![Valparaiso University Homepage [logo]](http://www.valpo.edu/images/template01/valpo.gif)
Alive! News
Think Spring – Mission Trips, That Is!
SALT is currently looking for students with an interest in participating in spring break mission trips. We will be headed to Eastern Kentucky, Mississippi, and New Orleans. Prices range from $100 to $200. The deadline to sign up will be Wednesday, Jan. 23rd. Just email Rachel.dahlgren@valpo.edu if you would like to sign up. These trips are available to any VU student and feel free to invite friends!
Now for a summary of the trips:
Christian Appalachian Project (Cost $100-$150)
What: VU Students will collaborate with the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) in their spring break alternative called WorkFest 2009. WorkFest allows students to devote their time and energy to improve the homes of Appalachian residents while learning about the injustices and realities of poverty. Volunteers will learn about the self-help activities of the CAP housing process, including sweat equity and financial pay back where possible. Devotion and reflection time will also be a part of each day of work as we seek to understand this experience of faith and service.
When: March 1-6
Where: The Appalachian Region of Eastern Kentucky where over two-thirds of citizens are on welfare and over 50 percent of children are considered to be living in poverty.
Why: Because CAP is a Christian Organization committed to serving people in need by providing physical, spiritual, and emotional support. They practice and encourage good stewardship of the land and resources and promote the dignity and self-worth of all individuals. What an awesome organization with which we can join our passion for faith and social justice.
Who: All students are welcome so invite your friends
TWO Hurricane Relief Projects in the Gulf Coast (Cost $150-200)
What: VU students will collaborate with Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) to continue in the efforts to clean up and restore the Gulf Coast region which has experienced devastating destruction from natural disasters. The spring break trip organized by LDR is a service-learning opportunity which has included over 2,000 participants from over 60 different campuses. Devotion and reflection time will also be a part of each day of work.
When: March 2 -9
Where: New Orleans OR Long Beach, Mississippi
Why: Because there is still so much work to be done in these areas and we have a passion for putting our faith into action!
Who: All students are welcome. Participants may have to go through some basic construction and tool safety training so it is not necessary that every volunteer be extremely knowledgeable or competent in construction and tool management prior to this training.
SALT Chooses Project for WRC
It’s official! Members of SALT recently chose for the 2009 World Relief Campaign a project that will help bring clean water to the rural Yunnan Province of China. Watch for more info about it after Christmas break. Meanwhile, be sure to stop by next Tuesday at 9 p.m. for the Pepper forum at Huegli Hall to learn more about the LEAPS program (Lutheran Alliance with Parochial Schools). SALT meets at 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday in the Lumina Room of Huegli Hall.
A New Union Changes Things
January promises plenty of excitement on campus with the opening of the new Harre Union. Since you will (most likely) be dining right next door to the Chapel, why not make it a resolution for the new year to join us for Morning Prayer (11:15 to 11:35 a.m.)? Rather than waiting in a lunch line, come to Morning Prayer. It’s a great way to help you keep the balance in your life!
Prayer Life Need Some Help?
If your prayer life isn’t all you’d like it to be, get some community support! Valpo’s new prayer book In Thy Light We See Light: The Valparaiso University Prayer Book isn’t just a book – it’s supplemented by an online community in which members can post prayer requests, meet prayer partners, learn about ways to pray and view prayer resources. All are welcome to join the community at pray.valpo.edu. Check it out!
Season of Epiphany Will Bring New Global Music to Morning Prayer
Epiphany is a time to celebrate Christ’s light, shining to all people around the globe.
Last year, the Chapel’s Morning Prayer staff musicians introduced new worship services that incorporated more global music, to broaden the worship experience and reflect the music of Christians throughout the world.
This year we are planning new music, adding prayers and litanies from around the world. Come and worship during the season of light! It begins in January.
“Res Min” Helping Students Talk about Faith Issues
Periodically, we focus in on one of the ministries of the Chapel. This week, learn more about Residential Ministry.
As a freshman last year, Josh Buzbee recalls how formal Bible study conducted by his residence halls’ residential ministers felt. There wasn’t a lot of give and take … or discussion. And not a lot of students showed up.
This year, things are a little different.
Now a residential minister himself, Josh is helping to lead a weekly discussion time for the students of Lankenau and Alumni halls. He shares the responsibility with Deborah Beals.
“This week, we came in with a topic in mind – interfaith marriage – and discussed it, asking the students for their opinions,” he said. “It’s getting them to talk about faith issues that they really don’t think about often – and they’re doing it with friends.”
Another week, they’ll watch and discuss the movie “Luther.”
The conversations begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and alternate between Lank and Alumni. They go for as long as anyone wants to talk.
Josh, a sophomore majoring in theology, says he really wants to build up the group.
Residential ministers, or “res mins,” are students who help their peers in a particular residence hall to grow in theirfaith and encourage them to get involved with the opportunities the Chapel provides. They work with RAs and RLCs in dealing with problems of a spiritual nature, which is especially helpful when a student is reluctant to speak to a pastor.
Pray for Valpo!
Again this year, prayer times are set up throughout the week for the Christian organizations on campus to come together and pray downstairs in the Chapel as part of the Pray for Valpo! Prayer Group.
Morning and night time slots are available. Specifically, Monday: 7-9 a.m. and 8-9:30 p.m. Tuesday: 7-9 a.m. and 9-10:30 p.m., Wednesday: 7-9 a.m. and 9-9:55 (ending early so you can go to Celebrate!), Thursday: 7-9 a.m. and 9-10:30 p.m., and Friday: 7-9 a.m. and 8-9:30 p.m. Ideally, we will have a person or a group sign up for at least one slot per week so that there is always someone praying in the chapel at the designated times. Look for the sign-up form or contact joy.helfen@valpo.edu
Meet our Morning Prayer Leaders
One of the coolest things about the Chapel’s Morning Prayer services is they’re led nearly every day by students like you. This year’s Morning Prayer student leaders are Alex Marque, Beth Niggemeyer and Andrew Robinson. Our Friday praise band is led by Brandon Long. Morning Prayer is a time for students, faculty and staff to gather together as a community of faith. Whichever days of the week you choose to come share a pew, there’s time to connect with others before or after with a cup of coffee or a glass of lemonade. God is here for you every day. Why not make chapel break a daily habit? We’re here to help you keep the balance in your life!
Social Action – A Way of Life
The Social Action Leadership Team (SALT) is the Chapel’s social justice ministry. Students in SALT serve as the leadership team that invites Valpo students to engage in Christian service both near and far. SALT is involved in local volunteering, spring break service trips and church-based community organizing.
SALT meetings are each Tuesday classes are in session, at 9:30 p.m. in the Lumina Room of Huegli Hall. Bring a friend and come check it out!
Houston, We Have a Problem
Due to technical difficulties, the Chapel has been unable to add any updates to the sermon and homily podcasts since January. However, they are still being recorded and as soon as the problems are resolved we will let you know. In the meantime, you can check out dozens of sermons and homilies from the fall semester by going to http://blogs.valpo.edu/chapelpodcast/
Additions
and corrections for this page may be directed to