Wednesday, September 24, 2014

A Syllabus for the UW Episcopal Community @ St. Francis House


A Syllabus for the UW Episcopal Community 
@ St. Francis House, 2014-2015

“A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives. It is the knowledge that people have of each other, their concern for each other, their trust in each other, the freedom with which they come and go among themselves.” Wendell Berry

About Coming Together

One of St. Francis House’s core qualities is a thing we call, “No strings.” No strings is the idea that you are always welcome in this community as you are, without condition. In turn, this place, her student leaders, and staff, commit to share themselves as they are. As people committed to following the one who is Truth, we commit to be truthful with one another. And yet, no strings is more than that. As it turns out, in the commitment to love without condition and be truthful with each other, we discover we need each other in order to be truthful.

No strings means your level of participation in St. Francis House comes without judgment. Whenever you are here, you are welcome.

That being true, the truth also compels us to tell you that our community’s experience in engaging God’s ministry of reconciliation together is enhanced by each one’s regular participation in the life of the community. You matter here. Regular participation in Sunday worship, Wednesday dialogues, or both, will bless and grow our fellowship. We believe regular participation will most bless and grow you, too.

No one will be here all of the time - not even the Chaplain - but know that being welcomed here includes being valued here. We value the unique gifts each one of you brings to this community.

Sundays at the Episcopal Center

Every week, our community gathers in the St. Francis Chapel at 5 pm for worship. Most weeks, we celebrate the Holy Eucharist together. On the 2nd Sunday of each month, however, our community celebrates “A Service of Light,” in the style of Taizé. 

There are several ways to be involved on Sundays. Talk to Fr. Jonathan or anybody you see doing any of these things if you’re interested in learning more. 

Ways to be involved on Sunday:
  • Help prepare the altar area for worship before the service.
  • Read the lessons and/or prayers of the people.
  • Bake communion bread.
  • Play an instrument during worship.*
  • Assist the priest during the service, serve the wine at Eucharist.*
  • Read a lesson in a foreign language (Taizé service).
  • Lead a Taizé service.
  • Serve on a dishwashing team.
Wednesdays at the Episcopal Center (“Life Together”)

Each Wednesday, our community gathers in the Club House (downstairs) at 6:30 pm for a student meal, followed by a short presentation and small group conversations. At 8:00 pm, our time concludes with Compline in the Chapel.

Ways to be involved on Wednesday:
  • Prepare a meal with friends.
  • Play music for Compline.
  • Lead Compline.
  • Serve on a dishwashing team.
FALL RETREAT
SEPT 26-28!
REGISTER/INFO ONLINE

“Worship and Dinner,” Sundays, Fall 2014

Sept 7 Holy Eucharist and Dinner
Sept 14           1st Service of Light (2nd Sunday) with Taizé worship
Sept 21           House Blessing Eucharist
Sept 26-28      RETREAT at Lutherdale Camp, Elkhorn, WI.
Oct 5               St. Francis Sunday
Oct 12 Service of Light with Taizé worship
Oct 19 Holy Eucharist and Dinner
Oct 26 Holy Eucharist and Dinner
Nov 2 All Saints’ Sunday
Nov 9 Service of Light with Taizé worship
Nov 16 Holy Eucharist and Dinner
Nov 23 Christ the King Sunday
Nov 30 1st Sunday of Advent
Dec 7 Holy Eucharist and Dinner
Dec 14          Pre-Christmas Hymn Sing (last Sunday of the semester)
Dec 20           SFH closes for winter break
Jan 18          1st service of the Spring semester

“Life Together,” Wednesdays, Fall 2014

Sept 10 Good Beginnings
Sept 17 Slow Church, Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus
Sept 24 Slow Church, Stability and Patience
Oct 1 Slow Church, Sabbath, Reconciliation, and Wholeness
Oct 8 Slow Church, Receiving and Generously Sharing God’s Gifts
Oct 15 Open Gathering
Oct 22 From Prayer to Service, at the His House Community
Oct 29 From Prayer to Service, at the St. Francis House Community
Nov 5 From Prayer to Service, service project night
Nov 12 From Prayer to Service, debriefing
Nov 19 Open Gathering
Nov 26 No Gathering (Thanksgiving)
Dec 3 Ephesians 4, Unity in the Body of Christ
Dec 10 Galatians 5 - 6, The Fruit of the Spirit and Bearing Each Others’ Burdens
Dec 17 Open Gathering

Young Adult Leadership Council

Anna Barker, Retreat                                
Michael Fleischman, Life Communication                 
Shannon Jablonski, Social                              
Terri Roth, Building and Grounds                       
Claire Spence, Music
Noah Van Dam, Meal Coordination

What Leadership Looks Like

* Offer your gifts in a regular way for the life of our community
* Regularly participate in Sun and/or Wed gatherings
* Keep the Episcopal Center, students, staff, mission in your prayers
* Participate in twice monthly meetings of the YALC

Look For These

Monthly Women’s Group * October Pumpkin Carving * Thanksgiving Dinner 

No comments:

Post a Comment

When the Promise Comes Close: On Earth as It is in Heaven

Bath-time in the Melton home is a beautiful and sometimes also harrowing hour of the day. A veritable roulette wheel of parenting possibilit...