NEWS FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE KING'S UNIVERSITY WINTER 2021 - The King's University
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NEWS FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE KING’S UNIVERSITY WINTER 2021
Please send alumni updates
and address changes to:
alumni@kingsu.ca
Alumni Relations
9125 - 50 Street NW
Table of Contents
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6B 2H3
780.465.8318
Message from the President����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������4 Direct comments
regarding articles to:
News briefs ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
Nikolas Vander Kooy
Interdisciplinary Science (I.Sci) program approved����������������������������������������������������������������7 Director of Marketing
Building community, apart������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 780.465.3500 ext. 8131
nikolas.vanderkooy@kingsu.ca
Program profile: Computing Science����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
Behind the exhibits������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11
Beethoven Project unites singers across the world��������������������������������������������������������������12
Wait well��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14
Pandemics past ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17
Making space, being saved ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18
Our connection to the land����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19
Playing the long game ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21
English professor recieves federal research chair designation������������������������������������������24
Cover
New deans bring new leadership������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25
“Waiting has become that rare thing
Alumni news & notes����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26 in today’s world: a universal state of
being that we all share.”
Waiting, at times frustrating or down-
right unenjoyable, is an unavoidable
part of every life. To wait well is to be
still, to find and share the goodness of
each moment, and to know that God’s
restoration of creation continues even
in the face of human powerlessness.
2 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 3
NEWS
Message from the President
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! – Psalms 27: 14 NKJV
In any ordinary year, I take heart in the In the midst of responding to the COVID-19
memories and stories of God’s incredible pandemic, our attention was captured by
faithfulness to The King’s University. This the murder of George Floyd – images of
has been no ordinary year! The challenges the kind of racial violence that has been
of the COVID-19 pandemic have been perpetrated against Black and Indigenous
formidable. And yet, God is faithful! communities for years. We committed, as Over $35,000 was raised during this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Along with a matching gift from King’s Board of Governors, these funds will
a university, to educate ourselves about be used to renovate the Alumni Lounge (inset) and Student Commons in the North Academic Building this winter.
Waiting can have the connotation of racism, to listen and conduct a review of
being stuck. You will see from the pages policy and practice in order to become
KING’S HIRES EQUITY, DIVERSITY,
of this edition of Connection that this year a consciously anti-racist institution. We
AND INCLUSION CONSULTANT
has been anything but. We pressed even reaffirmed our commitment to cultivating
more deeply into our mission and vision a safe inclusive environment of mutual This fall, King’s welcomed Osayi Ogieva in
as we adapted how to go about teaching respect, where all may belong and flour- the role of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
and learning together. We launched new ish. (EDI) Consultant. This position, funded
programs and welcomed new people. We through a federal grant, will help the
cared for one another as we adjusted to I am of good courage as we look to the university to grow as a community. With
changing health and safety protocols and future. eight years of experience in EDI, Osayi is a
the fatigue of dealing with a prolonged Certified Inclusion Professional and holds
global health crisis. a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Masters of
Public Health.
Dr. Melanie Humphreys
Witty Sandle (left), career and vocational
DR. KRIS OOMS ASSUMES ROLE
counselling, and Dr. Tetyana Khramova,
OF INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT OF
job search and internship advisor.
ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH
CENTRE FOR CAREER AND
In August, The King’s University was
CALLING OPENS FOR STUDENTS
pleased to announce the appointment
of Dr. Kristopher Ooms to the position of This fall marked the launch of King’s
Interim Vice President of Academics and Centre for Career and Calling. The cen-
Research. Over the past twelve years, Dr. tre is aimed at assisting students and
Ooms has served the university in various alumni in career discernment and ex-
capacities including as a researcher, Pro- ploring pathways toward employment,
fessor of Chemistry, and Dean of Natural professional programs, and graduate
Sciences. studies.
4 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 5
FACULTY PUBLICATIONS ONE LIFE, FIVE CALLINGS
King’s is proud to celebrate with faculty The King’s University collaborated with
members who published new books this B.C. Christian Reformed Churches this
year. 2020 saw the publication of Resur- winter on a public lecture series enti-
recting Justice by theology professor Dr. tled “One Life, Five Callings.” The free
Douglas Harink, Practicing Transcendence five-part series features lectures from
by psychology professor Dr. Chris Peet, King’s professors on faith formation,
and Re-forming History, co-authored by global mission, mercy and justice, ser-
history professors Dr. Mark Sandle and Dr. vant leadership, and gospel proclama-
William Van Arragon. tion and worship.
25 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES AT KING’S
2020 marked the 25th aniversary of
the Environmental Studies (ENVS) pro-
gram. Launched in 1997, ENVS was the
university’s first 4-year major.
With numerous field learning experien-
cies and a required internship compo-
nent, the ENVS program continues to
Vice President of Finance and Operations, Ralph Troschke, as King’s virtual banquet emcee. inspire and equip students to harmo-
nize their passion and love for the envi-
OVER $36,000 RAISED IN SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE CHRISTIAN
ronment with pursuits in other fields.
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION AT KING’S
New Interdisciplinary Science (I.Sci) program
The program has seen hundreds of
An estimated 200 members of the university community joined together for the annual graduates go on to careers in sustain-
approved by Alberta government
Harvest Banquet and Silent Auction in November. The event, held online over video chat, ability, business, the natural sciences,
raised $36,000 in support of student scholarships. and many other callings.
September 2021 will see the introduction of a new program at optometry, and nursing—and those looking to enter the work-
King’s — Interdisciplinary Science. Approved by the Government force directly after graduation. The program also allows aspiring
ONLINE PUBLIC COURSES AND LECTURES LAUNCHED
of Alberta last fall, this flexible 4-year Bachelor of Science major science teachers to easily complete teachable majors and minors
The university launched a professional development and continuing education initiative will allow students to specialize in any of King’s existing science within the course of their degree prior to entering the after-de-
this fall in the form of new online public access courses. Courses ranged from Popular concentrations in addition to new B.Sc. concentrations in kine- gree program in education.
Music to Paul’s Epistles and Theology as well as various business and political science siology, psychology, and mathematics. The make up of the I.Sci
courses. With between ten and twenty courses listed per semester, the initiative has program will allow students to focus on collaborations between “The I.Sci program is a fantastic addition to our science offerings.
seen strong uptake from communities across Western Canada. disciplines, such as chemical biology, computational chemistry, It provides new flexibility in the sciences, letting students com-
or mathematical biology. bine perspectives from two or more scientific disciplines to find
This year also saw the introduction of public lectures given by faculty experts from all new insights and build new connections,” remarks I.Sci program
corners of the university. These lectures make lifelong learning with King’s more accessi- I.Sci has been designed to help students think critically about director, Dr. Rem Kooistra. “The program serves a wide set of
ble than ever. The first ten lectures are available to watch on King’s YouTube channel and problems from diverse scientific perspectives and is particu- interests in the sciences and sets up a variety of future career
range between 40–90 minutes in length. To date, the project has explored topics related larly geared toward graduates looking to pursue professional paths. It deepens King’s commitment to equip students to be
to the coronavirus, social justice, and education. programs in the clinical health sciences—such as medicine, agents of change in the world.”
6 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 7
King’s hybrid model has allowed students to
attend on campus classes and labs at least
once per week per couse. Outdoor, distanced
social events have also been possible when
provincial guidelines have allowed for them.
“These improvements are the first steps in an extensive three-year IT strategic plan which is being fast-
tracked to meet the requirements of COVID-19 and the changing world it is bringing.”
Building community, apart
Viens checks in with students regu- in-person experiences where safe and Academic Services & Registrar, stated.
larly. Tim Wood, King’s campus minister, possible. Students have recognized these “Maintaining our high standards for course
reaches out to students who are self-iso- efforts and really appreciate them.” delivery, student-to-faculty, and stu-
lating to ensure they have a full meal or dent-to-support connection would not
Innovative thinking builds learning community in a time of distance hot coffee and are keeping in good spirits. To ensure students had the safety, connec- have been possible were it not for these
BY LINDSAY ECKERT tion, and community required to thrive in investments and the extraordinary efforts
“The hardest factor is we’re all weary— their courses this year, King’s increased of a committed IT team.”
W hat do you do when a culture
of community is faced with the
demands of isolation? King’s got creative.
that students and instructors value in-per-
son contact, mentoring, and engagement.
How can we do that while keeping every-
patio heaters, and a warmly lit ice skating
rink have seen a lot of use from students—
especially those living in residence.
students, staff, faculty. But we want
to stay passionate, to come alongside
students and understand what they need
IT funding by 42 percent. This covered
the installation of video conferencing
equipment, new wiring in classrooms,
The improvements are the first step in
an extensive three-year IT strategic plan
one safe?” in this time.” dedicated workstations to run online which is being fast-tracked to meet the
“That’s the approach we took the whole That’s not to say COVID-19 hasn’t proved lectures, increased network bandwidth, requirements of COVID-19 and the chang-
year,” said Megan Viens, Dean of Students. It was evident that King’s needed to find challenging. Bajaro said that professors have been and a range of new virtual education ing world it is bringing.
“How can we be creative and still do what new ways to support students to thrive. sympathetic to the difficulties of the year. tools including a complete overhaul of its
we do?” This led to developing new models of Adrian Bajaro, president of the Students’ “Crises bring people together,” Bajaro course delivery platform, Moodle. Crossroad, King’s student information
education and making strategic updates Association and third-year student says noted. “You see that in how profs and system, is slated for replacement next
When COVID-19 demanded limited to no in IT to keep the community connected. that endlessly staring at Zoom lectures students are more understanding of each “Having a hybrid model has been crucial,” year. The university will also swap-out
in-person contact, students and employ- can feel isolating. other. There’s a sense of community and says Chief Information Officer, Becky close to 20 disparate platforms with a
ees faced the daunting task of main- Dr. Humphreys proposed a hybrid solidarity.” McCaffrey. “For students who prefer to single ERP (enterprise resource planning
taining high standards of education and classroom model where students could “Online classes are both good and bad,” be in the classroom, it’s safely offered to software) which will allow for new effi-
community while ensuring safe practices physically attend classes in appropriately Bajaro explained. “It’s great you can stay Bajaro added that students have stood them. For students who are more comfort- ciencies and streamlined administrative
at every turn. It provided a chance for distanced settings or virtually via Zoom home if you need to. That said, when up to this year’s challenges admira- able learning online, they have an option functions in order to redeploy resources
innovation. depending on their circumstances and online attendance spikes, class participa- bly. “It’s a display of the tenacity of the that replicates the in-class experience as to better serve students in other ways.
preferences. tion goes down. The temptation is to get students and staff to fight for the best best as possible.”
“Surely we can do something different,” distracted instead of engaging” education experience possible. It would “Our goal is to make things as seamless
encouraged President Dr. Melanie Hum- There was also an intentional renewal of have been easy for the university to say “King’s is committed to mentoring and for students as possible,” McCaffrey said.
phreys last spring. “What can we do that outdoor spaces for safe social and physi- What students and staff have noticed everything was online but they decided equipping our students to bring renewal,” “Each investment is ultimately focused on
would be beneficial to students? We hear cal activity. New fire pits, outdoor seating, above all this year is a culture of caring. to take the extra step of maintaining Allen Verbeek, Associate Vice President improving King’s directly or indirectly.”
8 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 9
Behind the exhibits
Second-year history student tells indigenous stories through well-curated galleries
BY NIKOLAS VANDER KOOY
W hat goes into creating the hun-
dred word plaques you read at a
museum? Second-year History student,
Isaiah Wiltzen, found out there is a lot
more to it than you might first think.
PROGRAM PROFILE
Computing Science
Isaiah belongs to the Athabasca-
Chipewyan First Nation. He moved from
Nova Scotia to the small town of Fort
Smith, NWT (population 2,500) with his
Understanding creation through the lens of technology family when he was in the fourth grade,
BY EMILY FAUCHER his father having deep roots in the area.
During the summer break, Isaiah interned
K ing’s computing science program
came to fruition from humble
beginnings. “When I came to King’s in 2010,
“Computing Science is no more the study of computers than astronomy
is the study of the telescope . . . "
at the local museum in Fort Smith. Despite
its size and isolation — the nearest com-
munity is a three-hour drive away — Fort
the department was in flux; the program Smith’s museum, the Northern Life
was small and needed attention,” says Dr. Beyond career preparation, the program through chapel and prayer can be easily Museum & Cultural Centre, houses the
Andrew Tappenden, Associate Professor asks students to consider their relation- taken for granted until they are missed largest collection of traditional First
and Dean of Natural Science. Newly-hired ship with technology through courses like elsewhere, at conferences or in other Nations and Métis artifacts in the North-
professors were launched into an abrupt Perspectives in Computing Science. This academic settings. “It makes you realize west Territories and is lauded as a top
start with a clean slate, a chance to com- course involves no programming and that we have something different.” The collection of “northern native and early
pletely rework the curriculum into one instead focuses on lectures and discussion sense of community extends beyond the white settlement artifacts in Canada.”
that equips students for future careers designed to encourage reflection on the student-teacher relationship: “Faculty
and engages them in discovering the use and orientation of technology. How and staff enjoy working with each other,” Toward the end of August, the museum
world God created. much do you use technology and why? Janzen observes. “I take that for granted lost its curator amidst plans to reno-
How has engagement with technology because that’s how a place should be.” vate its lower galleries. Isaiah asked the
“Our grads get good jobs!” notes Dr. changed? What does the future hold?’ museum manager how he might be able to A diorama on the Dené, part of the “The Land Provides” gallery curated by 2nd year history
Michael Janzen, Assistant Professor of “At King’s you don’t have to choose help move the project forward. Soon after, student, Isaiah Wiltzen, at the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre.
Computing Science. The program has “Students learn about God’s creation between doing God’s work and going to he and two other employees were tasked
developed a strong reputation for equip- through these tools we’ve created that university,” Tappenden adds. “There are with curating the exhibit from an initial historically called the Thebacha region “I can’t imagine how terrifying that would
ping graduates in their fields. “Employers can do incredible things,” says Tappenden, people who don’t know that they have the concept to a professional final product. (northern Alberta and southern NWT) be,” he laughs.
want our computing science students,” “Zoom and video calls don’t come close to choice to do both, to go somewhere that home. The themes of the exhibit cover the
Janzen adds; “There are not enough grad- normal life, and we all mourn the loss of honours both your spiritual and disci- With an extensive collection of artifacts techniques developed in response to the With full creative freedom came a deep-
uates to keep up with demand.” [in-person] interactions, but we have real- plinary convictions. I’m blessed to work in containing everything from ancient arrow- challenges of hunting and gathering. felt responsibility to get things right.
ized recently how much we rely on com- a department that honours identity, curi- heads and bows, to Qulliq — traditional Wiltzen and his peers spent endless
Dr. Tappenden emphasizes that comput- puters and the role computing science has osity about the world, and the ways God oil-based heaters — there was plenty of Wiltzen shares one of the more interesting hours poring over available literature and
ing science at King’s is not only about a in overcoming global challenges. Comput- has wired people with different interests.” material to work with, but a narrative was strategies he came across in the course of source material. Wiltzen credits the work
career path, however. It’s about passion ing Science is not about the medium, it’s required to bring it together. Isaiah and his extensive research: he’s done in his first years of his history
for the subject and for uncovering more about the things it can enable.” For Dr. Tappenden, the holistic approach his team landed on developing an exhibit program with preparing him to research
about the complexities of the world. he finds at King’s is the cornerstone of conveying indigenous relationship with In early winter, when black bears began properly and write effectively.
“Computing science is no more the study Students are welcomed and encour- teaching computing science. “Everywhere the land in the early European contact era. their hibernation, Dené hunters would
of computers than astronomy is the study aged to speak with their professors, an you look, you are using some sort of find a bear cave and quietly hide at the “I’ve learned what actually goes into an
of the telescope,” he explains. “Computers element of King’s culture that Dr. Janzen system,” he concludes. “We are preparing The exhibit, entitled “The Land Provides,” exit while others made as much noise as exhibit. You don’t realize the amount of
are the tools we use to study God’s cre- appreciates. “I have to go outside King’s students for careers, but in a way that contains a wide variety of stories and possible. When the startled bear emerged work that goes into each detail. I have way
ation. It’s about understanding the world to really realize why I enjoy it here so says jobs, skills, interest, and faith convic- artifacts from the Dené, Métis, and Inu- from its den, hunters would jump down on more appreciation for how galleries are
through a different lens.” much,” he says. The integration of faith tions all matter.” vialuit peoples — three groups who have top of it, armed with stone clubs. created and the people behind them.”
10 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 11
“You have to be so adaptable this year,”
says Dr. Turgeon, “but the possibilities
are endless. The Beethoven Project has
opened up new ways of thinking for music
faculty at every university.”
Many guests have participated while
navigating the challenges of time zone
differences, singing and teaching with
project participants at odd hours, and out
of the kindness of their hearts.
“A highlight for me is the invited guests
who provide expert insight about various
choral music topics,” says Norm Hill, who
has been singing with King’s Community
Chorus since its beginning. “This is valu-
able for me as an untrained musician.”
Left: ‘Duck bill’ singing masks allow section leaders to rehearse safely. Above: Dr. Melanie
The choice to open project participation Turgeon, director of King’s choral groups, conducts an international group of choristers from a
to the Community Chorus at King’s was pop-up recording studio in Knoppers Hall.
very intentional, Turgeon notes. Beetho-
ven’s ninth is “such a beast to sing and “You have to be so adaptable this year but the possibilities are endless.
it demands significant endurance.” The The Beethoven Project has opened up new ways of thinking for music
Community Chorus is open to singers of
all levels, and the piece requires vocal faculty at every university.”
maturity, but the group was looking for a
challenge. have been able to gather in person, when “Truthfully, I did not expect any choral
provincial guidelines have allowed for it. activities to be available this year,” Hill
The 2020-21 academic year has demanded For the Community Chorus, this looks like admits. “The making of choral music is
much patience and creativity from the hundreds of singers joining from home the closest thing I have to a team sport in
music department. “This year requires a with a quartet leading vocals on-campus. my recently retired life, especially during
Beethoven project unites
different thought process when it comes “The rehearsals have gone exceptionally the pandemic. I appreciate the opportu-
to structuring music instruction,” notes well,” Turgeon says, a note of excitement nity provided by King’s music department,
singers across the world
Turgeon. Thanks to her hard work, singers in her voice, “We’re really enjoying it.” Melanie, and all the others.”
New names for choral groups reflect dedication
BY EMILY FAUCHER
L ast December marked the 250th
anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. To
“The connection between The King’s
University, Concordia, and the University
performance of a section of the fourth
movement. To produce a high-quality The King’s University is pleased to introduce new names for its
celebrate, The King’s University Commu- of Victoria exposes us to a huge range of ‘performance’, recordings of each singer Community Chorus performing choirs. These changes reflect the high level of ded-
nity Chorus is partnering with the choirs at musical expertise and talented additional will be layered by a sound technician to ication and hard work choristers pour into their performances
Concordia University of Edmonton and the voices,” says Ruth Vander Woude, a singer create a virtual chorus. Alumni & Community Chorus and add prestige and character to much-deserving groups of
University of Victoria to pursue a “Bee- participating as a member of both King’s committed musicians.
thoven Project.” This project unites over and Concordia’s community choirs. “I also “I’ve been so appreciative of the immense
Concert Choir
200 singers every three weeks for online appreciate the inclusion of informational amount of energy Melanie has dedicated A new name for King’s Community Chorus was needed to more
rehearsals of Beethoven’s ninth symphony. sessions on singing techniques, lectures to our small group this year,” says Cheryl King’s Cantorum precisely represent the changing composition of this group. The
In addition to the work of Dr. Melanie on Ukrainian and Scandinavian traditions, Mahaffy, an alto with The King’s Alumni & new name also reflects a strong desire to see continued alumni
Turgeon (King’s), Dr. Joy Berg (Concor- and specific information about the ninth Community Chorus. “Some singers have engagement and participation with this chorus and the music
dia), and Dr. Elizabeth MacIsaac (Victoria), symphony itself.” chosen not to be involved this year and it Chamber Choir program moving forward.
online rehearsals include diverse presen-
tations from expert singers, vocal coaches, At the project’s inception the hope was
would be understandable if Melanie had
chosen to give this year a miss as well.
King’s Chamber Singers Year after year, the university enjoys professionalism and joy
musicologists, conductors, and other to perform live this spring but partic- Instead, she has arranged a diverse menu embodied by its choirs. With these new names, the university
professionals from across the world. ipants are now preparing for a virtual of singing, listening, and learning.” honours those with a passion for choral music at King’s.
12 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 13
W
Wait Well
aiting. The war was very different from our Combatants spent so much time just wait-
pandemic times, of course, and we should ing to move. Prisoners and internees lived
be careful of drawing parallels with our in an almost perpetual state of waiting:
What have you waited a long time for? current predicament. But, having said that, waiting to be liberated. Waiting for the
What are you still waiting for? Who are you there are, I believe, some things that might hunger to subside. Waiting for something
still waiting for? resonate with us if we listen carefully to to quench their thirst. Waiting to die. Of
BY DR. MARK SANDLE, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY their voices. What can we learn about how all the forms of waiting experienced in
I have been thinking about waiting for to wait well from the people who lived WW2, probably the one that speaks most
quite some time now. through these times? directly to us is the waiting generated by
the deep uncertainty of wartime. When
This has, in part, been prompted by living There were different types of waiting in will it end? When will we see our loved
through this pandemic. We are, all of us, WW2. Much of the waiting was episodic, ones again? Will we see our loved ones
waiting. Waiting for a vaccine. Waiting for intense, replete with dread and fear: the again? Will I survive?
a test result. Waiting to see people again. combatants who were waiting to go into
Waiting to travel. Waiting for “normal life” battle; the civilians waiting for the drone Tragically, much of the waiting of wartime
to return. Waiting for anxiety and dread of the engines to pass overhead — unsure went on long after the war was over. This
to disappear. Waiting for the package to if it was their turn to be bombed; the Belorussian woman reflects on the empti-
arrive. We wait for other things, too, in prisoners waiting for their punishment to ness of waiting for her lover to return:
non-pandemic times. Waiting for that text begin. Eric Lomax relates a terrible story of
message. Waiting for that phone call from waiting. POW punishments could last for “I look out the window, it’s as if he’s sitting there
the doctor. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. hours, sometimes days. As one person was …Sometimes in the evening something seems to
being slowly physically degraded or killed, be there...I’m already old, but I always see him
Waiting has become that rare thing in the others waited their turn. Would it be young. The way he was when he left. If I dream of
him he’s always young. And I’m young too…The
today’s world: a universal state of being them? The waiting was interminable. Time
women all got death notices, but I got a scrap of
that we all share (even though of course disappeared. You were frozen in an intense
paper - “Missing in Action.” Written in blue ink. For
the type, intensity, and duration of the moment, driven to the edge of insanity:
the first 10 years I waited for him every day. I wait
waiting is felt very differently in different for him even now. As long as we live we can hope
communities). I too am waiting for this “There was nothing we could do about it now; we for anything…”
pandemic to subside. I am longing for the stood there knowing it was coming . . . We stood
return of face-to-face teaching. There is there for 12 hours with our back to that hut. The The waiting here is endless, unrequited.
one exception, though — I have given up nerves and flesh of the back become terribly sen- The woman waits. And waits. And waits. It
sitive and vulnerable when turned to an enemy. stretches out before her. That tiny phrase
waiting for the England soccer team to win
At any moment I expected to feel a rifle-butt on
the World Cup again. I will die long before — “missing in action” — is both a fragment
my spine, a bayonet thrust between my shoul-
that ever happens. of hope and a nagging torment. With
der-blades. All we heard was their talk, the occa-
sional rough laughter. The intense heat of the sun, both uncertainty and possibility, each
This personal waiting time has intersected the irritation of flies and mosquitoes feeding on day brings both hope and despair as the
neatly with my professional activities. The sweat, itching skin, the painful contraction of eyes waiting continues. The war is over but the
research for my latest book — about the against the light and even the fear of violent death waiting—the waiting is never over.
experiences and emotions of humans has been superseded, by the evening, by the even
living and dying in WW2 — has given me more powerful sensation of a burning thirst… the One of my favourite WW2 poems is called
pause to consider what waiting must have gang came back out at night. My special friend Mor- “Wait for me” by Konstantin Simonov.
felt like for everyone who lived in those ton Mackay was called forward. I was next in line… There is a line towards the end—“You
The moments while I was waiting my turn were the
times. How did people feel living through alone knew how to wait”—that has given
worst of my life. The expectation is indescribable;
the war? As I comb through the diaries me pause to reflect upon the “how” of
a childhood story of Protestant martyrs watching
and the stories, I am struck by the words waiting. How do we wait well? What does
friends die in agony on the rack flashed through
that I read, and by the emotions that lie my mind. To have to witness the torture of others it mean to wait well? How do we remain
behind them. The constant gnawing fear. and see the preparations for the attack on one’s hopeful in the face of deep abiding uncer-
The grief and the despair. The love and the own body is a punishment in itself, especially when tainty and fear? Those who learnt to wait
hate. The loss. The anger and the sadness. there is no escape. The experience is the beginning well came over time to know the following
I have become preoccupied with some of of a form of insanity.” things.
the more everyday feelings that people
had. The stoicism. The living through a But there was also a much slower, seem- James Stockdale was imprisoned for
Wait for Me, Daddy – Claude P. Dettloff protracted global conflict. The fragile ingly endless form of waiting that people seven years during the Vietnam War. He
British Columbia Regiment, DCO, marching in New Westminster, 1940 hopes. And waiting falls into this category. in WW2 experienced: everyday waiting. experienced torture, deprivation, and
City of Vancouver Archives online database For central to the experiences of WW2 was People had to wait in line. People had uncertainty. How did he survive? He says
the act of waiting. to wait for water supplies to be restored. that he was able to survive because he
14 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 15
forced himself to acknowledge the
terrible reality that he was now living in.
He remarks that those who were optimists
did not fare well:
“… they were the ones who said, ‘We’re going to
be out by Christmas.’ And Christmas would come,
and Christmas would go. Then they’d say, ‘We’re
going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come,
and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and
then it would be Christmas again. And they died of
a broken heart … This is a very important lesson.
You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in
the end—which you can never afford to lose—with
the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of
your current reality, whatever they might be. I lived
Pandemics past
on a day-to-day basis . . . .”
To wait well means to live on a day-to-day
basis. To face and accept the reality of the
situation we are in every day. We must
How crises have inspired courage, selflessness, and compassion
recognize the pain and the stress, the
despair and the longing, that we are all BY DR. CAROLINE LIEFFERS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY
experiencing. But the key is not to allow “Faith that we will get through this has to go hand-in-hand with the
this acceptance to move us into passivity
or a spiral of despair. Instead we should
ask ourselves: what then shall we do today,
acceptance each day of the reality we are living through. It takes
patience and discipline to focus on the day that stands before us.”
E pidemics and pandemics are
terrifying events. They shake up any
easy understanding of dominion over
Milan experienced a wave of plague in the
1570s, and the city was put under a gen-
eral quarantine. But Cardinal Carlo Borro-
established in 1919 to help coordinate
collective response to disease. Wellness is
a shared project.
given where we are at? Faith that we will nature or the social order. We are made to meo, knowing the importance of worship
get through this has to go hand-in-hand other direction. So how do we find hope in the great illusions of modern life is that wait, to acknowledge that time is not our and civic connection, arranged for parish Courage and selflessness, too, are recur-
with the acceptance each day of the real- a time of waiting? It is important to recog- many of us “control” our lives. Instead, in own. And in their mystery and ferocity, bells to ring seven times each day as a call ring themes in the history of epidemics
ity we are living through. It takes patience nize that hope is different from optimism. recognizing our relative powerlessness, pandemics and epidemics press us to ask to prayer. As musicologist Remi Chiu has and pandemics. In 1954, around 1.8
and discipline to focus on the day that Hope, according to Vaclav Havel, is not we can focus on the everyday virtues of fundamental questions: How do we deal noted, one group of people would chant million children participated in the trial
stands before us. optimizm, which expects things to turn out solidarity, empathy, patience, and perse- with the unknown? What are we willing litanies or supplications from their doors of Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine, receiving
well, but is rooted in the conviction that verance. to sacrifice? How do we reckon with our or windows, and another group would sing a “Polio Pioneer” card and badge for
Secondly, to wait well is to wait “with” as there is good in the world worth working own mortality? The mortality of strangers? in response. Milan’s nearly 300,000 voices their efforts. This spirit of altruism is also
well as to wait “for”. Just waiting “for” for. Waiting with hope means doing the Finally, waiting well can help us to rethink How should we love one another? rose together in song. A commentator famously remembered by Salk’s response
something or someone stretches out the work of gathering the fragments of hope our understanding of time. Waiting for compared the ambiance to a cloister of to the question, “Who owns the patent
time in front of us and forces our atten- we find around us each day. Where are the something to be over can lead us into a There is much evidence that pandemics religious brothers and sisters, or perhaps on this vaccine?” He answered, “Well, the
tion onto a not yet realized future. This is fragments of hope, the glimmers of light? way of thinking that we are ‘wasting’ time can bring out the worst in people, ampli- heavenly Jerusalem itself. Even in isola- people, I would say. There is no patent.
natural of course, but it can be problem- Find them. Keep them close. and that when the waiting is over we will fying fear, xenophobia, and selfishness in tion, people nurtured one another’s faith. Could you patent the sun?” The remark-
atic because we do not see what is directly be able to resume our ‘normal’ lives. This the guise of self-protection. Jewish people able terror of polio inspired an equally
around us. Instead of waiting for — or Fourthly, to wait well is to recognize our leads us to see time as a resource to be experienced egregious violence in Europe Pandemics and epidemics have also remarkable magnanimity.
perhaps as well as waiting for — this to be powerlessness and our lack of control. In consumed, rather than a gift to be enjoyed. during the Black Death, while the Chinese helped people see the need for unity and
over, we should wait with intention. Don’t WW2 millions were put into positions of We might just want to give pause to dream population was scapegoated during the charity. Commentators in the early twen- Pandemics and epidemics cut deep into
pass up the opportunity to find life in each powerlessness by forces outside of their of another, better world than the ‘normal’ San Francisco plague of 1900. People tieth century sometimes talked about a society. You could say they dissect
moment. We don’t know how long this control. This is an important reminder, we were in before this happened. The war experiencing poverty, without access to “the socialism of the microbe.” Disease it, showing us its bones and sinews, its
season will be. The temptation is to spend particularly for those of us who are for- caused people to dream of a better world good housing, nutrition, and health care, did not necessarily respect wealth and vulnerabilities and prejudices, its political,
it perpetually longing for it to be over. But tunate enough to be wealthy, educated, and to take steps to realize that. Maybe, as also suffered disproportionately in many privilege, and some working-class activ- economic, and spiritual priorities. The
simple practices and rhythms can help us. and privileged in today’s world. Billions we wait, we can allow ourselves to dream epidemics, and they were all too often ists were able to get funding for improved strengths and weaknesses of its moral
Be a good friend. Be a good neighbour. Do of people around our world today live a little too. blamed for their illnesses. We can find housing and sanitation by arguing that bonds. Today, we might reflect on our
your work well. Connect with your loved lives at the mercy of markets, climate, sobering parallels in our own society, and illness in their communities put everyone own communities, the importance of the
ones. Perpetual longing might also mean and the arbitrary actions of others. They We are all waiting and longing for this time there is much to grieve. But pandemics at risk. Similarly, during the 1918 flu epi- collective, and the courage and selfless-
we miss a new way of being in the world are almost totally powerless. Waiting to be over of course, just as the people in past offer hopeful lessons, too. In them, demic, Canada recognized that its patch- ness of those who work to keep us well.
that is emerging slowly in this waiting time. can remind us of the lives of others and WW2 waited and longed for the conflict to we might appreciate the resilience of com- work of private health care providers and And from this place of hope, we might be
deepen our sense of empathy. To wait well end. As we do so, let us learn to wait well, munity, the importance of the collective, under-resourced local health boards was guided to our next acts, and ensure that
Thirdly, hope. Hope disappears quickly and requires an acceptance of our lack of con- and to work for the good that there is in and the beauty of courage and selfless- not up the task of protecting the nation. COVID-19 is remembered for the ways that
comes back slowly. Despair works in the trol and an acknowledgement that one of our world. ness. And we might be inspired to act. The federal Department of Health was it compelled us to be better.
16 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 17
the given life is enough. We can draw on social media posts and advertisements as the logic that underpins the worst impulses
the spirit of the God who gives gener- invitations to want something else, some- of our culture?
ously, deeply, surprisingly — to turn from thing more, something better.
ourselves and toward others. In my better Sometimes I can answer yes to those ques-
moments, the pandemic has been an So I’ve tried to ask myself some questions tions but often my answer is ‘sort of’ or ‘no,
invitation to return to this simplicity and that help me move away from a pervasive not really.’ I know that answering ‘no’ is a
practicality in pursuit of a more just world. fear of scarcity and toward a sense that the path to diminishing myself and others.
God of abundance has given me enough:
For me, this strange season has not been We do not have time — now, in this pan-
an opportunity to start a new exercise Can I live more simply, even now, to make demic season, or afterwards — for those
regime or learn another sourdough starter space for generosity toward others? Can things that diminish us. But, to misquote
recipe (though there has been time for this season help me in this? Stanley Hauerwas, God-in-Christ has given
that as well). It has been an invitation to us all the time we need to make space for
remember that — even in complicated and Can I live within limits to better live in others and allow others to make space
uncertain times — ‘who God possesseth solidarity with others? Can this season help for us. We have been given all the time we
in nothing is wanting’. This is not easy to me do this? need to resist distress and embrace the
recognize in a world marked so profoundly spaciousness of Christ’s salvation.
by the power of savage global capitalism Can I live well with myself, resisting the pull
that constantly prompts us to see others’ to compare my life to others and so avoid May we use our time well.
Our connection
to the land
Making space, being saved R ae Madge is a fifth-year sociology student with a minor in
English from Leduc, Alberta. Rae recently took the
Recognizing God’s abundance in uncertain times Literature and the Environment course taught by English
BY JONATHAN NICOLAI-DEKONING, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, MICAH CENTRE FOR JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT professor Dr. Elizabeth Willson Gordon. These poems come from
a class project that encouraged students to spend time in
I n her recent book Opening Israel’s
Scriptures, scholar Ellen Davis notes
that the Hebrew word for salvation is
spaciousness? How do we make space for
others? How do we allow others — and our
Creator — to make space for us?
love still holds us and can make space for
us to flourish.
thoughtful reflection with natural environments inside the city.
rooted in notions of ‘making space.’ In the Early Celtic Christians witnessed this THE EVIDENCE IMPLANTED BRIDGES
ancient Hebrew imagination, to ‘save’ is Throughout the pandemic, a common wisdom. Many of the communities that The beach is peppered, wholly, What good is a bridge?
to make space for another. Tellingly, sal- Celtic prayer with deep biblical roots has gave rise to the tradition of Celtic prayer In fire pit debris and stones in their glory. For humans, passage, mobility.
vation’s opposite in ancient Hebrew is dis- given me pause: ‘Who God possesseth in were subsistence farmers and labourers A history of who was here, and who stayed. Making things far away closer.
tress, which is literally to ‘be constricted.’ nothing is wanting; alone God sufficeth.’ in Scotland and Ireland who asked God to If a rock could tell me its story Making land the stakeholder of our ease.
‘number their days’ as they found shelter Would I listen fully? There are peoples who travelled by horse-back,
During this long season of lockdowns, There is a beautiful simplicity to this in the simple abundance of God’s ordinary Would I be patient enough to hold on to Single file through the trees.
quarantines, and self-isolation, we are prayer: those who are held by the triune gifts of life and love. In times of scarcity The details of billions of years of servitude An impact no wider than one man.
easily led to distress. How often have God of love may live lives of simple abun- and of plenty, their work and prayer Of compaction, heat, and pressure, But this bridge, it bulldozes through valley
we felt constricted, penned up, fenced dance, of ‘enough’ — wanting nothing cultivated a sense that an abundant God To develop the necessary elements all together The width of four lanes and more,
in — not just by the four walls around us, beyond what is necessary, giving to oth- had given them enough to live deeply and Just so I could look upon a rock in awe for a moment, Slicing deep into the sides of her hills.
but by our feelings of anxiety and despair, ers, thanking the Giver for the given life. wisely, despite very difficult lives. Then toss it away back into the river without even holding it? Implanting itself without checking if it matches her tissues.
that we or our neighbours may not make it While many of us shelter in place, while As if it hadn’t spent millions of waves How long will it take for her to overtake it?
to the far side of this pandemic? vulnerable sisters and brothers around That witness — echoed in the lives of Aching toward the surface. How deep are the claws of its grasp?
the world and down our street feel the subsistence farmers and labourers around Could I bare even one beach’s worth of tales How loved is the land by creator?
How do we move from feeling ‘fenced sharpest edges of the pandemic’s force, the world today — is a reminder of the If to know just one intimately would indict me? How many generations before it forgets?
in’ to salvation, from distress to this prayer is a reminder that the God of profound simplicity of biblical wisdom:
18 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 19Playing the long game
Planting the seed of conservation and watching it grow
BY NIKOLAS VANDER KOOY
V ern Peters grew up in Winnipeg
and when he was 12, his family
moved to a property along the banks
of the Assiniboine River. As a young boy,
his passion for conservation emerged
out of a desire for adventure. He loved
to canoe, explore the banks of the river,
and above all, fish! His parents, as most
practical parents would be wont to do,
insisted their twelve-year-old lad knew to
clean any fish he kept. This small request
turned Peters into a “catch and release”
fisherman. It got him thinking inten-
tionally about his role in conserving the
environment.
As an aspiring wildlife biologist, Peters
entered a Bachelor of Science program in
ecology at the University of Manitoba. In Professor of Biology, Dr. Vern Peters, at age 12 holding a fish caught at his family home along the
time, his love and experience for explor- Assiniboine River in Winnipeg, MB.
ing nature afforded him opportunities
to work with senior graduate students employment with Ducks Unlimited Can- Though he was well on his way toward
on fire ecology projects – their research ada, working to restore natural grasslands building an impressive resumé as a
sites being located along the undisturbed on agricultural properties throughout researcher, Peters had a feeling that it was
remote waters of northern Manitoba and Manitoba and Saskatchewan. all in preparation for a larger calling yet to
accessible only with the guidance of an come.
experienced canoeist. Peters himself While working on his Ph.D. from the Uni-
conducted his own senior thesis on urban versity of Alberta, Peters gained valuable “I really had a passion for environmental
biodiversity using his family home on experience in the forest industry, applying education, specifically amongst Christian
the Assiniboine as one of 15 properties findings from his research to the develop- communities, in thinking about elevating
included in the course of his field research. ment of more sustainable forest manage- our commitment to stewardship of cre-
ment techniques and practices. He then ation,” states Peters.
Although Peters’ first passion as an landed his dream job as a fire researcher
emerging professional was wildlife conser- with the Canadian Forest Service. In that He had known about King’s for the
vation, opportunities in plant and forest role, Peters observed patterns of fire better part of his life, having had several
ecology presented themselves more behaviour all over Canada and explored childhood friends travel from Winnipeg to
readily. Amongst other things, he pursued various implications of climate change. Edmonton to pursue an education there.
20 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 21red squirrels, using fire as a recovery tool and hopefully instilling a love for nature
for the whitebark pine, and minimizing and a desire to protect it in the process. In
cattle trampling in rangelands. time, many of those Peters has partnered
with will think more critically about
While the full impact of the —restoration their relationship with the environment.
work won’t be seen for several decades or More than a few have already gone on to
more, there have been more immediate post-secondary programs and careers
returns on these efforts. Summer research related to conservation.
projects on private cattle ranches have
uncovered fascinating intersections “Christ taught from the creation by taking
between protecting natural woodlands people out into the field. In bringing stu-
and increased range efficiency due to dents to important natural sites and the
enhanced shelter forests. Landowners people and landowners we are working
have also gained new tools and data to with, we’re telling the parable of the pine. Students from Immanuel Christian High in
advocate for the agricultural activities that There is an incredible story here in terms Lethbridge planting limber pine seedlings.
happen on their land and the ecological of how people live in this province and
viability of their properties, for example, how they can delight in God’s nature and courses and opportunities for students.
in regard to proposed transmission lines his wisdom in the creation. We are declar- The installation will also provide a new
Observing bird activity and monitoring acoustic recording devices, Landslide Lake Trail, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, Alberta (2020). and sewer treatment plants. ing God’s good works.” site for skill set development in grass-
lands and seismic line restoration work
As a graduate student at the U of A, Peters bark trees were noted as being critical in patterns of bird behaviour to gauge the Another immediate payoff of Peters’ work – applicable and employable skills on the
had also been invited to a conference at preventing and deterring similar disasters importance of alpine avian activity in has been conservation education and Canadian prairies and oilfields.
King’s exploring the role of Christians in in the future. post- fire tree regeneration. Some of the inspiration. Each year, entire classes of This spring, Dr. Peters’ research and con-
creation care. trips were completed in long 17 hour days, King’s students have had opportunities servation efforts are poised to pivot a lot “While we’re restricted with travelling off-
Dr. Peters’ research on these trees at others involved overnight stays high up in to get involved in data-collection and closer to home. Peters will be heading up site due to COVID-19, we have the perfect
“I filed King’s away in my memory until, King’s started as a summer survey on seed the mountains. analysis—real-world experiences that a grasslands restoration project right on opportunity to push forward a new grass-
one day, I became aware that a position production with a student worker back provide exposure to industry best prac- King’s campus. Natural prairie grasslands lands feature on campus. This will allow
was open here.” in 2007. In 2013, as a complement to his “There is an incredible story here tices. Peters’ small-scale community tree are some of the most threatened eco- us to engage more regularly with conser-
research, Peters began running active planting and restoration projects have systems in Canada, largely due to their vation-related activities as well as wildlife
small-scale conservation and restoration in terms of how people live in this also grown in scale. Today Peters regularly easy conversion to agriculture and other monitoring, plant restoration techniques,
projects with groups of friends and mem- province and how they can delight takes high school classes into the field on purposes. When complete, King’s prairie and more,” explains Peters.
Since starting at King’s in 2005, Dr. Peters bers from his home church in Edmonton. tree planting excursions, teaching them installation will allow natural science
has conducted an extended research Ever since, Peters has engaged in annual in God’s nature and his wisdom about conservation concerns, the work faculty to further develop additional edu- “The goal of the project is to develop a one
project with various annual summer field summer restoration and monitoring in the creation.” that’s being done to mitigate these issues, cation, research, and conservation related acre prairie that is resistant to change over
research focuses on the decline of the projects with his students and faith-based time and which will permanently retain
limber and white bark pines. community groups from across Alberta. the character of a grassland through
“What’s interesting is that the Clark’s nut- strong establishment of species we plant
Unmitigated, the disappearance of these Summer 2020 was as close to business as cracker, both collects and plants the seeds EXISTING
there. Sod will be removed this May and
endangered high-altitude trees will affect usual as possible for Peters. As in previous of these pines. Those it forgets about are TREE NURSERY piled to create berms. There are also plans
many of the places Canadians love to live, years, Peters and a student researcher the only ones that germinate. It’s a won- for a trail system to connect the grassland
visit, and vacation in each year. These two drove out to a designated research site— derful story of a bird with a very specific with the existing woodland swale, soccer
pines alone directly support over 35 spe- though in separate vehicles to maintain function and a highly important pathway pitch, and future naturalized coniferous
MULTI-USE TRAIL
cies of vertebrates — the most charismatic distancing—in the ongoing attempt to fill for natural regeneration.” areas. If all goes well, a specially selected
of which is the grizzly bear. Indirectly, they in knowledge gaps on the disappearance COMMUNITY seed mix of native species will be planted
GARDEN
support hundreds more. Should these and recovery of these species. It has taken over thirteen years to get to this fall.”
pines be left to diminish, or vanish, the this point, but the cumulative efforts by
effects would be devastating. This summer’s project was a third study Peters and his partners are paying off. The grassland installation will diversify
on the relationship between fire and EDUCATION NOOK When complete, King’s nat- the types of natural areas available to stu-
Peters points out that the large mam- the regeneration of the pines along the The research is being directly used by the uralized grasslands will fea- dents on campus and expand the proper-
NATURALIZED
mal wildlife that visitors have come to northern edge of Banff National Park. province and industry to inform invest- GRASSLANDS ture restored prairie grasses ty’s naturalized areas by about 35 percent.
expect and enjoy in Alberta’s mountain The two launched a series of treks across ment and maximize efforts to restore TOP and wild flowers, raised Seed mix trials will be run out of King’s
SLOPE
parks would certainly be detrimentally landslides and snowfields, climbing over these two important species to more 12'
berms, comfortable seating campus greenhouse and students will
affected, but the effects on humans would 2000 meters in a five hour period, to reach sustainable numbers. A number of recov- areas, and multipe test plots propagate wildflower plugs to be added to
be greater. For instance, after the 2013 the high elevation field sites. The pair ery actions have been put in place such for student lab work and select areas of the grasslands installation
Calgary and High River, Alberta floods, replaced memory cards and batteries in as the monitoring of cone crops for seed courses on conservation and for student research, monitoring, and
the restoration of the limber and white various audio recorders and monitored collections, protection of seed trees from ecological restoration. testing purposes in future years.
22 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 CONNECTION | WINTER 2021 23You can also read
