I'm thinking today about community. Lutheran Campus Ministry exists, in part, to help provide you with a community where you can ask questions, struggle with issues, find joy and laughter, meet people, learn about God, allow your creative passions to flow, find a shoulder to cry on, and where you can find (and create) opportunities to help the world around you. How this looks each week varies...and we're always open to your input.
This week, our community comes together on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday:
+ In a few hours, we'll gather to help kids paint shirts as they get ready to do a mini-walk to help fight homelessness in our backyard. Feel free to bring your own shirt to paint too!
+ On Wednesday, we'll be talking about peacemaking at 747 -- and everyone will get an opportunity to play drums too! How do these fit together? Show up at the JC Bistro at 7:47pm on Wednesday to find out!
+ Saturday, we'll be carving pumpkins for charity. (Contact Rachael ASAP if you are interested, as volunteer waivers are due on Tuesday and I'm not sure how flexible they are.)
*** More details on all of these things can be found below... ***
Lord, we want to know you more. Help us to see your presence in the world around us, and in the faces of the people we meet. Help us to be your hands and feet serving and sacrificing here in the world. Your kingdom come, now and always. AMEN.
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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 -- also, friend LCM here.)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
====================
(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 -- also, friend LCM here.)
KIDS, T-SHIRTS, AND HOMELESSNESS: On Monday, Oct. 20th, we'll gather at SUB1 room 207 at 6:00PM to depart to help kids paint T-shirts for a mini-walk to help the homeless. Rides are provided and we'll return to campus around 8:30pm. This is part of our ongoing partnership with NOVACO, an organization that helps homeless victims of domestic abuse become self-sufficient.
747 -- WEEKLY CREATIVE WORSHIP: Wednesdays at 7:47pm in the JC BISTRO this week -- you can find the complete room schedule at http://GMU747.org -- We welcome everyone and assert that every person has have valuable insights and talents to share, so feel free to bring your friends along. We're hosting this in cooperation with United College Ministries (UCM). Also check out the Facebook group. (Next week, we'll be talking about hunger and poverty related issues.)
CHARITY PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: We'll be going out to Clarksburg, Maryland on Oct. 25 to carve pumpkins! The festival supports two charities- HomeAid (which provides shelter for temporarily homeless children and families) and Project Joy (which uses the healing power of play to help children who've been personally traumatized). It's sponsored by Life is Good. See the Facebook event or contact Rachael for more information. NOTE: Please try to get Rachael the volunteer release forms by Tuesday 10/21/2008.
VOLUNTEER AT THE CLOCKTOWER THRIFT SHOP: We're still ironing out the details on this one, but it looks like we'll probably meet at the Campus Ministry Office (SUB1 room 207) at 11:45am on Sunday, November 2nd. The thrift shop proceeds help to fund over 30 worthwhile programs of Northern Virginia Family Service. Its programs include homelessness prevention, job training, transitional housing, family counseling, Early Head Start, Special Foster Care, Health Access and more. NVFS helps people learn skills to become more self-sufficient and lead quality, productive lives. More info can be found in the Facebook event. The event will be updated if anything changes.
HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS ACTION WEEK: We're recruiting student volunteers to help make this the best HHAW ever! First meeting is this Thursday at 9pm (if you can make it). The primary job is for people to contact student orgs (we'll show you how) and get them involved in the following ways: (1) choose and event, promote it, and commit membership to participate; (2) sponsor a food drive drop-off location; (3) provide volunteers to staff HQ. Let us know ASAP if you are interested.
LUTHERAN STUDENT MOVEMENT NATIONAL GATHERING: Spend December 31st - January 4th at the Downtown Westin in Chicago at this gathering open to all college students across the country (you do not have to be Lutheran or attend a particular school). These are a ton of fun and I highly recommend going. The theme: "Transformed to Reach Out!" is about how we use our faith in the world, and it looks like they have a few great speakers lined up. We'll be staying on "The Magnificent Mile" and will definitely have some free time to explore the Windy City. Please talk to me ASAP if you are interested in going, so we can talk about registration, costs, and transportation. I'm really looking forward to this event and hope that you can join me!
"ALTERNATIVE" SPRING BREAK TRIP: Spend your spring break helping families in the continuing disaster recovery efforts along the gulf coast. No experience necessary, as we will learn how to do whatever is needed once there. Please let us know if you are thinking of going.
TABLE TALK: Joining our UCM friends for their weekly Table Talk every Thursday at 7pm at St. George's United Methodist Church (4910 Ox Rd, Fairfax -- just south of Braddock). Free food and fellowship! All are welcome. Email dmay@gmu.edu for more information.
There will be much more in the weeks ahead -- such as helping out at a thrift store, meeting and feeding those living in shelters, fixing up and painting a transitional shelter, Wii night in the JC, Habitat for Humanity builds, movie nights, Bible studies, discussions where we learn about other denominations and faiths, and much more! Let us know what you are interested in.
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"Now there is no godlessness, no hatred, no sin which God has not carried, suffered, and atoned. Now there is no reality, no world that is not reconciled and in peace with God. God did this in the beloved son Jesus Christ." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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"Now there is no godlessness, no hatred, no sin which God has not carried, suffered, and atoned. Now there is no reality, no world that is not reconciled and in peace with God. God did this in the beloved son Jesus Christ." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
