Nazareth Protestant Community
December 10, 2015
Another semester has come and gone! And with it hundreds of assignments and tests, hours spent studying or not studying, meals with friends and meals alone, time spent laughing and time spent crying. In a few short days finals will be over and the campus will disperse. Some will go home. Some will stay with friends. Some will celebrate the holidays with loved ones. Some might be alone. For some there is joy around the idea of going home for Christmas. For others, there might be anxiety or dread or even fear.
Home is a complicated thing. It's complicated because home is almost never simply about a physical place. It comes with the people we find there. It comes with memories, both good and bad.
Christmas is deeply related to the concept of home. Ultimately I wonder if Christmas is a story about finding our true home. In that, in the incarnation, in God taking on flesh and coming to dwell with us, our true home was found. As God made his home among us, we are invited to make our home in God.
Whether home is a place you are longing for or dreading, know that in Christ you are already home. You are loved. You are worthy. And not because you made Santa's nice list. Not because some creepy elf on a shelf noted whether or not your behavior was up to snuff. You are loved and worthy because of the grace of God born to us in Bethlehem.
May the hope, peace, joy, and love of this season go with you into finals week and beyond as you find your way to whatever and wherever and whoever is home for you.
Blessings,
Nadia
A special thank you!
Thank you, Melanie!
Standing With Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters
When:
Friday, Dec. 11th, 1-3:30pm
Where:
727 Westfall Road
Rochester, NY
It has been a very difficult and heartbreaking few weeks for the Islamic Community - both here in Rochester and throughout the United States. We would like our Muslim sisters and brothers to know that we are aware of their challenges and we stand in solidarity with them as we all advocate for peace and justice.
As an act of solidarity, students, staff and faculty are invited to attend the Jummah (Friday Prayer service), this Friday 12/11, that begins at 1:25PM and to serve dessert following prayer at 2:20PM. (Friday is Reading Day, so there are no undergraduate classes).
As an institution of higher education, this is an opportunity for the Nazareth Community to demonstrate our commitment to interfaith unity in the face of discrimination and intolerance. We hope you consider spending part of your day in service and solidarity with our Muslim Neighbors.
RSVP by contacting Jamie Fazio at jfazio1@naz.edu. Transportation will be provided as needed. Please meet at the Center for Spirituality Community Room (GAC #151) at 1:00PM sharp. We will return to campus around 3:30PM.
Sponsored by,
Center for Spirituality
Department of Religious Studies
Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue
Institute for Pluralism
Upcoming in Worship
Weekly services are held Sunday nights at 8:30 pm in Linehan Chapel. Note that the final service for the semester will be December 13th, 2015.
December 13th-
Rev. Nadia Mullin "Why does Home Matter?"
Special musical selections by students will be featured during the service.
All are welcome. You are welcome to enjoy food and fellowship following worship.
Holiday Party- Still time to RSVP
Rev Nadia Mullin's House
4:30 to 6:30pm
Celebrate Christmas and relax over good food and fun at the end of the semester.
Bring a white elephant gift (Something you already have, or could make) to exchange.
All are welcome, but please RSVP to nmullin7@naz.edu.
If you need a ride or have dietary restrictions, please let us know. Looking forward to seeing/meeting you!
Divine Doughnuts
Tuesdays @ 9:15AM in GAC 151
Coffee. Sprinkles.Prayer (and before finals!!)
Join us for the last weekly gathering of the semester Nazareth Catholic and Protestant Communities of the semester. if you have not had a chance to attend, take advantage of this sweet opportunity.
Weekly Quaker Worship!
Thursdays at 8 pm in the Meditation Room in GAC. All are welcome to join us for Quaker worship.
Prayer, Reflection, and Exploration
Spring Break service retreat to Clairvaux Farm! March 6-12, 2016
Who will we be serving? Deep Roots at Clairvaux Farm is a community that aims to serve children and families affected by homelessness and poverty. They provide transitional housing, educational opportunities, and spiritual support to families in need.
What will we be doing? We will provide support by completing necessary construction and clean-up projects and interacting with Clairvaux residents. We also take a day to explore Washington D.C. and meet with representatives from the National Coalition for the Homelessness.
If you are looking for a way to engage your faith and serve in the spirit of Christ over this spring break, I encourage to come and by and pick up an application at GAC 164 or to email nmullin7@naz.edu to get an electronic application. This is a life changing opportunity to serve others and live in community for a week.
Naz Christian Fellowship (NCF)
NCF also offers rides to three local churches. If you are interested in getting a ride to church contact Nadia at nmullin7@naz.edu
"NCF is a community that welcomes and supports one another by modeling Christ in service to others."
Question(s) of the week-
December 6th's question was:
What comes your mind when you think "peace"?
Answers given were:
"And also with you!", candles, food, Gandhi, kindness and
Jesus, The Prince of Peace.
Local Church Connections
About Us
Email: nmullin7@naz.edu
Website: https://www.facebook.com/NazarethCollegeProtestantWorship
Location: 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585-389-2306
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NazarethCollegeProtestantWorship