It’s that time of the year for stories — stories of first days ever, first days in a new place, and first days back. Perhaps you’re a first-year graduate student, preparing yourself for a course of rigorous study. Or maybe you’re easing into life as a faculty member at a new institution. Or perhaps you’ve been around for a little while but you’re looking for some fresh tips and energy to help you start the year well. We’ve combed through our interviews from the past year and curated a podcast episode that address the question: What advice do you have for women who are new grad students or faculty? We invite you to listen in and receive these words from women who have been there and have hope for your future. And if you’re not a podcast listener, check out the imperfect transcript of this episode.

“You're someone who's smart and who's capable and God has plans for those gifts.”

This time can present such a wide range of emotions and experiences — joy, anticipation, uncertainty, trepidation, anxiety. We hold space for all of these very human emotions, and we invite you to bring these to God in prayer. Carrie Bare offers spiritual wisdom and encouragement in her article on prayer at the start of the year. We are praying for you as well! And if you’d like us to pray for any particular requests you have, simply send us an email at wsap@intervarsity.org. We’re rooting for you!

“Prayer is bringing all things, everything, to God. We do this in hopefulness and anticipation and in confusion and in helplessness. We pray when there is a death and in all losses. When there is betrayal or fear or deep pain. And we pray where there is joy and lightness of heart. All of it.”

You’re Invited!

Weekly Prayer is back! Join us online for 30-minute guided prayer meetings on Fridays at 8 am, 9 am, and 12 pm (Eastern). Can’t come? Send your prayer requests anyway by emailing us at wsap@intervarsity.org.

Faithful Politics — Fall Book Club. If you’d like to discuss Christian political engagement in our present context in a non-partisan and safe environment, join the Women Scholars and Professionals Fall 2024 Book Club as we discuss Faithful Politics (IVP 2024). Miranda Zapor Cruz helps us to envision what faithful citizenship looks like in light of being citizens of God’s kingdom. Click through to register!

IVP Faculty exam copies. Professors can request a free exam or desk copy for InterVarsity Press titles adopted for classroom use up to three times a year. Your free exam or desk copy will be sent to you within four weeks. Register for a professional account to access this benefit!

Are you an InterVarsity alum? Use promo code IVCFALUMNI to get a 25% discount at ivpress.com.

Four More Things We Loved This Week

1. Why Libraries Are Crucial to Faith and Justice Movements.

2. Unlearning Exhaustion: The Transformative Power of Rest — A good reminder at the start of a new semester when things are busy and we are setting the pace for the next several months.

3. Conversations about climate change can quickly go south. Here are 6 ways to make them better.

4. These 12 Products Will Bring All the Birds to Your Yard.