FSC Protestant Chaplain

Joint Vestry Meeting update
The Joint Vestry Meeting went well! It was great seeing these two group meet. It was a lot of fun. Pictures may be seen on Facebook (as soon as I load them)

As a student church, we have a board, or a vestry, that govern the congregation. It’s a way of learning about church by being church. So, if you have complaints, you can fix the church yourself! Or, it’s a way of realizing that there is life after youth group.

The parish vestry from held their monthly meeting on campus and they continued their business after the students left. It was an opportunity for students to realize that college is not forever and a chance for parish vestry members to remember when they were in college. A good time was had by all.

October 17th Healing Service
Tonight’s service is a Healing Service. There is a long tradition of special services where the congregation takes a special focus on prayers for healing for those in our families, our friends and ourselves. As part of this service, instead of prayers of the people, you will have an opportunity for prayers, anointing with oil and laying on of hands.

In many ways, there has been questions about why are religious groups allowed on campus. Despite the various arguments, in a nutshell, it’s your constitutional rite. However, the question does speak to the issue of relevance — what do we as a student church offer the campus? Are we just an insular club for ourselves?

At the very least we offer 1) a place to explore and possibly encounter God 2) a place for Christian community and community among your peers 3) a place where knowledge and information about the Christian faith is dispensed or at least engaged with questions or through worship 4) worship and praise 5) prayer.

As for the last one, the healing service is this reminder that we are not just bowing our heads as an exercise or a power nap, we really believe we’re talking to God and we believe that God may answer and that answer could be a yes, no, wait or something else, but we wait and listen in silence, hope and in expectation.

Please join us tomorrow for this service.

Apple Picking!
This Saturday — sign up on Facebook!

Reflections on NT Challenge
We had our second meeting this past Sunday. Thanks again to the members of the Framingham church that provided dinner! The next Bible Study is not yet schedule since the November date is being squeezed out with other events. We’ll talk about this Wednesday.

IP Pilgrimage Pre-Trip Meeting — October 26-27
Three of us (and I make four) are going to Israel and Palestine in December and January for a pilgrimage with 30 other college students from the Boston area. As part of the preparation for the trip, we are attending a conference in Boston by a group that supports Palestinian Christians, people who are most often not talked about in the news, but are often caught in the crossfire of the Israel Palestine conflict. Our pilgrimage will give us an opportunity to see the places where Jesus walk in the past, as well as see the present day realities of this same land. The trip does not take a political stance. However, I’m not sure about the conference, so this is the beginning of listening to many sides and perspectives. If you would like to join us for the Boston conference (October 26-27) you are welcome to, just let me know — The conference is $35 for students but if you want to come and can’t pay, let me know. Students are invited to stay over at my house Friday night!

BTW — Bishop Desmond Tutu is one of the speakers

Upcoming Events

Healing Service — October 17
Apple Picking — October 27
Friends of Sabeel/IP Pilgrimage Pre-Trip Meeting — October 26-27
Diomass Convention/IP Pilgrimage Bake Sale — Nov 2-3
October 26, 2007, 7PM - For Halloween: Haunted Happenings Paranormal Investigation at Church of the Holy Spirit
Israel/Palestine Pilgrimage — Dec 28-Jan 8

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