On Tuesday, May 16, 7 p.m., in Upper Gwinn, you are invited to Rev. Dr. Richard Steele’s lecture, “Theological Education as Therapeia Psychēs,” as he anticipates his retirement. The Greek phrase therapeia psychēs (healing of the soul) is how John Wesley describes “the religion of Jesus Christ.” In this deeply autobiographical lecture, Rick will share how Christ’s healing work in his own soul shaped his vocation and practice as a Methodist pastor and theologian. This event is free, requires no RSVP, and is wheelchair accessible. It will be videotaped for later viewing. A reception will follow. Visit the website.

The next School of Education monthly EdTalk is Thursday, May 18, 2023, 4:30–6 p.m. The title is “Reveling with/in Rasquachismx: Centering Student and Teacher Movidas to Survive and Thrive in Educational Spaces.” Rasquachismo/a/x is the collection of improvisational movidas (or moves/movements) — doing the most with the least and making do with what’s at hand — to survive a daily grind of material struggle while stitching together a life of dignity. Join Dr. Tim Monreal as he discusses his research about rasquachismo/a/x across the United States and how understanding this underdog perspective, this view from los de abajo, is a powerful (and fun) way to support students and teachers across their educational journeys. This Zoom event is free, and register here to attend the Zoom event.

SPU Illustration is pleased to present the 2023 Senior Illustration exhibition, "TOKIMEKI: An expression of our hope and excitement for the future and what we intend to bestow upon it." Eight graduating illustration majors used various mediums to create immersive environments with the goal of fostering a world that celebrates imaginative thinking. The students’ visual works encompass a diverse range, spanning video games, embroidery, motion design and animation, children’s books, traditional and digital illustration, mixed media and paintings. All are unified by a shared vision and passion for the art of visual storytelling. With each distinctive creation, these illustrators cultivated their individual expression as artists. See the exhibition through May 19 at the Art Center, or view online here or here on Instagram.

Social Security 101 Virtual Workshop
Wednesday, May 17, 1 p.m. 
Sign up here!
Speaker: Kirk Larson, Washington State Public Affairs Representative, Social Security Administration. 

Kirk has over 30 years’ experience in Social Security Administration, including published articles and media appearances discussing Social Security topics. Prior to attending the workshop, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount to create a my Social Security account and print out your Social Security statement.

Get Ready to Retire Webinar
Tuesday, May 23, 1 p.m.
Select webinar link here!

Speaker: Join Transamerica Consultant Ronee Dakin for an informational webinar to learn about strategies for transitioning into retirement and the questions you should be asking now to prepare.

Transamerica Individual Appointments
Tuesday, May 23–Thursday, May 25, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Human Resources Conference Room

Our Transamerica Consultant Ronee Dakin is back on campus for the first time since COVID. Seize this opportunity to discuss your personal retirement investment strategy or to get your plan started. Sign up here!

Just Added! Medicare Individual Appointments

Wednesday, May 31, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Human Resources Conference Room

Dan McCarley, an experienced Medicare Health Plan broker, will be available on campus for individual appointments to help you navigate Medicare planning and enrollment. Sign up here!

Fall/winter reservation requests are now being taken for Faculty/Staff House at the Camp Casey Conference Center on Whidbey Island for full-time faculty and staff. The dates of stay are September 11, 2023, through January 2, 2024. Reservation requests are due by May 20, 2023. The fall/winter requests are selected by lottery and are not affected by summer stays at Casey. Please remember: If you will be away from your SPU email over the summer, provide an alternate email to contact you, should your name be drawn. If you are curious how the lottery works or how to stay at Camp Casey with discounted faculty and staff rates, checkout the new HR Wiki.

Visit the Camp Casey website to request a reservation. Questions? Contact Camp Casey at 360-678-5050 or campcasey@spu.edu. We look forward to seeing you this winter or sooner!

The Center for Career and Calling invites you to come get a free professional headshot for your LinkedIn or professional portfolio on Wednesday, May 24, 1–3 p.m. in Tiffany Loop. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be hosted in the CCC on the second floor in the SUB.

A message from SPU Dining Services: SPU Dining Services is collaborating with SPU’s French language and culture club, Le Cercle Français, to host a night showcasing the diverse cuisine of the Francophone world on Thursday, May 25, 4:30–7:30 p.m. Join us for dinner in Gwinn Commons to taste food inspired by the regions of France and other French-speaking countries. Options may include a poutine bar; cassoulet with sausage; lamb and mushroom and gratin dauphinois; ratatouille and French lentil ragout; and beef bourguignon with root vegetables and roasted potatoes. Bon appétit!

SPU will host the one-day interdisciplinary workshop, Psychological and Philosophical Perspectives on Faith and Belief, on Thursday, May 25, in Upper Gwinn, starting at 9 a.m. This event brings together philosophers, psychologists, and theologians from across the country to examine knowledge, belief, and religious faith. Organized by Associate Professor of Philosophy Matthew Benton and Assistant Professor of Psychology Phillip Baker, this workshop is supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation and the SCIO Supporting Structures program. This event is free and open to the public. For more information about the speakers, visit the website.

The Faith, Diversity, and Science lecture welcomes Dr. Telli Davoodi, whose lecture, “Acquisition and Function of Beliefs and the Role of Culture,” will be Thursday, May 25, 4:30 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. Her lecture will conclude the one-day workshop, Psychological and Philosophical Perspectives on Faith and Belief. Davoodi is a cognitive developmental psychologist and a senior social science researcher. Her research focuses on the role of the socio-cultural environment in learning, forming beliefs, and reasoning about abstract social constructs such as gender, nationality, religion, or the idea of ownership. This lecture is supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation and the SCIO Supporting Structures program. It is free, open to the public, and wheelchair accessible. Visit the website for more information.

A message from Campus Ministries. Here are some spiritual care resources for faculty and staff. 

Mini Spiritual Care Retreat
We will be offering a Mini Spiritual Care Retreat led by Jen Manglos
Grounded in Love | Wednesday, May 17, 3–5 p.m.

Planted. Rooted. Grounded. These words, familiar in springtime, also point to a trust that the ground will hold, regardless of the situation. In Ephesians 3, Paul offers the image of a person being rooted and grounded in God’s love. But what does it look like to be grounded in love when we live in a world of fear? Join us for our second micro-retreat of the quarter for space to rest and remember the love of God that steadies and supports us. You can sign up online.

Spiritual Care Room SUB 110.
Open Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

We have converted room 110A on the ground floor of the SUB into a Spiritual Care Room. This is a reflective space where you can pull away to catch your breath for a moment. Inside you will find warm and comfortable seating, coffee and tea, and food. There will also be spiritual resources such as self-guided prayer practices, Lectio Divina, and other interactive stations handcrafted to care for you.

Online Spiritual Care Resources
If you are unable to make it over to our Spiritual Care Room (SUB 110), we have posted all of our faculty and staff spiritual care resources online, which can be found here.

From the Office of Human Resources: SPU’s Transamerica retirement plan gives you access to a dedicated retirement planning consultant. If you need help improving your financial wellness, navigating inflations monetary impact, or transitioning to retirement, Ronee Dakin, our Transamerica retirement planning consultant will be available to provide the support you need to keep you on course.

Schedule your appointment here at a time convenient for you.

Tuesday–Thursday, May 22–24
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
HR Conference Room

The Faculty Diversity Committee and Faculty Life Office invite faculty and staff of color to a networking luncheon on Tuesday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Hendricks Falcon Club in Royal Brougham Pavilion. Please RSVP by emailing the Faculty Life Office at flo@spu.edu by Thursday, May 18, so that we can order the appropriate amount of food from Cactus.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published weekly on Mondays during the academic year (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). The next deadline is Thursday, May 18, and the next issue will be published Monday, May 22.

If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible with an image or graphic to Bulletin editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity.

An article by Paul Youngbin Kim, professor of psychology — and SPU students/alum Marcella Locke, Esal Shakil, Joo-Hwan Lee, and Nicole Chiangpradit — titled “Beliefs About Jesus’ Race, Implicit Bias, and Cultural Correlates Among Asian American College Students,” was published in the Journal of Psychology and Theology. The article describes an implicit association study on how cultural constructs such as racial colorblindness might be correlated with the mistaken belief that Jesus was a white person.

Jason Thornberry, receptionist in the School of Education and adjunct writing instructor, recently had his flash fiction piece, “Tonight’s Dream,” published by In Parentheses Literary Magazine.

Please join the Office of Human Resources in welcoming the following new SPU staff members.

Amy Fox, Pivot NW grant manager, School of Theology
Ashley Talbot, housing coordinator, Housing and Meal Plans

Katherine Douglass, associate professor of educational ministry and practical theology, was quoted in the Sojourners article, “Are Mother’s Day Church Services Doing More Harm Than Good?