The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:35

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

College Excel Championship
Congratulations to the Messiah Excel team that placed 4th in the global Microsoft Excel College Championships (MECC) which took place on Dec. 1-3 at the HyperX eSports Arena in Las Vegas. Accompanied by Associate Professor of Finance Dwayne Safer, the Messiah team of Luke Peyton, Drew Weaver and Dylan Yoder finished ahead of last year’s collegiate Excel champion, University of Tennessee, as well as other notable institutions including University of Texas, University of Florida, UMass and University of Kentucky.

Announcing some changes in the Office of Marketing and Communications

Departure of Creative Director Becca Powell: It’s with mixed emotions that I share that Becca Powell will be leaving Messiah University, as her husband has accepted a pastoral call for a congregation in New Hampshire. She and her family will be moving back to New England at the end of December, and her last workday is currently planned for Dec. 19. As creative director, Becca has worked skillfully in partnership with the design team to shape so much of the visual storytelling and brand expression that represents Messiah so effectively. Her talent, artistry and collaborative spirit over the last three years have left a lasting mark on our team, our campus clients and the University. While we are truly happy for this new chapter in their family’s life and ministry, we will deeply miss her presence, leadership and creative excellence here. Please join me in praying for Becca and her family as they navigate this transition in the months ahead.

Introducing Kristine Frey, managing editor of the Bridge:  Our team was pleased to welcome this semester alumna Kristine Frey ’07 as the new part-time managing editor for the Bridge. Her career as a professional communication specialist and freelance writer/editor has served faith-based clients such as HOPE International, World Vision and the Brethren in Christ Church, where she served as the editor of the denomination’s magazine, In Part. She is a skilled writer, editor and project manager, and I am excited that she will now be a creative and collaborative partner with our team in producing the Bridge moving forward. You may contact Kristine for any Bridge-related questions or story ideas at bridge-editor@messiah.edu.

Executive director promotions: I’m pleased to share the promotion of two of our colleagues in Marketing and Communications. Effective Dec. 1, Kris Hardy’s title is now executive director of web and digital marketing, and Danielle Ran’s title is now executive director of communications. This advancement reflects their long-standing dedication to the university, their steady leadership within our department, and their significant contributions to undergraduate and graduate student recruitment—work that directly strengthens our enrollment success and elevates the institution as a whole. For more than a decade, they have consistently shown exceptional professionalism, deep expertise in their respective areas, and a significant commitment to the mission of Messiah University. Danielle’s executive director role will also now include expanded editorial liaison responsibilities for the Bridge magazine, working in collaboration with Managing Editor Kristine Frey. Please join me in congratulating Danielle and Kris on this well-deserved professional recognition.

BID FAREWELL

Retirement of Keith McMann from Department of Safety

It is with both deep appreciation and a touch of mixed emotion that we announce Keith McMann’s retirement. Over the past five years, he has served the Department of Safety with unwavering commitment, professionalism, and genuine care for our community. His faithful dedication has made a lasting impact on our team and the campus he worked hard to protect and serve each day. As Keith embarks on his next journey into retirement, he will continue serving his community as a fire police member with his local company and another place where his dedication, reliability and heart for others are deeply valued. If you see Keith on campus, or wish to reach out to him, please join us in celebrating Keith’s service and wishing him all the best in this next chapter. His presence will be greatly missed, but his influence will remain with us.

AROUND CAMPUS

Operations division focuses on unreasonable hospitality

Conference and Event Services know that it can be very confusing for guests to figure out where they need to go when they come to campus. Many of these guests stop by our reception area in Eisenhower Campus Center for directions. Cindy Sterling and Dianne Kirsch, our gracious campus receptionists, have been providing verbal directions to guests for many years. To ensure an even more “unreasonable hospitality” experience, they have created helpful written directions for frequently visited areas on campus to hand to the guest. These directions even include colored pictures! Thank you, Cindy and Dianne, for assisting guests to navigate campus with both verbal and written directions and showing them unreasonable hospitality.

Murray Minute: Murray Library is for children, too!

All staff and their families are invited to stop by Murray Library and check out the juvenile collections. This includes the Bridge to Freedom and Graphic Novel collections, too. There are over 14,500 books to choose from. There are picture books and chapter books for Pre-K through teens. Popular series are included, like Don’t Let the Pigeon…, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hunger Games, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, and many more.

Murray Library collects award winning juvenile titles that are worth an extra read. We also have hundreds of Christmas books for children. Read together as a family over Christmas break! Email library@messiah.edu with questions or for more information.

Messiah Community Cookbook: Your recipes wanted

All Messiah students and employees are invited to contribute to the Messiah University Community Cookbook. Messiah’s Murray Library is collecting recipes that are meaningful to you, including family favorites or cultural traditions. Submit one or several recipes to share with our community. The cookbook will be released during the Humanities Symposium in February 2026 as a free PDF for all. A limited number of print copies will also be available for sale. To participate: Fill out the online form . The deadline is Friday, Dec. 19.

Save the Date for “The Living Library” at Messiah’s Murray Library – Wednesday April 15, 2026

The Living Library: Many Stories, One Community Step into a library unlike any other where the “books” are real people and their stories are waiting to be discovered. The Living Library offers a powerful opportunity to listen, learn and connect through honest conversations that break down stereotypes and celebrate the richness of our community. Every story you “check out” opens a new chapter of understanding. Be part of an experience that inspires dialogue, bridges differences, and reminds us that every person has a story worth sharing. If you would like to be a “book” or nominate a colleague to be a book, please contact Liz Kielley, discovery and metadata librarian, at ekielley@messiah.edu Stay tuned, more details about the upcoming Living Library event are coming after the new year !

Occupational Therapy Research Symposium Tonight

Ready to learn something new? Connect with Messiah’s graduate students? Celebrate innovation and enjoy a few snacks while you’re at it? Messiah’s OT students and faculty are presenting their research posters tonight at the Winding Hill campus (401 E Winding Hill Rd). Come and go as you please between 5 and 7 p.m. while enjoying light refreshments.

Research topics include:

• The efficacy of a burnout prevention training for mental health workers
•  OT and PT perceptions of international learning experiences
• Strengths and barriers in employment for individuals with serious mental illness
• OT, PT, and nursing’s digital literacy
• Teacher and administrators’ understanding of school-based OT
• Lifestyle interventions and telehealth for dysautonomia
• Occupational wholeness in dysautonomia

Advent Scripture and Song Service

Join us for a special Advent Scripture and Song Service as we enter this season of anticipation and hope: Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. in the High Foundation Recital Hall. Through selected readings and music, we will reflect on the promises of Christ’s coming and prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas. All are welcome. Sponsored by the Honors Program.

Flash student presentations from ENGL 495
Join us tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. for Flash Student Presentations from ENGL 495 in the Murray Library Café Diem area. Take a break and bring your lunch, or just your love for words, as selected students from Dr. Pete Powers’s Language, Literature and Writing Senior Seminar share flash presentations of their senior projects, including creative writing, literary criticism and cultural explorations. Enjoy coffee, snacks and refreshments provided by Murray Library, and as a special bonus, we’re giving away free books!

Attention One$ource and Spend Clarity users:

On Tuesday, Nov. 25 you received a mass email communication stating that Project GRACE had a positive Go-Live decision. This means as of Jan. 1, 2026, we will no longer be using One$ource or Spend Clarity. Be sure to check the Project Grace website to keep up to date with all the latest information.

Please see important dates and tasks below:

When we come back from Christmas break, we will no longer be utilizing One$ource. All requisitions and reimbursement requests will be entered into Oracle.

• Last day to request a new supplier – Wednesday, Dec 10. Only suppliers that have returned required information by Thursday, Dec. 11 will be entered into One$ource.
• Last day to enter a new requisition in One$ource – Friday, Dec. 12.
• All new requisitions entered after Friday, Dec. 12 will be declined in One$ource.
• One$ource will be available from Saturday, Dec. 13 through Friday, Dec. 19 ONLY to approve requisitions, complete receiving and accept invoices on blankets.
• Access to One$ource will be cut off at the end of day Friday, Dec. 19.
• Between now and Friday, Dec. 19 it is imperative that all invoices are forwarded to accountspayable@messiah.edu and all receiving done in One$ource when items are delivered to campus.  The goal is to close out as many purchase orders as possible.
• Any purchase orders or individual order lines where receiving is not complete in One$ource by Friday, Dec. 19 will be converted and available in Oracle in January.

Starting with January allocations, we will no longer be utilizing Spend Clarity. All purchasing card transactions will be entered in Oracle.

• All December purchasing card charges will be allocated in Spend Clarity. The deadline for allocation is  7. The last day to approve is Jan. 12.
• Allocations in Oracle will begin with January

Training on purchasing (requisitions) and expense (purchasing card) allocations coming in January.

Key December accounting deadlines

The Accounting Department will be completing a required hard close of the financial records as of Dec. 31. Please complete the following tasks BEFORE Christmas break.

If you have any checks or cash in your office that you have collected for various Messiah activities, please take them to the Falcon Exchange to deposit BEFORE Christmas break.

If you have a petty cash account, please reconcile expenditures for fall semester activities and submit them to the Falcon Exchange BEFORE Christmas break.

If your department regularly takes transmittals to the Falcon Exchange for cash/credit card transactions, please make sure all transactions are completed for the fall semester and then submit the last transmittal BEFORE Christmas break.

If you have any journal entries to be processed relating to fall semester activities, please submit them to accounting@messiah.edu BEFORE Christmas break.

Budget managers and administrators, please look through the expenses in the orgs that you manage, make sure there are no misallocated expenses or anything else that needs to be moved and submit the appropriate journal entries to accounting@messiah.edu BEFORE Christmas break.

Please allocate all P-Card expenses as soon as possible as you incur them during December and do not wait until the normal deadline.

CLASSIFIEDS

Job opportunities

Community Wellness has an opening for a part-time assistant director of PREP Programming. Job related questions may be directed to Kris Hansen-Kieffer at khansen@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30680.

Facility Services has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Brian Miller at bemiller@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30665.

The Office of the Provost has an opening for a full-time associate provost. Job related questions may be directed to Christine Gardner at cgardner@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30515.

The Office of the Provost has an opening for a full-time vice provost for Student Success and Engagement. Job related questions may be directed to Christine Gardner at cgardner@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: 
https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30630.

The Office of Residence Life has an opening for a full-time interim residence life educator. Job related questions may be directed to Doug Wood at dwood@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30557.

Graduate Studies: Nursing has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Brenda Elliott at belliott@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30383.

The Engle Center has an opening for a part-time dietitian. Job related questions may be directed to Carrie Ent at cent@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30396.

The Engle Center has an opening for a full-time interim counselor. Job related questions may be directed to Aubrey Kleinfeld at AKleinfe@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30472.

Dining Services has an opening for a part-time PM cook. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Wirtz at mwirtz@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29703.

Dining Services has an opening for a full-time culinary assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Wirtz at mwirtz@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30236.

The Office of Development has an opening for a full-time senior regional advancement representative. Job related questions may be directed John Zeigler at jzeigler@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29719.

The Department of Safety has an opening for a full-time first shift safety officer. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29967.

The Department of Safety has an opening for a full-time second-shift safety officer. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30549.

The Department of Safety has an opening for a full-time event and traffic management coordinator. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30455.

For sale

Disney and Pixar DVDs for sale. 32 Children’s Pixar, Disney and other DVDs $3 each See the attached list. Call Bill at 3904 or email balthoff@messiah.edu if interested.

Items for sale. Please contact Tracy at tsheaffer@messiah.edu if interested.

OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS

Susquehanna Chorale to present 2025 Candlelight Christmas Concerts
The Susquehanna Chorale will present its Candlelight Christmas concert series on Dec. 19-21, under the direction of Linda L. Tedford. Performances are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 19 at the Calvin and Janet High Center for Performing Arts, Messiah University, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 20 at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, Elizabethtown, 4 p.m. This year’s Candlelight Christmas concerts feature holiday pieces ranging from the works of Praetorius, Bach and Rachmaninov to the sacred and secular music of our own time, featuring accompaniments by brass and solo cello. You’ll hear Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, Biebl’s Ave Maria for men’s voices, premiers of works composed by Linda’s former Messiah University colleagues, Richard Roberson and William Stowman as well as Dan Forrest’s Let the Stable Still Astonish, commissioned in honor of the Chorale’s 40th Anniversary. As always, there will be carol singalongs and the treasured finale, Silent Night sung by candlelight. A pre-concert recital by Susquehanna Chorale accompanist, Daniel L. Dorty and guest artists, Scott Kuntz, cello, and The Messiah University Brass, will be presented 15 minutes prior to each performance. Let the voices of the Susquehanna Chorale, captured in gorgeous music of the season, offer you moments of peace, joy and reflection. Come and experience the magic of A Candlelight Christmas. Visit www.susquehannachorale.org/performances or call the Messiah University Box Office at 717-691-6036, option 1, for tickets and information. Group discounts are offered for 10 or more tickets purchased at the same time.

Joy to the Burg
A Beverly Spangler, assistant catering manager and Van Hoffman, Falcon Fitness Center member, together as the musical group “Just Us Too” have a Christmas cover song on the “Joy to the Burg 2025” album which is curated by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame. All proceeds from the album benefit the outreach work of Christian Churches United (CCU) in helping homeless individuals in Harrisburg. More information about the album, outreach work and artist concerts can be found at www.joytotheburg.com