“Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.”
Psalm 96:1-2
As we entered into our 22nd year as a school Dr. Derek McNeil, Acting President posed the question: What does it look like to sing a new song together? What does it look like to sing songs of redemption in even the darkest or most fragmented places? A new academic year is a new beginning but we always begin with a pause, at Sacred Assembly, (Re)Orientation, and Convocation, to root in our mission of serving God and neighbor through transforming relationships.
We were honored to welcome a new cohort of 90 graduate students to our community last week. We welcome them with the knowledge that the needs around us are great and the culture is even more fragmented. President McNeil named the challenges of our times and what he often refers to as ‘wicked problems’ and called the students to learn beyond the traditional graduate school frame of learning and training and into a posture of service. It is a privilege to commit to another year of learning and service together. In a world so in need of restoration we are grateful for the opportunity to form and send pastors, counselors, social leaders, and artists to engage with wisdom, courage, and creativity.
As we share these photos to mark the beginning of a new academic year we look forward to singing a new song of redemption together for the sacred work that lies ahead.
