First, I wanted to publically announce that we have hired two Peer Ministers for next school year: Katie Kane and Rachael Dickson. Congratulate them if you see them. If you have any ideas for how Lutheran Campus Ministry can be a more meaningful part of your college years, please let them know!
Final Exams started today. You may notice that you are busy and stressed. If so, make time for a 5 minute break to walk outside, sit down someplace, close your eyes, and breath slowly and deeply. Let the deep breaths release the tension from your body. Make it a breath prayer: As you inhale, say "God of renewal" ... as you exhale, say "thank you for ________". Fill in the blank with something you are thankful for ... or want to try to be thankful for (it can be different each time or repeat as many times as you feel appropriate). After 5 minutes, go back to your studying, refreshed and renewed.
Best wishes for your exams!
God of renewal ... thank you for this day ...
God of renewal ... thank you for friends ...
God of renewal ... thank you for knowledge ...
God of renewal ... thank you for love ...
God of renewal ... thank you for ...
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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(In general, ALL students, faculty, or staff at GMU or any other college in northern Virginia are invited and welcomed at our events. Being "Lutheran" is never expected or required. All times, dates, and locations are subject to change. Check for updates at http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran or the " GMU Lutherans" Facebook group.)
PENTECOST WORSHIP: If you are interested in trying something different, join me on Pentecost Sunday, May 11th as we join some of my friends from 3 different local communities (The Church of the Common Table, Convergence, and Holy Grounds / Fairlington Presbyterian), at the worship lab at Convergence in Alexandria. It promises to be a great time of mass collaboration as we celebrate the somewhat chaotic coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2. Meet me at on Sunday, May 11th at 4:15pm outside the Campus Ministry Office (SUB1 room 207) to carpool. RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12089659094 (or by email to bbuss [at] gmu.edu)
SUMMER: Our activities will be MUCH lighter this summer. We may just get together every other week to watch a movie or to take a bike ride. If you are going to be around and have ideas, please let me know!
FALL: We plan to hit the ground running. The biggest new addition is "747" coming back in a completely new form -- it will be an organic experiment in modern worship at 7:47pm each Wednesday (starting 8/27/2008). This will be student-led as a joint ministry with United College Ministries (UCM), which represents several of the ELCA's ecumenical partners: United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church-USA, United Church of Christ, and Disciples of Christ. I'll be coordinating the music using a rotating cast of musicians, so contact me if you want to play or have ideas about songs or types of music. You won't want to miss this (so try to keep your Wednesday evenings clear)...
FALL RETREAT: I'll start plugging this too. Another joint endeavor with UCM, this will be at the retreat house at Caroline Furnace Camp on October 3-5, 2008. Mark your calendars now!
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HOSTED BY OTHERS:
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TABLE TALK - sponsored by United College Ministries: Free food and fellowship. All are welcome. Email dmay@gmu.edu for more information. LAST ONE is Thursday, May 8th, 7:00pm-9:00pm at St. George's United Methodist Church (4910 Ox Rd, Fairfax).
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God is loose in the world!
God is loose in the world!
Love is loose in the world!
