Vestigia Dei
Wycliffe College Blog

Vestigia Dei  – is a Latin term meaning “traces of God.” As a theological term it is associated with natural theology – that is, the view that there are vestiges of God within creation. We’ve chosen this term as the title of the Wycliffe College blog because our hope is that through these writings, readers might glimpse evidences for God as our writers interact with the wider world.

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glass window in Ambulatory Walk, Wycliffe College

Saying no to isolation and accepting the gift of love

Wycliffe College
"What if being rooted in Christ’s love is saying no to isolation and accepting the gift of love offered on the ground by the people right around me?" writes Amber Tremblett. "Because what is that if not the immanence of God? This latest foray into my anxious world has reminded me to look for God. In scripture and in prayer, yes, but also in all the moments of my life." Read more
vase of tulips on table in foreground at Great Hall

Living on the edge of the cancer world

John Bowen
"In that experience of cancer and radiation and steroids, where was God? The answers, as so often, are rather surprising," Professor Emeritus John Bowen on the presence of God as he navigated chemotherapy.
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desert landscape with bare branches bottom right hand corner

The myth of in-between times

Jeremy McClung
In this personal essay, Dr Jeremy McClung leads the reader to a profound truth: God uses our in-between times to teach us how to get our sense of security from Him.
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black and white photo of a Charlie Chaplin actor sitting on a high chair observing a busy street

Send in the clowns

Scott Mealey
What does it mean to be child? Using the metaphor of clown and fool, Dr Scott Mealey encourages us to embrace transitions with humility and curiosity. With powerful words, Mealey invites us to consider our orientation to discipleship and the ongoing work of kingdom-building.
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Psalms frontispiece illustration (detail) from The Saint John's Bible

Psalm 99: words for the times in which we live

Justin Stratis
Global politics is in a time of profound and unsettling transition. Professor Justin Stratis preached this timely sermon in Founders’ Chapel on March 4, 2025.
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detail from Saint John's Bible artwork on Solomon's Temple showing the four Gates

Spiritual practices for a Church and people in transition

Chris Dow
The beauty of Dow's meditation lies in its reminder that being a Christ-follower means being rooted in community. The spiritual habits we are called to practice - worship, baptism, testimony, and joy - orient us to the Living Word, Jesus Christ, in the context of community - the gathering of believers.
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domed ceiling with hanging cross in Founders Chapel at Wycliffe College

The Anglican Church of Canada in transition

Wycliffe College Faculty
With care, and a deep love for the Anglican Church, Professor Emeritus and historian Alan L. Hayes reflects on the Church's transition through the filters of continuity and change, and ultimately points readers to the anchor through all transitions, institutional or personal: Jesus Christ Himself.
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Collage or quilt of different multicoloured squares for Black History Month 2025

The invitation of Black History Month

Wycliffe College Blog
Why is Black History Month needed? What does the invitation of this calendar month offer to all of us at large? Wycliffe College's Communications Associate Renee James reflects on the surprise and invitation of Black History Month.
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woman praying with clasped hands on open book

Songs in Transition

Wycliffe College
When circumstances overwhelm you, how do you stay the course? Wycliffe Senior Student Kathleen Krynski reflects on the power of the Psalms to orient, ground and guide through the big and small transitions of life.
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road on a wintry night winding through the hills

Sacred Journeys: Finding God in Life's Transitions

Boram Lee
Rev. Dr Boram Lee shares how transition can be a sacred journey; an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God; each step in that transition a movement to a future as yet unseen, but one shaped by God who journeys with us. Transitions can be sacred places in which God our Father dwells.
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Marion Taylor fall 2024 blog on the book of Ruth wheat sheaves

Navigating Life's Transitions

Marion Taylor
Dr Marion Taylor writes about transitions through the lens of Naomi and Ruth. What do we do when our transitions take us from famine to plenty; from affliction to blessing, and back again? Dr Taylor offers us a nuanced account of suffering, provision, and the certainty of God's presence even in the darkest of seasons.
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the new road fall 2024 blog by Catherine Hamilton two country roads

The gift of the new road

Catherine Sider-Hamilton
Professor Catherine Sider-Hamilton on the gift of the new road - that Christ Himself has made that new road His. "If I take the wings of the morning And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand shall lead me, And your right hand hold me fast. (Psalm 139: 9-10)"
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God's words are like the light on side of railway track lighting the way in the dark

Transitions Into Darkness

Lissa M. Wray Beal
Sometimes transitions lead us into dark territory. Dipping into the book of Jeremiah, Professor Lissa Wray Beal offers insight into how we may all find comfort and hope, even in those transitions.
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2024 JMangina blog

On the Right Use of Theological Studies: Simone Weil on Attention

Joseph Mangina
"To study God, pay attention to God, delight in God -- what could be more thrilling than that?" Professor Joseph Mangina reflects on love, paying attention and the use of theological studies.
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Cross and crown of thorns

Released from a wage economy

Stephen Chester
Fall is a season of transition especially for students, faculty, and their families, and it is the theme of Wycliffe's fall 2024 blog series. Dr Stephen Chester begins the series by reminding readers that Christ Himself remains the anchor through all our seasons of transition.
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Prayer for new Principal

Prayer for Choosing a New Principal for Wycliffe College

Wycliffe College
We would like to invite the Wycliffe community to join us in prayer as we search for a new Principal:

 

Sovereign and gracious God,

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Marion Taylor blog on listening to the Psalms in other voices

A Five-Hour Challenge That Could Change Your Life

Marion Taylor
Psalms take on new meaning when heard in your own voice or culture. Dr. Marion Taylor explores the impact of hearing the Psalms read aloud.
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Jesus's betrayal led to his crucifixion on the cross.

O What a Tangled Web we Weave When First we Practice to Deceive

Peter Robinson
This Holy Week, Professor of Proclamation, Worship and Ministry, Peter Robinson, explores Sir Walter Scot's epic poem and how it collates to the Passion of Christ, and the sobering portrayals of how easily self-justification leads all too quickly to a complex web of deceit.
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Jeremy McClung, Interim-Director, Institute of Evangelism

Living Gratitude

Jeremy McClung
Transitional Director of Institution of Evangelism, Jeremy McClung, explores the importance of gratitude in a Christian life, and how a hardwired reaction to freely given gifts has become skewed with society's need for self-importance. However, there is hope if we return to who we were created to be, and reconcile to whom we owe the most gratitude.
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Lissa Wray Beal

Walking the Second Half of Life

Lissa M. Wray Beal
Professor of Old Testament, Lissa Wray Beal, analyses how vocation, beauty and trust can fuel the vigour for our Christian journey, and how turning to the examples of leaders in the faith, we can find role models to help lead the way.
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