I've seen Perspectives in the World Christian Movement offered in a number of formats in a variety of venues, I'm hoping to take a 1 week intensive at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  This version is sponsored by my friends at the World Mission Initiative program in connection with the Continuing Education Office at PTS and it's a perfect format for my schedule.  I'll be taking it for graduate credit, but other options include undegraduate credit and certificate.  Note:  it's also required as part of my developing relationship with Brethren in Christ World Missions

So, anyone from Central PA interested in a roadtrip? Any friends from 'da Burgh signing up? Hoping to see lots of friends when I'm in town.

Council puts tuition tax proposal on hold -- Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, December 17, 2009.

Comment:  We will be stretched to develop creative resolutions to trying circumstances during this economically challenging time.  Praying for wise decisions which seek to bless the larger community and not just specific institutional or governmental concerns.

Two recent related posts: Town vs. gown in 'da Burgh, Why I Am Hopeful It won't be easy for us -- and that's good

 

On Wednesday, the City Council is expected to give preliminary approval to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s proposal for a 1 percent tuition tax on students attending college in Pittsburgh, which he says will raise $16.2 million in annual revenue that is needed to pay pensions for retired city employees. Final Council action will be on Monday.

The tax would be the first of its kind in the nation, and other cities are watching closely as they try to find ways to close their own budget gaps. -- Pittsburgh Sets Vote on Adding Tax on Tuition (Ian Urbina, NY Times, December 15, 2009)

Praying for the town/gown relationship in 'da Burgh and for its impact upon many other institutions/localities.  I'm sure the legislature and/or the courts will have something to say before the end of this controversy.  Whatever the outcome, local government and institutions of higher education are facing complex budget concerns as they care for their populations and fiscal solvency.

Note:  Also read Ravenstahl pushes vote on tuition tax (Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, December 15, 2009)

For those in Pittsburgh, don't miss ...

Did the Puritans Create Modern Science?
University of Pittsburgh Veritas Conversations Forum

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time: 12:10pm - 1:30pm
Location: 837 William Pitt Union

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, recalling images of pilgrims in black clothes serving up a harvest meal. What does the Mayflower have to do with modern science? The answer lies in their English homeland during the most turbulent period of British history. This talk will present the many ways in which historians have suggested that Puritans played a essential role in the scientific revolution.

Dr. Jason M. Rampelt is a research fellow at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, St. Edmund's College, Cambridge. Since relocating to Pittsburgh in 2008, he has been a visiting scholar in History and Philosophy of Science at Pitt. Dr. Rampelt's writing to date has focused primarily on the relationship between theology and science in the lives of past scientists from 1600 to the present.

HT to Robin for links to the story of Dwelling House Savings and Loan, http://www.mellenpress.com/mellenpress.cfm?bookid=5500&pc=9, and the story of its demise, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_638429.html.  Difficult to read of Dwelling House Savings and Loan's demise.  The topic appears to have come up in a campus conversation regarding Economic Justice and the Spirit of Innovation (Edmund Phelps, First Things, October 2009).  Below's a quote I found of interest in Economic Justice and the Spirit of Innovation. 

At Carnegie Mellon U., a Gleaming Computer-Science Complex Worthy of M.C. Escher (Lawrence Biemiller, Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/21/2009). A must visit the next time I'm in 'da Burgh.  Anyone with stories/pictures to share? BTW, Bill Gates, major donor, will be speaking tomorrow at the opening.

     

Do any of my Carnegie Mellon University friends have resource suggestions to add or comments to make regarding ESN's Week in Review: Numbers Edition ;-)

I've been going non-stop for almost an entire week.  Pray for a time to rest. 

1. God the Father renewed connections w/His Body in 'da Burgh.  As always, the Spirit opened some surprise connections ;-)
2. The Lord provided safe travel there/back. To God be the glory!
3. Pray for Lily's complete healing.  The fever has passed, but she still has a diaper rash along with Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease.
4. On Monday, Theresa had a great day out w/her sister and mom.  I had the blessing of 2 young women from our local congregation helping with care of the 4 girls.  If you want to know about Theresa's shopping run, drop her a note ;-)
5. On Tuesday, I had a several hour conversation w/a representative of the Christian Medical & Dental Association. Lord willing, this fall will include a deeper connection with their work at PSU-Hershey Medical Center.  Note: Pray for our whole family to be good hosts for Christian Medical Society's July BBQ/Social next Wednesday.
6. Office: over the past two days I've assembled the IKEA shelving, emptied some boxes, & hung some pics. Wow!  I'm starting to "feel" like I am "home," at least for a time. ... Come Lord Jesus, Come.
7. Year-end financial numbers should be completed by the end of the week.  God has provided!  He alone is our true refuge and strength.
8. If you're not subscribed, periodically check Emerging Scholars Network Blog for new posts/comments.
9. If you're in Central PA, don't forget that we're having a Prayer Gathering for the Fall Mission on Thursday, June 30, 7pm, Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ.  For more information, drop us an email.
10. Gotta get Lily.  She just woke up from her nap and Eden's being "a little mommy."  More later ...

Please pray for my weekend visit to Pittsburgh.  While in town, I'll reconnect with several local congregations, friends, and donors.  Please pray that these meetings will be fruitful. With regard to the local congregations, I am visiting Memorial Park Church's Saturday 6 pm worship and Allegheny Center C&MA's 11:10 am Sunday worship. If you're from one of these congregations (or just in the area) and would like to connect, drop me a note.  On Saturday, I'll hang out at Memorial Park's Clayton Center after the service.  On Sunday, I'll catch a 12:15 pm lunch at the Union Place Cafe' before heading to the 1 pm Missions Team Meeting.

Please also pray for Theresa and the girls during my absence. She'll pick up Ellen and Hayley from Kenbrook on Friday ... then take the 4 girls to visit her family's cabin.  At the cabin, she'll hang out with her parents, her sister, and her sister's 3 boys ;-)

Pray for our family's visit to Pittsburgh this weekend.  We leave on Friday and return Monday afternoon.  The schedule is full as we'll reconnect with friends, former neighbors, students, alumni, and donors. On Sunday we'll worship with a partner congregation where Tom will share a few words and our family with have lunch with interested members of the congregation. Monday morning Eden will visit a facial nerve therapist to assess progress and hopefully come home with some exercises to practice.  Note:  If you're in 'da Burgh and want to see us, drop us an email or call on Tom's cell.

 (More)

Lord willing ...

1. Our family will visit friends, a donor congregation, and a facial neuorological therapist (for Eden) over the course of June 5-8.  Pray for 'quantifiable' improvement and clarity in next steps with regard to Eden's care.
2. Tom will visit friends, support team members, and Allegheny Center C&MA Missions Committee on July 11-12.

If you're in 'da Burgh and desire to connect, let us know.

Updates coming shortly, a growing family is catching up w/me & guiding the present. ...

The search process is beginning for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's new Information Technology Services Director. This position will provide leadership and management to leverage the effective use of enterprise architecture and technology which supports and enhances achievement of the Fellowship's operational and strategic goals.

Preferred candidates will have an advanced degree in Information Technology and ten years of experience managing IT systems and personnel. Anyone have interest or know someone who would be a good candidate? Carnegie Mellon alum? On-line info/application here

Thought my friends computer science friends would find Where Computer Science and Cultural Studies Collide of interest. The article highlighted SoftWhere 2008, Grand Text Auto, MIT Press Platform Studies, Critical Code Studies, Codology, Game Studies. Below's a quote:

Most users have no more knowledge of what their computer or code is actually doing than most automobile owners have of their carburetor or catalytic converter. Nor is any such knowledge necessarily needed. But for academics, driven by an increasing emphasis on the materiality of new media — that is, the social, cultural, and economic factors driving technical innovation, essentially the inverse of an old-school technological determinism that posited technology as the governing force in human activity — no hardware component is too exotic, no acronym too esoteric to escape critical notice. Put another way, software studies and its kin are the collision of computer science and cultural studies. -- from Where Computer Science and Cultural Studies Collide by Matthew Kirschenbaum in The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 23, 2009.

 PS.  Another piece you might find of interest posted at the Emerging Scholars Blog, What is the ‘Rightful Place’ of Science?

What a joy to read my faculty friend Miller's description of N.T. Wright's plenary expositions at Following Christ 08. Note: He also had a good word share regarding his personal conversations in the Natural Science and Mathematics Track. To God be the glory as His Spirit alone prepares the hearts of His people to graciously receive and apply the Word God!  

NT Wright does read from his script...but the content is quite good, and people listen well...and he had a great audience there...they smiled, and laughed at every subtle nuance that i missed...who wouldn't love to teach to have students like that...just reading part of john 17 where Jesus says, "I want them to be with me" ...and i was thinking how much at home I felt with those at this conference...how much they reflect the glory of God by their humble attitude, alert minds, humor, and desire to honor Christ in their careers...and when Christ returns, they will be even more like Him...i began thinking, what will it be like to be with people like this for all eternity...i sensed their love for each other...no feeling of competition as the Holy Spirit seemed so present (there had been prayer for three years in preparation for this conference)...there was a light hearted joy pervading the place...

As many of you know, our Graduate and Faculty Ministry staff team in Pittsburgh has grown.  Praise God!  At Following Christ, I'm looking forward to developing deeper relationships with the new staff, hearing their 2009 ministry vision, and reconnecting with students/faculty coming from Western PA.  Pray for insights regarding how we might partner in the coming year, particularly how I can pass along contacts and ways in which we might be able to expand the Emerging Scholars Network in relationship to faculty ministry resources.

Please join me in prayer:

1. Pray for InterVarsity's undergrad ministry to continue to boldly proclaim Jesus the Christ as the Way, the Truth, and Light in the midst of the various opportunities provided by Carnegie Mellon's Spiritual Development Month, click here for details.

2. as campus ministries develop and invite students to an alternative activity to the December 5, TBA film (i.e., code for the 1x term pornographic film shown on campus). Note: a previous post on the TBA film can be found at CMU Pornography Conversation Continues.