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January 25, 2011 | |
Christ Chapel News
A Campus Ministry for ALL Students, Supported by the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches
Sunday and Wednesday Worship: 7:00 p.m., free suppers at 6:15
510 N. Guadalupe (across from the Tower Garage)
Our Purpose: In gratitude for God's mercy in Christ, we shall be a community of worship, service, and hospitality. |
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Maybe the Mayans are Right...
I doubt it; that their "long" calendar runs out on December 21st probably signals that they ran out of room on the rock to add more years. But imagine if they were right... would you live today any differently? Probably, perhaps with more attentiveness to the people who matter to you the most, to your family, your friends. You would likely be less concerned with money and more concerned with relationships, less with things you can really touch and more about things you can't touch but are so very real. Here's a suggestion; remember what really matters every day, not just when the Mayans make a threat from the misty past. Then the important stuff stays important and everything else takes it proper place. Or as Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Yes, there is so much more to life. So, Mayans, thanks for the reminder to cherish each day as a gift and each other as treasures. |
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 JESUS ON TAP
Jesus on Tap is our night to talk theology at Tantra Coffeehouse, across from the little HEB. This month's theme: "Jesus According to a Woman." The Rev. Lori Ruge-Jones will join us to talk about how being a woman shapes her faith. |
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EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00, WITH A FREE SUPPER AT 6:15. THIS MONTH'S THEMES:
February 1st: St. Brigid of Ireland
Come learn of the the most beloved of Irish saints after Patrick, St. Brigid. We'll celebrate her life with Celtic Evening Prayer and some Irish soda bread and honey for dessert.
February 8th: Faith Talk with a Professor
Join us as Dr. David Beckworth, Dept. of Economics, answers this: "How does my Christian confession affect my profession?"
February 15th: Tai Chi: Exercise for Body and Soul
June Tidwell, a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, will lead us through basic steps of Tai Chi and speak on why it has been of spiritual benefit for her. Wear socks.
February 22nd: Ash Wednesday
We'll have a joint service with our friends at UCM-Wesley at 5:30. If you can't make it but would like ashes put on your forehead, look for the Christ Chapel table on the Quad from 10-2 that day.
February 29th: Leaping Leap Year!
Do you know why Easter falls on a different Sunday every year. We'll take a look at calendars, the church year calendar, the Hebrew calendar, and see what Scripture has to say about time. |
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God Goes to the Movies: February 9th, 8:00 p.m.
A virus spreads, and with it panic. How does society respond? How does a father protect his daughter? And where's God in it all? We'll watch Contagion together in our newly remodeled and far more comfortable lounge. As always, we'll watch the movie on our 42" flatscreen on Blu-Ray with surround-sound. Popcorn provided. Bring a friend. |
UPCOMING EVENTS:
In addition to Jesus on Tap, Ignight, and God Goes to the Movies, we've got:
Late Night Breakfast Bible Study, February 21st:
We'll "use up the fat" on this Shrove Tuesday breakfast. Come for bacon, sausage, pancakes and lots of butter at 10:00. We'll have breakfast and a short study on why we observe Lent and what the season means.
Snake Farm, February 25, 1:00 p.m.: Snake Farm is a reptile house near new Braunfels, Texas, that yours truly has wanted to visit for years, and that is the complete rationale for this trip. Meet at Christ Chapel at 1:00. Cost: $10.
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| And Looking Ahead to Spring Break...
No, it's not the beach, but working in Bastrop State Park rebuilding trails and with families who lost their homes in the wildfires is probably more important. These details are certain: we will leave on Saturday, March 10th and come back on Wednesday, March 14th. Our base will be the farmhouse home of Steven Vacek's family, between Smithville and Bastrop. Costs and the exact nature of our work is still being worked out. Let me know if you are interested, though, and I will make sure you get the details as soon as I know them. |
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SERVANTS OF THE CROSS
Christ Chapel's ministry is open to all students, staff, and faculty of Texas State University, and to adults who are interested in supporting the ministry's goals. Participants are not required to attend a certain number of times in order to be considered part of the ministry; the welcome we extend is unconditional.
However, some students may choose to explore their faith lives more intentionally through the ministry of Christ Chapel. Toward that end, students are invited to enroll in Servants of the Cross, an order of students in ministry.
Students enrolled in Servants of the Cross make a commitment to completing three units of study over a three-semester period.
Semester One: A survey of biblical history and content that explores the underlying themes of God's redemptive work, culminating in Christ.
Semester Two: An exploration of the foundations of the Christian faith through conversation and reflection.
Semester Three: An exploration of spirituality (both spiritual gifts and spiritual practices), paying particular attention to the Franciscan model of lay leadership, ecological concern, compassion and humility. The unit will also leadership development, covering topics such as how to lead a Bible study, how to effectively listen to and offer guidance to other students, and how to design and implement ministry projects and ideas.
The three units are offered on a rotating basis so that students may begin at any semester. Short reading and writing assignments are included.
Participants can expect:
+To discover anew and on adult terms the content and meaning of the Christian faith...
+To be refreshed in their spiritual journey and discover the richness of the Christian tradition for sustaining a life-long exploration of faith...
+To learn skills for ministry applicable to any life situation...
+To participate in a close community of friends and to develop lasting relationships...
+To be equipped to serve as peer ministers at Christ Chapel...
+To know more closely the joy of life in Christ.
Servants of the Cross begins this semester with the Bible segment. A combination of classes and a day retreat will be used to cover the unit. Register your intent by contacting me. I will inform you of the semester's offering and the schedule of events. I will also set a time for conversation about the program and your particular interests and concerns. There is no cost to register in the Servants of the Cross program, but students are expected to honor the program by making attendance and participation a priority. As space permits, students who do not wish to join the Servants of the Cross Order are welcome to attend each semester's offering. Students completing the program will be publicly recognized at the end of the semester and commissioned with a cross symbolizing their participation in the Order. |
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REVIEWS
Rain: Having not seen much of it last year, I had all but forgotten that rain is both wet and necessary. The five inches that fell on our house was a joy; indeed, everybody seemed happy and celebrated by getting into their cars and driving into each other, if not into a low-water crossing. Hurray, rain!
Republican debates: Highly entertaining and reminiscent of those Animal Planet specials about certain species eating their young, but ultimately damaging to the cause. A much more serious means of choosing candidates for both parties needs to be found.
Mimi's Trailer Park: There are six or so new trailers across from the post office serving barbeque to Hawaiian food, hamburgers to gourmet peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches. They are a little pricier than fast-food joints, but you are gettting good, homemade food from locally-owned businesses. Good for dining outdoors, too. Tyler M's recommendation - Kahlua Pork from the Big Kahuna. |
Thanks so much to...
All of you who responded to our end-of-the-year appeal. Because of the generous support of so many, we are starting the year with strength and the ability to fulfill our mission. Campus ministry will never be self-supporting, but it is too important not to support. So on behalf of all the students whose lives are changed and, on occasion, literally saved by campus ministry, THANK YOU!!! |
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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