One of the things I love about snow is how it can bring a community together. I saw more of my neighbors outside shoveling and playing in the snow in one day than I would typically see across weeks during the summer. When it is cold and snowy, people seem more willing to lend a hand to make sure you aren't stuck, overworking, or without enough food. The trick is to keep building community even after the snow melts.
The next week will be very busy for us, with: a bake sale for Haiti, baking King Cakes & watching the Olympic opening ceremonies, a Theology Pub, worship for Ash Wednesday, and helping out at the hypothermia shelter. If you've been looking for a time to start getting involved and meeting people -- this is it! Also, our daily Lenten devotions resume on Ash Wed. (2/17), and instructions on subscribing are below.
Lord God, we meet you at the foot of the cross. Help us to overcome our discomforts, fears, and cold fingers so that we can boldly serve you. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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Upcoming Events:
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BAKE SALE FOR HAITI - Fridays 11am-3pm at Kiosk E - Proceeds will continue going to Lutheran World Relief to help those suffering in Haiti. Bring baked goodies to help the sale, show up to help sell things or buy treats, or help however you'd like!
Baking King Cakes: *TODAY* Friday 2/11 at 6:30pm - A New Orleans tradition that we are borrowing. We'll bake yummy King Cakes and watch the opening ceremoies of the Olympics at my house (10627 Lakeside Oak Ct, Burke, VA 22015). Rides from Sandy Creek Shuttle Stop at *** 6 PM ***. Facebook event HERE.
Worship Carpool - Sunday 2/14 - Call or TXT me at 703-829-0220 if you'd like a ride from campus to worship on Sunday morning.
Singles Appreciation Party - Sunday 2/14 - Matt is having a party in his dorm for anyone who wants to leave romatic gushiness at the door to celebrate friends and caring. Details on Facebook HERE.
THEOLOGY PUB - 5:15-7:15pm the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month in the Mason Rathskeller (lower level of SUB1)! Order yourself food and drink of choice and we'll have a non-judgemental chat about life, God, faith, and the intersection of all these things. The next one is Tuesday 2/16/2010. Facebook event HERE.
ASH WEDNESDAY 747 Creative Christian Worship - 7:47pm in the JC Bistro (lower lever) on Wed. 2/17. This is a the beginning of Lent, a time for growing closer to God. Please join us for a more contemplative worship experience, including communion. Facebook event HERE. See http://GMU747.org
Lenten devotions - To subscribe to receive these daily devotions during Lent, either join the "Lenten Devotions" facebook group or subscribe via email or RSS at http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com
Also, please let me know if you are willing to help write 1-2 devotions for Lent (75-300 word reflection and a 1-2 line prayer). If you are intersted, pick a day/scripture from the list HERE and let me know.
HYPOTHERMIA SHELTER: Friday 2/19 - Are you interested in spending an evening (or entire night) providing hospitality and support at the hypothermia shelter when it is at Bethlehem Lutheran? Come help for part or all of this:
4:30pm - Set-up; 5:30pm - Guests arrive; 6:30pm - Dinner (you *do* get a free dinner out of this); Then - hospitality (playing games & watching the Olympics with the guests). We are also welcome to provide some entertainment if we feel so inclined.; 10pm - Lights out (head back home or stay to spend the night). Rides from the Sandy Creek Shuttle Stop at 4pm to help with set-up. (Let us know if you'll need a ride at a later time and we can arrange that!) Facebook event HERE.
SPRING BREAK SERVICE TRIP - Join us on a trip to Baltimore to leaving the evening of Friday 3/5 and returning late on Tuesday 3/9. We'll be helping 3 different charities and will have an afternoon to spend exploring the inner harbor area and such! We're trying to keep costs as low as possible! More details coming very soon, but let us know if you are interested so we can plan accordingly.
LOTS MORE COMING! We're looking to focus on more regular service opportunities, Bible studies, game nights and other time to just hang out -- and much more! Let us know what you'd like to do -- and when!
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Summer Opportunities
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"BUILD" Summer Service Trip - Rebuild homes/cabins and lives in Neon, Kentucky, and share God's love while having fun and learning more about Christian servanthood and compassionate justice. For College and Graduate School Students in the Metro DC Synod Area. It is an opportunity for young adults to serve as God's hands in the midst of a community in need. We will enjoy the fellowship of working toward a comm on goal while discovering that faith de ands action beyond the confines of our immediate experience. June 6-12, 2010. Let us know if you would like more information.
Ignighting leaders - Bread for the World is looking for the best and brightest 20- to 30-year-old advocates to join our next class of Hunger Justice Leaders. Selected participants will attend an advocacy training workshop—all expenses paid—in Washington, D.C., June 12-15, 2010. Do you have what it takes to be a Bread for the World Hunger Justice Leader? Or do you know someone who does? Visit http://www.bread.org/get-involved/hunger-justice-leaders-training/2010/
Ever consider being a counselor at SUMMER CAMP? I would love to see some of you spend your summers changing the lives of children, and probably finding that your life is changed as well. I still can't believe I actually got paid for all the fun I had the year I was a camp counselor! There are great camps all across the country -- let me know if you are interested in some suggestions.
PEER MINISTERS WANTED for LCMGMU: Would you like to get paid to do things like planning & running service events, retreats, game nights, worship, & more? We are looking for creative student leaders interested in stepping things up with us during the 2010-2011 school year (pending funding). If you are interested, please contact us ASAP to get more information.
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Grace and peace,
Ben
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Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220
703-829-0220
