Faculty, staff, students and guests gathered in the Auditorium today to formally launch Redeemer’s 33rd academic year with Opening Convocation. Based on a tradition that goes back centuries, the ceremony allows the Redeemer community to pray for a blessing for the year, and dedicate the learning, research and service that it does to the glory of God. It is also a great opportunity to officially welcome the hundreds of new students who are joining the Redeemer community for the first time. Four new faculty – Dr. Marie Good, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Prof. Phil Irish, Sessional Assistant Professor of Art; Dr. Terry Loerts, Assistant Professor of Education; and Prof. Lindsey Short, Assistant Professor of Psychology – were inducted into Redeemer’s faculty, restating publically the vows they made when appoint by the Board earlier this year. President Krygsman’s Convocation Address was entitled “The BIGGEST True Story Ever.” Dr. Krygsman noted that as we begin the new academic year, we need to determine what will govern and direct our communal life. “What is the story – the really BIG story – that guides our activities here at Redeemer?” Using Ephesians 3: 8-21, he called the community – faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters – to try to “grasp God’s love” in all that we do together. “We are instruments of God’s grace in this world,” he pointed out. “God’s love is the beginning and ending of all our learning. It is, as Paul says ‘a more excellent way’ of doing our task than seeking after riches, fame and other fleeting ends.” Opening Convocation is also the first of Redeemer’s communal worship services of the year. Chapel services are hosted every Wednesday morning at 11:00 am, and friends and supporters are welcome to join faculty, staff and students in the Auditorium.