Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

February 6, 2014

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

But I will sing of your might; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been a fortress for me and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 59:16 (NRSV)

News

The Internship Center is pleased to welcome Sarah Bartz as our new internship coordinator. She is a 2008 graduate from Lebanon Valley College with a major in psychology. In 2012 she graduated from Kutztown University with a master’s degree in counseling. While at Kutztown, she served as a graduate assistant in two different offices and as the internship coordinator. Sarah will be working part-time, primarily with students in the social sciences.

Messiah 411

Peter Greer and Shane Claiborne to present lecture Feb. 18

On Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Parmer Hall, Peter Greer, Messiah College alumnus and president and CEO of HOPE International, and Shane Claiborne, Christian activist and co-founder of The Simple Way faith community, will discuss their shared commitment to the Christian faith but often differing views on how to address issues of social justice in their presentation “Beyond Left and Right: A Conversation on Social Justice.” In this important conversation they will address how Christians can transcend ideological divisions in tackling the important issues of social justice confronting national and global society.

Tickets are free by contacting the Ticket Office at ext. 6036. A book signing will follow. The event is sponsored by the Honors Program and Office of the President. Please see attachment for complete details.

Fire extinguisher training offered Feb. 23-28

Hands-on fire extinguisher training is being planned for the week of February 23-28. This training will utilize the Bullex© BullsEye extinguisher training system. This is a combination of an LED simulated flame and a laser training extinguisher which allows hands-on practice without the costly replacement of extinguishants and with no adverse impact on the environment. Our insurance carrier, HM Workers’ Compensation, is loaning this system to us at no cost.

There are several training sessions being offered each day; the number of participants in each session is limited. These sessions have been offered to employees who, due to their job functions, are required to receive annual fire extinguisher training. However, there are still some slots left and these are now being offered to all employees on a “first come-first served” basis.

For more information about the training sessions and to sign up for a session, go to MCSquare, “Employee,” “Employee Training Session.” Click on the session (date/time) that you wish to attend and follow the instructions for registering.

The actual training session will consist primarily of a demonstration of the use of the extinguisher and then the opportunity for each participant to experience “hands-on” training in extinguishing the “fire.” Training on the types of fires and extinguishers as well as initial instruction on the P.A.S.S. system for using extinguishers will be provided to employees via a Qualtrics training program that must be completed prior to attending the “hands-on” session. This Qualtrics training is available by clicking on the following link. If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact Donna Fink at ext. 5038 or Valerian Curd at ext. 6747. Please inform your supervision of the session for which you register.

“Into the City Mini” set for March 6

On Thursday, March 6 the Career Center is heading to Hershey Entertainment & Resorts in Hershey for the fifth installment of “Into the City Mini,” a condensed version of the popular two-day Into the City career immersion program. Students will meet with numerous executives and Messiah alumni employed at the organization and will also have the opportunity to listen to a panel presentation about careers within the company. In addition to learning about Hershey Entertainment and Resorts and their recruitment process, students will be challenged to consider the transferability of their Messiah College experience to the workplace. The program will conclude with a networking dinner.

Past attendees of Into the City trips have found that connecting with alumni and employers in such an intimate fashion to have a significant impact on their career planning and decision-making. If you are interested in incorporating this event into a class, please contact the Career Center for more details at ext. 6016 or career@messiah.edu. This event is open to students of all years and majors.

January 30, 2014

Thursday, January 30th, 2014

It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20 (NRSV)

News

Bradley Genevro and William Stowman served as guest conductors for the 2014 Northern New Jersey Region Band Festival. Genevro conducted the 50-member wind ensemble and Stowman conducted the 110-member symphonic band. The groups rehearsed for two full days then presented a combined concert at Randolph High School in Randolph, N.J. Many of the students from these ensembles—some of the finest high school musicians in the entire state—will go on to participate in the New Jersey All State Festival later this spring. Genevro’s program included “Stained Glass Windows,” a new work written for the Messiah College Wind Ensemble by Adjunct Composition Professor Bruce Yurko.

Messiah 411

Representative from Gordon IN Orvieto on campus Feb. 7

Dr. John Skillen, associate director of European Programs at Gordon College, will be on campus Friday, Feb. 7 to talk to students and faculty about opportunities for students to study with Gordon IN Orvieto. If you are interested in inviting him to speak in your classes or would like to meet with him one-on-one, please contact Wendy Lippert at wlippert@messiah.edu. Also, please encourage interested students to attend the following information session: Gordon IN Orvieto, Friday, Feb. 7 at 3:30 and 4 p.m. in Boyer 231. Learn more about this program in Orvieto, Italy, here.

Upcoming Wellness Workshop set for Feb. 20

Mark your calendar now for February’s wellness workshop on “Mindfulness and Stress: How to Use Your Head to Your Advantage.” The workshop is part of the wellness program’s emphasis on stress management this spring. It will be led by Phil Lawlis and Krista Cochran on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 12:15-1 p.m. in Parmer Cinema. Come and learn more about how you can develop the practice of mindfulness and the important role it plays in helping to manage stress.

“Laughter Is Medicine” Wellness initiative

According to researchers, laughter is not just good for the soul—it’s good for the mind and body as well. In light of the wellness program’s emphasis on stress management this spring, we are initiating “Mirthful Mondays.” For six consecutive Mondays (beginning on Feb. 17), we will be sending out a “Mirthful Monday” email newsletter with humorous video clips, jokes, etc. We’re hoping you’ll find a few minutes during the day to read it and/or watch the clips. But we need your help to pull this off. Beginning today, if you have a favorite joke or funny video clip, send it to Doug Miller at dmiller@messiah.edu. We’ll screen them and include the funniest (realizing that humor is often in the eye of the beholder) in the newsletter each week. Please be sure anything you send is public domain.

Employees asked to submit nominations for Pride in Performance Awards

Have you been impressed or inspired by the contributions made by a fellow employee during the last year? If so, please consider nominating that colleague for a “Pride in Performance Award.” The Pride in Performance Award is used to recognize an employee based on the following criteria:

  • The employee has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and remarkable proficiency in his/her assigned duties;
  • The employee has demonstrated hospitality, customer focus and has been active in promoting a pleasant working environment;
  • The employee has demonstrated dependability, innovative ways to manage work and effective problem-solving;
  • The employee has been committed to professional development and enhancing his/her skill set.

Your recommendation will be confidential; only the employees selected as award recipients will know that their names were offered for consideration. Prior recipients are not eligible to receive a subsequent award for three years. See the list of prior recipients here. Nominations must be submitted using the Pride in Performance nomination form found here by Friday, Feb. 28. Further information on performance awards can be viewed here. The recipients will be announced at the Employee Recognition Reception in May. All questions regarding nominations should be directed to Kathy Castonguay, human resources, at kcastong@messiah.edu.

Classifieds

Positions available:

The Department of Safety has an immediate opening for the full time position of Supervisor of Investigations and Crime Prevention. For additional information and to apply, please see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/3004. Job-related questions may be directed to Cindy Burger, director of safety and dispatch services, at cburger@messiah.edu.

The Department of Printing and Mailing Services has an immediate opening for the full-time position of Postal Services Clerk. For additional information and to apply, please see https://jobs.messiah.edu/hr/postings/3007. Job-related questions may be directed to Dwayne Magee, director of printing and mailing services, at dmagee@messiah.edu.

The School of the Arts has an immediate opening for the part-time position of Studio Art Technician. For additional information and to apply, please see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2885. Job-related questions may be directed to Christine Forsythe, professor of art, at cforsyth@messiah.edu.

ITS has an immediate opening for the full-time position of Instructional Designer. For additional information and to apply, please see https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/3025. Job-related questions may be directed to Susan Shannon, director of learning technology services, at sshannon@messiah.edu.

For sale:

Kitchen table and four chairs in very good condition — Cream-colored with dimensions of 60 in. L × 36 in. W × 29 in. H. Asking price is $100. For more information or photos, contact Don Lerew at ext. 2030 or at dlerew@messiah.edu.

Outside organization announcement:

Host families needed — American Home Life International is looking for Christian families interested in hosting international students for the 2014-15 academic year. These high school students will be studying at the Christian School of York and transportation to and from school would be provided. Host families are given a generous monthly stipend to offset any cost of hosting these students. Host families are able to preference a male or female student, if needed. For more information regarding this ministry, please contact Emily Downey at emilyrosedowney@gmail.com.

January 23, 2014

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 (NRSV)

News

Alison Noble, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, coauthored “A Survey of the Heavy Metals Present in the Soil of a Potential Urban Garden: A Service Learning Approach” with two Messiah students from the class of 2013, Kyle Kessler (environmental science) and Seth Umbenhauer (chemistry). The article will be published in the upcoming issue of the “Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.”

Messiah 411

GoED Africa/GoED Mekong Administrators to visit campus Feb. 4-5

On Feb. 4 and 5, Anna and Travis Hall, student life coordinators for GoED Africa, will be on campus to talk to students about studying with the GoED Programs in Rwanda and Thailand. If you are interested in having the Halls speak to your classes about opportunities to study with GoED please contact Wendy Lippert at wlippert@messiah.edu or ext. 6089. You can also set up an appointment to meet with the Halls one-on-one if you would like to learn more about the program.

Anna and Travis will be hosting a Student Information Session on Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. in Boyer 130. Please encourage interested students to attend. For more information about the GoED Programs, visit here and here.

Reminders from conference services

Please remember that March 14 is the deadline for scheduling any event that includes:

1. A set-up involving tech/AV needs or additional tables, chairs or furnishings.
2. Serving food to others outside of your group or using college funds to purchase food for the event.
3. A fundraiser, selling items, showing a film or an event that includes dancing.
4. An off-campus speaker or an off-campus vendor.
5. Mass advertising, required tickets or placing an event on the master calendar.
6. More than 25 off-campus guests at your event.

All such requests will not be approved after the March 14 deadline.

Jadu and Contribute training offered for spring semester

If you are interested in Jadu CMS or Contribute website editing training, sessions are now posted on MCSquare under “Employee Training,” “Web.”

  • Jadu training is available for anyone who already has a Jadu site, is in the migration/building stage or would like to begin migration to Jadu.
  • Contribute training is offered for anyone who is new to Contribute or needs a refresher.

Please email Ramona Fritschi at rfritschi@messiah.edu with any questions you may have regarding web training.

Merit scholarship to Harrisburg Academy available

Harrisburg Academy is excited to be partnering for a third year with Messiah College to offer merit scholarships to children of full-time Messiah College employees. These merit scholarships are annual, renewable tuition scholarships of $10,000 per student. Applicants must be new students applying to the Academy for enrollment in fifth through 11th grades. (See addendum for the 2014-15 Corporate Partner Merit Scholarship application.) All materials are due by Feb. 1, and testing dates are currently scheduled for Jan. 22, Feb. 8 and Feb. 18. A half-day visit for applicants is available on Feb. 5 and includes three classes and lunch. Have questions? Would you like to RSVP? Please contact Jessica Warren, director of admission and marketing, at Warren.J@harrisburgacademy.org.

Important information from payroll office about W-2s

W-2s for 2013 wages are scheduled to be mailed to your current payroll address during the week of Jan. 20. Most of you will be receiving your W-2s at your home address. Some employees residing on campus will receive their W-2s via their campus mail address. Employees may contact the payroll office if the W-2 is not received by Feb. 7.

In addition to the paper W-2 form, W-2s are now accessible to employees via Employee Self-Service. This electronic W-2 form is an acceptable form for IRS, state and local submissions. The online W-2 form is accessible by following the directions outlined below. For more information, please see the attachment.

Updates made to the Messiah College safety manual

  • Section 14 of the Messiah College Safety Manual (Emergency Action Plan) has been revised. A segment on “Floods” has been added under “Weather Event.” A “Bomb Threat Call Procedure and Checklist” has been added as an attachment. Also the heading “General Medical Emergency” has been changed to “Medical Emergency.”
  • Section 15, “Employee Training and New Employee Orientation” has been added. This section includes copies of two forms: Attachment A – “New Employee Area Safety Orientation Provided by Supervisor” and Attachment B – “New Employee Safety, Health and Environmental Training and Information for Specific Job Postings.” The first attachment should be completed for all employees by their area supervisor. The second attachment involves specific training required by OSHA for employees involved in certain job tasks.

Questions about these updates or any information included in the safety manual should be directed to Donna Fink. The safety manual can be found on the College’s website.

Employee Recognition Reception scheduled for May 7

Please save the date for the annual gathering to celebrate the commitment of those employees who have reached significant service milestones. The Employee Recognition Reception will be held on Reading Day, May 7 from 2–4 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium. More details will be shared in the spring.

Campus Ministries connection

This week we honored the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by acts of service in the greater Harrisburg area, attending a special chapel with worship led by United Voices of Praise, tributes in a coffeehouse style presentation in the Union and a movie sponsored by Peace and Conflict Studies. Dr. Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of black students who were the first to attend integrated classes in Little Rock, Ark., shared in a special chapel from Psalm 28:3. He challenged us to be people who reverse the myth of race by treating all others as valued and loved. He concluded with a challenge from Jeremiah 12:5 asking the biblical question, if we are wearied keeping up with the “footmen,” how will we run “with the horses?” He invited us to the Little Rock Nine Foundation website for more information.

Classifieds

Free:

Kittens to a good home – Will be ready in a week or two. Some calico and some gray and white. Very cute! Call ext. 7081 for more details.

For sale:

23 kids and family DVDs — $2.50 each. Send an email to balthoff@messiah.edu for list.

January 16, 2014

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
II Corinthians 4:16-18 (NRSV)

Messiah 411

2014 MLK Commemoration Week events schedule

The office of multicultural programs is excited to present the 2014 MLK Commemoration series beginning Monday, Jan. 20 through Thursday, Jan. 23. It’s the College’s goal to reflect on the vision and Christian ministry of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the purpose of encouraging and cultivating a deeper commitment to be God’s agents of justice, peace and reconciliation. For all the details on the week’s events, visit www.messiah.edu/mlk or contact the multicultural programs office at ext. 2123 or intercultural@messiah.edu.

Retirement reception for employee Jan. 28

Therese Heckman, administrative assistant in the Career Center, has announced her plans to retire at the end of January. In addition to her eight years of service in the Career Center, Therese formerly served for five years as the administrative assistant to the dean of the School of Business, Education and Social Sciences. As a dedicated employee with a heart for Messiah College and our students, we are grateful for her service to our community. To celebrate Therese’s time served and to wish her well as she transitions to this exciting new venture, there will be an Open House for friends and colleagues in the Career Center on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 2–4 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Christy Hanson, director of career development

Alumni and parent relations office to host networking breakfast Feb. 19

Have you ever set a New Year’s Resolution for your own self-improvement as a leader or in your personal life, and then have it fizzle out by February? Have you ever wanted to make a significant change to the way you approach leadership roles (both personal and professional) in your life? Come hear how executive coaching can make a difference in your success at work and in your personal life. Gary and Connie Ostwald will share current stories from their coaching experience through interactive role playing with members of the audience during this lively breakfast session.

This networking breakfast—“Coaching: A Strategic Tool for Leadership and Self Development”—is open to EVERYONE! You do not have to be a Messiah alum. Enjoy an interactive discussion led by an experienced coaching team; Connie Ostwald, associate professor of economics and development, and Gary Ostwald, executive coach, author and leadership development consultant. Please feel free to bring a friend Feb. 19 from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Registration is $15. Email mshellenberger@messiah.edu.

Request for connections in the greater Philly area for Career Exploration Program

Each semester, the Career Center, office of alumni and parent relations and the office of development plan an “Into the City” career immersion program. We are gearing up to revisit the greater Philadelphia area this spring. The itinerary for this experience typically entails a diverse set of company site visits, alumni/parent panel presentations and a networking breakfast. Realizing we have a rich web of connections within the Messiah community, we’re calling on our community members to request referrals from your respective networks. Specifically, we’re interested in contacts (alumni or otherwise) who are affiliated with an industry or organization that would have appeal to Messiah students. It’s a wonderful opportunity for organizations to share their stories and opportunities with a talented group of students. Please contact Christy Hanson, director of career development, at chanson@messiah.edu with any suggestions.

Murray Library presents Inklings display through February

Don’t miss Murray Library’s foyer display, “Celebrating the Magical Worlds, Writings and Friendship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.” Travel past the lamppost and peer into the whimsical “wardrobe” to view enchanting scenes from Narnia and Middle Earth. Discover (or re-discover) the Inklings, a literary group including Tolkien and Lewis. This imaginative display will last through J-term into early February.

Merit scholarship to Harrisburg Academy available

Harrisburg Academy is excited to be partnering for a third year with Messiah College to offer merit scholarships to children of full-time Messiah College employees. These merit scholarships are annual, renewable tuition scholarships of $10,000 per student. Applicants must be new students applying to the Academy for enrollment in 5th through 11th grades. (See addendum for the 2014-15 Corporate Partner Merit Scholarship application.) All materials are due by Feb. 1 and testing dates are currently scheduled for Jan. 22, Feb. 8 and Feb. 18. A half-day visit for applicants is available on Feb. 5 and includes three classes and lunch. Have questions? Would you like to RSVP? Please contact Jessica Warren, director of admission and marketing, at Warren.J@harrisburgacademy.org.

Reminders about candle safety

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently published a report of fires in the home caused by candles. During 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 10,630 home structure fires per year started by candles. On average, 29 home candle fires were reported per day. For more information about candle fires, including causes and preventions, read the NFPA fact sheet.

Who is the College’s retirement advisory firm?

We’ve had a couple of employees ask. So to clarify, our employees have access to retirement planning counsel through our advisory firm, Capital View Wealth Management (which was formerly named Conte-Brown). Our advisors are the same. Their contact information is Capital View Wealth Management, 212 S. Front Street, Wormleysburg, PA 17043, 717-412-4966. Denny Browne denny.browne@capitalviewwealth.com; Rob Teague rob.teague@capitalviewwealth.com; and Andy Grace andy.grace@capitalviewwealth.com.

Classifieds

Job Opportunities

The Department of College Ministries currently has an opening for the full-time position of Assistant to the College Pastors/Chapel Attendance and Worship Media Development Coordinator. For more information and to apply, see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2981. Job-related questions may be directed to Creta Bieber, project coordinator for student affairs, at cbieber@messiah.edu.

The Department of Athletics currently has an opening for the full-time position of Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach; Assistant Equipment Manager. For more information and to apply, see https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2989. Job-related questions may be directed to Jack Cole, director of athletics, at jcole@messiah.edu.

The Department of Safety currently has two openings for the part-time, weekend position of Security Enforcement Officer. For more information and to apply, see https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2917. Job-related questions may be directed to Cindy Burger, director of safety and dispatch services, at cburger@messiah.edu.

Free:

Small air hockey table — For more information or photo, contact Don Lerew at ext. 2030.

Dozens of violin music books to give away— Ranging from beginners’ levels to violin concertos. Contact pstevick@messiah.edu.

Wanted:

Room to rent for the spring semester —I will need to rent a small room for the spring semester. I primarily need a place to sleep. My wife will be with me for a significant portion of the semester. I am looking for a location where I do not intrude upon the space of the other occupants of the residence. Contact rcrane@messiah.edu.

For rent:

Two-bedroom townhouse — Located less than a mile from Messiah College. One bathroom, convenient second floor laundry, large eat-in kitchen with island, living room, rear deck with storage shed. Off-street parking (two spaces). Hardwood floors and beautiful tile in the kitchen and bathroom. Move in date March 1. For more information, contact Laurie Owens at lowens@messiah.edu or call April at 717-608-0700 to find out more or schedule a tour.

For sale:

Large animal cage used for rabbit—Good condition. Asking $40. For more information or photo, contact Don Lerew at ext. 2030.

Inversion table—$100; my son purchased two inversion tables by mistake. I’m keeping one as my Christmas gift. The second table is still in the box. Please contact Susan Shannon at sshannon@messiah.edu.

Hardwood firewood—$150 cord. For more information, contact rhamon@messiah.edu or Jeff at 717-259-7700.

Ludwig middle school level snare drum—With stand, sticks and music stand. Good condition. Price open to discussion. Contact sfunck@messiah.edu.

January 9, 2014

Thursday, January 9th, 2014

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:13 (NRSV)

News

Our beloved college pastor, Eldon Fry has recently announced that he will be retiring at the end of spring semester. Eldon has been working a slightly decreased schedule this fall and will move to a half-time schedule as the spring semester begins. His new schedule will find him on campus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week. His office will continue to be fully staffed and will be available to assist when Eldon is off campus. We are currently in the process of searching for a new college pastor. A time of celebration for Eldon in appreciation for his good work here at Messiah will be planned for later in the semester. Details will be forthcoming.

We are at a loss for how to thank the Messiah College community for all the support, prayers and gifts given to us immediately following our house fire in November. Each day was, and continues to be, a big transition for us but we very clearly see God’s provision, blessings and protection during this difficult time. We could not have made it through without your help and for that we are eternally grateful! Thankfully, all our troubles disappeared when we finally welcomed our little boy, Owen Asher, into the world on Dec. 26 — happy and healthy. I am blessed to live and work among such amazing people.

Kristen Slabaugh, assistant professor of nursing, clinical track

Messiah 411

January wellness workshop announced

Plan now to attend January’s wellness workshop on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 12 p.m. in Parmer Cinema. Wellness Director, Professor Doug Miller, will be the presenter. The topic, “Stress and Our Bodies…Hitting ABOVE the Belt,” will help you understand the specific ways chronic stress can negatively impact our health. Our mind-body links are real and important to understand. The presentation will also include helpful ways to prevent stress from delivering that knockout punch we all fear. And don’t forget, attending a wellness workshop earns employees 15 wellness points (with a max of 45 for three workshops).

Accounts payable office to change hours on Jan. 17

The accounts payable office will be closed Friday, Jan. 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for a department retreat. Normal business will resume after 1 p.m.

Zumba and Pilates classes offered

Two wellness exercise classes are available for employees and students this spring. Zumba will meet on Sundays 3-4 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium, Tuesdays 8-9 p.m. in Hitchcock Arena, Wednesdays 8-9 p.m. in Hitchcock Arena and Thursdays 10-11 p.m. in Hitchcock Arena. Zumba classes begin Sunday, Jan. 19 and run throughout the spring semester. Certified student instructors will lead the classes. A $15 fee allows participants to attend any or all Zumba sessions.

A Pilates class is also being offered and will meet on Tuesdays from 5:15-6 p.m. in Hostetter Fellowship Hall. The class will begin on Feb. 4 and run for six weeks through March 11. Certified Pilates instructor and HHP adjunct professor Mindy Smith will be leading the class. The cost of the six-week class is $15.

All participants must pre-register and pay for these exercise classes at the front desk in the Falcon Fitness Center (second floor of Sollenberger Sports Center).

Representative from Creation Care Study Program on campus Feb. 6-7

Creation Care Study Program (CCSP) representative Tyler Amy will be on campus Feb. 6 and 7 to talk to students about studying in New Zealand and Belize. CCSP are semester-long programs that focus on global sustainability. While studying at CCSP, students are able to meet general education requirements such as lab science; science, technology and the world; Christian beliefs; and literature. If you are interested in meeting with him or would be interested in having him speak to your class(es), please contact Wendy Lippert in the Intercultural Office at ext. 6089 or wlippert@messiah.edu.

The Creation Care Study Program concentrates on issues confronting developing communities and creative solutions constructed through awareness and practice of ecological conservation sciences. Additional information about the programs can be found here: Belize and New Zealand.

Please let interested students know Amy will be hosting an information session on Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. in Boyer 130.

Representative from LLC International University on campus Feb. 19-20

On February 19 and 20, Kristen Leichty, a representative of LCC International University, will be on campus to talk with students and faculty about opportunities for students to study in Lithuania. If you are interested in inviting Leichty to speak in your classes or would like to meet with her one-on-one, please contact Wendy Lippert in the Intercultural Office at wlippert@messiah.edu or ext. 6089.

LCC International University serves 600 students from a number of Eastern European nations. Students travel to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia as well as Latvia and Estonia during this unique learning experience. Courses in accounting, business, conflict studies, economics, English, history, literature, marketing, social science and theology are offered each semester. To learn more about the program, see this link.

We are now on Facebook and Twitter! Like our Facebook page: Intercultural Office at Messiah and/or follow us on Twitter at MESSIAHabroad for updates about this and other programs!

World Cup phase III begins

If one of your New Year’s resolutions involves getting a little more exercise, why not register today for our wellness program titled “Messiah Goes to the World Cup”? It’s a six-week program where you simply record your daily exercise on the link below. At the end of the six weeks, you receive 30 wellness points, if you meet the minimum requirements of the program. These requirements are to record your exercise for at least five of the six weeks and engage in the required amount of exercise each week. For walkers, it’s 100 minutes or five miles of walking each week; for runners it’s 60 minutes or seven miles each week; for cyclists it’s 60 minutes or 12 miles each week; for swimmers it’s 60 minutes or two miles each week; and for those doing any other kind of exercise it’s 60 minutes each week. More than 100 employees are already participating and since September we’ve accumulated over 16,000 miles, which has allowed us to symbolically “send” three of our soccer players to Brazil for this summer’s World Cup (Drew Frey, Jack Thompson and Brian Ramirez). If you would like to join the program for the first time, send an email to dmiller@messiah.edu. You will then receive a special invitation through Café Well that will simplify the registration process. But do it today, since our Phase III program has already begun. If you have participated in either or both of the previous phases, just click on the appropriate link below, and start recording your workouts! Remember, if you are new to the program you also need to email your screen name to HAPA_Wellness@cvty.com.

WALK III

RUN III

CYCLE III

SWIM III

EXERCISE III

Safety recalls announced

1. Shaw Industries recalls carpet due to fire hazard; sold exclusively at Lowe’s stores. http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Shaw-Industries-Recalls-Carpet/

2. Eight retailers including Best Buy, HH Gregg, Sears/Kmart and Toys R Us recall 32 in. Coby flat-screen televisions due to fire and burn hazards. http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Eight-Retailers-Recall-32-Coby-Flat-Screen-Televisions/

Thank you for your donations to World Vision

Thank you for reaching out so generously to World Vision at the Employee Christmas Luncheon! We collected $1,508.85 which will be used to fund the following:

30 chickens

48 soccer balls for schools

$749.85 for the Clean Water Fund

Thank you to Rick Hammaker, Nate Kamban, Tony Beers and the four soccer players who donned appropriate gear and volunteered their time to collect donations.

Classifieds

Job Opportunities

The Department of Conference and Event Services currently has an opening for the full-time position of Guest Relations Coordinator. For more information and to apply, see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2956http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2956. Job-related questions should be directed to Heather Negley, director of conference and event services, at hnegley@messiah.edu.

The Department of Marketing and Communications currently has an opening for the full-time position of Graphic Designer. For more information and to apply, see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2953. Job-related questions should be directed to Nancy Soulliard, creative director, marketing and communications, at nsoulliard@messiah.edu.

The Dean of the School of Business, Education and Social Sciences currently has an opening for the full-time position of Administrative Assistant. For more information and to apply, see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2967. Job-related questions should be directed to Caroline Maurer, dean of the School of BESS, at cmaurer@messiah.edu.

The Purchasing Department currently has an opening for the full-time position of Purchasing Coordinator. For more information and to apply, see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2965. Job-related questions should be directed to Wendy Starner, controller, at wstarner@messiah.edu.

The Internship Department currently has an opening for the part-time position of Internship Coordinator. For more information and to apply, see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2963. Job-related questions should be directed to Mike True, director of the Internship Center, at mtrue@messiah.edu.

For sale:

27 ft. Mac Thunderbolt display—Rarely used. Asking price is $800. Please contact Scott Hwang at shwang@messiah.edu for more details.

December 19, 2013

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NRSV)

News

The Intercom will resume Jan. 9. Best wishes for a restful, joyous Christmas celebration!

On behalf of my extended family, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks for all the prayers, words of support and encouragement you gave to us all while my sister, Cheryl, gallantly battled cancer. Saturday morning she went to her eternal home in the arms of God. We will be celebrating her life on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church.
Laurie Owens, executive coordinator for the office of the president

I wish to thank everyone for their support with prayers, cards, flowers and gifts during my husband’s illness and recent passing. Your concerns and prayers for my husband, son and me were very uplifting. I’m so blessed to work where there are so many genuinely compassionate colleagues. With heartfelt gratitude.
Lisa Snyder, executive assistant to the vice president for operations

WCLR, a radio station in Louisville, Ky. is running a series of programs on “Catholicism and Science,” supervised by Christopher Graney, a Catholic astronomer. For the program broadcast on Dec. 11, Dr. Graney interviewed Ted Davis, professor of the history of science, about his work on Robert Boyle—even though Boyle and Davis are not Catholic. A podcast is available at here (click on Dec. 11 to listen).

Messiah 411

World Vision donations available at Employee Christmas Luncheon

The theme for this year’s Employee Christmas Luncheon is the “Global Christmas Village” and in that spirit we are offering the opportunity to give to World Vision initiatives. Please bring your donation box along with you to the luncheon on Friday.  When you arrive, choose how your contribution is distributed by depositing your change box in the corresponding collection bin – chickens, clean water or soccer balls! All donations are optional and no gift is too small. Please contact Heather Ryan, human resources, at hryan@messiah.edu or ext. 2289.

Reminder from campus events

In preparation for Christmas break, campus events will make rounds on Monday, Dec. 23 and Tuesday, Dec. 24 to pick up trash from offices and common areas. Please make sure all trash items are placed in your trash cans and the cans are placed outside of your office door; once emptied they will be returned to your office.

Office of payroll important information

See attachment for payroll’s winter newsletter.

“Messiah Goes to the World Cup” phase three registration begins

More than 100 employees are regularly recording their activity in a program we’ve called “Messiah Goes to the World Cup.” Since we began in Sept., we’ve accumulated over 16,000 miles and have symbolically sent three of our soccer players to Brazil for next summer’s World Cup (every 4,800 miles sends a player). Drew Frey, Jack Thompson and Brian Ramirez were the three players chosen so far by the participants. We hope to send several more before the academic year ends. If you would like to participate in the next six-week phase which begins on Jan. 5, click on the appropriate link below. The recording is done on the Café Well site which the link will take you to. If you are new to the program, you will also need to email the screen name that you choose to use when you record your exercise to HAPA_Wellness@cvty.com. More details on the program can be found at Messiah’s wellness website.

Links to register for phase three:

WALK III

RUN III

CYCLE III

SWIM III

EXERCISE III

January Wellness Workshop announced

January’s wellness workshop will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 12-12:45 p.m. The topic, “Stress and our Bodies…Hitting ABOVE the Belt” will be presented by Doug Miller. Doug is Messiah’s wellness director and a professor in the health and human performance department. Plan now to attend this important session and learn some of the ways that our mind and body links impact our health.

A few tips to keep in mind during snow removal operations on campus

  • Snow equipment operates slowly. Begin slowing down when driving or walking away as soon as you see a snowplow and staff doing snow removal. The most common accidents during snow removal efforts can be motorists hitting the rear ends of snowplows or pedestrians walking out in front of snow equipment.
  • Stay well behind the snowplow and other snow removing equipment when walking or driving. Because snow removing equipment is large and used when visibility is compromised, it can be difficult for our staff to see directly behind their trucks and other equipment when removing snow or spreading salt.
  • Be extremely cautious when walking near snow equipment. It can be suddenly thrust sideways by drifts and hard snow-pack. It is also important to not walk out in front of or behind equipment.
  • Only pass snow equipment when you can be sure the road ahead is clear of vehicles and pedestrians. Be patient and wait for the driver to see you. They may pull over so traffic can safely pass.
  • Snowplows and traffic cause light snow to swirl. It can become difficult or impossible to see the plow and the roadway and also for the plow operator to see you when walking or driving near equipment.
  • Whether walking or driving, never pass a plow or any snow removal equipment on the right. Make sure that the equipment operator can clearly see you before walking around or passing equipment on the left.
  • Plows aren’t just removing snow. They may also be spreading sand or deicer on our roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Maintain a safe distance behind snow equipment to avoid being sprayed with deicing material.
  • Be careful when approaching plows that may be spreading sand or deicer. The operator may not be able to shut the spreaders off when you approach. Reduce speed when meeting a plow and move as far right as you safely can to prevent windshield damage.
  • Watch for snow equipment that may be turning around at street intersections and on sidewalks.
  • Never walk out into the street in front of a moving snow plow. Because of the size of the equipment, it will take longer for that equipment to be able to stop.

Our staff do their very best to provide a safe environment for our students, staff and visitors. Please be extra cautious when walking or driving on campus during snow removal operations.

Christmas tree safety reminders

Christmas is a wonderful time of year—a time to celebrate our Lord’s birth. But it can also bring with it unique safety hazards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers these tips on Christmas tree safety.

Picking the tree

  • If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
  • If you have a live tree, choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree

  • Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1- 2 in. from the base of the trunk.
  • Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
  • Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
  • Add water to the tree stand daily.

Lighting the tree

  • Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

  • Get rid of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

This NFPA/UL video demonstrates the flammability of a dry Christmas tree versus a tree that has been watered regularly.

Flu season reminders

It’s that time of year: cold and snow; Christmas lights, carolers, holiday cheer and flu season. According to OSHA, the best way to reduce employee risk of exposure to the flu virus in the workplace is to use good hygiene precautions and to avoid close contact with ill people (in non-health care workplaces). Here are their recommendations:

  • Get vaccinated.
  • Speak with your doctor and find out if you are in a high risk category for seasonal flu. If so, it is especially important to consider a flu shot.
  • Stay at home if you are sick.
  • Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve(s). Throw tissues into a “no-touch” wastebasket.
  • Clean your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
  • Wash your hands frequently. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub as an interim measure until hand washing is possible. When using soap and water, rub soapy hands together for at least 20 seconds, rinse with water and dry completely.
  • Keep frequently touched common surfaces (telephones, computer equipment, etc.) clean.
  • Try to limit the use of a coworker’s phone, desk, office, computer or other work tools and equipment.
  • Avoid shaking hands or coming in close contact with coworkers and others who may be ill.
  • Stay in shape. Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of rest, exercise and relaxation.

Classifieds

Free:

28 in. Energy Star tube television — Contact Rhonda King at rking@messiah.edu or 717-503-3454.

For sale:

Dark tobacco computer desk — originally purchased at Target. $20; White flower girl dress — Size 7, worn once. $10; Red sheer curtains – Two 52 in. x 84 in. panels and four 52 in. x 63 in. panels. All for $5. Contact Rhonda King at rking@messiah.edu or 717-503-3454.

December 12, 2013

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people”.
Luke 2:10 (NRSV)

News

Scott Kieffer, assistant professor of health and exercise science, has been named a fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine. This is an honor given to a handful of professionals each year after review by a national credentialing board. Congratulations to Scott for this prestigious honor.

Larry M. Lake, associate professor of writing, was interviewed Dec. 9 on SmartTalk on WITF-FM as part of a program on changing attitudes toward mental illness. It is archived on WITF’s website. On Nov. 20, HuffPost Live, an online news service, featured Lake and Valerie Lemmon, assistant professor of psychology, in a live webcast discussing the stigma of mental illness and the ways communities can encourage and sustain affected individuals and families. These media appearances are results of Larry’s essay “Comfort Food” which appeared on Slate.com in November.

Jenell Paris published “Bereavement and Religion Online: Stillbirth, Neonatal Loss, and Parental Religiosity” (co-authored with Janel Kragt-Bakker) in the “Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.” She also published “Experimenting with Sin” in “Good News Magazine” and “Teaching Faith Dimensions of Cultural Diversity” in Best Practices in the Integration of Faith and Learning for Adult and Online Learners (Cynthia Tweedell and Cheryl Fleming, eds.).

Matthew Roth, department of English, has poems appearing in the current issues of “Mt. Hope Magazine” and “Rock and Sling.” On Nov. 7, he gave the keynote lecture on Robinson Jeffers for Harrisburg’s “Big Read,” at the Midtown Scholar.

The Messiah College Student Wind Quintet performed two half-hour sets of festive holiday music on Dec. 10, the first in the Eisenhower Commons and then at Café Diem in Murray Library. The quintet includes Audrey Springer (flute), Leah Bergstrom (oboe), Mary Grace Friedell (horn), Kevin “Shagg” Nitz (bassoon) and Hayley Wilderotter (clarinet). They are coached by music faculty member Jill Marchione. If you would like Christmas music in a lobby of your building next year, contact mharcrow@messiah.edu for information.

Messiah 411

Aughinbaugh Art Gallery Faculty Exhibition on display through Jan. 29

The Aughinbaugh Gallery is proud to present the artwork of our full and part-time faculty. Please be sure to find time to experience the magic that is the “language of our feelings, our frame of mind; indeed, even of our devotion and our prayers.”

“Self Assigned: Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition” runs through Jan. 29. Artists’ talk and reception is Thursday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. in the Aughinbaugh Gallery.

25 percent off all Oakes Museum store items

Ready to do some holiday shopping? Our museum store is stocked with quality books, puppets and geological specimens for all ages. We will also have some unique items for a special purchase price. We will be open for shopping Thursday, Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take a study break and get your holiday shopping done! Contact oakesmusuem@messiah.edu or ext. 2431 with any questions.

Messiah College Guitar Ensemble to perform at Library Dec. 13

On Friday, Dec. 13 the Messiah College Guitar Ensemble will be playing Christmas music in Café Diem at the Library at 12:30 p.m. Come, grab a coffee and listen to this popular ensemble! And don’t forget that you can shop at the annual Friends of Murray Library Christmas book sale as well!

College Guitar Ensemble to present concert Dec. 14

The Messiah College Guitar Ensemble will present its annual December concert on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the High Foundation Recital Hall under the direction of Randall Zwally, director of guitar studies and senior lecturer in music. The ensemble will be joined by guest performers from the Mechanicsburg Middle School Guitar Ensemble directed by Elizabeth Preston. Messiah student, Chelsea Rosenberger, will perform a featured vocal solo in a piece that combines the two ensembles. The concert will include performances on electric, acoustic, classical and 12-string guitars and will have a Christmas theme. This is the seventh year that these two groups have collaborated in this way. The concert is open to the public and admission is free. For more information, contact the department of music office at ext. 3310.

Reminder to RSVP for Employee Christmas Luncheon

To ensure that we prepare adequately, please send your RSVP to the Employee Christmas Luncheon to human resources by Friday, Dec. 13. The RSVP card, located inside 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!

Note: Doors will open at 11:50 a.m. this year to ensure the program begins on time. Please contact Heather Ryan, human resources, at hryan@messiah.edu or ext. 2289 with questions.

Important information from the payroll office

With the closing of the college over Christmas break , the payroll office is notifying you of the modified payroll deadlines needed to assure proper and timely payments for all employees.  Please see the attached document for details.  It is important that we receive these forms by the due dates listed.

Reminders from accounts payable

The accounts payable office would like to remind you that there will be no check run the week of Dec. 23. Our last check run is Dec. 19; requests are due to accounts payable by Dec. 13. The first check run of 2014 will be Jan. 3; requests are due to accounts payable by Dec. 24.

ALL TAX REPORTABLE PAYMENTS such as rents, royalties, officials and referees, honorariums, prize and awards and performers for 2013 must be paid to the recipient by Dec. 19 to meet IRS calendar year-end 2013 tax reporting compliance. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Campus Budget Forum Jan. 7

The annual Campus Budget Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7 in Alexander Auditorium (Frey 110) from 2-4 p.m. There will be a presentation by David Walker, vice president for finance and planning, and a Q&A session. Following feedback from governance groups, College Council is scheduled to vote on the FY15 parameters on Jan. 23.

The forum is open to all employees and attendance is encouraged. It is especially important that members of the personnel committees and other governance groups that review and recommend budget parameters attend. The slideshow presentation will be posted on the finance website immediately following the forum and can be used to assist governance groups in their discussions.

One-on-one meetings with Health America representative offered

Due to the recent concerns raised about Health America, we have asked Strategic Account Manager Jean Enders from Health America to be available for one-on-one meetings so that employees/faculty can meet with her privately to discuss individual issues. The next opportunity to meet with Jean is Wednesday, Jan. 8.

If you are interested in meeting with Jean individually, please contact Su Deitch at sdeitch@messiah.edu or ext. 7085 to schedule your time as soon as possible. It is very important that you bring any documentation (such as Explanations of Benefits, provider bills, letters, or any other supporting documentation) to the meeting so that she is able to better assist you. Please contact Su Deitch if you have questions.

Change to the Retirement Matching Guidelines

As noted in the President’s Campus Update Oct. 3, the College’s enrollment challenges have made it necessary to reduce expenditures in FY14 by approximately 3.75 percent. As a result, the College has decided to exclude all supplemental income from the retirement plan. This means that starting on Jan.1, employees will not be able to contribute a portion of their overload/supplemental income to the retirement plan and the College will not be providing a retirement match on overload/supplemental compensation.

Supplemental income is any income outside of an employee’s regular base salary. Specific examples include overloads, overtime wages, stipends and additional income earned through hosting programs such as camps. The retirement plan, including the College’s matching contributions, remains the same for regular wages.

This change will be temporarily implemented Jan.–Dec. 2014. Review of any permanent changes to this benefit will be included in the College’s comprehensive benefits review schedule to begin this spring.

Please feel free to contact Amanda Coffey or Su Deitch with questions regarding this change.

United Way Pledge Drive exceeds goal

Thank you to all those who participated in this year’s United Way pledge drive. Employees committed a total of $36,702, once again surpassing our target. The United Way and its partner programs are grateful for the ongoing support of the Messiah College Community.

Corporate Partner Merit Scholarships available

Harrisburg Academy is excited to be partnering for a third year with Messiah College to offer merit scholarships to children of full-time Messiah College employees. These Merit Scholarships are annual, renewable tuition scholarships of $10,000 per student. Applicants must be new students applying to the Academy for enrollment in 5th through 11th grades. Please see attachment for the 2014-15 Corporate Partner Merit Scholarship application. All materials are due by Feb. 1, 2014. For more information, please contact Jessica Warren, director of admission and marketing, at warren.j@harrisburgacademy.org.

Campus Ministries connection

Advent

As we close the semester in the Advent season, we anticipate Christmas break. It is an illustration of waiting for the Lord. The Psalmist (27:14) challenges us, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” So we read scriptures, pray, sing, retell the story, light candles and celebrate joyously all a part of actively waiting on the Lord. On a large scale the prayer of the Westminster Confession (33.2) rings true, “Keep me vigilant to work against evil and injustice, and yet hopeful for all people, trusting that your justice never fails and your mercy is fresh each day.” Advent is that tension of hope anticipated but not yet realized.

Classifieds

Job Opportunities:

Graphic Design/Prepress Technician. For additional information and to apply, please see https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2930; College Press Receptionist. For additional information and to apply, please see https://jobs.messiah.edu/hr/postings/2927. Job-related questions may be directed to Dwayne Magee, director of printing and mail services, at dmagee@messiah.edu.

Part-time Administrative Assistant, Diversity Affairs. For additional information and to apply, please see https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2911. Job-related questions may be directed to Bernardo Michael, Special Assistant to the President & Provost for Diversity Affairs at bmichael@messiah.edu or Joan Malick, Executive Assistant to the Provost at jmalick@messiah.edu.

Wanted:

Digital camera— I am looking to buy a used digital camera—one that is in good condition and easy to use. Contact Helena Cicero at ext. 2431 or hcicero@messiah.edu.

For sale:

Halex Fooseball table: 32 in. high × 24 in. wide table (33 in. wide with handles, width included.) $25. If interested, contact pseibert@messiah.edu for picture.

Apple iPad 3 —32GB, black, Verizon Wi-Fi and cellular, only slightly used. $500. Contact baumen@messiah.edu.

Disney Cars 2 Geotrax® World Grand Prix race set ―Includes three remote control vehicles; the European track set, including the Big Ben action set and a track extender pack. All in excellent condition. Asking $50. For more details, including photos, contact cgross@messiah.edu.

VW Eurovan camper — Gas stove, refrigerator, heater, plus two beds and electric and water hook-ups. Asking $19,500. Contact rstevick@messiah.edu for more details.

December 5, 2013

Thursday, December 5th, 2013

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NRSV)

News

Nance McCown, associate professor and chair of the department of communication, and senior public relations major Sarah Doucette presented a poster session at the International Public Relations Society of America’s Educators Academy in Oct. The poster and paper, titled “Does PR Education Make a Difference? Media Effects on Student Attitudes Toward Public Relations,” was the culmination of an on-campus film screening experiment/survey conducted last spring. Jennifer Fisler, associate professor of education/director of the Teacher Education Program/director of assessment, and Emily Mohler ’13 also co-authored the study.

We are very excited to announce that Neryamn Nieves will be serving as Messiah College’s new assistant director of the Martin and Amigo scholarship programs. Nieves has extensive teaching, mentoring and administrative experience both at Messiah College and Franklin and Marshall College. She has also served as a youth pastor in the First Spanish Assembly of God in her Lancaster community. Nieves’ new 20-hour-per-week role will be to enhance the recruitment and retention efforts of scholars in the Martin and Amigo scholarship programs while working collaboratively with the multicultural programs and admissions offices. She starts in this position on Jan. 2 and her office will be in the Larsen Student Union 204. She will also continue to teach in the modern languages department. Please be sure to stop by and welcome her!
Doug Wood, associate dean of students, and Scott Hwang, director of multicultural programs

On Nov. 24 the Messiah College Faculty Brass Quintet played their much-anticipated return performance at the Trinity Episcopal Church Concert Series in Pottsville, Pa. The program was an eclectic mix of music from Gabrieli to the Beatles, and it also included Mike Harcrow’s fantasia setting of “Immortal, Invisible.” Bill Stowman’s witty repartee kept the time between pieces lively and the audience was wonderfully enthusiastic. Other Messiah College faculty past participants in this series have included the Mendelssohn Trio with artists-in-residence Ya-Ting Chang, Peter Sirotin and Fiona Thompson, as well as voice professor Damian Savarino. The Messiah College Faculty Brass Quintet includes Mike Harcrow (horn), Drew Wolgemuth (outstanding Messiah College senior music major, trombone, substituting for Professor Michael Clayville who was performing in Germany at the time), Melanie Hess Miller (trumpet), Eric Henry (tuba) and Bill Stowman (trumpet and MC). For booking information, contact mharcrow@messiah.edu.

Raeann Hamon, distinguished professor of family science and gerontology, and Julie Guistwite ‘99 had their article, “The Elder Service Partner Program,” published in the “Journal of Intergenerational Relationships,” 2013, 11(4), 440-443. It is available here.

Assistant Professor of Music Damian Savarino received a favorable New York Times review for his latest performance with Teatro Grattacielo in New York City. Of his portrayal of the elder ascetic “Harita” Zachary Woolfe remarked, “Most heartening was the admirable complement of male singers in smaller parts, including the concrete-solid bass Damian Savarino. Even major companies struggle to appropriately cast such roles; it’s a sign of firm artistic leadership that the Teatro Grattacielo does it so well.”

William Stowman, department of music, wrote an article that appeared in the “International Trumpet Guild Journal.” The article, “The Benefits of Performing in Trumpet Ensemble,” highlighted pedagogical aspects and advantages for students who regularly perform in chamber music settings via trumpet ensemble. Bill is also a member of the board of directors for the International Trumpet Guild.

Congratulations to Brian Swartz, assistant professor of engineering, and his wife Tawnee on the birth of their newest daughter, Adelyn Mackenzie. Adelyn was born just in time for Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 weighing 6 lb., 8 oz., and measuring 19.75 in. She was welcomed home by big brothers Avery and Eli and sister Caitlin. Blessings to the Swartz family!

Messiah 411

Oakes Museum to host Open House Dec. 7

The Oakes Museum of Natural History is having its fifth annual Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 7 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. For more information, contact oakesmuseum@messiah.edu, ext. 2431 or see attachment.

December Graduate Reception set for Dec. 10

The 2013 December Graduate Reception will be held in Howe Atrium on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy appetizers and time to mingle with the graduating students who have made their mark here at Messiah. Hope to see you there!

Mandatory meeting for all on-campus students

There will be a mandatory all floor/section meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 10 p.m. for all students who live on-campus. If possible, please do not schedule events during this hour. We understand that there are some conflicts that cannot be avoided, but if an event can be scheduled at another time we ask that you do so.

Farewell reception for professor Dec. 11

Please join us for a farewell reception honoring Anne Marie Stoner-Eby, associate professor of history and coordinator of the peace and conflict studies program, as she embarks on a new journey with Mennonite Central Committee in Rwanda and Burundi. Please stop by as you are able from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11 in the Private Dining Room.

Oakes Museum sale Dec. 11-13

Ready to do some holiday shopping? Visit The Oakes Museum of Natural History next week for some great sales. The museum store is stocked with quality books, puppets, t-shirts and geological specimens for all ages. We will be open for shopping on Wednesday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m.–2p.m. All items will be 25 percent off for these special shopping days. We will also have some very unique items available at a special purchase price. Take a break and come visit us to get your holiday shopping done! For more information, contact oakesmuseum@messiah.edu, ext. 2431 or see attachment.

Important information from residence life

All campus residences will be closed from 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 through Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. If you are bringing students back for a college-related reason before Jan. 7, please send the students’ names, reason for return and date of return to housing@messiah.edu by Friday, Dec. 6. Requests received after that time will be charged a $10 late fee.

Reminders from accounts payable

The accounts payable office would like to remind you that there will be no check run the week of Dec. 23. Our last check run is Dec. 19, requests are due to accounts payable by Dec. 13. The first check run of 2014 will be Jan. 3, requests are due to accounts payable by Dec. 24.

ALL TAX REPORTABLE PAYMENTS such as rents, royalties, officials and referees, honorariums, prize and awards and performers for 2013 must be paid to the recipient by Dec. 19 to meet IRS calendar year end 2013 tax reporting compliance. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Reminder to RSVP for Employee Christmas Luncheon

To ensure that we prepare adequately, please send your RSVP for the Employee Christmas Luncheon to human resources by Friday, Dec. 13. The RSVP card, located inside 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.

A few good elves 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! Please consider volunteering for one of the following time slots on Friday, Dec. 20—set-up: 9-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; serving, two 45-minute shifts during lunch, meet at 11:40 a.m. for instructions; cleanup: 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kathy Castonguay, human resources administrative assistant, at kcastong@messiah.edu or ext. 7086 by Wednesday, Dec. 11. Thank you!

Opportunity to give to World Vision

The theme for this year’s Employee Christmas Luncheon is the “Global Christmas Village” and in that spirit we are offering the opportunity to give to World Vision initiatives. You will receive a change box which you are invited to fill and bring to the luncheon. When you arrive, choose how your contribution is distributed by depositing your change box in the corresponding collection bin – chickens, clean water or soccer balls! All donations are optional and no gift is too small. Haven’t received a change box? Contact Kathy Castonguay, human resources, at kcastong@messiah.edu or ext. 7086.

Important reminder from the payroll office

With the closing of the College over the Christmas break, the payroll office is notifying you of the modified payroll deadlines needed to assure proper and timely payments for all employees. Please see the attachment for details. It is important that we receive these forms by the due dates listed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Campus Budget Forum Jan. 7

The annual Campus Budget Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7 in Alexander Auditorium (Frey 110) from 2-4 p.m. There will be a presentation by David Walker, vice president for finance and planning, and a Q&A session. Following feedback from governance groups, College Council is scheduled to vote on the FY15 parameters on Jan. 23.

The forum is open to all employees and attendance is encouraged. It is especially important that members of the personnel committees and other governance groups that review and recommend budget parameters attend. The slideshow presentation will be posted on the finance website immediately following the forum and can be used to assist governance groups in their discussions.

College Press earns Forest Stewardship Council Certification

College Press has recently received notification that they have passed their Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody audit. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. The entire College Press team worked extensively with Printers Green Resource LLC and the Rainforest Alliance to gain certified status. An on-site audit verified that College Press’ newly developed FSC chain-of-custody procedures were in full compliance with stringent FSC rules and regulations. Messiah’s very own in-plant print shop is now an official FSC certified printer able to offer FSC certified printing jobs to all customers. Congratulations to our colleagues at Messiah College Press!

“Messiah Goes to the World Cup” update

We currently have 111 Messiah employees participating in the physical activity program titled “Messiah Goes to the World Cup.” In recognition of our outstanding soccer teams at Messiah and the upcoming World Cup in Brazil this summer, employees are accumulating exercise miles and minutes (which get converted to miles). For every 4,800 miles our collective efforts accumulate, we get to symbolically “send” a member of the men’s team to Brazil. So far we have accumulated 14,068 miles and have “sent” Drew Frey and Jack Thompson. We are over halfway through our second six-week phase. If you would like to participate, the third phase begins on Jan. 12. Look for details on how and when to sign up in the next few weeks.

Retirement plan overview and participant notice

Messiah College is required to distribute certain participant notices annually. The attached plan overview and participant notice includes a consolidated listing of the services provided by The Standard to the plan as well as charged fees.

You may also access the notice online by following these steps:

1. Log in to www.standard.com/retirement.

2. Continue to Personal Savings Center (My Retirement Account).

3. Click the link to view the important notice.

Please feel free to contact The Standard at 800-858-5420 if you have questions.

Campus Ministries connection

Advent

Our current chapel movement is around Advent, a time of stirring our souls in preparation to meet Christ anew. As we gathered in Parmer Hall for “Lessons and Carols,” an ancient rhythm of scripture text and carols, we began with a very ancient chant, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” and ended chapel with the call, “O Come All Ye Faithful” and a prayer of blessing. Music and text informs our Christian experience at many levels. They express a longing of the heart for Christ’s presence. As meaningful at those expressions are, they ring hollow if Christ is not born anew in our midst.

Classifieds

Job Opportunity:

Part-time Administrative Assistant, Diversity Affairs. For additional information and to apply, please see: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2911. Job-related questions may be directed to Bernardo Michael, special assistant to the president and provost for diversity affairs, at bmichael@messiah.edu or Joan Malick, executive assistant to the provost, at jmalick@messiah.edu.

For sale:

Christmas trees — 4-7 ft. white spruce. $25. Delivery possible. Contact Dale Fogelsanger at 717-623-0735.

VW Eurovan camper — Gas stove, refrigerator, heater, plus two beds and electric and water hook-ups. Asking $19,500. Contact rstevick@messiah.edu for more details.

Youth ski boots — Axis brand, approximately children’s shoe size 4-4.5. Good condition; worn 15 times over two seasons by 9-10 year old. Sole length is 262 mm. $30. Contact Angela at ahare@messiah.edu.

Outside organization announcement:

Amani Bead sale Dec. 3-5 — Visit our annual Amani Bead Christmas sale Tuesday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Eisenhower Commons. You can help support the wonderful work of New Life Homes in Kenya through your purchase of our handcrafted Amani bead jewelry or Kenyan market items, all priced between $3 and $40. Amani jewelry, key chains and ornaments feature beads from Kazuri Beads of Nairobi, Kenya, a fair trade organization that employs more than 300 single mothers. One hundred percent of the profits from the sale will go back to Kenya to support the efforts of New Life Homes of Kenya—a network of homes caring for orphaned and abandoned infants – a beautiful circle of love and hope. Hope you will join us! We accept cash, checks, credit cards and Falcon dollars.

November 21, 2013

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NRSV)

News

Messiah College is now ranked 12th in the nation of bachelor’s institutions sending students abroad, according to the Open Doors Report, which is sponsored by the Institute of International Education. The report was released Nov. 11 and was based on participation of U.S. students during the 2011-12 academic year. Nationwide less than 10 percent of undergraduate students study abroad by the time they graduate. According to the survey, more than 61 percent of Messiah students earn credit studying internationally. For more information, see this link.

The human development and family science department had 15 students attend the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 6-9. Due to a family emergency which did not allow Robert Reyes, professor of human development and family science and Boyer Fellow, to attend, Lindsay Fye (HDFS ‘14) presented “Reminiscing on our Inclusion and Diversity History and Moving Forward With Our Future,” a PREZI presentation that she co-created with Reyes, for the Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion meeting. Raeann Hamon, distinguished professor of family science and gerontology, made three presentations: “Using a Continuous Process Improvement Model to Integrate Service-Learning into our Family Science Programs” with Debra Berke, Wilmington University, and Reyes; “Fellows Roundtable: Family Science as a Discipline” with Dr. Anisa Zvonkovic, VA Tech; and “Integrating Family Science into Multiple Levels of Community” with Suzanne Smith, Washington State University, Vancouver.

From Nov. 2-10, Larry M. Lake, director of writing across the curriculum, was a presenter at the International Christian Higher Education Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, hosted by the Christian University Pelita Harapan (“Light and Hope”), and co-sponsored by Biola and Corban Universities. Larry’s presentation, “Teaching Faithful Observers: Ethnography, Journalism, and the Christian Writing Student,” examined the ways teachers can promote crosscultural awareness. More than 1,000 delegates attended the conference whose theme was “Faith, Learning, and the Media of Hope.” Presenters were from 11 different countries and included Time magazine journalist David Aikman and former Wheaton College president Duane Litfin. Following the convention, Larry spent a day as a consultant to IPEKA, a network of 12 Christian high schools in Indonesia for whom he will conduct future sessions on writing across the curriculum.

Thomas Soerens, associate professor of engineering, was recently certified as an associate ecological designer by the American Ecological Engineering Society. Individuals certified by AEES as ecological designers have demonstrated expertise in the integration of the science of ecology and practice of design.

On Dec. 6, Assistant Professors Niklas Hellgren and Abaz Kryemadhi, department of information and mathematical science, will host the fall meeting of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers. The theme of the meeting is the use of physics activities to teach engineering principles to high school and college students.

Messiah 411

Orchestra Family Concert set for Nov. 23

The Messiah College Symphony Orchestra will hold a Family Concert on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. in Parmer Hall of the High Center for Worship and Performing Arts. The orchestra will introduce the families of instruments and perform portions of the “Symphony No. 3” (organ symphony) of Camill Saint-Saens. People of all ages (even the very young and very old!) are invited to this free concert.

Fourth annual Nobel Prize Seminar set for Dec. 3

The departments of chemistry and biochemistry, biological sciences and information and mathematical sciences present the fourth annual Nobel Prize Seminar on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. in Frey 110 (Alexander Auditorium). Refreshments will be served at 4:45 p.m. See attachment for additional information.

December Wellness Workshop announced

The Wellness team is pleased to announce our upcoming wellness workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Sandy Bush, Messiah’s athletic training program director, will speak on the topic of “Personal Tips for Surviving and Thriving When You Get the Cancer Diagnosis.” The workshop will be held in Parmer Cinema from 12-12:45 p.m. We hope you will plan to attend.

Oakes Museum to host Open House Dec. 7

The Oakes Museum of Natural History is having our fifth annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 7 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. See flyer for additional information.

Mandatory meeting for all on-campus students

There will be a mandatory all floor/section meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 10 p.m. for all students who live on-campus. If possible, please do not schedule events during this hour. We understand that there are some conflicts that cannot be avoided, but if an event can be scheduled at another time we ask that you do so.

Important information from residence life

All campus residences will be closed from 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 through Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. If you are bringing students back for a college-related reason before Jan. 7, please send the students’ names, reason for return and date of return to housing@messiah.edu by Friday, Dec. 6. Requests received after that time will be charged a $10 late fee.

2013 College Senior Survey Longitudinal Results available

The office of institutional research administered the College Senior Survey during spring 2013. Please look at the institutional research webpage for an info-graphic aiming to provide an overall picture of the results organized by our broad general education outcome areas.

OSHA hazard communication training scheduled

All employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or in foreseeable emergencies must be given training in the Hazard Communication Standard, the new GHS labeling system and the new Safety Data Sheet format. This training is required by law to be completed by Dec. 1. For individuals who could not attend one of the training sessions held during the weeks of Nov. 4 and 11, a make-up session is being offered in Parmer Cinema on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m.

Hazardous chemicals include but are not limited to cleaning products, paints and paint thinners, inks and dyes, oils and greases, lab chemicals, welding materials such as fluxes and welding rods, etc. Employees, such as office workers, who encounter hazardous chemicals only in non-routine, isolated instances do not need to be included in this training. Student workers may be included, depending on their job assignment. If you are uncertain if you need to attend, please contact Donna Fink (dfink@messiah.edu) for further clarification.

Note: employees in the School of Science, Engineering and Health received this required training in their School meeting on Oct. 23. They should not attend the session listed above.

Emergency Action Plan found in Safety Manual

Messiah College’s Emergency Action Plan is found in section 14 of the Safety Manual. It provides instructions on what to do if there is an active shooter, bomb threat, explosion, fire, gas leak, hostage crisis, suspicious package, weapon on campus, weather event and many other emergency situations. Take the time to read this plan and be familiar with its contents. Then, if an emergency occurs, you’ll know where to go for information on how to safely handle it.

The Messiah College Safety Manual can be found here.

If you have any questions regarding this Emergency Action Plan or other sections of the Safety Manual, please contact Donna Fink at dfink@messiah.edu.

Human resources seeking your Christmas traditions

We have enjoyed hearing Christmas traditions and stories from employees who are not necessarily born in other countries, but have lived internationally. We are expanding our Christmas tradition collection to encompass stories and traditions from these folks. If you have a Christmas tradition that you would like to share, please send it to Kathy Castonguay at kcastong@messiah.edu and Victoria Johnson at vjohnson@messiah.edu before the Thanksgiving holiday and then stop by the human resources office for a free cookie!

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! Please consider volunteering for one of the following time slots on Friday, Dec. 20—set-up: 9-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; serving, two 45-minute shifts during lunch, meet at 11:40 a.m. for instructions; cleanup: 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kathy Castonguay, human resources administrative assistant, at kcastong@messiah.edu or ext. 7086 by Wednesday, Dec. 11. Thank you!

Campus Ministries connection

Waiting

How are you at waiting? Waiting is not easy, especially in our hurried culture. Yet we all must wait at times. Our Teaching Pastor, Brian Smith, led us into this movement of Belief/Advent by noting the promises of Malachi 3 and the resulting ability of the prophet, Anna (Luke 2) to wait for about 60 years in the Temple for the birth of Christ. Her waiting was not focused on the future, rather the daily practices that filled her life. Belief challenges us to wait. How we wait is as important as how long we are willing to wait. Today can be lost by obsessing about the future. Truthfully our future is revealed by how we act now. Belief calls us to be fully present in today while waiting on God.

Classifieds

Position available:

The Department of  Information Technology Systems currently has an opening for the following position: Help Desk Support Tier II. For additional information, please see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2892. Job-related questions may be directed to Susan Shannon, director of learning technology services, at sshannon@messiah.edu.

Free:

Two Lexmark 26 color print cartridges; Two Lexmark 16 black print cartridges. Contact baumen@messiah.edu.

Wanted:

Exercise equipment — If you have any weight equipment or strength training equipment, low cost or free, I have a local family looking for this as a Christmas present for their teenage son. Contact dfolgelsa@messiah.edu.

For sale:

Xbox 360 games — Blazing Angels 2, $10; Civil War, $10; Forza Motorsport/Ultimate Alliance (two in one), $15; Guitar Hero III, $10; Halo 3, $10; Country Rock Band, $10; Xbox 360 Rock Band drum set, $25. Contact baumen@messiah.edu.

York Barbell equipment — 1 in. bar 80 in. long, curling bar with spinlock, contour cast iron plates (four 50 lb. and six 25 lb.), Pro Series 205 incline bench, York FTS squat stand. Call Jeff at 717-259-7700.

2001 Oldsmobile Alero GLS sedan — 115K miles, $2,600; 17 in. LCD monitor — 1280 × 1024, $35. For pictures or additional information, contact owen@messiah.edu.

Christmas trees — 4-7 ft. white spruce. $25. Delivery possible. Contact Dale Fogelsanger at 717-623-0735.

November 14, 2013

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God.
II Corinthians 3:4-5 (NRSV)

News

Messiah College was recognized in the November issue of the Clery Center’s newsletter for its active shooter training. Provided by the department of campus safety and the office of human resources, the training has been provided to more than 90 percent of faculty and staff and a majority of students. The program provides options to consider if ever faced with an intruder or shooter on campus as well as information about the campus crisis team and what resources are available to those who are in need of reporting a situation. The Clery Center for Security on Campus is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing violence, substance abuse and other crimes on college and university campuses across the U.S. and to compassionately assist the victims of these crimes.

The payroll office welcomes Missy Huntington to the role of assistant payroll manager and finance assistant. In this new role, Huntington will be responsible to provide leadership and assistance in managing the payroll process and the associated tasks of tax research, tax filings and reporting to ensure compliance. This position will also assist the finance team with various reconciliations. Through Dec. 15 Missy will provide assistance to both the payroll office and the Falcon Exchange before moving full-time to her new assignment on Dec. 16.

Messiah 411

Student honors presentation set for Nov. 18

Senior PK-4/Special Education Major Kelly Stief will give her honors presentation on “Teaching Fractions to Students with Disabilities” on Monday, Nov. 18. In her presentation, Kelly will discuss the various challenges and opportunities inherent in teaching complex concepts to this unique population using current research based strategies and iPad apps. Kelly presented this information at PAC-TE to a welcoming audience of higher education professionals. The event will be held in Boyer 131, from 4-5 p.m. An assortment of refreshments will be served.

Finance office annual soup sale set for Nov. 20

Please join us for soups and sweets on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.! Follow the aroma of homemade soups to the payroll office lobby in Old Main where you can purchase soup ($3 per bowl) and sweet desserts ($2 each). These delicacies are donated by business office employees and all proceeds are used to provide a bountiful Christmas to a local needy family. Last year your generosity allowed the business office to provide an abundance of gifts, clothing and groceries to two families. This year we are also collecting non-perishable canned goods to benefit the Silence of Mary home in Harrisburg. Please come for a satisfying lunch and help us reach out to the community again this Christmas!

Mark the beginning of Advent with the annual Celebration of the Light

All students and employees are invited to attend and celebrate the traditional start to the Christmas season Tuesday, December 3 at 4:45 p.m. Carol-singing, prayer, scripture reading and the lighting of the campus Christmas tree will all be a part of this year’s advent celebration. Hot chocolate, cider, pumpkin cookies and other seasonal treats will be served. Supervisors are asked to provide release time as able to those non-essential employees who would like to attend.

Rain Date: Thursday, Dec. 5 at 4:45 p.m. in the Eisenhower Campus Center Circle. In case of inclement weather on Dec. 5, the event will be held indoors in the Larsen Student Union.

Annual Authors’ Exhibit submissions accepted

All educators are asked to submit hard copies of their publications, exhibits, performance materials, etc. from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2013 to Carol Hostetter in the Boyer Center, suite 3008. The annual Authors’ Exhibit is held in conjunction with the New Doctorate’s Tea on Dec. 12.

UPS CampusShip training available

From time to time, Messiah employees find the need to ship UPS packages, whether for themselves or for their department. Did you know that Messiah has a UPS shipping program employees can manage right from your computer? Why wait until you need to ship something to be trained? Please take this opportunity to let us show you how to ship packages and save money at the same time. Please send an email to Bill Althoff at balthoff@messiah.edu to be notified of the next training session. The sessions are only about 45 minutes long and can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you.

Important reminder to faculty

Learning Technology Services would like to remind the faculty that it’s not too early to begin planning ahead. The J-term and spring 2014 semester work submission deadlines have been set. Please coordinate your needs for your courses with the deadline dates listed on the attached document. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Diane Hunsinger, copyright and educational support specialist, at ext. 3895. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Reminders from accounts payable

The department of accounts payable would like to remind you there will not be a check run Thanksgiving week (week of Nov. 25) and Christmas week (week of Dec. 23). Please mark your calendars for planning purposes. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Workplace Safety Committee members announced

The Messiah College Workplace Safety Committee is concerned about the safety and well-being of our employees and students, our campus and the environment. We have representation from many different areas across campus. For more information and complete list of members, please see attachment.

Human resources seeking your Christmas traditions

Were you born in a country outside of the United States? We would love to hear about the Christmas traditions from your country of origin Please send your traditions to Victoria Johnson at vjohnson@messiah.edu or Kathy  Castonguay at kcastong@messiah.edu and then stop by the human resources office for a free cookie!

Human Resources and Compliance – did you know?

Meal breaks for staff and temporary hourly employees are only unpaid breaks if an employee is fully relieved of all work responsibilities and the employee does NOT perform any work function during the meal break period. Meal breaks are required when a staff or temporary employee works six or more consecutive hours in a work day. For minors aged 14 through 17, meal breaks are required when the employee works five or more consecutive hours in a work day. For more information, please review section 1.38.11 of the Messiah College online policy and procedure manual here.

Campus Ministries connection

Changing Shape of Community

The definition of community is being redefined. Few would have imagined a few decades ago that a Kenyan would be the CEO of a North American mission agency. Nelson Okanye is exactly that. He is also on the pastoral staff of a vibrant multicultural church in Washington, D.C. To understand mission in today’s world, we must, as Bernardo Michael stated, hear the voices from the margins and learn to relate to them with respect. This shift in vision is essential to experience community in the diversity of our world. Homogenous isolation will not serve us well nor will it provide adequate education for the future of students. Community requires us to hear and respect voices that may not have been a part of our past but are essential for the future. It is a spiritual tension to appreciate what has been while embracing what is the future of community.

Classifieds

Position available:

The department of Human Resources and Compliance currently has an opening for the following position: Human Resources Administrative Assistant. For additional information, please see: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/2869. Job-related questions may be directed to Inger Blount, assistant director of human resources, at iblount@messiah.edu.

For sale:

Three-bedroom immaculately-maintained home — Nestled between farm and nursery gardens, this lovely almost 1.25 acre country hideaway offers Northern York Schools and is just minutes from Dillsburg. Sip coffee in the mornings from your 12 ft. × 20 ft. deck and watch the leaves change in your mountain view. Stay toasty this winter by the propane fireplace in the family room. Lots of storage in the oversized one-car garage and the generously-sized barn in the backyard. Asking $209,900. See more details about 1270 Old Mountain Road, Wellsville here. http://www.remax.com For questions or additional information, contact Aleisha Wildon at awildon@messiah.edu or Ann Wright at 717-649-0751 or at awrighter4@comcast.net.