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August 22, 2014
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Christ Chapel News
A Campus Ministry for ALL Students, Supported by Members of the Episcopal and Lutheran Church from Across the Nation
Sunday Worship: 7:00 p.m., free suppers at 6:15 starting Oct. 5
Wednesday Worship: 5:30 p.m.
510 N. Guadalupe (across from the Tower Garage and the UAC)
Our Purpose: In gratitude for God's mercy in Christ, we shall be a community of worship, service, and hospitality.
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New Starts
There is something both dreadful and wonderful about the smell of new notebooks, pens, paper, and binders. Dreadful, because they mean new challenges, new and likely harder classes, and for some, a new school like Texas State, where the sheer size of the place can be overwhelming. Wonderful, because new school materials means new friends, new learning, and a new start toward the finish line that is a degree.
New can be scary, especially if it means walking into a new place like Christ Chapel. "Will I be welcome?" (YES!) "Will they be weird?" (Somewhat), and "Will it be like church back home?" (Probably not) are some of the questions students have before daring to enter the door. So we try to make it easier by sending out this newsletter so you can see what we're about, and by operating a free, organic, fair-trade coffee house (tea, too) every morning from 8:30 until noon. We also provi e a great place just to relax or do schoolwork with free WiFi. Come on by and give us a try. We hold worship year-round on Sunday nights at 7:00, and will be serving free, home-cooked meals starting in October, when our newly remodeled kitchen is completed. On Wednesday nights, we share a loaf of fresh-baked bread and then worship in a variety of styles, including guest professors who talk about the intersection of their faith and work. Throughout the semester, we have a variety of activities that we keep cheap so that everyone can take part. Read more below about our annual trip to Wessendorff, a beautiful retreat center and swimming hole in the Hill Country. You'll also find out how to help feed the homeless of San Marcos every month and you can read about upcoming events such as a day at Spring Loaded, a trampoline park near New Braunfels. Whatever the event, know you are welcome. Whether you've never been in a church before or were there every time the lights were on, this is a place for you.
So, what is this place we're welcoming you to?We are "evangelical catholics," the middle way. We are evangelical (people with good news) without being fundamentalists. We take the Bible seriously, but we also see it is a living word that demands to be interpreted for each new generation. We are catholic (literally, "universal"), meaning that we are grateful for the great gifts of the Christian tradition and appreciative of the diversity of the family of God. As a Reconciling in Christ Ministry, we rejoice in the full participation of people regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in every aspect of our ministry.
We are generally reserved, reflective, and deliberate in our worship and hospitality. Our expression of the faith emphasizes God's infinite love and grace in Christ and the freedom of the Christian life. We never ask anyone to check their brains at the door, but welcome the questions and struggles that faith and life brings. Come; you'll find a home here, and we are looking forward to meeting you.
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FEEDING THE HOMELESS
Southside Community Center (518 S. Guadalupe St.) feeds the homeless of our town every night of the year. On the first Monday of each month, we cook and bring dinner to the guests of the Center, with food prep starting at 4:00 and serving the meal from 5:00-6:30. Volunteers are always welcome to cook, greet the guests, serve, and wash the dishes. Our next turn is September 1, and since there are no classes that day, you can help! E-mail christchapel@txstate.edu if you would like to take part.
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SPRING LOADED: GET YOUR BOUNCE ON
It's not just for dogs (see about 5 zillion YouTube videos). Jumping on a trampoline is great fun, and jumping on a whole bunch of them is even more fun. Join us on September 6th at 2:15 as we head to New Braunel's Spring Loaded Trampoline Park. We get two hours of bouncing for $15. You can probably figure out how much money to bring. Sign up at Christ Chapel or e-mail christchapel@txstate.edu
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WESSENDORFF RANCH RETREAT 9/19-9/21
One of the most beautiful spots is in the Hill Country is ours for a weekend. On September 19th, you are in
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vited to join us for a retreat at Wessendorff, some 35 miles west of San Marcos. What will we do? Eat, sleep, play games, hike, play music, maybe swim. We'll carpool from Christ Chapel at 5:00 and return by noon on Sunday. Cost: $15, which includes everything. You'll need to bring bedding and towels, plus the usual stuff you might need for a weekend away. Bring a swimsuit if it rains between now and then so that we can swim in the ultimate Texas swimming hole, the Narrows. Again, e-mail christchapel@txstate.edu to make a reservation. We are limited in the number that can attend this year to 30, so don't wait.
Sometimes people can only come out for the day; that's okay. Just let us know so we can plan for enough food. |
HOW ABOUT A FREE LUNCH?
Even though are kitchen is under construction, we will still start offering a free lunch every Monday from 12:00 to 1:30 in the activity room of Christ Chapel. Yes, it is free, and we don't have any expectation of you other than that you eat. Co-sponsored by the UCM-Wesley, the other campus ministry that meets in our building.
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OPEN MIC NIGHT
Songs, jokes, stories, talents of every kind are all welcome at our Open Mic Nights. The next one is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1st at 6:30. No judging, just sharing. Sign up at Christ Chapel starting next week, or e-mail your name and talent to share to christchapel@txstate.edu.
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Reviews
Submit your own for any new thing. Opinions below are strictly those of the chaplain, but they are absolutely right.
Lay's Potato Chip New Flavors
In ascending degrees of horridness, the new flavors are as follows:
Wasabi and Ginger - These are actually pretty good, if you like a little crunch with your Asian flavors. I'd consider buying these again.
Bacon Mac 'n Cheese - Cheese, yes. Mac, where are you? Bacon almost invisible. That said, these are edible, though not special.
Cappucino - No. There is definitely a coffee flavor, but in no universe does that flavor belong on a chip. But the worst...
Mango Salsa - Wow. How they got people on commercials to smile while eating these is a mystery. I suspect they were eating something else, because fruit-striped gum and potato chips do not belong together. Truly awful.
Pizza Lady pizza
The big HEB features the big voice of Sherlon Jackson, aka the Pizza Lady. She's an expert at letting everybody in the store, including those on the complete opposite side, know that she has pizza samples. So, how are they? Pretty tasty, I must say. They are far better than any frozen pizza I've had, and at about the same price point. You can customize the toppings and bring home a quick to bake dinner for under $7.00. Well, you should stop by the produce section and get a salad, too, lest you develop scurvy.
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AND DON'T FORGET...
Higher Grounds Coffee House will open on the first day of class at 8:30. Try a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee. Bring a travel mug, if you can.
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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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