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Dear Friends of Christ Chapel and Higher Ground, the Lutheran and Episcopal campus ministry of Christ Chapel,
Below is our monthly newsletter for students. I send it to you so that you might see what your prayers and financial support are making possible. Now in my full second month in this call, I rejoice all the more at knowing how many are keeping this ministry so vital through their blessings, prayers and gifts. On behalf of the students whose lives are being transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ, I thank you. - Pastor Jaime Bouzard
November, 2007 |
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Higher Ground News
Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry at Texas State | |
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An Incredible Summer Job Could be Yours
Staff from Cross Trails Camping Ministry will join us on Wednesday, November 14th during Bread and Belonging. After our 5:30 worship service, they will be available during supper to answer any questions you might have about working at a Christian camp in the summer of 2008. Cross Trails operates Lutheran Camp Chrysalis in Kerrville, Ebert Ranch Camp in Harper, High Adventure camps for Senior High students and day camps throughout Texas. Come find out more; it is an incredible, rewarding, joyful way to spend a summer. For more information about the ministry, visit the Cross Trails link below.
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The One Campaign: Information and an Invitation
The One Campaign has gotten a lot of attention nationwide, but has not made an impact here at Texas State University yet. The values listed by the campaign are exactly those we embrace as followers of Jesus Christ, so what better place to learn about the One Campaign than at Higher Ground? Come to a free dinner and worship on November 18th, 6:15 p.m., where we will have a chance to meet with Suzanne Berman of Bread For the World. Follow the link below to find out more about the One Campaign, or read their own core beliefs below:
"WE BELIEVE that in the best American tradition of helping others help themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extreme poverty.
WE RECOGNIZE that a pact including such measures as fair trade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing additional resources for basic needs - education, health, clean water, food, and care for orphans - would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries, at a cost equal to just one percent more of the US budget.
WE COMMIT ourselves - one person, one voice, one vote at a time - to make a better, safer world for all."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Week in D.C. - FREE!Applications are available for Breaking Out 2008! Washington, D.C. at the Steinbruck Center, March 2-7 or 9-14. The cost is just $75 per person, which includes housing, meals and travel. There is a maximum of thirty students per week, with a limit of two students per school. The week will center around the issues of homelessness, poverty, injustice and advocacy. Go to www.lsm-usa.org for applications. You can also read a summary of last year's event in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Space is limited, so apply soon!
AND, Texas State Students, should you be accepted, Higher Ground will even cover the $75 cost. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel Food Ministries
It's hard enough going to school, keeping your grades up, and maybe having to work at a job, all at the same time. And then, to have to worry about having enough to eat.. One answer is in the Angel Food Ministry, hosted at St. Mark's Episcopal, First Lutheran, and other churches in San Marcos. For $25, you get a huge basket of food, including meats, vegetables, starches and more, all of which would cost many times the price at a grocery store. Orders for November are due on the 5th, with delivery on the 17th. Come by Higher Ground for more information, or visit the link below. There is no income requirements, no residency requirements, no proof of anything required. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW FACES FOOD INSECURITY, this is the program for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reviews
Here are a few random opinions about stuff I've encountered lately. I invite you to send in your own reviews of movies, TV shows, websites, etc., and they'll get posted in the next newsletter. -PJB
The NBA season - Most every game between now and the playoffs is not all that important in the marathon that is the NBA season. That said, one can always hope for bench-clearing brawls, players hopping into the stands, Kobie doing something stupid, Spreewell topping him, an arrest or two for illegal possession of a handgun, assorted substance-abuse suspensions and refs getting caught gambling to keep the season lively. Oh, yes, there are stand-up character guys who are fun to watch; Dirk, Tim, Manu, Tony, Yao and company, but I'd suggest that if you want some roundball played with heart, go see a Bobcats game.
Blue Goat Gourmet:
Hmm... this is a funky, nicely decorated place, located on the far side of the Sanctuary lofts at 310 Mary St., an easy walk from campus. It is a little more expensive than most lunch places, with a fairly limited menu, and not a lot of vegetarian options. I think they could be more creative with their food and make for a reasonable lunch destination. Until then, I'd stick with their desserts, coffee and other drinks. They do have some interesting art on the walls, with the collection changing regularly to feature local artists, both students and professionals.
Movies: I haven't seen any lately, but were I to have, I'm sure I would have an opinion.
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Pastor Jaime Gone Nov. 6-11
Pastor Jaime will be at campus ministry training from November 6th through 11th, after which he will know everything possible to know about this peculiar work. If you find yourself in need of a pastor during that time, contact Fr. Bruce Wilson at 353-1979 (Tuesday through Thursday) or Pastor Lori Ruge-Jones at 754-8886 (Friday and Saturday). Better yet, don't have an emergency. |
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Upcoming Bread and Belonging Moments
November 7 - Melissa Hoffman will lead the first Bread and Belonging of November, using songs and prayers from her experience at Lutherhill, a camp near LaGrange.
November 14 - Taize Service in the All Saint's Chapel (downstairs) We will be joined by representatives of Cross Trails Camping this evening.
November 21 - Classes are out of session, so we will not meet this night.
November 28 - Holden Evening Prayer in the All Saints Chapel (downstairs). A beautiful liturgy with song and prayer, perfect for Advent.
December 5 - STUDY BREAK! The folks from Living Word Lutheran in Buda will have a special meal for us after a brief time of sharing and griping about finals. |
SPRING BREAK WITH A PURPOSE
Look, everyone knows how you're supposed to spend Spring Break; at the beach partying way too much, making bad decisions, and avoiding the cops. Amazingly, some people (by which I mean people who think for more than a couple of minutes) do not find the prescribed Spring Break all that satisfying. Well, here's an option... how about putting your faith into action, living out Jesus' words, making a difference in this world, by going on a Spring Break trip to a place where you can help rebuild lives and homes. Details are still being worked out, but look for some definite word in the weeks ahead about Spring Break '08 - Destination Gulf Coast. We'll go to an area still devastated by Hurricane Katrina and do what we can in cleanup, home building and more. Cost? We'll keep it to a minimum. And yes, we'll make room for a little time at the beach. Texas State's Spring Break is March 9-16.
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Higher Ground Lounge Changes
Our Higher Ground lounge is used by St. Mark's J2A (Journey to Adulthood) youth, who are interested in establishing a Spirituality Center for their use and for the use of Higher Ground students in that space. An informal poll of Higher Ground participants suggests we go for it, relocating our Monday Bible Study to the Library. When St. Mark's moves on to their new facility, we'll be able to retain the Spirituality Center and add to it for the benefit of students for years to come. What's a Spirituality Center? A place to pray, reflect, try out other spiritual disiciplines, learn of the spirituality of other traditions, and to seek God with both heart and mind. The J2A students will want our input and help, so e-mail your thoughts and ideas of what a Spirituality Center should include. |
Progressive Dinner and Other News About Other Faiths...
The Interfaith Campus Ministry Organization is holding a Progressive Dinner for students from each participating Campus Ministry on Tuesday, November 6th at 6:00 p.m. Up to ten Higher Ground students can take part in this meal, which will begin at Higher Ground with appetizers, continue at the Catholic Student Center for the main course, and then end with dessert at Campus Christian Center. The first ten students who respond can take part in this free, fabulous meal, which includes entertainment from a gospel choir and a chance to meet other students who are also on a journey of faith in their college years. E-mail your wish to take part to higherground@txstate.edu and I'll let you know more details.
Indian Student Association Diwali Festival
The Texas State Indian Student Association is hosting Diwali '07, a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good over evil and of light and hope. The event will be held on November 11th, starting at 6:00 p.m., in the LBJ Ballroom of the LBJ Student Center. Entry is free, as is the Indian food that will be served. See the links below for more on the event. This is a fun way to learn more about our Indian friends and the Hindu faith.
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Why Sunday Night Matters
"Do I HAVE to?" I used to ask, whenever my parents said it was time to go to church. It wasn't that I didn't like God; God was fine, but church was boring, and it was their idea that I go, not mine. It's been a long time since my parents told me I had to do anything, but I've found my way back to church for my own reasons. It's not that I always "get" something out of it, but I'm not there to get- I'm there to give, to give God praise. And I don't always know the songs, and they are not usually the kind I like to sing with on the radio, and sometimes the sermon is a bit puzzling, leaving me with more questions than answers. But between the words of the sermon, the words shared by others gathered, the ancient words of worship, and the word that I can touch called Holy Communion, I hear something that I can't live without; that despite the pressures to succeed, to pass, to make the grade, to be responsible, to make the right decisions, God still loves me and cares for me and my life and this world. No matter what the week brings, the love of God is there. And that's why Sunday night matters. Try it yourself; we have supper together at 6:15 (free) and worship at 7:00. Come for one or both. |
Coming Soon!
Homelessness and Hunger Week - Look around campus for ways to observe and learn compassion for the hungry and homeless, or visit the Texas State Student Volunteer Connection at the link on this page. November 12-16.
A Celebration of Bread - November 18 (during Sunday worship) Just in time for Thanksgiving, a way to remember all the ways bread sustains us and unites us as one people, the family of God.
Thanksgiving Break - November 20-25. Can't get home, but don't want to be alone? Write me at higherground@txstate.edu.
Province VII Campus Ministry Conference - January 18-20, Camp Allen, Texas. A conference on 21st century spirituality for students, chaplains, faculty, and friends of campus ministry. Scholarship help available for interested students.
Student and Mentor Retreat - February, 2008, date to be determined. Leadership development, planning, recreation and service for both students and mentors at Camp Lutherhill, La Grange. High ropes, anyone?
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A buck 'o five. That's what freedom costs, at least in one song I know. But that's not really true; the freedom you and I have costs more than any amount of gold or silver, because it was bought with the blood and life of Jesus. Come to Higher Ground and find out more. You are always welcome here. |
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