|
December, 2014
| |
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.
Monday: Free Lunch, 12:00 -1:00
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.
|
Fractals
Ending well this semester at Texas State University means acing finals. That could happen. Much depends on all the days before the end. Studying all the days before would help, of course, as well as getting enough sleep, eating right, and getting some exercise. Zoom out and see what makes for a life well lived - it's much the same thing. Sleep, eating well, and exercise are necessary, of course. The studying comes in looking for the grace and beauty that is always all around us. The exams come when a need is before us and we answer with compassion, embodying the grace and beauty in our care for others. Zoom in and you can also see what makes for a good day. It's in taking stock right now of the grace and beauty that has surrounded you this day. It's in the kindness you have shown and the good you have been able to do.
Be it a day or a lifetime, the components are the same. It's only the length of time that is different. In nature, the repeated patterns across different scales are called fractals. Fractals are found in seashells and galaxies, blood vessels and lightening bolts. And, it would seem, the spiritual life can be something of a fractal. Can you see a pattern in your own life? There's no need to wait another day to start making the pattern plain.
|
|
CHRISTMAS PARTY/LATE NIGHT BREAKFAST TACOS! FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 7:00 P.M.
It's our great annual tradition of celebrating Christmas
just a little early with tree decorating at 7:00, followed by the annual white elephant gift exchange at 8:00. Bring a gift, gag or otherwise, of no more than $5 retail value. After the party, stay for games and at 10:00, BUILD YOUR OWN BREAKFAST TACOS! Nothing says "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" better than breakfast tacos. Just think of the tortillas as swaddling clothes. Thanks go out to Nancy Cato, Kelley's mom, for rising to the challenge of providing a meal when our kitchen is utterly demolished. Join us this Friday and have a great time with some great people.
|
Thank You For Your Support!!!
Campus ministries will never be self-supporting - the constituents are certainly rich in that they are attending college, but none are wealthy in the way that pays for programs and salaries. We could not exist without our donors, and we thank you. We are proud of the good work we do here at Christ Chapel, and so as the year draws to an end, we are bold enough to ask for your continued support. Gifts may be mailed to P. O. Box 1803, San Marcos, TX 78666-1803, or use the safe and secure PayPal link on our website, www.christchapeltxstate.edu. We know we are making a difference, and we invite you to take part in that work with us. As a student recently wrote: " This ministry fed me when I had to give up food at times to afford my school supplies, and gave me a coffee "treat" to study with when I could not buy it myself. I assure you this resource made it possible for me to have fruits and vegetables to accompany my ramen noodle diet...
I see Christ Chapel as a vital, accessible ministry here on campus. I feel so strongly about it that I wrote this letter to commend Chaplain Jaime Bouzard for his efforts. My sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to Chaplain Bouzard's ministry. Keep up the good work!" - Gwendolyn G., Class of 2016
|
|
DECEMBER - JANUARY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Students are gone and so many of the rest of us are travelling that the congregation decided together to encourage worshipers to try other places on December 21, 28, and January 4. In short, we won't have services on those evenings. As always, we don't hold Christmas Eve services at Christ Chapel. Here are area congregation service times for Sundays and Christmas Eve:
First Lutheran, San Marcos: Sunday, 10:30.
12/24: 7:00 Candlelight Service (Cookie Reception at 6:00)
St. Mark's Episcopal, San Marcos: Sunday, 8:00 and 11:00.
12/24: 6:00-7:15, 10:00-11:30.
Living Word Lutheran, Buda: Sunday, 9:30.
12/24: 5:00, 7:30
St. Elizabeth Episcopal, Buda: Sunday, 10:30.
12/24: 5:00 p.m.
Ebenezer Lutheran, Maxwell: Sunday, 10:30.
12/.24: TBD
St. Stephen's Episcopal, Wimberley: Sunday, 8:00 and 10:30
12/24: 5:00 and 10:00
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Wimberley:
Sunday, 9:30 12/24: 7:30
|
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 January 5th.
|
|
MONDAY LUNCHES OVER UNTIL 1/26
With finals upon us and the campus already seeming emptier, we will not offer a free lunch on Mondays until the Spring semester begins. Thank you to all the helpful hands cooking and serving, and to a donor for providing the funds that enable us provide a nutritious meal for up to 130 students every Monday.
PRAYER STATIONS - A NEW ADDITION TO MONDAY LUNCHES
Before or after lunch, follow the trail of candles into the sanctuary and spend time at one of five different prayer stations set up around the room. There is a place with maps on the floor so to pray for particular cities or countries. There is a table with candles to light in prayer for a person or situation. There is a place to prayerfully let go of your stress, a place to offer thanks, and a place to confess. All our available throughout Monday lunch, even as the sanctuary is almost always available before 10:00 and after 3:00 every day for quiet and prayer.
|
|
Reviews
Submit your own for any new thing. Opinions below are strictly those of the chaplain, but they are absolutely right.
Potbelly's
Opening in the old 7-11 store on N. Guadalupe, Potbelly's is a sandwich, soup, and salad spot that's a little fancier than Whichwich, but with not quite as big a menu as Jason's Deli. They are not particularly expensive, and as it is part of a chain, the food is not particularly creative or original. It was fresh, and as one would hope for a newly remodeled space, the restaurant was quite clean. It's a good place for a date if you're relatively broke, but can't see yourself making a good impression by suggesting Subway. Still, I miss the old 7-11. The Potbelly's menu definitely does not include Slurpees.
Mockingjay Part 1
It is fairly annoying that the last book has been split into two, especially since the second part won't be released until November of next year. This will be one of the rare circumstances in which I will have read the book in less time than it will take to watch the two movies. That said, Part 1 was terrific. Things blew up exceedingly well and the character development was nicely done. J-Law could read the phone book aloud and be amazing, so that's an added bonus. The only sad bit is seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman effortlessly nail his part and knowing we won't have the pleasure of seeing him in anything new after Part 2. I might go see this again.
|
|
AND DON'T FORGET...
Higher Grounds Coffee House is open every morning at 8:30 through finals week, closing on Thursday, December 11th. Try a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee. Bring a travel mug, if you can.
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
