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January, 2015
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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. (through February 15)
Monday: Free Lunch: 12:00 -1:00,
Wednesday Worship ("Bread and Belonging"): 5:30 p.m.
510 N. Guadalupe (across from 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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The Unknown
Minnie Louis Haskins was a respected scholar who taught social sciences at the London School of Economics from 1919 to 1944. She could also write a poem like nobody's business. One of hers became famous shortly after the start of World War II, when King George VI quoted it in his Christmas radio broadcast. Her words were balm for a nation undergoing the trauma of war again, just 21 years after "The War to End All Wars" claimed the lives of over 888,000 soldiers of the British empire. I reprint a few lines below, not because in any way, shape, or form is being a student at Texas State like being at war. The bit about going into the unknown, however - that would be just about every student's life, especially in the first week of classes. So enjoy...
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way." So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
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NEW WORSHIP TIME ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 22nd: 5:30
Sometimes a change is necessary, and increasingly we are discovering that 7:00 is not the best time for students. So, we are making a change. Please join us on Sunday evenings at 5:30 starting February 22nd. We'll follow worship with a barbeque showdown (see the article below)
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THINGS ARE CHANGING (FOR THE BETTER)!
We've not been able to have meals on Sunday nights this past semester, entirely because we have no kitchen. We won't have one this semester either, we don't think, simply because the architectural and engineering issues take time to resolve. But that won't stop us entirely. Below is a list of the dessert/meal nights we will hold, and news of one VERY IMPORTANT change.
February 8th - Sundae Sunday: We'll worship at 7:00 and then have a Build Your Own Sundaes bar. February 22nd - Barbeque Showdown: We'll have samples of two or three meats from the five local barbeque joints and a blind judging, then share a meal together. What time? Right after worship.
What time is worship? 5:30. See the article above.
March 8th - Salad Sunday: Everyone bring a salad to share after worship at 5:30. March 22nd - Pizza Sunday: Another blind judging after worship at 5:30. April 5th - Easter Potluck April 26th - Breakfast Taco Sunday |
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FREE LUNCH BEGINS AGAIN!
On Monday, January 26th, we'll begin our weekly free lunches from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., or until we run out of food. We've been serving up to 130 students and are estimating that our capacity is 150, so get here early. If you would like to help set up, serve, or clean up, you would be most certainly welcome.
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.
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BREAD AND BELONGING - WEDNESDAYS AT 5:30
We begin each Wednesday night with a loaf of freshly baked bread and butter, then move to the downstairs chapel for a 20-30 minute service of songs, sharing, prayers, and conversation. The schedule is not fully developed, but we know on January 28th we will use a Celtic Evening Liturgy and that on February 4th, Mr. Scott Chalmers will be with us, representing several seminaries. Even if you are not interested in attending seminary, Scott has a fascinating story to tell about his own life. Later in the semester, we will be hearing from Dr. Ty Schepis on how his profession and his confession intersect. Please join us! |
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WHERE'S BROTHER JED?
Were he as harmless as Waldo, I wouldn't ask. Unfortunately, Brother Jed brings a poisonous perspective on the gospel to campuses across the country, all in the name of Jesus. He tends to incite quite the crowd, and it is our custom, whenever possible, to represent a different approach to the faith. We stand quietly with signs that say things such as, "Other Interpretations of Jesus are Available" and "Jesus is About Transformation, Not Condemnation." We will send out a blast on Facebook if and when he appears, which has always been in the early part of February. His webpage calendar is strangely empty, so this may be a Jed-less year. If he does appear, meet us on the Quad and we'll have a sign for 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 February 2nd. Meet at 1st Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St., to help prepare the meal at 2:00, or meet us at Southside at 4:45 to greet the guests and serve.
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING BAPTIZED OR LEARNING MORE ABOUT IT? DO YOU WANT TO EXPLORE CONFIRMATION OR LOOK AT IT AGAIN?
If so, the process you would engage in is called catechesis. A time of study and reflection with Pr. Jaime would begin on February 18th at 7:00 and end with baptism (and possibly confirmation, depending on several factors) on Easter Sunday, April 5th. If you are interested, meet me (Pr. Jaime) on Monday, February 9th at 9:00 p.m. by the horses statue on the Quad. If it rains, I will be under the entry porch roof of Derrick. If you cannot meet at that time, but are interested in catechesis, send an e-mail to me to let me know, and when it would be good for you to meet.
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RETREAT TO UNIVERSITY CAMP: FEBRUARY 13-15
Christ Chapel will be joining UCM-Wesley for a retreat next month, and it should be absolutely relaxing. Get away from the stressers of life for a couple of days. You can play games, eat snacks, or just doing whatever you please. And yes, that can include studying. We'll be back late Sunday morning. Cost: $15.00, payable in advance. Come by the UCM-Wesley office (next door to the Christ Chapel office) to pay, and soon!
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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.
Selma
A necessary movie to see, Selma is brilliantly directed and acted. It's not always a pretty story, and there may have been some artistic historical tweaking to move the story along, but it is America's story in all its shame and glory. This would have been an excellent addition to this year's Common Experience offerings. It's an excellent addition to the work of learning how to be a decent human being.
The Imitation Game
The machine I use to write and send this newsletter owes a lot to Alan Turing, the subject of this film. Because of security concerns and the top-secret nature of his work during WW II, he remained obscure and unheralded in his own day. Yet his effort to build a machine to crack the Nazi Enigma code generator saved millions of lives and brought the war to an end much sooner than otherwise might have happened. I'll leave the tragic ending of his life for the film to tell, but his accomplishments for us all are triumphant.
Denied! Torchy's was supposed to be open this week, but electrical code problems need to be addressed before the city will allow the first delicious taco to be sold. How delicious? This is their Taco of the Month:
THE TUK TUK
MARINATED AND GRILLED THAI BEEF FAJITAS WITH COOKED CABBAGE SLAW, PICKLED CUCUMBERS & CARROTS, SRIRACHA, AVOCADO SAUCE, JACK CHEESE, AND LIME. GARNISHED WITH CRUSHED PEANUTS AND MINT.
SERVED ON YOUR CHOICE OF TORTILLA.
What part of that doesn't sound delicious? Look for a review next month.
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AND DON'T FORGET...
Higher Grounds Coffee House is open every morning at 8:30 until 12:00. Try a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee. Bring a travel mug, if you can. And if you'd like to staff the shop as a volunteer, we've openings at various times throughout the week.
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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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