Chicago Semester

Cynthia Stewart: Never a Dull Moment at CS!

Posted by Cynthia Stewart in CS Seminars in Practicum Group in Special Tracks in Staff Stories | Aug 11, 2010

The summer is almost over! Before you know it many of you will be moving to Chicago for the first time. As you have read from the other staff blogs, we have been working all summer to get ready for the fall semester. As the seminar instructor for the Religion course, I have been working on a new topic: Food and Religion. After perusing the internet, books and visiting the library, I have put together a PowerPoint presentation that talks about the different World Religions and how food is essential to their religious life. If you have signed up for the Religion class, I have a real TREAT that I hope you will enjoy during the semester. We will visit Buddhist Temples, Jewish Synagogues, Muslim Mosques, Christian churches, as well as hear from many great speakers.
 
One thing I like about Chicago Semester is that there is never a dull moment, we all wear many hats! In addition to working on my religion class this summer. I also had the great opportunity to review resumes and find internships for our incoming spring 2011 BSW students. Nancy Fox (BSW Coordinator) and I have been sending out proposal letters and student’s resumes to many social service sites that we have worked with in the past. But we also have been working to build new partnerships with other social service agencies to garner future internships for our students.
 
I have been with Chicago Semester since 2007, after I graduated from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University. I received my Master in Theological Studies (MTS) in the area of Theology and Ethics. As you will begin the program here at Chicago Semester, I as well, will begin my PhD program at Garrett in the area of Christian Education and Congregational Studies. I am all about education, which has been a focal point all my life. I also graduated from North Park Theological Seminary with a dual degree: Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education.

When not at Chicago Semester, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 11 years (just this weekend). We are avid movie goers, love taking vacations or short weekend trips. We both have a heart for youth and young adults and with that we own a spiritual retreat business, where we touch the lives of many youth. I also have a heart for public housing, mainly Cabrini-Green, where I give tours for groups to see gentrification face to face. See below a picture taken from Nathan Griffith a fall 09 student who attended a tour with me for his Fine Arts class project.

Photo Caption: Cynthia (in purple vest) giving a tour in Cabrini-Green.