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	A weekend of seminars, discussion, recreation, and relaxation at the Au Sable Great Lakes Campus made the annual conference a time to connect and reflect for the Au Sable Graduate Fellows.</p>
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	<img alt="" src="http://ausable.org/images/uploads/general/Steven-Bouma-Prediger-presenting-250pxl.jpg" style="float: left; width: 250px; height: 219px; " />Rich snow blankets the pine forest outside, a cozy fire crackles in the stove, and whisps of steam unfurl from coffee mugs. The Au Sable Graduate Fellows sit inside discussing a topic fitting for the setting: home. &nbsp;During this year&#39;s annual Au Sable Graduate Fellows Conference on the Great Lakes Campus, Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger,&nbsp;Hope College religion professor and author of&nbsp;<em>For the Beauty of the Earth</em>,&nbsp;led the fellows through presentation and discussion on the theme of &quot;Earthkeeping as Homemaking.&quot; &nbsp;Bouma-Prediger&nbsp;has thought quite a bit about home lately. &nbsp;His latest book,&nbsp;<em>Beyond Homelessness,</em>&nbsp;explores the ways humans have become ecologically homeless. &nbsp;In two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday, he guided the Grad Fellows through the key biblical and theological questions on home and God&#39;s intentions for creation (click on the link to see handouts from each presentation):</p>
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			Session 1: <a href="http://ausable.org/images/uploads/general/Where_and_who_are_we.pdf">Where and who are we?:&nbsp; At Home with the Homemaking God</a></li>
		<li>
			Session 2:&nbsp;<a href="http://ausable.org/images/uploads/general/What_or_who_holds_this_world_together.pdf">What or who holds the world together?:&nbsp; The Cosmic Lord is the Crucified Christ</a></li>
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			Session 3: <a href="http://ausable.org/images/uploads/general/What_does_Gods_good_future_look_like(1).pdf">What does God&#39;s good future look like?:&nbsp; A (Re)New(ed) Heaven on Earth</a></li>
	</ul>
	<p>
		Bouma-Prediger used the first session to discuss the home God has created for us and the rest of creation. &nbsp;It is a home fashioned and firmly held by a sovereign God. &nbsp;It is dynamic, with God lovingly nudging us to be creative agents ourselves. &nbsp;And it is a home we share with other creatures. &nbsp;Genesis is not about anthropology as much as it is about ecology. &nbsp;Fittingly, we derive the word ecology from the greek word for home, <em>oikos</em>. &nbsp;As ecologists, we study home.</p>
	<p>
		The second and third sessions focused on Christ as Creator and Redeemer of a groaning creation. &nbsp;Bouma-Prediger guided conversation through the themes of Christ holding this world together, coming to Earth to begin making all things new, and returning to usher in a new heaven and earth. &nbsp;However, as Eugene Boring comments on Revelation 21:5, it is important to note that &quot;God does not make &#39;all new things,&#39; but &#39;all things new&#39;&quot; in the new kingdom. &nbsp;God cleanses and refurbishes our earthly home into a glowing city with flowing water and trees, a place of healing and peace.</p>
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	<img alt="" src="http://ausable.org/images/uploads/general/Retreat-Group-2012-300pxl.jpg" style="float: right; width: 350px; height: 220px; " />
	<p>
		This year&#39;s conference experienced a significant jump in attendance, including participation from our <a href="http://ausable.org/news_and_resources/news/welcoming_the_2011_2012_au_sable_graduate_fellows">eleven new graduate fellows</a>. &nbsp;Graduate fellows represented all five chapters, including our newest chapter at the University of Minnesota, making a total of 27 participants. &nbsp;This level of participation moved the group from the comfy confines of the Pines cottages to Au Sable&#39;s main campus, and from community-prepared meals to dining hall fare.&nbsp; It also allowed for large group skis and raucous broomball games in the evening.&nbsp; Fun and games accompanied good conversation. &nbsp;Through good times and discussion, Grad Fellows connected with one other, forming bonds with fellow Christians who care about taking a leadership role in their professional, vocational, and church lives in spreading the good news to all God&#39;s creation.</p>
	<p>
		On Sunday, Grad Fellows closed their time through worship, prayer, and reflection on God&#39;s redeeming creation (see the&nbsp;<a href="http://ausable.org/images/uploads/general/Retreat Materials-2.pdf">L</a><a href="http://ausable.org/images/uploads/general/Retreat Materials-2.pdf">iturgy</a>). &nbsp;Lucious waves of snow spread from the steps of the Lodge down to the banks of Louie&#39;s Pond, bringing life to the liturgy spoken:</p>
	<p>
		<em>Let the snows fall and the west winds blow,<br />
		Let hearts be glad and minds be calm<br />
		And let God&#39;s people say, &#39;Amen.&#39;</em></p>
	<p>
		Au Sable provides a home to God&#39;s people learning about the natural world and their place in it. &nbsp;The Graduate Fellows gathering is a beautiful picture of the communities that form as a result. &nbsp;Amen to that.</p>
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	<p>
		<em>The Au Sable Graduate Fellows provides the opportunity for graduate students interested in Christian environmental stewardship to connect with peers within their home university and across other major research universities. &nbsp;Members of the Graduate Fellows program attend one of the following major research universities: Cornell University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, and the University of Wiscons-Madison. &nbsp;Fellows are recognized by Au Sable as having exceptional abilities, interests, and leadership potential in the area of environmental stewardship. &nbsp;Please visit the <a href="http://ausablegradfellows.weebly.com/">Graduate Fellows webpage</a> for more information.</em></p>
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