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North Park Seminary Student Co-Authors New Book
CHICAGO, IL (April 30, 2001) - What began as simple correspondence between a student and a teacher/author is now the subject of a new book co-authored by a North Park Theological Seminary student.
Compelled to Write to You: Letters on Faith, Love, Service and Life contains an edited collection of correspondence between Liz Mosbo VerHage and Christopher de Vinck, a New Jersey teacher and author who with VerHage co-authored the new release from Upper Room Books.
The friendship began during Mosbo VerHage's senior year at North Park University. She read The Power of the Powerless, a book about de Vinck's handicapped brother, Oliver. She wrote de Vinck at his home to praise his book, which challenges people to make a difference in society through relationships and self-sacrifice.
Mosbo VerHage, who is a member of Ravenswood Covenant Church in Chicago, was surprised when she received a response from the author. "When I wrote him the first letter, it was a thank you letter and I never thought I'd hear from him," she said.
When de Vinck received the first letter from Liz, he said he realized she was asking questions similar to those of other students when he taught English literature and in his present job as a New Jersey high school supervisor. "(Liz) was articulating what so many students are looking for
in their own lives - a way to move forward, a way to make a difference, a way to be," he writes.
The teacher/author's 20-page response began a series of correspondence and a growing friendship. Over the months to come, the two would discuss a wide range of subjects related to the deeper meanings of life.
"It (correspondence) was my whole senior year, so we discussed a lot of deep things," she continued. "I was wondering, am I going to get married? What am I going to do after I graduate? It was like how we all feel when we know we have to make changes. I've always had a small group of friends that I know really influence my life. He (de Vinck) was one of those friends for a short period."
Compelled to Write to You is being marketed as a guide for graduating seniors in high school and college. The 184-page book contains a study guide designed to help develop mentor-
student relationships. Mosbo VerHage believes the questions she posed to de Vinck are still worth asking today.
"I have the same questions and I suspect that I will be asking them all of my life," she said. "Maybe every swirling leaf of every fall will call me to these questions and doubts and joys. Maybe that is the process - to struggle and fall and think and stand and pray and celebrate. Then to struggle again, all in faith under a merciful God."
Mosbo VerHage will celebrate the book's recent publication in a Chicago book release party later today at Nyvall Hall on the seminary campus. The 5:30 p.m. open house will include refreshments, a book signing and a discussion about the book and the unique relationship that developed between the writers.
"There are so many people who have been excited about it (the book's release) and that has been fun," said Mosbo VerHage. "I felt good about publishing the book because I thought it could be something that could be valuable to others. A lot of parents have commented that they've loved it because they could give it to their kid or youth group," she continued.
Mosbo VerHage will be heading to her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota, for a book-signing event in June. For more information about the book or upcoming book release events, contact Mosbo VerHage at 773-279-9862.
Retail priced at $17, the book can be purchased for $15 from Covenant Bookstore. To purchase the book from Covenant Bookstore, call Jeff Lennard at 773-478-4676 or visit the online bookstore at www.covenantbookstore.com. A link to Covenant Bookstore can also be found on the Evangelical Covenant Church web site www.covchurch.org.
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