Congratulations on completing your semester, and I pray for your safe journeys home and for a joyful, restful Christmas break.  While you are putting the semester behind you, I want you to be aware of a few events to plan for in the Spring.  I'll see you next year, and do stop by if you see me on the Quad at the "Chat with a Chaplain" booth.

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Spring Break '08 can be tons of fun and still be more than getting sunburned at the beach.  Join us for "What a Relief! Spring Break '08" (March 9-16) as we head to New Orleans to help in that city's rebuilding.  We will be staying at Bethlehem Volunteer Center in New Orleans and working Monday through Friday morning of Spring Break in clean-up, demolition, and construction.  It won't be all work; we'll take some time to explore New Orleans and enjoy the parts of the city that are functioning well, and maybe make a stop in Galveston on the way home.  The Bethlehem Volunteer Center is a safe, clean facility that will provide us beds and meals.  Costs will be kept to a minimum; $20 per person per day, plus transportation can be expected, but we will offset some of that expense with fundraisers and by other means.  However, SPACE IS LIMITED.  Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with your intention sealed by a $50 deposit.  An information packet is available at the Higher Ground office, which includes a volunteer intake form, health form, liability release and insurance information.  Participants are required to have had a current tetanus shot, which doesn't really hurt very much at all.  If you know you want to go already, but are stuck at home, call Higher Ground at 512-353-1928 to reserve a space, then send the $50 deposit to Higher Ground, P. O. Box 1803, San Marcos, TX  78667-1803. 

High Ropes Retreat
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We will have Sunday evening services through the break (and year 'round) at 7:00 p.m., with supper at 6:15 starting on January 13th, and Wednesday evening "Bread and Belonging" starting on January 16th, with worship at 5:30 and supper at 6:15.  It's a new year; what a great time to make a new habit of gathering with us.  Besides, you get free home-cooked suppers!  Look also in the Spring for open-mike coffehouses, a Seder Supper, and a Theology in Film series.  Again, I know your e-mail box gets full, but please give these a read.  Higher Ground is a place FOR YOU.

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Pastor Jaime Bouzard

Higher Ground Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry at Christ Chapel

510 N. Guadalupe (across from the Tower garage)

San Marcos, TX  78666  512.353.3928