February Update from the MCSC

Dear friends, 

One afternoon last week while working on my computer at the Center, I struck up a conversation with Thomas, a frequent student visitor.  We began by discussing sports, naturally, but soon the conversation turned to C.S. Lewis.  Thomas recently read Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce is next on his list.  The Center had hosted a Great Divorce discussion last year, so I went downstairs to our library and pulled out an extra copy and gave it to Thomas.  Then we conversed about Lewis’s deep reflections on time in The Great Divorce (which I  partially comprehend).

How does one go from working in the trenches of university administration to discussing C.S. Lewis with a college student on a Wednesday afternoon?  Divine providence, perhaps.  One of the joys of directing the Michigan Christian Study Center is witnessing the meaningful conversations that happen simply because people are brought together by an attractive and hospitable space.

While such regular interactions form the foundation of Christian community at the Center, just as important are events that challenge students and faculty to love God more fully with their hearts and minds.  Here is an overview of the past month's activities:

In our “Taking Your Faith to College” Friday lunches, students have heard from Chemistry professor Bart Bartlett (pictured below), Michigan Law professor Dan Crane, educational researcher Becky Matz, and Psychology professor Thad Polk.

Students and local pastor Bob Lynn meet weekly to discuss one of C.S. Lewis's most timely works, The Abolition of Man.

Every other Wednesday morning, students gather for our Exploring Christian Theology course with instructor Monse Santiago.

University of Michigan professors gather biweekly to share their experiences and insights around the theme of “Christian Faith and Scholarship.”

Our February public event, “Performing Faith: Christian Faith and the Performing Arts,” discussed how God  created humans for beauty and artistic expression.

Campus ministry leaders meet at the Center biweekly to pray for each other and for the university.

In last month’s Atlantic cover article, "The Anti-Social Century," Derek Thompson chronicled the drastic increase in time that Americans spend alone and how that increase is impacting not just individual lives but social institutions as well.  The Center is just one small organization in the landscape of American higher education.  Nevertheless, it's rewarding to see the many ways that we are breaking down the culture of isolation that many students experience.  It's such a privilege to create a place where students and faculty can find Christian community, and where important conversations about faith, learning, and living can happen because of that community.

We’re excited to see how God continues to bring more participants to the Center.  With that growth comes increasing expenses.  Please help us advance a Christian presence at the University of Michigan by becoming a monthly supporter or contributing a one-time gift, using this DONATE link.

Thanks for your partnership,

Rick

––––––––––––––––––

Dr. Rick Ostrander

Executive Director, Michigan Christian Study Center