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Wanderings – Observations of Campus Life at SJSU

The Doctor is In and I am His Servant

The Doctor is InIf you haven’t visited the Charles M. Schultz Museum in Santa Rosa, I highly recommend it.  Who doesn’t love the wonderful characters “Sparky” created?  Don’t we all have a bit of each one of them in us?  Poor Old Charlie Brown, the little redheaded girl, Pigpen, Linus the vulnerable and Lucy the outspoken…love them all.

Standing in Lucy’s Booth inspired me to reflect theologically.  Who of us has the answers to anyone else’s concerns much less our own on most days?  And yet, it seems to me that when we take it all to God in prayer, we find really can find our Salvation.

A couple of week’s ago, our bishop gave us an assignment to write our own salvation story.  The words seemed to pour through me.  Let me give you a brief recap of what I wrote that day:

“I think of the jokes that sceptics throw around in response to the phrase, “Jesus Saves.”  Saves what?  Green Stamps!  Our world scoffs at “salvation” – better said, may not know how to think about the concept that many Christians believe we understand.  But I wonder if we do?

Some many years ago, I went to a Billy Graham Crusade.  I really love Billy Graham.  I agree with those who say he is America’s pastor, but that’s off topic.  Anyway, that afternoon, I went with hundreds of others to make the Altar Call accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  Now, I am not disputing that the intention of a surrendered life is wrong.  It isn’t at all.  But I have learned in my own journey that intention is just the beginning , the first baby step.

For me, salvation has become a daily conversation with the Creator of the Universe.  It is the discipline to be silent long enough to hear the still small voice within.  No human friendship would last if one only called on a friend only once in a while and then only in need.  On a recent retreat, I was sitting quietly in front of the Sacrament and trying to quiet my mind and emotion long enough to enter into the silence. It takes all my willingness and focus to become more present to God as I believe He is always Present to me.  For just a moment in the stillness, I asked forgiveness for not telling the Lord of my being how much I loved Him.  “Forgive me, Lord, for being so darn needy” I said, “rather than praising and thanking You – who can thank you enough?”

Some of you may think I am delusional if I try to report that I have a direct link to God –  from my mouth to God’s ear – but all I know is that in this holy moments, a burden I was carrying, too big and too heavy, was lifted from me.  God knew my need before I even asked Him.  It was a moment of grace that is difficult to articulate but it was so very real.

That is salvation for me – a daily conversation, the nurturing of relationship with the best and dearest Friend any human being can have.  So what’s your salvation story?  It’s worth thinking about.

 

Wanderings – Observations of Campus Life at SJSU

CanterburyLogoMedWe delighted to be re-branding our Episcopal Campus Ministry. Formerly known as SJSpirit, we are now the Canterbury Bridge. Why bridge? The mission of this ministry is to reach out to all faiths and traditions to find a common ground exploring and investigating the question “How are we alike?” building bridges of understanding between faith communities on campus.

We are all called to be Bridge Builders…

Wood Bridge

From USA Provincial of the Society of the Divine Savior, Salvatorians:

“One of the ministries most urgently needed in the church and the world today is the ministry of building bridges; bridges that can reach across the barriers that divide and separate us. All in the church, from its highest leaders to its newest members, must become engaged in this ministry so that, as Jesus said, “all may be one, as you and I are one”. . . That all the many gifts and charisms that are a part of our great diversity may be united in service to our primary mission of evangelization. This calls for the involvement of the entire people of God and requires a new fervor, new methods and a new expression for announcing and witnessing of the Gospel. This demands a new style of pastoral life marked by profound communion and fruitful cooperation, always respecting and fostering the different roles, charisms and ministries present among us. So that we can accomplish God’s wonderful work of reuniting the whole human race.”

Lofty thoughts? I wish I could claim what I just said, but I am simply quoting—Pope John Paul II’s “Apostolic Exhortation” Pastores Dabo Vobis. Between you and me, I think he lifted this from our founder, Father Jordan’s “Apostolic Exhortations”. . . I’m just sayin’!

Read it all here

Young Adult/Campus Ministries

Young adults (ages 18 to 30), although they’re grouped together, are often at very different stages in their lives. They’re married, partnered, single, with children, divorced, widowed. They leave high school and enter the work force, the military, or college. Not every young adult attends college, and many will try it on but leave before completing a degree. They engage with the world, and many have strong opinions about war, the environment, and the institutional church. Many will rally to help a next-door neighbor or organize relief efforts for Sudan and Haiti.

The Episcopal Church strives to be alongside young adults, to accompany, mentor, and provide places for leadership development. The church also offers deeper experiences in their faith journey through fellowship, vocational discernment, and internships in programs such as the Young Adult Service Corps.
Young Adult Ministry in the church at large takes the form of parish-based young adult groups for worship, fellowship, mission and study; young adult internships and intentional living through the Episcopal Service Corps; diocesan retreats and gatherings; engaging and training young adults in the polity of the church; mentoring and discernment programs; and young adult pilgrimages and mission experiences.
Campus ministry includes all students attending places of higher learning at colleges and universities.  Sometimes referred to as “Canterbury Club” or “Episcopal Campus Ministry” (ECM), it includes all chaplains, campus ministers, and faculty. It provides programming, networks (diocesan, provincial, churchwide, and ecumenical), advocacy, and resources for those doing ministry on college and university campuses.