Hello GMU Lutherans & friends!
Fall is being elusive...brown leaves seem to be falling off of trees more from lack of water than seasonal changes. Yet most of us don't really feel the effect of the drought. Most of the world isn't so blessed. When the rains don't come, wells run dry and crops don't grow. Bellies grumble with hunger. What can we do about it?
Sure, but problem is too big for one individual to fix, but as we learn, discuss, and are moved to action, our actions multiply through those acting around us. As Mother Teresa said, "We can do no great things -- only small things with great love. " I'm sure you're all quite busy, but I hope you take a moment to look over the events below. More service opportunities have been added at various times...and more are on the way!
Dear Lord, help us to see the world around us through your eyes. We thank you for all the blessings you pour out upon us. Help us to share them. Help us to love those who the world forgets about. Help us to do your will in our broken world. In Jesus name, Amen.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
747 TUESDAYS: Every Tuesday, we're meeting at the Crosspoint Ministry House at 7:47pm for FREE home-cooked food, table fellowship, and a devotion/discussion. Come & bring your friends! Directions:
- Walk through Presidents Park and back behind Jackson Hall.
- Follow the gravel road to Roberts Rd.
- Cross the street and the white house there to your right is the one.
- Enter side door near the parking lot. (It's about a 5 minute walk from SUB II.)
NOVACO: The Northern Virginia Coalition (NOVACO) helps homeless victims of domestic abuse become healthy, secure, and self-sufficient. We'll play with children on a some upcoming Monday nights while their mothers are in classes to equip them for the workforce. I can provide rides if needed, leaving the Crosspoint Ministry House near campus around 6pm and returning around 8:30pm. We'll be helping out on Monday October 15th. Let me know if you are interested by sending me an email (or by indicating your coming on Facebook)
Broken Bread on Capitol Hill: This event is sponsored by World Vision's college advocacy group, Acting on AIDS. The summary details: On Tuesday, October 16th (World Food Day) we'll meet at the George Mason Statue at 9:30am to carpool to the Metro. The event is near Union Station at the Russell Senate Office Building. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) will be sponsoring the event as well. We'll return to campus by 3:30pm. Get more details here. Also, watch the promo video:
Lamb Center Karaoke Night: I have some friends who are hosting a Karaoke Night for the homeless folks at the Lamb Center from 7:30-9pm on Wednesday, October 17th . They are seeking people to help contribute to the crowd, to share love with others, to make fools of themselves, and have a blast dancing and singing. Let me know if you are interested in helping out -- I know I am!
Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter: This new family shelter run by Shelter House, Inc. provides temporary housing and supportive services to homeless families in order to enable them to tansition to permanent housing and a stable family life. We'll help serve food to the families and do whatever else they need help with. The tentative date for this is October 26th (or November 2nd) -- I'll let you know what date we get as soon as I can. We'll leave campus at 4:30pm, returning around 8pm.
Homelessness and Hunger Action Week: November 11-17. We'll probably partner up with another ministry on campus help raise awareness about this issue & provide help in whatever way we can. I'm working on helping plan the climax event for the week, which looks like it might be a sleep-out on campus on November 15th. If you want to help plan something for the week, just let me know.
Habitat for Humanity: Let's get our hands dirty building some affordable housing. Details coming soon!
Program Support: We want students involved as we plan our programs & events. Let me know if you want to set up a service opportunity, fellowship event, etc. Also let me know if you have ideas, but want me to set it up.
That's all for now. Feel free to share this information with your friends. Also, join the "GMU Lutherans" Facebook group to stay up to date on what is going on!
In God's grace,
Ben
gmulutherans [at] bbuss.com
