ICS E-Newsletter: December 2024

Greetings Vidya!

Please join us this December in praying that the Gospel's message of renewal permeate ICS, Canada, and, ultimately, every aspect of creation. Your support, especially your prayer, allows ICS to reform, extend, and amplify the Reformational tradition, advocating for human flourishing in a world which so often diminishes human life and creational life.

May God bless you and keep you.

Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them;

for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child

will never enter it.

—Luke 18:16-17

Strangers, Gods, or Monsters? Who are these aliens crying at the gates of our twilight civilization? This is a question the Irish philosopher Richard Kearney encourages us to ask, and one my students and I are currently pursuing in a seminar on his work.

Kearney’s project invites us to consider the possibility that the approaching stranger, one who at first sight might appear fearsome and menacing, may in fact be someone who carries the trace of a God who calls us into loving relationship with all our neighbours, far and near, human and more-than-human, familiar and foreign—like the strangers who appeared to Abraham under the oak of Mamre, or the angel who appeared to Mary in that fateful scene we call the annunciation.

Yet because of our overwhelming tendency to treat strangers as aliens to be feared and excluded, says Kearney, God must constantly call for justice for the widow, orphan, and stranger: “The very fact that the Lord must repeatedly enjoin justice to prevent hatred of the foreign is itself an acknowledgment that initial responses to aliens are more likely to be fear than love.” (Anatheism, 21)

My students and I spent some time pondering the truth of Kearney’s last remark. One of them wondered if this claim was true for children as well as adults. Is this fear of the alien instinctual, or learned? While this might be an impossible question to answer definitively, it made me think about our Messiah’s call to receive the Kingdom as little children. Perhaps when Jesus made this claim he had in mind the fearless and non-judgmental way that children welcome people who are new to them?

In 2023 the musician Peter Gabriel, who became internationally famous in the 1980s with the massive hit album So, released his first album in over twenty years, i/o. Walking my dog Argo the other day, a song from that record, “So Much,” came onto my feed. The song is about youth and aging, possibility and finitude, tensed between two poles: “So much to aim for” vs. “Only so much can be done.” Then, the following verse from the 74-year-old troubadour burst into my consciousness:

The body stiffens, tires and aches

In its wrinkled, blotchy skin

With each decade, more camouflage

For the wild-eyed child within

This verse immediately struck me as incredibly poignant, a simultaneous mixture of melancholy and hope. While age inevitably distances us from the wild-eyed child within, this child yet abides, and we have only to beat back the decades of camouflage to re-establish our vital connection to her. Gabriel here intimates the hopeful message that, although it might be difficult, we may always return to seeing our world through these wild and wonderful childish eyes, the eyes that see limitless possibility where our adult selves see only hopeless futility. Our Redeemer invites us to do no less, for that way lies the kingdom of God, after all.

And thus the glad tidings of Isaiah proclaim the miracle that saves the world: “For unto us, a child is born.”

Shalom, friends!

Ron Kuipers

As we enter the Advent season, we are reminded to realign our priorities with the hope and renewal symbolized by Christ's birth. Let us reflect on the ways we can prepare our hearts to welcome this season with gratitude and purpose. Pray for the ICS community to be a beacon of hope during this time, fostering spaces where renewal and transformation can take root.

Monday, December 2 - Friday, December 7:

This week marks the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ICS, taking place on December 7. Please pray for the clarity of vision and leadership that this meeting requires, and might engender going forward. Pray that attendees are inspired to support the mission of amplifying the Gospel's message of renewal to every corner of creation. May the discussions be guided by wisdom, unity, and the desire to serve the broader community of faith.

The postal strike presents challenges to communication, yet it also invites us to find new and creative ways to stay connected. Let us pray that this situation becomes an unexpected blessing, prompting deeper and more meaningful interactions. Pray that everyone who needs to connect with ICS during this time—whether students, donors, or partners—finds alternative ways to do so effectively.

We celebrate the launch of Dr. Brian Walsh’s new book, Rags of Light: Leonard Cohen and the Landscape of Biblical Imagination. This unique work brings together Cohen's poetic and musical legacy with profound theological insights, making it a rich resource for those exploring the intersections of faith, culture, and art. The book launch, part of the Snell Lecture series, will take place on December 8 at St. James Cathedral in Toronto and includes a Eucharist, reception, and lecture. Please pray for the success of this event, that it may inspire attendees and further the conversation about the role of imagination in faith (RSVP).

Monday, December 9 - Friday, December 13:

As the last week of classes unfolds, we reflect on the dedication and growth of both students and faculty throughout this term. Please pray for students as they prepare to transition from structured classes to the focused work of writing their final papers and completing projects. Pray for faculty, including Nik Ansell, Edith van der Boom, Ron Kuipers, Neal DeRoo, Rebekah Smick, Gideon Strauss, and Jim Olthuis, that they may find fulfillment in wrapping up their courses and guiding their students toward academic and personal insights.

This week includes the ICS Christmas Party on December 13, an opportunity for the community to come together in fellowship and celebration. Pray that this gathering provides moments of joy, renewal, and a sense of shared purpose as we close out the year. May it be a time for exchanging ideas, building connections, and fostering a deeper sense of belonging.

Monday, December 16 - Friday, December 20:

As the semester winds down, this week offers a moment for rest and reflection for the ICS community. Pray that students, staff, and faculty can find respite from the busyness of their schedules and take time to renew their spirits. May this period of rest strengthen their ability to reengage with their work and studies with renewed vigor in the new year.

Let us pray for those who are thirsting for meaningful conversations and intellectual engagement to discover ICS as a place where they can explore their questions in a supportive and transformative environment. Pray for the ongoing outreach efforts that seek to connect these individuals with the unique opportunities ICS provides.

Financial challenges often weigh heavily during this time of year. Let us pray for those in the ICS community and beyond who are experiencing financial strain. May they find relief, support, and unexpected provision to meet their needs. Pray for wisdom and compassion as we work to address these challenges together.

For those traveling during this time, pray for safety and peace. Whether journeying to reconnect with loved ones or exploring new opportunities, may their travels be fruitful and filled with moments of grace.

Monday, December 23 - Friday, December 27:

As we celebrate the profound mystery of Christ’s birth, let us reflect on the surprising ways God enters into our lives. Pray that we may all find new and unexpected possibilities as we contemplate the light that shines in the darkness. May this season remind us of the boundless hope and renewal that Christ brings to the world, and the ways in which we might participate be messengers of that hope.

For those who feel isolated or without community during this time, pray that they may find peace and connection. Let us also remember those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. May they be comforted by the presence of family, friends, and the enduring hope of the Christmas message.

Monday, December 30 - Friday, January 3:

As the year draws to a close and a new one begins, let us take time to reflect deeply on the world we live in and the roles we play within it. Pray that we may discern the changes we wish to see and the steps we can take to bring them to fruition. May this be a time of inspiration, resolution, and a renewed commitment to living out God’s call in our lives.

Pray that as we move into the new year, the ICS community continues to grow in its mission to facilitate meaningful conversations, sharing and modelling the Gospel’s message of renewal. May the work of ICS be a light that illuminates pathways of transformation in the coming year.

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Donating to ICS

Today is Giving Tuesday. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is meant to encourage people to support causes they care about through donations, volunteering, and acts of kindness.

In the midst of the Canada Post strike, we hope you will consider donating to ICS, helping our faculty equip students to spread the Gospel's message of renewal to every corner of creation.

Please contact Vidya if you need help donating at 416-979-2331 x223 or email her at vwilliams@icscanada.edu.

CanadaHelps (CAN)

Credit card over the phone (CAN)

Friends of ICS (USA)