Autumn themed photo with word Give Thanks written out

Why we’re giving thanks in 2020

By Erica Hanson, director of marketing, ’13

As NCU looks back over the last 90 years, we are continually reminded of the Lord’s goodness and steadfastness through every mountaintop and every valley.

As a university, and as individuals, we are called to offer thanks as an act of worship—a prayer of gratitude, a praise giving honor, an act that often humbles me to my bones, and brings me to my knees in gratitude.

This year especially, I am thankful that I have the ability to give thanks through it all, even in times when it has felt uncomfortable. And uncomfortable seems an appropriate description of a year like 2020.

This year feels uniquely challenging for a multitude of reasons that so many of us are familiar with. Our emotions can feel as unstable as the world we’re living in, and inner peace may seem unattainable. Some have experienced their heart breaking with the loss of a loved one. While others haven’t hugged another person in months and loneliness feels more familiar than a friend. We’re in a time where angst, anxiety, and discomfort feel like they’re lurking around every corner.

And yet, the God we serve continues to be steadfast, omnipresent, and good—all the time.

Whether we’re looking back at the last eleven months that have felt like three decades, or we’re looking back at the 90 years through which the Lord has sustained NCU, our God hasn’t changed. He is steadfast and He is filled with goodness, and for that I feel honored to worship him by giving thanks this year.

These verses serve not only as a reminder to give thanks, but also teach us how to do so, in all circumstances!

  • Psalm 7:17: I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
  • Psalm 69:30: I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
  • Psalm 100:4-5: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
  • Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

As followers of Christ, we are called to give thanks every day, not just on one special day each year. Yet, our national day of Thanksgiving is a perfect time to pause and express gratitude to our Lord.

We asked North Central University faculty and staff members to share what they are thankful for in 2020. Here are a few of the responses we received.

I am thankful for the countless ways the trials and crises of 2020 have allowed me to see God at work in new ways. In my role at NCU, I have seen our students and my colleagues rise up with a sacrificial commitment to one another, creativity, and willingness to do the hard work it takes to “be well together.” I have experienced the joy of new life with the arrival of my first grandchild and the bittersweet homegoing of my father. Joy cannot erase sorrow nor does sorrow cancel our joy, and I’m grateful for learning how a spirit of gratitude serves to weave these two emotions together in ways that can sustain me through the hardest days. We say it so much it can seem cliché, but God is good, all the time—even in 2020.

-Nancy Zugschwert, director of communications

Even though we are wearing masks and keeping the appropriate distance, I am thankful for every in-person interaction I get to have with NCU students this fall. Our campus was not meant to sit empty. Though it feels different than other school years, our campus is in use. There is life across campus and God is certainly at work here. I am thankful for God’s many mercies that have helped us this far. And I am thankful for the members of the NCU Team that have worked/are working diligently for the in-person experiences we are able to have!

– Chris Woelfle, resident director of Carlson Hall

In a year where I feel less sure of my own heart, my own knowledge, and my own motives, I am thankful that God meets me where I’m at. When I am tapped out, I’m thankful that God pours in. There is a new desperation for God that I am grateful for. I am also grateful for chicken wings.

-Mark Skeba, assistant professor in the College of Business and Technology

I am thankful for the incredible team I have the privilege of serving with. Todd, Jeremy, Laurabeth, Karina, Chris, Sable, Nathan, Gina and all of the students who work in Student Development and Student Engagement bring life to this campus! I am very grateful to be a part of this community!

-Jonathan Thomas, resident director of apartment community

As part of the team that works with those in quarantine or isolation during these past months, I am so grateful for the members of our community who have submitted to the processes that surround, so that we can remain on campus this year. I’m reminded that part of God’s process for healing us and our land in these difficult days is humbling ourselves. I see this response from NCU as leaning in with humility, and I am SO grateful for it and how that will help open spiritual doors for each one (and NCU), too.

– Tabby Finton, director of alumni relations

I’m thankful that despite all circumstances I’ve still been able to meet with my students every week to discuss literature and art and the ways in which God is at work in the world and in their lives.

– Desiree Libengood, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

I am thankful that during this time of pandemic we have been forced to reevaluate the obvious. We were able to host weddings in our home for two of our children over the past 5 months. They both had other plans for their wedding, but COVID forced them to reconsider their options. The results were beautiful and anointed!

– Brenda McCollum, accounts payable specialist

I am grateful for many, many things this semester but one thing stands out. I was contacted by several alumni in the past three months who wanted to share that they were debt free because of the personal financial training that they received while at NCU! That is a major feat under normal circumstances but insanely cool during these unprecedented times.

-Bill Tibbetts, dean of the College of Business and Technology

I think the pandemic has tested everyone’s sanity a time or two… or five thousand this year. I am thankful for the incredible men on my team who have served this university diligently despite all of the changes thrown at us. Through every high and low, these guys always find something to laugh about and they offer each other encouragement when it is needed the most. Coming to work each day knowing that they have my back and that they are working hard to make NCU better has kept me sane and motivated since campus shut down.

– Jordan Hurst, director of facilities management

I am thankful for God’s goodness and faithfulness in allowing us to continue Kidz Read, an after school tutoring partnership between NCU and Christ Church International in South Minneapolis. We have been serving the Powderhorn Park and Philips neighborhood immigrant children for over ten years, and throughout this difficult summer and fall we have been able to mask/social distance/ sanitize and still meet twice a week for reading and homework help. Thanks to the NCU tutors who volunteer at Kidz Read; and a special thanks to Josiah Nosser, the Student Director; and Praise God for keeping us all healthy and safe! God is good!

– Nan Muhovich, professor of global studies

I am very thankful for NCU’s balancing all the demands put on us via Covid and our government with the desires of students to continue having school in person. The Antioch Initiative is grateful for the tremendous virtual response during this year’s Run for the Unreached. Well over 500 people participated and advocated for those still without access to the Gospel. We further were grateful for an amazing response during 10 for 10 prayer this October with every floor in Miller and most floors in Carlson and Phillips participating. NCU’s commitment to technological needs including swivel technology have also been a blessing. While we were not able to host outside attendees during the Antioch Conference, some amazing guest speakers were able to join us and many of the sessions have been uploaded to Youtube.

– Nick Robertson, director of the Antioch Initiative

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