Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
I Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV)

News

The Department of Human Development and Family Science had great representation at the National Council on Family Relations Conference in Baltimore, Md. Nov. 19-22. All four faculty and 27 students attended the conference. Erin Boyd-Soisson, professor of human development and family science, and Nicole Nagel (HDFS senior) presented a poster titled “Training up a Child: Amish Parenting Advice in the 1970s and 2000s.” Robert Reyes, professor of human development and family science, and Ruben Viramontez-Anguiano (University of CO Denver) presented a paper titled “Understanding Latino Families in the Great Lakes: An Ecological Perspective” as part of a symposium on Immigrant Families over the Life Course. Reyes also served as the presider and co-chair of the Latino(a) Research Focus Group meeting. Raeann Hamon, distinguished professor of family science and gerontology, was invited to provide a Fellows Roundtable on Strategies for Positioning Family Science for a Strong Future. Hamon also served as chair of a symposium that was devoted to Positioning Family Science for a Strong Future. As part of that symposium, Hamon co-presented a paper titled “Marketing Family Science Programs” with co-presenter Suzanne Smith (Washington State University Vancouver). This symposium was one of the sessions selected to be live-streamed. It is recorded and available at NCFR’s website.

On Nov. 19, Nance McCown presented a paper to the Religious Communication Association in conjunction with the National Communication Association’s annual conference in Chicago. Her paper was titled “Recognizing the Imago Dei in Employee Publics: A Challenge for Christian Public Relations Scholars, Faculty and Practitioners.” In late October, Nance represented Messiah in Washington, D.C., on the CCCU’s American Studies Program Strategic Communication Track development task force, where she was part of curriculum and planning discussions for a new semester-long option available beginning in fall 2015.

A team of faculty and students from Messiah College and Harrisburg University presented recently on the subject of Harrisburg’s City Beautiful movement. David Pettegrew, associate professor of history, Jeff Erikson, assistant professor of biological studies, Rachel Morris (history student) and Rachel Morris (engineering student) teamed up with Albert Sarvis, assistant professor of geospatial technology, and Dan Stolyarov (GIS student) on a presentation for Bucknell University’s conference “Collaborating Digitally: Engaging Students in Faculty Research.” On Nov. 19, the students presented at the opening session of GIS Day at Harrisburg Area Community College to 60 area high school students and led a workshop on using GIS to project and explore the U.S. census data for the city. The working group has recently released the beta version of an interactive map of the buildings and population of Harrisburg in 1900.

Assistant Professor of Music Damian Savarino recently won 1st place in the National Opera Association Opera Production Competition for his Messiah College Opera Workshop production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Medium.” For the spring 2014 production, Timothy Dixon and members of the Messiah College Symphony Orchestra provided the music and Tom Ryan provided scenic and lighting design. Savarino has been invited to attend the Gala Banquet of the NOA National Convention in Greensboro, N.C. in January to receive the award. Please join the department of music in congratulating Savarino, Dixon and Ryan and the outstanding cast on presenting top-rate student opera which has received the highest national recognition possible.

Messiah 411

Update on College response to Ebola planning

This fall, there has been heightened public attention surrounding the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the related isolated cases that occurred in the U.S. Throughout this situation, the College has been proactively monitoring the international and domestic response to Ebola and its impact on college-related travel. The College’s International Risk Management Committee has met as needed this semester and has already been in direct contact with all students and employees whose travel may be impacted for J-Term. Although media coverage of the Ebola outbreak continues to slow, we want to assure the campus community that the Crisis Management Team and the International Risk Management Committee will continue to monitor this international health situation in a measured and proactive way. As such, you are invited to visit the College’s crisis management blog for questions you may have about Ebola and the current state of Messiah College’s response.

Martha Strickland to speak on campus Dec. 4

On Thursday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. in Boyer 335, Martha Strickland, associate professor of education at Penn State Harrisburg, will speak on “The Choreography of Conversation across Differences.” As part of a first-year seminar on “Third Culture Kids,” Strickland will use her own research and past experience to consider the importance of context for identity formation. A particular focus will be on how conversations—especially those between and among people with different backgrounds and experiences—affect relationships. Light refreshments will accompany the presentation and all are welcome. For more information, contact dschmidt@messiah.edu​.

Oakes Museum to host Holiday Open House Dec. 6

Join The Oakes Museum of Natural History for the annual Holiday Open House Dec. 6 from 1-5 p.m. This event is our way of saying “thank you” to each of you in the community for supporting us throughout the year. Admission is free, so invite a friend. You do not need to RSVP for this event. Please contact the museum office at ext. 6082 or oakesmuseum@messiah.edu if you have questions. We look forward to seeing you there! See attachment for complete information.

Rosa Johnson to speak on campus Dec. 10

Ms. Rosa Johnson, niece and archivist of Dr. Maya Angelou, will present “My Life with Auntie: Remembering Dr. Maya Angelou” Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Parmer Recital Hall. Sponsored by the Center for Public Humanities, Department of English and the Multicultural Council.

College Guitar Ensemble in concert Dec. 13

The Department of Music will present the annual Messiah College Guitar Ensemble concert on Saturday, Dec. 13 in the High Foundation Recital Hall. The curtain time has been changed from its originally scheduled evening time to 1:30 p.m. The performance will have a Christmas theme and will feature student soloists Matthew Wood and Andrew Budd. Several of the students will also demonstrate their improvisation abilities during the performance of a piece that they arranged themselves. The event is open to the public and admission is free of charge.

Reminders from accounts payable

The accounts payable office would like to remind you that there will be no checks issued the week of Christmas, Dec. 22-Jan. 2. The deadline is as follows: submit your request/invoices by Friday, Dec. 12 for a check on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Please also note, following IRS tax reporting guidelines, all payments to individuals or company’s providing services to the College must be paid within the calendar year in which the services were provided to meet 1099 Misc Tax form reporting for 2014. Your continued cooperation is greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays!

Opportunity to sponsor a child through Food for the Hungry in Bolivia

Messiah College has been sending service teams to low-income communities through Food for the Hungry (FH) for nearly 10 years. In 2007, The Agapè Center began a partnership with FH in which we would support two communities to meet their own dreams and goals through the Child-Focused Community Transformation (CFCT) program. This has taken the form of sending teams to aid in relief efforts, conduct community-based studies, create development plans and build infrastructure. With the support from the Messiah College community, these villages have achieved greater health care, education and empowerment as they begin to break the cycle of poverty.

Now another opportunity exists in which we can support the community and FH staff through regular financial sponsorship. Our partner communities, Rodeo and Torotoro, Bolivia have provided on-site experiential and service-learning opportunities for our students that have been key to their personal, spiritual and academic formation. Many of our students and alumni sponsor these communities by establishing a writing relationship with a child from a community and through much-needed monthly financial giving.

We would like to take an opportunity to extend the relational and financial support side of our partnership by encouraging faculty, staff and administrators to consider sponsoring children in these communities. Your money goes directly to health care, education, increasing local church capacity and the modest salaries in FH Bolivia working in these communities; with little administrative overhead.

See the Messiah College CFCT sponsorship site should you wish to join with us in our efforts alleviate poverty in these communities. If you have further questions about our relationship and work in these areas, please contact Ashley Scheaffer, asheaffer@messiah.edu, or Erik and Molly Lindquist, quist@messiah.edu or mlindquist@messiah.edu, who serve as FH advocates and have had several experiences with FH Bolivia.

Reminder to RSVP for Employee Christmas Luncheon

To ensure that we prepare adequately, please send your RSVP for the Employee Christmas Luncheon to the office of human resources and compliance by Friday, Dec. 12. The RSVP card, located on your invitation, is also your entry into the raffle drawing. Please note that you must be present to win. We’re looking forward to a time of fellowship, fine food and festive entertainment! Please contact Kathy Castonguay, human resources, at KCastong@messiah.edu or ext. 7086 with questions.

Opportunity to donate school supplies at Employee Christmas Luncheon

The theme for this year’s Employee Christmas Luncheon is “Christmas on Main Street, USA.” In that spirit, we are offering the opportunity to give to Project Big Love, an organization in our “backyard” of York County, which reaches out to local families. We will be collecting school supplies for PBL to distribute at their 2015 summer event. Last year 2,500 individuals were served. Members of President’s Cabinet at Messiah are donating funds to purchase backpacks; you can help fill those backpacks with needed supplies. To participate, please bring new items from the following categories, based on your last name:

A – H #2 pencils, pens, eight-pack colored pencils

I – Q two-pocket folders, glue sticks, rounded tip scissors

R – Z erasers, 24-pack crayons, highlighters

To learn more about Project Big Love and their 2015 summer event, please visit this link. All donations are optional and no gift is too small.

Volunteers needed for Employee Christmas Luncheon

Each year, in the spirit of the season, employees volunteer to help with setup, serving and cleanup at the Employee Christmas Luncheon. This allows our colleagues in dining services and campus events to more fully participate in the event. If you haven’t participated before, or if you’ve had a great time volunteering in the past, we need you this year…and it is fun! Please consider volunteering for one of the following time slots on Friday, Dec. 19.

Set-up: 9-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-noon

Serving: Two 45-minute shifts during lunch; meet at 11:40 a.m. for instructions

Cleanup: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Victoria Johnson, human resources, at VJohnson@messiah.edu by Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Classified

Positions available:

The Department of Information Technology Services has a current opening for the full-time position of Network Systems Analyst/Manager. For additional information and to apply, please see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/5169. Job-related questions may be directed to Tony Wyland, director of network services, at Wyland@messiah.edu.

The Department of Development has a current opening for the full-time position of Administrative Assistant for Prospect Research and Planned/Leadership Gifts. For additional information and to apply, please see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/5158. Job-related questions may be directed to Robert Feil, director of prospect research, at RFeil@messiah.edu.

For sale:

2004 V6 Honda Accord—well-maintained, one owner, 163,000 miles. Fully loaded; leather seats, sunroof, six CD changer, cruise control. Oil changed every 3,000 miles. Normal wear and tear for 10-year-old car, ready to go. $5,250. Contact Susan at sshannon@messiah.edu.

Tama nine-piece drum set—Five drums, two cymbals, top hat, throne and music stand, $575; Sauder student computer desk—$50. Photos available. Contact baumen@messiah.edu.

House—Three-bedroom split level house, located in Monaghan Township on N. Grantham Rd., York County, near college athletic fields. Close to campus (10-15 min. walk). House has 2.5 baths, large two-car garage, basement partially finished, custom built kitchen, city water. On-site sandmound septic system. Oil fired forced hot air heat plus heat pump for central air and backup heating. Two outside storage sheds. Lot is approximately 0.7 acres. Ideal location close to campus. For more information, contact ghess@messiah.edu or call 717-766-7838.

Christmas trees—Four to eight ft. live spruce and fir trees. $25. Located at 9680 Carlisle Rd, Dillsburg. Delivery available. Contact Dale Fogelsanger at dfogelsa@messiah.edu or
717-623-0735.

Hooker armoire computer desk—Solid wood, dark finish in very good condition. Would make a perfect office space in a home where you may not have a separate room for an office. Doors open with room for monitor, keyboard, printer, books, etc. Has an interior light and built in surge protector. Two small drawers to keep supplies, plus a file drawer. Very solid and heavy. Asking $800. Contact acook@messiah.edu for photo.

Annual Amani Bead Holiday sale—Through Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. in Eisenhower Commons. Handcrafted Amani bead jewelry, many Kenyan market items including ornaments, nativity scenes and scarves etc. All priced between $3 and $40. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to New Life Homes, a network of homes in Kenya caring for abandoned and orphaned infants. Cash, checks, credit cards and Falcon dollars accepted. See attachment for complete information.

Electric Lawn Mower—Greenworks 21 in. corded electric push mower. Good condition, great for a modest yard with minimal obstacles (because of the cord). Includes 100 ft. power extension cord (12 gauge wire). $80. Contact Jason Long at jlong@messiah.edu.

Sofa table with two drawers—Top surface has a stone mosaic inlay. Matching end table included. Both are in great condition. Dimensions of the sofa table are: 52 in. w × 31.25 in. h × 17.25 in. d. Dimensions of the end table are 23 in. w × 24 in. h × 21 in. d. Asking $125 or best offer for both pieces; Craftsman style hanging chandelier—Great working condition. Antiqued copper finish with frosted glass. Bottom diameter is 18 in.Uses a 75 watt (max) light bulb.  Asking $35 or best offer; Pottery Barn lamp shade—100 percent cream colored silk. Dimensions are: 9 in. w (top opening), 15.5 in. w (bottom opening), 14 in. high. It has been in a smoke-free and pet-free home the entire time. Asking $25 or best offer; Six 100 percent silk dupioni lined drape panels with matching tiebacks—All are in like-new condition. They have been in a smoke-free and pet-free home the entire time. Each panel has pole pockets and measures 42 in. × 96 in. The color is wheat and they have 100 percent cotton lining.Want to sell as a set, asking $150 ($25 per panel) or best offer. Please contact Maria Sweeney-Rippon for more information or photos, at mrippon@messiah.edu or ext. 5066.

Red 2003 Subaru Outback—105,000 miles, manual, fresh oil change, full set of winter tires mounted on separate rims, summer and winter mats, aftermarket bluetooth phone system. Asking $6,000 obo. For more information, contact Karl Krahn at kkrahn@messiah.edu.