The next Chapel is Tuesday, Feb. 17, 11:10 a.m. in First Free Methodist Church with Silas Sham, lead pastor of Bethany Community Church. The theme for the quarter is "Launching together: Following Jesus is not a solo journey." All faculty and staff are invited to join a community lunch each week after Chapel in the SUB Fireside Room. Bring your lunch and share fellowship with others across campus.

The Office of Student Ministries invites faculty and staff to an Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 18, 12–12:30 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church. Rev. Jesse Martin from Holy Trinity in Edmonds will participate.

A message to faculty from Bryan Jones, associate vice president for admissions: Each year we try to convey to incoming students the kind of learning community they will find here at SPU. An example of this has been a project that the Undergraduate Admissions team spearheads in asking faculty to write a personal note to each admitted student for the coming fall. Each year we get unsolicited feedback at our spring events, as well as from our admitted student research, that receiving a personal notecard from a SPU professor is a powerful message that they will be known and that they will begin an actual relationship with a faculty member.

We are asking faculty to sign up for the number of cards you are able to write (even just a few), and those cards will be delivered on campus. Please COMPLETE THIS BRIEF FORM (takes about 30 seconds to complete).

A note to SPU staff. This project is primarily for faculty, but we welcome you to sign up if you are interested in participating. We may have undecided students or specific academic areas that could use additional support in writing these notecards.

Additional Information

• Most faculty will write to students within their own academic disciplines, but please know that you may still be asked to write a “general” note of welcome to students from outside your program’s majors or to those whom are undecided.
• All notecards will be pre-labeled and pre-stamped, and we will include suggested text for your note. (Though it’s a wonderful touch if you can include one of your business cards if you have them.)
• We are hoping to have all notecards mailed by Friday, March 6, so that our students will hear from our faculty while they are deciding which college to attend.

Again, thank you for all that you are doing for our current students, and we thank you in advance to those who help us with personal touches of recruitment!

Faculty Notecard Testimonials

• “I had at least two students this fall tell me that the personal touch of the card was a significant factor in their decision to come to SPU.”
• “Just this week, a recent grad showed me the letter she received from a history professor when she applied.”
• “I have had multiple students write me or seek me out to mention the notecard I wrote them.”
• “A few students have sent me thank you cards and emails thanking me for the card. This has truly warmed my heart!"

A message from the Music Department: Join Dr. Ryan Ellis and Dr. Hsuan Lee for an evening of music performed by student ensembles on Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church. Concert Choir continues the exploration of foundational gospel styles with works by Richard Smallwood, Edwin Hawkins, and Andraé Crouch, featuring many fantastic student soloists. The Orchestra will delight with a mixed program from classical to contemporary works from animated movies. Come support our student musicians in this wonderful night of music!

Seattle Pacific Seminary welcomes renowned Bible scholar and former Bishop of Durham N.T. Wright for the H. Mark Abbott Lectureship on Monday. Feb. 23, 7 p.m in First Free Methodist Church. Wright will present from his new book, God’s Homecoming, which challenges the idea that faith means leaving Earth behind. This event requires no registration, is wheelchair accessible, and is free. Seating is limited.

A message from Educational Technology and Media: The next workshop, Implementing Student Accommodations in Canvas: Quizzes, Assignments, and Course Content, is Thursday, Feb. 26, 2–3 p.m. (On campus at ETM or online via Teams). This workshop supports instructors in using Canvas to implement approved student accommodations and to provide appropriate flexibility for quizzes, assignments, and course content. We’ll cover practical steps such as extending quiz time, allowing extra attempts, and adjusting course materials to support accessibility. 

The registration link is https://forms.office.com/r/LnkGkiFmF8. Registration is encouraged (to help us prepare), but not required — walk-ins welcome. Can’t make it? Register to receive the recordings.

If you have any questions or need help accessing the materials, please reach out to etmhelp@spu.edu.

The Seattle Pacific University Orchestra is inviting musicians from campus and the wider community to join its ensemble this year. Unlike a traditional university class, participation in the orchestra is not limited to students and does not require course registration or academic credit. Faculty, staff, and community members are warmly welcomed to take part. Rehearsals are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4–6 p.m. in Beegle 1. The orchestra is open to all orchestral instrumentalists, with flexible attendance options to accommodate busy schedules.

Now in his second year as orchestra director, adjunct music instructor Dr. Hsuan (Tony) Lee hopes the ensemble can serve as a bridge between SPU and the surrounding community, providing opportunities for shared music-making and meaningful collaboration. Those interested in joining are encouraged to contact Dr. Lee at leeh58@spu.edu.

The SPU Wellness program helps you identify and change unhealthy behaviors with the goal of reducing your risk of illness and rewards you for taking action. To kick start your health in 2026, Human Resources will host Quest biometric screenings on campus. Receive a $50 e-gift card for participating. Watch more information in the weeks ahead.

Feb. 24–25, 2026, 8 a.m.– 12:30 p.m., SPU Ames Library/Seminar Room

Appointments are still availab.e Sign up now!

Registration Link: My.QuestForHealth.com

Registration Key: SPU2026

Unique ID: Aetna WID found on your Aetna ID Card

Already registered with Quest? Enter your username and password on the homepage to get started.

The Swedish Mobile Mammography coach will be back on campus Monday, March 2, offering convenient on-site mammograms for women ages 40+ that are enrolled in SPU’s Aetna health plan. There are only two appointments left — schedule yours at Swedish Mobile Mammography Online Mammogram Registration.

Please bring:

• Your completed medical history form (from the online scheduling link)
• Insurance card
• Photo ID
• First and last name of your current primary care provider

Location: The coach will be parked across 3rd Ave. West in the Ross Parking Lot (site of the former Subway).

For more information, contact Cherylin Shdo, senior benefits specialist, at shdoc@spu.edu.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year. The next deadline is Thursday, Feb. 19, and the next Bulletin will be published on Monday, Feb. 23. 

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 and will be published for two consecutive issues; they can be resubmitted for an additional two weeks.

An essay by Emily Huff, adjunct faculty in the College of Humanities and Education and spiritual care provider at Harborview Medical Center, titled "The sacred practice of 'with-ing,'" was republished in SPU Stories. It was originally published in Christian Scholar’s Review on Jan. 26, 2026.