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December 1, 2008 |
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Christ Chapel News
A Campus Ministry for ALL Students, Supported by the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches
Sunday Worship: 7:00 p.m., free supper at 6:15
510 N. Guadalupe (across from Tower Garage in St. Mark's Episcopal Church) |
 Late Night Breakfast, Bible Study, Game Night Dec. 8
Tuesday, December 9th is Dead Day, so there's no point in studying on the night before. How about breakfast, a bible study and game night? We're talking Rock Band, pancakes, Wii Bowling, scrambled eggs, Proverbs, cards, and bacon. The games will begin at 8:00, breakfast at 10:30, bible study at the same time, then more games until everyone goes home. |
Advent: A season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus
When I find myself yelling at the microwave to hurry up, I know I need a dose of Advent. For those who pay less attention to liturgical calendars, Advent is the four weeks of preparation for the Christmas season, which lasts 12 days (as in, "On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... yet another inappropriate gift"). Granted, retailers think Christmas has already started, and the way we celebrate even in churches sends the signal that Christmas is best oberved with hurried excess and a collapse of relief come December 25th, iwhen all the fuss is over and New Year's plans can begin.
What if, though... what if we did not just sing, "Silent Night, Holy Night," but lived it by silence and holiness in preparation for Christmas? The silence would be a sound rejection of the noise of consumerism that has somehow become the dominant tone of this month. Silence would be just right in light of what Christmas is really about; God entering our story, in the flesh. And silence would be a great way to recall that first Christmas night, when only shepherds were listening closely enough to hear the good news.
And holiness? It is an attitude, but not of superiority. It is to follow the words and deeds of the one whose birth for which we are preparing. That would mean less concern for what sort of gifts to buy and more for those who are left out, lonely, poor, or forgotten. It is to serve.
Silently serving... that sounds like a good way to wait for the birth of Jesus. No, it sounds like a good way to live. |
| It's Official: We're a ONE Congregation!
The Millenium Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2000 as a way to address the problems of extreme poverty, a shameful reality in our world today. ONE Congregations have made a commitment to being active voices in shaping public policies that alleviate persistent poverty, hunger, and inequality. Among steps necessary to obtain our ONE congregation status: a conversation with a congressional delegate. We were honored to host Congressman Lloyd Dogget last month, who was quite articulate about the importance of adddressing the Millenium Development goals as both a national and humanitarian concern. Thank you, Congressman Doggett, and thank you to all whose faith has led them to action.
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Things to Look for...
Christmas Party - December 10.
It's our last night together of the semester, so we'll celebrate with a White Elephant Christmas Party after supper (about 6:45). Bring a gift, the weirder the better, but certainly costing no more than $5.00. Homemade, even bizarre gifts are welcome. We'll swap them around to see who gets the best loot, and who goes home with the lawn gnome.
Servants of the Cross
is a program by which students who wish to make a deeper faith journey can enlist in a three-unit program of study, reflection, and retreats. Those completing the program will join the Servants, an order of students in ministry. Brochures and more information is available at the Christ Chapel office. A six-week in-depth study of the Bible's overarching story will begin in the Spring on February 2nd (Monday evening) at 8:00) and conclude on or before March 9th.
Reviews:
The Outlet Malls: It's obviously not everyone's problem, but I just get the willies at the outlet mall. The employees are nice, but there is something disquieting about three zillion acres dedicated to shopping. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we're marked first and most importantly with the cross of Christ, which makes brand names on our butts somehow incongruous.
Manske Rolls: These are just insanely good. Available at Gil's Broiler328 N. LBJ, Manske Rolls originated here in the early 1940's. Today, you can still get fresh-baked Manske Rolls right where LBJ did. To say these are cinammon rolls is to say Cheez Whiz is fine dining. Take some home when you leave for Christmas break. Your family will like you more.
Wii:
Very cool game system. Thanks to the board of Christ Chapel, we've got one. Come try it out on December 8th. |
Our campus mission is to be a welcoming spiritual community, a place for people of any gender, race, national origin, and sexual orientation. Growing together in faith, we seek the unity that Christ envisions for His church through learning, liturgical worship, service, and fellowship. | |
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Wednesdays: Bread and Belonging
The weeks ahead will include:
December 3: Holden Evening Prayer
December 10: Healing Service
Bread and Belonging is a no-experience necessary way to pray, and you are welcome to join us every Wednesday night. The service begins at 5:30, with a home-cooked free supper at 6:15. Volunteers from First Lutheran will provide supper on Dec. 3rd, while Dec. 10 will be a barbeque dinner. NOTE THIS NOW, LISTEN TO IT LATER: Starting in the Spring Semester, Bread and Belonging will hold the meal at 6:15, with worship to follow. |
God Goes to the Movies: "What Would Jesus Buy?" Dec. 4th, 8:00 p.m.
The film focuses on the issues of the commercialization of Christmas, materialism, the over-consumption in American culture, globalization, and the business practices of large corporations, as well as their economic and cultural effects on American society, as seen through the prism of activist/performance artist Bill Talen, who goes by the alias of "Reverend Billy," and his troupe of activists, whose street theater performances take the form of a church choir called "The Church of Stop Shopping," that sings anti-shopping and anti-corporate songs. The film follows Billy and his choir as they take a cross-country trip in the month prior to Christmas 2005, and spread their message against what they perceive as the evils of patronizing the retail outlets of several different large corporate chains. We'll be seing "WWJB?" on our new flat-screen HDTV with Blue-Ray HD AND surround-sound stereo. Popcorn, soda provided. |
| Progressive Dinner:
We share an annual tradition with our friends in campus ministry at the Catholic Student Center and the United Campus Ministry, Wesley Foundation; a Progressive Dinner. We can send up to ten students to join in appetizers, a main dish, and dessert at the three ministry locations on Thursday, December 4th, starting at 6:00 p.m. at UCM-Wesley. In addition to attendees, several students are needed to help Lauren Sorrel to set up and serve, as Christ Chapel is providing the main course. Call Pr. Jaime for more information at 557-8836. |
And a few other notes:
Hunger Bowl a Success!
Thanks to all who maked the 1st Annual Hunger Bowl a success! Particular thanks to Marcus Green, who represented Christ Chapel at several meetings and who staffed our Frito Pie concession almost the entire time. We sold over $150 in Frito Pie, part of the over $1,100 raised for the Hays County Food Bank.
What a joy! The Baptisms of Chris and Dana Ferguson
We gave thanks for many things on November 23rd, but all of us were especially grateful for the Spirit working in the lives and hearts of Chris and Dana Ferguson, who were welcomed into Christ's family through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. We welcome our new brother and sister in Christ.
Advent Devotion Booklets By You, For You
College students from across the country have composed a book of Advent devotions that are available for you, for free, in the welcome hall of Christ Chapel. These are a helpful way to make your preparations for Christmas all they can be.
Food Notes:
Thanks to the Romigs, providing an Italian feast this Sunday, December 4th, and to all our mentors for a GREAT Thanksgiving Dinner! It was a joy to have to set up extra tables not once, but twice, so that almost 40 people could feast and enjoy each other's company before worship.
Rachel Bailey Wins Big:
Our own Rachel Bailey won a university concerto competition and now will be the featured flute soloist in a Spring orchestra performance. Congratulations, Rachel! |
Monday Night Bible Study, 6:00 p.m.
We are working our way through the Gospel of Mark, which will be the "main" gospel from which our Sunday readings are drawn in the coming year. You need not to have attended before to join us now in the Christ Chapel Lounge (St. Mark's lower level). | |
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