Thanksgiving 2022

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Today we stand at the intersection of the national holiday of Thanksgiving and the Christian season of Advent.

This is where we’re always located as people who seek God and do our best to follow the way of Jesus. Karl Barth expressed it this way: What other time or season can or will the Church ever have but that of Advent? The apostle Paul wrote: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess. 5:16-18). We dwell at the corner of Gratitude and Hope. Like people of faith before us, we do so even in times of war, plague, social unrest, and personal heartache. This year at New College Berkeley we’re especially full of gratitude and hope, for last spring, even as the pandemic persisted, we celebrated our 45th year of ministry! We prayed for New College’s new co-executive directors, Craig Wong and Dr. Tim Tseng, extending our hands toward them, affirming all God is doing through their leadership. A “new thing” springs forth! Do you not perceive it? Less than a year into Craig and Tim’s good work, there is fresh energy rising in the College’s programs. Churches around the Bay Area and the U. C. Berkeley and G. T. U. communities are being invigorated by course offerings which hydrate depleted “rivers” with new grace and hope. Craig and Tim are hosting lively conversations among Christians of various racial-ethnic backgrounds, enriching the soil in which the Church today must thrive. The prayerful, year-long spiritual formation programs are underway, touching the lives of people in the US and Canada, clergy and laity, professionals and university students. Join me now (extend a hand, if you wish) in praying the benediction we offered last spring for our new directors Tim Tseng and Craig Wong and this vital ministry of New College Berkeley:

O God, we pray Your grace and blessing on Your servants Tim Tseng and Craig Wong as they lead the precious college and community of New College Berkeley, an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union, a member of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, and ministry partner to churches. Bless Craig’s and Tim’s heads, hearts, and hands in the executive directorship of New College Berkeley, as they—and those of us who serve alongside them as staff, faculty, trustees, alumni, students and supporters—continue “to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4), following Jesus.

We thank you, friends, for your much-needed prayers and ongoing support! We pray for you as you, with us, continue to dwell at the corner of Gratitude and Hope. Blessings and love,

Susan S. Phillips, PhD

Professor of Sociology & Spirituality

New College Berkeley and The Graduate Theological Union

We are on a new adventure, a new day for New College Berkeley (NCB).

We believe in a God on-the-move, and we’re grateful for your company on this Spirit-led journey. Although our mission remains - helping Christians walk in newness for everyday discipleship - we find ourselves at a major inflection point for Church and society. Amid growing political unrest and global conflict, the Church is in a state of flux. Congregations are dwindling. Pastors are weary. Seminaries and universities are struggling, and young people are disillusioned with the Christianity they’re seeing. Many have “left the building” - but not necessarily the faith. It is imperative for the Church to regroup and discern the way forward. We envision NCB playing a key role by connecting students, lay leaders, pastors, scholars and parachurch ministers to be refreshed and equipped to engage these times. Think of NCB as a “third space” for learning and discernment across culture, generation and theological tradition. What does this look like?

This past year, we gathered representatives from six congregations in an ethnically-diverse San Francisco neighborhood, hosted at an African-American Pentecostal church. Dr. Al Tizon spoke about false gospels and set the table for leaders to discern what it means to seek the shalom of their communities. In Berkeley, an intimate group of C.S. Lewis lovers, representing Gen X, Gen Z, and Boomers, discussed the history of the Inklings and the role of imagination for the renewal of faith today. A multiethnic panel of spiritual directors conversed about the promise, challenges, and necessity of bringing culturally diverse spiritualities into dialogue toward a fuller experience of God. And Dr. Russell Yee led a mini-course on liturgical practices across ecclesiastical traditions to help leaders renew congregational practice of worship. Our upcoming offerings further fill the picture. We’re gathering academics, pastors and practitioners in Silicon Valley round the impact of artificial intelligence, both the possible and the problematic. We are bringing young adults on immersive learning experiences to explore their ethnic, cultural and ecclesial histories to discover God's hand, then and now. And we’ll keep creating spaces to help disciples integrate faith and vocation. Exciting, yes? But we need your prayers, participation, and financial support. Would you prayerfully consider a year-end gift to fund this work? We also want to hear from you about any thoughts or questions you have at info@newcollegeberkeley.org. With thanksgiving for you and the Lord who provides,

Tim Tseng, PhD & Craig Wong, MA
Co- Executive Directors
New College Berkeley

2023 New college berkeley winter & spring programs

The Words We Live By • January 18: Marilyn McEntyre, PhD, considers why it matters to
cultivate attentive and intentional word practice - sharing stories, reading well, and inviting one
another into playful and reflective conversation.

Stories of the Saints • January 28: Gary VanderPol, PhD, tells stories of six underdog saints
(that you've probably never heard of!) whose lives will surprise, inspire, and challenge us in a
renewed experience of Christian community.

Poetry & Truth Telling • February 15: Marilyn McEntyre, PhD, looks at poetry not as an art
in itself but as a dimension of the language we all use - how metaphor, rhythm, and repetition
enable us to tell the truth more fully and faithfully.

Empire, Nationalism & Discipleship • February 18: Michael L. Budde, PhD, will be
interviewed about themes from his book, Foolishness to Gentiles, which raises tough questions
about citizenship as Christ-followers in the US.

Contemplative Lenten Retreat • March 4: Susan Phillips, PhD, will lead us into reflection,
confession, and prayer as we approach Holy Week & Easter, a time when we remember the
profound costliness of God’s abundant love for us.

Responsible Reading • March 15: Marilyn McEntyre, PhD, will help us navigate gray areas
with grace and without dangerous oversimplification by reflecting on reading practices and
recognizing their relevance to our lives of faith and citizenship.

Artificial Intelligence & Christian Faith • March 25: A Saturday workshop for local pastors
and leaders to learn from AI experts, share their own theological insights and discern next steps
to engage their communities on this topic.

When the Bible Disagrees with Itself • March 27: A webinar by Rev. Henry T.C. Sun, PhD,
explores whether the scriptures contain a unified message without conflicts or contradictions, or
how the premise of this claim might be false.

A Faithful and Constructive Conversation about Christianity and Critical Race
Theory • April TBD: An interview with Robert Chao Romero, JD, PhD, and Jeff Liou, PhD, about
their new book, Christianity and Critical Race Theory.

Berkeley Palmer Lecture • April 22: Jin Young Choi, PhD, of Colgate Rochester Divinity
School, will examine the mystery of the divine economy: living in the neoliberal order. Co-
hosted with First Presbyterian Church Berkeley.

Theological Themes in the Writings of C.S. Lewis • May 20: Rev. Earl Palmer will reflect
on the timely relevance of the works of this “teller of stories” to guide our thinking and actions
as followers of Jesus in today’s world.

Ongoing: • The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Susan Phillips, PhD, Sharon Henthorn-
Iwane, and Daeseop Daniel Yi, PhD, will lead in group or individual modes • First Saturday Writing Workshops with Marilyn McEntyre, PhD • Small Group Spiritual Direction in
person or online TBD by small group.