 Happy All Saints' Day! November 1 is the day the Church sets aside for remembering all the people who have gone before us in the faith, particularly those who don't have their own commemoration day on the Church Kalendar. These are the heroes of our faith--the prophets, apostles, martyrs and saints--whose lives have shown us glimpses of God and whose deeds bear witness to the love that triumphs over death, greed, and despair. And because we believe that triumph to be real and true, we also believe that they live on. They are the Communion of Saints, the great cloud of witnesses who surround us on every side. But All Saints' Day and the two days adjacent to it (All Hallows' Eve and All Souls' Day) aren't just about those people with the word "saint" in front of their names. Sure, we have much to learn from people like St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Mary, and sure, many of us will never attain to the grand works and miracles God accomplished through their lives. But the word "saints" is used in the New Testament to describe the entire membership of the Christian community. That includes you and me. We are created by God; we are redeemed by the Son; we are sanctified by the Spirit. Because we are God's own, we, too, will triumph over death, and we, too, have the capacity to give light to the darkness that surrounds us. We, too, are part of the great Communion of Saints.  Next Tuesday, November 6, we'll be watching Millions at ECM, a fun and whimsical movie about a boy, Damien, who finds a fortune in British Pounds and has to spend it all before the U.K. switches to Euros. On the surface, it's a movie about money and greed, charity and innocence. But it's also a movie about the Communion of Saints. Damien is fixated on the saints, so much so that he sees apparitions of them, talks to them, and solicits their advice on how to spend the money. In the end, he also discovers that the Communion of Saints is filled with many more people than just those lucky few whose stories have been passed on. Come join us; it will be a great evening. (See the Millions trailer here.) If you want to know more about the saints who have paved the way before us--both the famous and the lesser known--check out Sam Portaro's Brightest and Best. Sam served as a college chaplain in the Chicago area for years, and he makes the lives of the saints spring to life in these short meditations. (Purchasing it through the link to the left benefits ECM.) So Happy All Saints' Day. May this day be a holy one for you, and "may you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power ... while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light." Colossians 1:11-12
 In a recent issue of the Southern Reflector, GSU's campus magazine, a student named Alex Schafer offered a thought-provoking glimpse into his own life of prayer. He writes:
"As my day comes to a close, I prepare to let my mind slip to the paranormal realm of dreams and fantasy. As I lay myself down, attempting to succumb to unconsciousness, I say a prayer, the same prayer I’ve said since I was 12 years old, always believing it to be very important. But one particular night (I’m not quite sure when) I began to wonder, when does it become less of a prayer for what I’m praying for, and more a prayer for prayer’s sake?"
Alex continues, wondering aloud about why we pray at all, laying out both his beliefs and his doubts with clarity and honesty as fodder for our own spiritual thought. You can read all of Alex's article here.
Lots of people pray. Unlike Alex, however, few people stop to think about why they pray and what their prayers really mean. This is especially true of Episcopalians. We are blessed with a treasury of prayers that have been handed down to us through the ages via The Book of Common Prayer, but how often do we stop and ask ourselves, "Why do I do this? What do these words mean? How does this act connect me with the Living God, the One who made me, loves me, and calls me his own?"
Like Alex, many of us find from time to time that asking these questions can be important. Otherwise, we run the risk of praying our prayers for prayer's sake rather than praying them for the sake of drawing closer to God and becoming the people God dreams we will be. So next time you pray, ask yourself, "Why do I do this? What do these words mean? How am I connecting with the Living God?"
Alex ends by writing:
"I’m not entirely certain about a lot of things in this world, but with each day I begin to understand more. That, I believe, is what makes my prayer more than one for prayer’s sake. Now before I fall asleep and say the prayer that for so long I never thought about, I understand why it’s important.
"Regardless of what your own beliefs may be, one undisputable truth remains. No one has all of the answers, because no one possibly can. But perhaps through blind faith we can all find out more about our own unknowns, and I believe that is what my prayer is truly all about. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Amen.
Having your website hacked is a real pain. Believe me, I know. A few weeks ago, our website, www.ecmgsu.org, was hacked into by a group of people who used it to stage an illegal eBay scam. Don't worry ... everything is fixed and back to normal, but boy, what a headache it created. It took days to go through all the files and clean out the crud that didn't belong there, and believe me, there was plenty of crud.
The same can often be true of our spirits. It's remarkable how easily people can hack our souls... changing who we are by placing unfair expectations, demands, and anxieties upon us. When we're not careful, we can become so overloaded with what others want us to be that we forget who we really are and why God made us in the first place.
Last weekend, ECM went on a retreat, which provided several of us with a chance to clean out some of the unnecessary crud in our own lives. But that sort of thing doesn't have to take place only on a retreat. When was the last time you "went through the files" and tossed out those things in your heart that only weigh you down? If it's been a while, take a look. You might just find that under all the pressures and expectations heaped on you by others, there is a vibrant soul, created by God for amazing purposes, waiting to emerge and be free.
In a recent blog, my friend Frank mentioned this quote from evangelist Tony Campolo:
"Even if there were no heaven and there were no hell, would you still follow Jesus? Would you follow him for the life, joy, and fulfillment he gives you right now? I am more and more convinced each day that I would. Don't get me wrong. I'm excited about the afterlife. We are going to party like there's no tomorrow (umm, and there won't be). And yet I am convinced that Jesus came not just to prepare us to die but to teach us how to live."
I'm also pretty convinced that faith is less about the beauty of what lies ahead and more about the beauty and goodness that surround us now, though too often hidden and obscured. What a difference it makes to stop and realize that even now, even at GSU, we are in the midst of God's Kingdom. The faith that Jesus offers us is about letting God retrain our hearts and minds to see that Kingdom in our surroundings every day ... and to know that God is with us, even here, even now.
It's easy to lose your way in this town. Yesterday, a new GSU student came to visit my office at Trinity Episcopal Church. About fifteen minutes after she was scheduled to arrive, she called and said, "Uh... I just passed the city limits and am by the fair grounds. Am I headed in the right direction?" Not by a long shot, sister. But after a few minutes on the phone and a new set of more reliable directions, she turned around, found her bearings, and finally made it to the church.
Any new student can tell you how easy it is to get turned around in the 'Boro. MapQuest and Google Maps don't work very well here; roads in town aren't always marked; and it doesn't help that the Bypass changes names and numbers every few feet. But life is sort of like that no matter where you are. With all the twists and turns and unnamed roads out there, it's good to have people you can call when you feel turned around.
When people asked Jesus the way to get to heaven, Jesus said, "I am the way." The way that Jesus lived--with love for all people, with concern for the poor and helpless, and with a sincerity and a selflessness that put everyone else before himself--is the way God hopes we all might live. At ECM, we're on that journey together. None of us are perfect, and we don't get it right all the time. But we are here for one another when things get tough and they way becomes less clear.
Just like anywhere else, it's easy to lose your way in this town. But when you've got friends who are on a common Christian journey with you, you're only a call away from finding your way back to where you want to be.
Mark your calendars for Nov. 2-4. Every year Episcopal college students from across Province IV of the Episcopal Church (pretty much all the southeastern states) get together for one big, fun, laid-back conference. This year it's at Camp McDowell in the Diocese of Alabama. Cost is $50 per person (we can help with that), and the deadline for signing up is Oct. 26.
 Download the brochure here.
What’s the cost?
$50 each, in a check made payable to Diocese of
Alabama, and returned with the sign-up form from
this brochure. Chaplains’ ways are paid, and there
may be scholarship help available from your campus
center. Check with your chaplain.
What’s included?
Two nights’ lodging, all meals from Friday’s supper
through Sunday’s breakfast, all program materials.
When does it start?
Registration begins at 3 PM on Friday, November 2.
Our first program session will begin after supper
that night
When does it end?
We’ll wrap everything up at breakfast on Sunday
morning and leave by 9 AM.
What will I need to bring?
A sleeping bag or bed linens, toiletries, towel and
washcloth, comfortable shoes for walking, a musical
instrument if you play one. We’ll have Bibles and
Prayer Books.
What shouldn’t I bring?
No illegal drugs, no alcohol, no firearms, fire
crackers, or weapons of mass destruction.
Will there be free time?
Yes…time to hike, canoe, rock, sing, and catch up
with old friends or meet new ones.
What’s the deadline for signing up?
We need your registration form and the check for
$50 by Friday, October 26. Sorry, we won’t be able
to give refunds if your plans change.
We are now taking applications for our 2007-2008 Peer Minister and Intern. If you are interested in applying for either position, download the application and submit it to The Rev. Lonnie Lacy by Sept. 1.
 Peer Minister Application
Intern Application
ECM PEER MINISTER
Time Commitment: 5-8 hrs/week
Stipend: $375 per semester
Job Description:
♦ BEING DREAMERS for our campus ministry: always listening for what the Holy Spirit is saying in evaluating programs and coming up with new ones.
♦ NURTURING other students. This includes calling new students as well as maintaining our “regulars.” It also entails working closely with other ECM members in delegating/monitoring outreach efforts to students.
♦ BEING LISTENERS for students. Peer Ministers make themselves readily available for others by making regular contact with ECM students and hanging out at ECM events.
♦ DEVELOP A PROJECT/FOCUS. This project should be based on your own goals for growth and discernment and will be developed in consultation with the chaplain. Your project might be a continuation or outgrowth of current aspects of ECM, or it may entail expanding the scope and reach of ECM by taking on new initiatives, projects, and responsibilities. Projects may include but are not limited to: leading a weekly Bible study, coordinating outreach programs or retreats, leading worship events outside of our regular Tuesday Eucharists, coordinating efforts to educate students on issues of peace, justice, social responsibility, stewardship, etc.
♦ MEET WEEKLY with the chaplain for hour-long supervisory sessions. Establish individual goals for peer ministry each semester and offer quarterly written reflections and evaluations.
Read more about the Peer Minister position...
Peer Minister Application
Intern Application
ECM INTERN
Time Commitment: 3-5 hrs/week
Stipend: $225 per semester
Job Description:
The position of the ECM intern is primarily a servanthood ministry. While assisting the chaplain and, at times, the students, peer minister(s), officers, and/or advisory board in the routine administration of ECM’s day-to-day operations, interns will play a crucial role in the ongoing life and ministry of ECM. Interns will work directly with the chaplain to assist in the following:
♦ ASSISTING WITH COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLICITY, which includes copying, collating, and preparing mailings, newsletters, flyers, etc; reserving space for advertisements in the campus newspaper and other print publications; overseeing the timely and adequate distribution of ECM posters and flyers at strategic, high-traffic points on campus; and overseeing the timely creation and installation of sheet banners during strategic times of the year.
♦ MANAGING THE ECM CALENDAR, which includes ensuring that ECM events do not conflict with one another or with major events at the university; confirming dates and reservations for larger events, advisory board meetings, trips, and retreats; sending reminders to ECM leaders regarding upcoming events and meetings; coordinating volunteers for service projects; and assisting the chaplain in managing the week-to-week behind-the-scenes deadlines inherent to this ministry.
♦ MAKING RESERVATIONS with the appropriate personnel at GSU for upcoming on-campus ECM events.
♦ PREPARING LITURGICAL MATERIALS for regular and special ECM worship events, which includes preparing the chaplain’s and music leaders’ worship books; printing and preparing the appropriate collect and readings for services; serving as “sacristan” to ensure that adequate elements and supplies are prepped and ready for Eucharists; and copying and binding new student worship booklets when needed.
Read more about the Intern position...
Everything should be working just fine on the ECM website now. Come check out all the new sections and our superfly new menus. www.ecmgsu.org
You've probably noticed that the menus on the ECM website aren't working just right ... that's due to some much needed upgrades that are still in progress. Hang in there!
After some major upgrades, our web calendar is back and better than ever. You know you're curious, so go check it out at www.ecmgsu.org/calendar/!
Also, if you have a program or browser that takes RSS feeds or live bookmarks (usually denoted by the  symbol), you can now subscribe to our calendar to have our upcoming events delivered right to your browser. You never have to be in the dark again!
So, our web calendar will be down for a couple days while we do some maintenance to it. Sorry! Be sure to check back in about a week to see all the cool stuff we have planned!
Lonnie+
Our new ECM photo gallery is now online! Check out our cool pics from the end-of-the-year cookout and Derek's baptism by visiting www.ecmgsu.org/gallery. If you have pictures to add, email them to our chaplain at lonnie@ecmgsu.org.
(Don't worry... a link to the gallery from our home page will be coming soon!)
Hooray! The much anticipated event is finally here!
Join us as we celebrate the baptism of our own Derek Layman. Derek's baptism will occur as part of our usual Tuesday night dinner and worship at 7:30 p.m. on April 17, 2007 in Russell 2075.
This will be our very first baptism as a campus ministry! Share with us and with Derek as he is sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever. We will dine out at El Sombrero afterwards ... ECM members eat free!
 Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, and this year it falls on the week of April 1. During Holy Week, Christians remember Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, his Last Supper with his disciples, his betrayal by Judas, and his crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
Trinity Episcopal Church invites you to walk alongside Jesus and experience all that Holy Week has to offer. Trinity will offer services every night during Holy Week. (Click here for a map to Trinity, located at the intersection of Country Club Rd. & the Bypass.)
Palm Sunday, April 1
8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
We begin Holy Week with cheers of Hosanna, recreating the scene with the crowd welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem as their promised Messiah. Our palm branches wave in the winds of change, though, as the tone suddenly darkens, and the events of Good Friday are foreshadowed. We hear the various voices of the drama as the Passion Gospel reading unfolds.
Monday, April 2: Evening Prayer
7:00 p.m.
We mark the beginning of our week-long vigil with the simple service of Evening Prayer ... a time to be quiet, to be present in God’s holy silence, and to listen. The many lessons we will hear this week will weave back and forth in showing the depths and the heights to which God is willing to go for us.
Tuesday, April 3: Stations of the Cross
7:00 p.m.
Step by step, we follow Jesus’ journey from judgment in Pilate’s court, through the streets of Jerusalem, to the cross and finally the cold, dark tomb. This service is an adaptation of the ancient custom of pilgrimage. Pictures of artistic masterpieces representing each of the stations will accompany the service.
Wednesday, April 4: Tenebrae
7:00 p.m.
"Tenebrae" (pronounced TEN-uh-bray) comes from the Latin for “darkness” or “shadow,” and it is indicative of the character and message of this service. During the liturgy, candles are gradually extinguished until only a single candle remains, representing the Light of Christ in the midst of our darkness. This candle is then hidden, symbolizing the apparent victory of the forces of evil of this world. However, at the very end, a loud noise is made, signifying the earthquake at the time of the resurrection (Matthew 28:2), the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.
Maundy Thursday, April 5: Agape Meal & Service
6:15 p.m.
"Maundy" is from the Latin mandatum, meaning "commandment. " It refers to Jesus’ command to “do this in remembrance of me,” which is the institution of the Holy Eucharist. On this very special night, we begin at 6:15 p.m. with a shared meal, much like Jesus’ disciples would have experienced. Then we move into the church for a service honoring Jesus’ commandment and in the imitation of Christ by washing one another’s feet. All are invited to participate in both having their feet washed and in washing someone else’s. Wear shoes and socks or sandals that are easily removed. It is powerful to wash someone else’s feet; it is perhaps even more powerful to allow someone else to wash ours.
Following the service, as the congregation chants a psalm, we remove all of the accoutrements that decorate the sanctuary. It symbolizes the stripping of Jesus’ robes from his body as well as the emptiness of the tomb to which he is soon headed. A vigil, like Jesus’ in the Garden at Gethsemane, will be kept through the night in the presence of the reserved sacrament of bread and wine.
Good Friday, April 6
12:00 noon & 7:00 p.m.
On this day which is both horrible because of what happens in the crucifixion of Jesus, and unimaginably good because of what it means about God going to any length to redeem us, we remember Jesus’ total offering of himself. We do not celebrate the Eucharist, but we distribute communion in silence from the reserved sacrament from Thursday evening. A large wooden cross is displayed as a focus for our meditation. The plate offering this day goes, as it does every year, to the Diocese of Jerusalem, which has provided a Christian witness in the Holy Land for more than 150 years. It is a diocese seeking to provide healing and peace in the midst of a perennially war-torn region. You can learn more about their tireless efforts at http://www.j-diocese.com.
The Great Vigil of Easter, April 7
7:00 p.m.
Reckoning by Hebrew standards, as darkness falls on Holy Saturday, that long, lonely day is finally over and it is the eve of the new day, the eve of what we will discover is the Resurrection. We gather in darkness to light the new fire. This fire will illumine our Paschal Candle, whose light leads us into the darkened church, reminiscent of the darkened tomb. Here, we gather to remind ourselves of why we should have hope, despite all that has happened. And then we discover the unbelievably good news that Christ is indeed risen. The darkness and sadness, the tears and the sting of death are forever banished as we celebrate the first Eucharist of the Resurrection.
Easter Sunday, April 8
Services at 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Potluck Breakfast at 9:30 a.m.
It’s true – the tomb really is empty! We celebrate with joyous music and sharing the Great News! Bring fresh flowers to decorate the cross at each service. Also bring whatever favorite breakfast/brunch food you’d like to share. After the second service, we’ll have the Great Easter Egg Hunt for our younger members!
Thanks to our buddy Collins, we'll be helping with our local chapter of Habitat for Humanity this Saturday, March 31, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will be working on House 31 at 305 Tenner Court. (See map below.)
- Arrival. It is very important that we arrive no later than 8 a.m. as they will give important information about the day at that time.
- Sign-In & Waivers. When we arrive, be sure to sign in on the logbook for House 31 and also sign a waiver form. Habitat expects all volunteers to assume responsibility for themselves on the job site.
- Lunch. We will break for lunch around 12 noon. You don't have to bring a lunch; Lonnie will provide lunch for our group.
- Rain Plan. We will show up rain or shine. It often clears by 8 a.m. and may not be raining where the house is located.
- For your Comfort. Wear layers, as temperatures will change from morning to afternoon. Sunglasses and/or caps are useful when working outside. Bring sunscreen and insect repellant. Drink plenty of water and take breaks when you need them, especially in hot weather.
 St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Savannah has invited ECM to join them for Savannah's St. Patrick's Day festivities on Saturday, March 17!
We'll start with an 8:00 a.m. Eucharist at St. Paul's, then either eat a buffet style breakfast ($6) with them or grab a brown bag to go ($3). The menus includes ham-and-cheese biscuits, green grits, and eggs!
If you are interested in attending, contact Lonnie. For more information, view this flyer.
The Episcopal Church has published a free booklet of daily meditations and prayers for each day during this season of Lent. Prepare yourself for Easter with these short meditations written for students by folks in campus ministry.
Click here to learn more about the season of Lent and to download the booklet.
 Worship & Pray; Work & Learn
Spend two weeks (or more) with the monks of St. Gregory's Abbey, a Benedictine monastary of the Episcopal Church at Three Rivers, Michigan.
More Information
For males 18 to 45 who can stay for at least two weeks during July. The only cost is $25 for registration plus your own travel expenses. (ECM may have scholarship assistance available for travel.)
For details and an application form, write:
July Program Director
St. Gregory's Abbey
56500 Abbey Road
Three Rivers, MI 49093-9595
Web: saintgregorysthreerivers.org
The Devo-to-Go Podcast is back just in time for Lent! Visit us at www.ecmgsu.org/podcast.htm or check us out on iTunes.
God is all around us, but we're usually too busy to notice. Devo-to-Go is a podcast of thoughts & prayers, sounds & ideas--all designed to help you listen for God in your daily life. Listen... think... pray... God is nearer than you know.
Just a reminder that ECM is invited to Trinity Episcopal Church this Tuesday night for our traditional Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) pancake supper. This will take the place of our normally scheduled Tuesday night meeting. Thanks to the generosity of Morgan and Karen Miles, all of our ECM members eat for FREE!!! So come on over for all the pancakes you can eat!
The pancake supper will be from 6 p.m. to 8p.m. If you need a ride, call or email Kelsey; she’s planning on coming over around 7 p.m.
If you’d like to drive yourself, follow these directions:
From the student union, go south on Fair Rd. (GA-67)
Turn right onto the bypass (Veterans Mem. Pkwy/US-301-BYP)
Drive 4.1 miles to Country Club Road
The church is at the intersection of the bypass and Country Club. Can’t miss it! See you all there! Peace, Lonnie+ P.S. Why a pancake supper? Because that’s the tradtional last big feast before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the penitential season of Lent when we focus on repentance, fasting, and prayer in preparation for Easter.
Join us as we celebrate the baptism of our own Derek Layman! Derek's baptism will occur as part of our usual Tuesday night dinner and worship at 7:30 p.m. on February 6, 2007 in Russell 2075.
This will be our very first baptism as a campus ministry! Share with us and with Derek as he is sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever.
Woo-hoo! A new semester with all new adventures lies ahead! With classes back in session, we're back to our normal schedule with Free Dinner and Worship every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in Russell 2073.
Lately, we've actually been meeting in Russell 2001 next to the reservations office, but we may have already outgrown that space (cool!), which means we may be going back to good ol' 2073. Either way, come find us... if we're not in one place, we'll be in the other. Just follow the smell of good cookin' and the sound of bad guitar music!
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