Friday, May 15, 2020

Pittsburgh Theology Seminary Continuing Education News - May 2020

Celebrating Our Creativity

May is a month when many families would be preparing for graduations and weddings. Perhaps like several of my friends, you are anticipating or celebrating the birth of a new grandchild that you would love to hold. Instead, we are sheltering at home to protect those we love from an invisible intruder. How can we express our pride, joy, and love to those we consider most precious in this world? My answer: in simple and imaginative ways.

One of my mother's neighbors had friends do a drive-by parade for her son's 11th birthday—complete with signs, balloons, and lots of horn honking. A principal placed pictures of the senior class on posters along the high school driveway to honor the school’s 2020 graduates. Neighbors in a small town drew greetings of support with sidewalk chalk to encourage those walking by. Our incredible creativity to make something from (almost) nothing reminds me of all that we share with God.

We are formed in God's image, and we are all witness to God's pleasure in creating. Just observe the diversity of life that surrounds us—the span of a bird's wings while flying, the tiniest of ants crawling in the grass, and buds bursting forth in a multitude of colors. If not for God's joy in creating, why are there platypus and jellyfish? Our innovative skills mirror God in so many ways—from making no-sew masks from old t-shirts to using technology to sustain social and business relationships. Teachers are reading books to their students online, friends are reuniting after years of being apart, and gyms are offering virtual training sessions to clients. What a gift to be made with the characteristics of a compassionate, kind, and talented God!

Our office is also stretching our creative skills to plan programs from an appropriate social distance. We will be offering When the Well Runs Dry: Compassion Fatigue and the Work of Caregiving as a multi-week, online offering in late June 2020. Moving ahead, we ask that you complete the linked survey to assist our planning for next year’s events. Finally, something to look forward to: we have rescheduled the Henderson Summer Leadership Conference on the common good with Valarie Kaur for May 23-26, 2021. Go ahead and put it on your calendar—registration will open later this year. Valarie is posting on her website Revolutionary Love Project if you want to learn more about her work.

For today, my wish is that the next time you look outside your window, you will take a deep breath and let your senses explore the expansive artistry before you. Keep on imagining, creating, and innovating!

Blessings and virtual hugs,
Lori Arnold
Coordinator, Office of Continuing Education

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Looking Forward at PTS

World Mission Initiative Conference: "Jesus Christ and the 'Dividing Wall' Race and God's Mission" / Oct. 2-3, 2020 / Learn More

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