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Greetings
from The Crossing Ministries
As
the academic year winds down this week (and with finals next week), the Church
calendar also takes a turn. This coming Sunday we move from the season of
Easter to the season of
Pentecost. Acts 2:1-21 tells the story of the first Pentecost – the
story of the followers of Jesus experiencing the gift of the Holy Spirit after
Jesus’ resurrection. In this story it was quite a dramatic of event complete with tongues of fire and a
noise like a driving wind! This same Spirit also comes more quietly
into our lives. I appreciate the understanding of the Hebrew word ruach which means breath, wind, and
Spirit. The Spirit is as close as our
breathing. Author Tom McGrath asks, “What happens when the Spirit comes into our
lives?” He goes on to answer saying,
“We receive gifts we never dreamed of. We
might intuitively know how to handle a tough situation at work or at home (or I
would add, school). That’s wisdom. We might stop our angry response
toward another long enough to think what it’s like to be in his or her shoes.
That’s understanding. We
might find the words of hope, that get to the heart of another’s dilemma, and
that’s counsel. I see many people
in all walks of life who have the gumption to persevere in difficult times.
They exemplify fortitude. . . . “
(Christian Century May
6, 2008)
It
would seem that the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is a very practical
gift! What’s more, scripture reminds us that these gifts are all given for the common good (not
just for our own good). As you complete your semester tasks and
prepare for final exams, may you also sense
the Holy Spirit giving you the gifts you need at this time of
schooling --- not just for your needs but in order to prepare you to be an
instrument for the common good in your future.
This
Sunday will be our final Vespers Worship Gathering
for the semester – and we will be honoring our graduates! Please join
us.
If
you are looking for a quiet place to study next week,
rooms 202, 205, and 215 are open at The Crossing from 8:00
am – 10:00 pm
(snacks provided)!
We
at The Crossing are keeping you in prayer as
you complete this semester.
Blessings,
Karla
Schmidt
Campus
Minister
The
Crossing
Calendar
for Coming Week
(see
our website or see below for more information on these
activities)
(new
announcements are in red)
Sunday
May 11 (Final Vespers of Semester – Honoring
graduates)
4:30pm
Musician Rehearsal
5:30pm
Vespers Worship Gathering
6:15pm
Student Meal
Monday
May 12
6:30pm
Sustainability Potluck (Italian - carbs)
Tuesday
May 13
6:00am
– 10:00pm
Student Org Study Day
Wednesday
May 14
5:00pm Earth Center
Meeting
7:00pm
Elias Chacour Speaking at First United
Methodist Church
Thursday
May 15
6:00pm
Beginner Social Dance
7:00pm
Advanced Social Dance
Friday
May 16
Madison Market Basket pick up
Crossing
Events
(held
at 1127
University Ave,
unless otherwise noted)
(check
website for more events not listed here)
(new
announcements in red)
Special
Events
Are
you on facebook? If you are you should join The Crossing facebook group.
Joining will let you know of events and Crossing updates. This will be
especially useful in the fall so you know exactly what's up at The Crossing. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2209859255.
It’s
FINALS TIME! May 13th is a designated student org study
day Someone
from the student org should be here all day. There will be snacks and good
company. Please come join us! You can also come by the Crossing to study any
day from May 12-16. Three rooms on the 2nd floor will be
available—the fireside lounge (rm 202), the student lounge (rm 205), and the
conference room (rm 215). The building will be open from 8am-10pm. You may exit after 10:00 through the back door into the parking lot. Please push
the door shut behind you to make sure the building stays locked.
Archbishop
Elias Chacour - Building Peace in the Midst
of the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict, May 14,
Madison
The
Crossing is pleased to co-sponsor this event based on our past partnerships with
the Archbishop on our Quest trips to Israel/Palestine.
Archbishop
Elias Chacour, Leader of the Melkite Catholic Church of Akko,
Haifa,
Nazareth, and
Galilee,
will present What are the Things that Make
for Peace? Building Peace in the Midst of the Palestinian/Israeli
Conflict, on May 14, at 7:00pm, at
First United Methodist Church,
203
Wisconsin Ave,
Madison,
WI.
Archbishop Chacour, a Palestinian Christian who is a citizen of Israel, has
worked for reconciliation and peace in the Middle East, especially by building
high-quality schools in the Galilean village of Ibillin, where the students and
faculty include Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Druze. More than 50% of the 3000
students are girls. He is a three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, and
winner of the World Methodist Peace Award and the Niwano Peace Prize. He has
written 2 books, Blood Brothers
and We Belong to the Land: the Story of a
Palestinian Israeli who Lives for Peace and Reconciliation (Both
books will be available for signing at the event). A free-will offering will be
received to support the Peace-Building work of Archbishop Chacour. For more
information about this event or Archbishop Chacour, contact Rev. Joan Deming,
Development Director of Pilgrims of Ibillin, 608-241-9281,
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, or visit www.pilgrimsofibillin.org.
The
Crossing T-Shirts!
Have
you always wanted a Crossing T-Shirt? We have new navy-blue Crossing T-Shirts
available for only $7. Just look for the SALT member with the box of t-shirts at
the next few vespers!
Madison
Market Basket Returns to The Crossing!
If
you're interested in getting fresh, *affordable* produce right here at the
Crossing, please read on!
The Market Basket
Program offers a seasonal assortment of fruits and vegetables available weekly.
Here's what you
do:
*Any week you want a
Market Basket, drop off a check or cash with your name and phone number at the
Crossing by Tuesday
at
noon. There is a drop box located
in the Administrators office window (room 212) at the top of the stairs on the
second floor.
(Checks should be
made out to "Growing Power")
*On Friday of that
week, from 4-5:30 pm, come to the Crossing to pick
up your bag of fresh and delicious fruits and veggies! (in the basement kitchen
)
There are four
different Market Basket options to choose from:
*Farm-City Market
Basket - $15
A basket of
fresh produce that will support a family of 4 for a week with 10-15 different
varieties of fruits and veggies (savings of about $13 over store
prices)
*Senior/Single Market
Basket - $9
This basket
offers a smaller quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables suitable for a senior
or single person.
*Organic X-Box -
$27
Enjoy a
combination of certified organic, sustainable and eco-friendly produce grown by
members of our farmer’s co-op. (savings of about $12 over store
prices)
*All Fruit Basket -
$15
The all
fruit basket is exactly that...8-12 kinds of luscious and delicious
fruit!
The Madison Market
Basket program is a priority project of the Dane County Food Council. For more
information call Chandra at 772-3825.
Weekly
Events
· Crossing
Sunday Vespers (Worship) 5:30-6:15
pm with (optional)
Student Meal following service
· Monday
6:30
pm Sustainability Potlucks in lower
level contact Anna at
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· Earth Center Weekly
Planning Meetings Wednesdays 5:00
pm (basement) contact
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· Beginner Social Dancing
Thursdays
6-7:00
pm in lower
level
· Advanced Social Dancing
Thursdays
7-8:00
pm in lower
level
Community
and Other Opportunities
(new
announcements in red)
Striving
to Live Faithfully: A Muslim-Christian
Conversation, May 17, 9am - 12:30
pm, Middleton
Rev.
Jay Rock, Coordinator for Interfaith Relations of the Presbyterian Church (USA),
will engage Imam Ronald Shaheed, of Masjid Sultan Mohammed (Milwaukee), in an
exploration of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. By talking about some of
the main questions that Christians often ask about Muslim life, these two
friends hope to open a conversation about the challenges and opportunities
Christians and Muslims face in relation to each other, and to the world we all
share. At Holy Wisdom Monastery Oratory, 4200
County Highway M,
Middleton,
Wisconsin 53562
(608-836-1631). Cost of the Dialogue, including Lunch is $20 (Fee increases to
$25 for registration after May
5, 2008).
For more information or to arrange overnight accommodations, please contact
Gloria at 608-836-1631 x 101 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Details
and registration form are available at www.benedictinewomen.org. Ronald Shaheed
is the Imam of Masjid Sultan Muhammad, and Director of Education at the
Clara Mohammed School in
Milwaukee.
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