Thursday, May 20, 2010

Pancakes + Financial Peace + Blast Off concert + MORE!

It's summer, and I'm guessing that many of you are quite relieved that exams have ended!  Others are already starting summer classes, summer jobs, or other new opportunities. Times of change can be both exciting and stressful.  Though our summer activities will be much fewer than during the school year, we want you to know that we are still here for you, and we also welcome college students from other schools who happen to be living and/or working in northern Virginia over the summer, so feel free to bring a friend! 
 
One of our hopes for the summer is that we can connect students typically involved with Lutheran  Campus Ministry at GMU with other college students who are in the area for the summer and with young adults (ages 18-35) at local congregations.  The first such opportunities are Financial Peace University (13 sessions, starting soon!) and the "Blast Off Concert" at Wolftrap -- both sponsored by the Young Adult Ministry at Lord of Life Lutheran -- details can be found below.  We hope to add some other events with other local congregations as the summer continues...
 
Dear Lord, thank you for seasons of change.  Sometimes they are hard, but we recognize that these are times when we rediscover ourselves, and can grow closer to you.  Hold us and guide us.  In Jesus we pray, AMEN.
 

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Activities:
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Pancake Lunch -- Sunday, 6/23/2010, 1pm-4pm or so: We'll be gathering at my house (10627 Lakeside Oak Ct, Burke, VA 22015) to make and eat pancakes, and to hang out for a bit.  ALL are welcome, but we'd appreciate it an RSVP by email or phone (703-829-0220) so we make sure to have enough batter, seating, etc. 
 
 
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY FOR YOUNG ADULTS (Ages 18 – 35):  Financial Peace University (FPU) is Dave Ramsey's life-changing program that teaches you to achieve your financial goals by eliminating debt, saving for the future, and giving like never before. Cost is $50, discounted to $35 for students and Lord of Life members.  Two time time slots:
     + Sunday mornings at Lord of Life's Fairfax Campus, 10:30 AM – Noon in the youth room, begins May 23 and ends August 15 (Holiday weekends will be rescheduled.)
     + Wednesday evenings at Lord of Life's Clifton/Centreville Campus, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM begins May 23 and ends August 18.
The normal price for Financial Peace is $99 so this course is a bargain.  Scholarships are available.  There are a minimum number of people needed for each session, so please sign up soon.
For more information and to sign-up/register, go to Lord of Life's website (www.lordoflifelutheran.com) and click on "Financial Peace University." Contact Gary James or Pastor Percy at 703-323-9500 with questions. 
 
 
"Blast Off Concert" at Wolftrap -- Sunday, May 30; Carpool leaves at 3 PM from Lord of Life Fairfax Campus.   We will tailgate before the concert which starts at 8 PM; Celebrate the start of the season at Wolftrap with tailgating and games prior to the concert, a performance of concert band favorites, followed by a dazzling fireworks display.  The performance is given by the President's own U.S. Marine Band; To sign-up and with questions, contact Pastor Darcy at 703-323-9500 (Lord of Life Lutheran).
 

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Looking further ahead...
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Community Lutheran Church in Sterling, VA seeks a creative and energetic part-time summer intern to coordinate children's programming, June 28th – August 8th.  Primary responsibilities will include overseeing VBS with our volunteers and creating/implementing children's programming during Sunday Morning worship services. Qualified applicants may be considered for a continuing position in Youth Ministry commencing in the fall. Stipend commensurate with experience.  Interested applicants please contact Sarah Shangraw at ChristianEd@CommunityLutheran.org.

Labyrinth-making:  Sometime in mid-July, we'll be painting a large canvas labyrinth that we'll be able to use on-campus during the upcoming school year. 

Pool Party at the Gielda's (7509 Cannon Fort Drive  Clifton, VA  20124) -- Sunday, August 1, 1:30 PM –  5:30 PM; Please bring an appetizer, side dish/salad, or dessert to share as well as a swimsuit, towel, and games if desired.  Drinks will be provided.  Questions? Contact Pastor Darcy at 703-323-9500 (Lord of Life Lutheran).

Barbecue at Burke Lake Park -- Saturday, August 14 beginning at 3:00 PM; Please bring a side dish/salad or dessert to share as well as games if desired. Questions? Contact Pastor Darcy at 703-323-9500 (Lord of Life Lutheran).

Lutheran Student Movement - Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World - August 11-14, 2010: What does it mean to be disciples of Jesus in a world with social media?  Join college students and others from across the country as we gather in downtown Chicago to explore this issue with phenomonal speakers including: 
  • Mark S. Hanson, ELCA Presiding Bishop
  • Eboo Patel, Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Core
  • Nadia Bolz-Weber, Pastor, House for All Saints and Sinners 
  • Let me know if you want to go, and we'll help you afford it.  $100 discount for the first 200 student registrations!  More info HERE. (Registration cost goes up $50 starting June 1st!)
      
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    Grace and peace,
    Ben 
    --
    Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
    http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran
    http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
    http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
    http://GMU747.org
    MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
    703-829-0220

    Tuesday, May 4, 2010

    Theoloy Pub + Win a $25 gift certificate + Worship + Game night + Summer opportunities + MORE!

    Regardless of whether you have attended any of our events, please take a few minutes to fill out our SURVEY if you haven't already.  This ministry exists for students, faculty, and staf, so YOUR input is vital, so let us know why you come, why you don't come, what you like, what you don't like, what you would like to see more of, etc.  You can win a $25 gift certificate for your time!  More details below...
     
     
    I am bubbling over with thoughts and ideas from the conference I attended over the weekend.  It was one of those "mountaintop" experiences, when the sense of God's presence is palatable in the room and hope and excitement wash across the community.  It was also challenging, presenting more questions than it attempted to answer.  This will probably add to the liveliness of the discussion at the Theology Pub this afternoon, so drop in to chat about how faith intersects our lives, how we deal with the fact our ancestors in the faith apparently had no problem putting contradictory stuff side by side for us to deal with, and much more!
     
    Oh, and I just got info on a student scholarship to the International AIDS Conference in Austria this summer.  More info under "Summer Opportunities" below.
     
    Lord God, guide us, and help us to follow you on adventures for you even when we aren't sure where we'll end up.  Help us to support each other through this journey.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.
     
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    Upcoming Events:
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    Fill out our SURVEY for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate (to your choice of Target or Starbucks) -- *please* fill it out regardless of whether you have attended any of our events.  This is really important for us to help us look back at the year and to plan ahead for next year.  Thanks so much!  Here is the link to the survey: www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran/survey.html
     
    THEOLOGY PUB - 5:15-7:15pm on Tuesday 5/4/2010 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.  This will be the last one for the school year, and we'll have a seminary student from Gettysburg visiting with us -- don't miss it!  Facebook event.
      
    747 Creative Christian Worship - Wednesdays at 7:47pm in SUB1 room B.  May 5th will be the last one until fall. Join us and center yourself before finals begin.  ALL are welcome! Facebook event.
     
    GAME NIGHT - 6pm-10pm on Friday 5/7/2010 -- Burn some stress before the weekend of studying for finals.  ALL are welcome!  (Location TBA, but it will be the 3rd floor of the JC in or near the meeting rooms.) Facebook event.
     
    NOVALCM Annual Meeting - You are invited to attend the annual public meeting for Northern Virginia Lutheran Campus Ministries, who sponsors this ministry at GMU, on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 7pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church (5114 Twinbrook Road; Fairfax, VA 22032 -- MAP).  Come and let our Board of Directors know how much you appreciate their making this ministry at GMU possible!  (Let us know if you need a ride from campus.)  Facebook event.
     
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    Summer Opportunities
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    SUMMER ACTIVITIES:  I'm starting to try to figure out how many students will be around this summer.  Last year, we started having fellowship events each week during the summer, and if people are going to be around this summer, we can do that again.  Let me know if you'll be around so I know what to expect -- and if you want to help plan activities.
     
    INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE:  I just received informaiotn on applying for a student scholarship to attend the International Aids Conference as part of the Young Adult Delegation on July 18-23, 2010 in Vienna, Austria.  It is a wonderful opportunity.  The scholarship includes pre-arranged housing, transportation, and a stipend for meals.  Application deadline: 5/21/2010.  Let us know ASAP if you'd like the application.  
     
    Community Lutheran Church in Sterling, VA seeks a creative and energetic part-time summer intern to coordinate children's programming, June 28th – August 8th.  Primary responsibilities will include overseeing VBS with our volunteers and creating/implementing children's programming during Sunday Morning worship services. Qualified applicants may be considered for a continuing position in Youth Ministry commencing in the fall. Stipend commensurate with experience.  Interested applicants please contact Sarah Shangraw at ChristianEd@CommunityLutheran.org.

    Lutheran Student Movement - Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World - August 11-14, 2010: What does it mean to be disciples of Jesus in a world with social media?  Join college students and others from across the country as we gather in downtown Chicago to explore this issue with phenomonal speakers including: 
  • Mark S. Hanson, ELCA Presiding Bishop
  • Eboo Patel, Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Core
  • Nadia Bolz-Weber, Pastor, House for All Saints and Sinners 
  • Let me know if you want to go, and we'll help you afford it.  $100 discount for the first 200 student registrations!  More info HERE. 
      
    =====

    Grace and peace,
    Ben
    --
    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