In scripture, true justice happens when hearts are transformed by the indwelling power of the Spirit, an indwelling that is fostered through practices like prayer and fasting and worship. Spiritually formed people pursue justice because it’s in their nature.

But it’s also true that the pursuit of justice is, in itself, a spiritual practice that shapes us. When we advocate on behalf of the prisoner and the alien, when we pursue peace and reconciliation, and when we protect the dignity of the marginalized, we are formed in unique and profound ways.

And so, during Lent, we will explore this connection. We’ll delve into the traditional spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and worship. But we’ll also learn about and get involved with a couple of local justice issues. To help us on our journey, we’ll be hearing from three local scholars, Dr. James Felak, Dr. Kirsten Foot and Cote Soerens.

On February 19, Dr. Felak, a professor of History at UW, will share about two classic approaches to the Christian life in a talk entitled “Moderation or Zeal”. James will draw from several authors and theologians to help us think about what it means to live Christianly.

On February 26, Dr. Foot, a professor of Communication at UW, will talk about research-as-action, based on her experience studying efforts to counter several forms of human trafficking. Kirsten has just finished writing a book about the challenges organizations– including faith-based ones– face in cross-sector collaboration against human trafficking. She is well-acquainted with what is happening locally, and will point us toward some ways we can help stop trafficking.

On March 12, Cote Soerens, a Phd candidate at the Oxford Center for Missions Studies, will share about her advocacy work related to immigrant rights and the Northwest Detention Center.

What happens when women make something of the world?

Join fellow women students and faculty in a discussion with Christianity Today managing editor Katelyn Beaty as we discuss the pursuit and understanding of vocation as women of faith.

When: 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15

Where: Chapel on the Ave.

Every person is called to make something of the world—to take the basic elements of time, resources, energy, and community and create something good. It’s there in the first pages of Scripture: God, the ultimate creator, invites Adam and Eve to join him in spending their days together fashioning a world where humans and the whole creation flourish. But somewhere between the Fall and the Industrial Revolution, men and women, and their respective work, became divided against each other.

• The work-home division that prevails today does not reflect what God intended for his image bearers—or for the coming kingdom.

• Now more than ever, Christian women can participate in cultural institutions that bring forth justice, beauty, equality, and flourishing.

This conversation will fuel a book project tracing how drastically women’s roles in Western society have changed in recent decades; how the work-home divide came to exist in the first place; the biblical and theological arguments for women’s work and cultural influence outside the home; and several stories of Christian women who are leading powerful institutions, making decisions that effect dynamic cultural change, and finding a vocation that extends beyond what was long thought to be theirs.

For more information or to RSVP, email Ruth Moon at moonr@uw.edu.

Meet The New Evangelicals

There was a time not that long ago when evangelical Christians were known in the public square for what they were against rather than what they were for. These Christian leaders rose and just as quickly fell from political prominence and favor. In the wake of their political demise, a new Christian witness has emerged–one that’s more diverse, positive, and intent on serving the common good of all. Join Katelyn Beaty, managing editor of Christianity Today magazine, as she spotlights these new Christian leaders and explores what they signal for the US church.

When: THURSDAY, JANUARY 15 at 7 P.M.

Where: Chapel on the AVE

Katelyn Beaty is managing editor of Christianity Today, and the first woman to hold that job. She is also co-founder of Her.meneutics, CT’s women’s blog, and editorial director of CT’s “This Is Our City” project.