Making the Transition

You're making the leap! It's the big transition--you're going to college! The move comes with all sorts of emotions. You're probably excited, but you may also be a little anxious about finding a way to fit into this new community. Chi Alpha is here to help. Here are a couple of steps we've found helpful as you transition your life and faith to American University.

1. Get Connected. You may be surprised to find a number of Christian groups @ AU. Don't wait! Check them out and get plugged in right away. You can find Chi Alpha in our office on the lower level of Kay and during Welcome Week @ move-in or on the Quad. We're also on the web and facebook. Look us up!

2. Get out of Your Room. We've got a bunch of great events planned the first few weeks of the semester. There'll be parties, games, and connecting points, all designed to help you get past the awkward get-to-know-you time. Most are free, all are fun! You can find the full schedule on our website. See you there!

3. Be There. Thursday Night Worship--it's our main worship gathering. The first one of the semester is on August 28th @ 8:15 pm in the Kay Chapel. It's an awesome time to experience God and find out all about this group called Chi Alpha. We're saving you a seat!

Fall Calendar now available!

We've got a bunch of great events planned for the fall! Just click here or on the events link on the right to find out what's in store for Welcome Weeks and beyond.

Chi Alpha @ New Student Orientation

Welcome to AU and New Student Orientation! Stop by the Chi Alpha table during the Campus Life Service Fair tomorrow (Tues.) from 12 - 1:30 pm in the Tavern. We'd love to meet you, give you a few freebies let you know a little more about what we do. Got questions on the campus, finding friends or exploring faith? We're here to help. See you there!

Put Some Spirit in Your Summer

Are you hanging out in DC for the summer? We're meeting weekly to grow in relationship together and dive into the Bible. Over the next several weeks we're walking through the book of Romans @ the Godzwa's place, 4000 Massachusetts Ave NW #1028. You're welcome to join us. Make a comment if you need more info. You can also join our facebook group by clicking here, and keep checking the website for upcoming summer events.

Spiritual Sticky Notes

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.

2 Timothy 2:8

Remembering, it's a pretty important skill in life. We use all sorts of things to help us recall important things, but one method we've all used @ some time in our lives is the sticky note. They're great, just write down the thing you need to remember and stick it someplace where you'll see it later--fail-proof (that is unless you have a neat freak for a roommate). When it comes to following Jesus, remembering is vital. We even have a few "spiritual sticky notes" to help us. On Saturday, Kera, a freshmen in Chi Alpha, was baptized. Baptism is a reminder to us of our identification with Christ's death and resurrection. When we go under the water it symbolizes the death of our former lives burdened with sin. As we come out of the water, we're reminded of the transformation that makes our new life in Jesus possible. It's a phyiscal act that puts God's grace right in front of our faces. I think that's better than 3M could have ever come up with. Way to go Kera!

This week we're going to give ourselves another reminder. This Thursday several Chi Alpha leaders will be fasting. We're doing it to remember that God's purpose is not done through our effort alone. Our work can be fruitful only when we're dependent on Him. Some of us will fast food for one a meal or for the day; others will fast from something else. But, what we give up isn't really that important. What's important is that we fill the time we would be engaged in this activity and devote that to God. We'll also be gathering @ 5 pm in the XA office (basement of Kay) to seek God together in prayer. I want to invite you to join us. I think it's the spiritual sticky note we all need as we finish out this semester.

Click here for the scoop on the rest of what is happening in Chi Alpha.

Pure Religion

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27

Why is looking after widows and orphans considered pure and faultless? Probably because they have no way of repaying you. James uses these words in his letter after an encouragement to put faith into practice and directly before an exhortation against showing favoritism. For his culture it was practical application. James was telling his audience to truly serve instead of looking for ways to build social capital.

This week we have an opportunity to engage in pure and faultless religion. Chi Alpha has joined forces with a number of organizations on campus to promote the play, "If Thy Tongue Can Speak." Written by Leah Bomberger, the play seeks to educate the campus community about the on-going tragedy of the violence in the eastern part of the Deomocratic Republic of the Congo. Millions have died. Thousands continue to be victimized. Access to medical care is virtually impossible, but we can make a difference. African Harvest Ministries is working with churches in the DRC to open and supply 24 clinics to begin meeting the outrageous need in the area. All of the proceeds from the play and our promotional efforts will go to fund this project. We can save lives! Will you help us fill the empty shelves of clinics like the one you see here? There is still plenty of room to get involved. Email Kera to find out how to volunteer or donate and don't forget to buy your ticket for the play. Your donation of a few dollars or an hour of work will bring hope to those with none. That's religion you can get excited about!

Passion Week is Here.

We're in the middle of Passion Week. It's a time to reflect and remember the sacrifice of Jesus and to invite others into his story. We have a week full of events you can be a part of. Click the events link on the sidebar to find out more.