THE WINDOW
A Monthly Newsletter from the Chaplains' Office at Hanover College
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Vol. 6, No. 2; February 2007
CHRISTMAS BREAK TRIP TO PERU
Five students traveled to Lima, Peru over Christmas break, to build a school and care for children. The trip was sponsored by a partnership between the Center for Church Leadership and Hanover Presbyterian Church, as well as by fundraising and other sources. Here are Rachel Myhre’s reflections.
"Yo acepto ser la madrina..."
I accepted to be the Godmother of three beautiful children in Peru. I accepted to be part of their life and the life of the community. I accepted in my heart with that brief sentence to continue to hope - the profound hope of sustainability for a loving, welcoming community.
The week in Huaycan passed all too swiftly. We painted classrooms, labored at "chopping down a mountain," "threw rocks at more rocks" (to eventually create level ground for a future classroom), and helped cook delicious meals that we ate together with community members. We also learned and participated in traditional dances, frequently played the Hoki Poki (to the extreme delight of the young children), and sang songs and played games in Spanish and English. A month has passed and I still find myself silently chanting those tunes. A month has passed and I still maintain the same excitement and desire to return - to return to little girls that called me hermana mayor (big sister), to attempting to learn how to play a traditional flute, to laughing in such a manner that my heart actually felt full, full of life, and communing with the community. I know that next year when I return I will stay true to my promises - all that I have accepted and that my heart will feel again as it does there, full, full of hope, love, and appreciation for life.
Hanover’s Community Service Initiative (CSI) has been presented a certificate of appreciation from the Disciples Home Missions for the group’s “Outstanding Service” in volunteer efforts that have “transformed not only the homes of the people affected but... also transformed their spirits and given them a sense of hope.” Congratulations on a job well done, to all members of CSI. Keep up the good work!
For people who are drawn to guided silent meditation: Contemplative prayer is offered weekly on Sunday evening at 8:30 PM on the Science Hall Mezzanine (2nd floor). Please arrive punctually, and remember to allow yourself some quiet time beforehand to begin to center yourself, and afterward to allow yourself to ease gently back into your day. The sessions are led by Margaret Krantz.
Be sure to check out the “SPIRITUAL LIFE” and “LOCAL CHURCHES” BULLETIN BOARD in the Campus Center mailroom. There’s a link to local church service times and programs on the Spiritual Life website: Go to /spiritual,
then choose “Community Churches”
If you’ve attended an area church that is not represented, please contact Dee Stark in the Center for Church Leadership office (starkd@hanover.edu, x7281) for guidelines on posting flyers. Or, feel free to give her contact info to a church representative (business cards are on the bulletin board). And, please let us know if you find the information helpful.
Interested in seminary or divinity school? Connect to a list of seminaries and their contact information, on the HC Spiritual Life homepage:
/spiritual/ and choose the Theological Seminaries document from the menu. This list is not exhaustive but includes a wide selection of schools and links to their websites.
Chaplains’ Diary Each week on Monday mornings, when classes are in session, one of us sends out a reflection. Contact bartel@hanover.edu with your e-mail address.
Where to Reach the Chaplains
Rev. Dr. Michelle J. Bartel, x6745
Science Hall 309, bartel@hanover.edu
Rev. Dr. Wm. Carter Aikin, x6738
Science Hall 311, aikinl@hanover.edu
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Ministry happens in so many ways. Whether your gifts are in working with children, interacting with other cultures, church leadership, or volunteering close to home, there are ministry opportunities with your name on them! That’s why we have an information center stocked with mission trip information, seminary catalogues, local volunteer organization details, and post-college travel and mission brochures.
Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer, Michigan is looking for summer staff. Email your interest to bava1234@aol.com , and/or visit their website at www.il-odm.org.
Camp Pyoca in nearby Brownstown, IN is looking for summer camp counselors. Check it out at www.pyoca.org .
Live. Learn. Intern: a summer opportunity in Washington, D.C. with the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. Go to www.dcinternships.org/ipvs .
Visit the 3rd floor of Science Hall (note: not Science Center) or email Dee Stark for more details.
Center Grove Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, IN (just south of Indianapolis) is seeking a youth director. If interested, please contact Steve Oglesbee at 317-535-9007 or e-mail at office@centergrovechurch.org.
Post-college opportunities:
Inquirers’ Weekend: MARCH 9, APRIL 20 at the San Francisco Theological Seminary.
“Explore your sense of Call… You’ll discover an academically challenging environment that encourages the development of your spiritual gifts and addresses the practical skills and arts of today’s ministry….” More information & registration cards can be found on the Chaplains’ announcement board, found on the 3rd floor of (old) Science Hall.
LEAPs = Lutheran Educational Alliance with Parochial Schools, Valparaiso University. This two-year program serves urban youth through teaching service in Lutheran and Catholic parochial schools in major Midwestern metropolitan areas. Their flyer is posted on third floor of Science Hall.
We’ve received The St. Meinrad Archabbey and School of Theology course catalogue for anyone interested. Check out more info at http://www.saintmeinrad.edu/ .
McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago: www.mccormick.edu The next Inquiry into Ministry event is February 18-20 (request a registration form at x7281). The seminary is offering their 2007-2008 Merit Scholarships –Deadline to apply is March 1, 2007 – more information is available from Nicole Bates: nbates@mccormick.edu.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps: In all, about 300 JVs each year work in the United States and in six countries around the world. Hundreds of grassroots organizations across the country count on JVs to provide essential services to low-income people and those who live on the margins of our society. JVs work for and with people who are homeless unemployed, refugees, people with AIDS, the elderly, street youth, abused women and children, the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled.
JVC is more than just a job. Social justice, simple living, community and spirituality: these values provide the cornerstone for living out a commitment to faith and justice. https://www.jesuitvolunteers.org/
FTE Grants for Students Entering Seminary: Students preparing to enter their first year of seminary and preparing for congregational ministry are eligible for fellowships from The Fund for Theological Education. If you are applying for seminary, consider FTE to help you bear the financial burden. Check out the brochure or visit www.thefund.org for more information.
Pittsburg Theological Seminary: join in the
Pittsburg Experience: a daylong visitation event. Spring Journey in March or Summer Discovery, in conjunction with the annual Leadership Conference. For more info, contact The Rev. Sherry Sparks at ssparks@pts.edu or call 1-800-451-4194.
 Are you thinking about SUMMER?
Here’s an idea…
2007 Presbyterian Youth Triennium
“HOPE IS IN OUR MIDST”
Every three years the Presbyterian Church (USA), Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America gather thousands of young people together for worship, Bible Study and recreation at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium – otherwise known as PYT. The 2007 Triennium will be held July 17 – 22 on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
PYT is for young people who will be ages 15-19 years old by July 17, 2007. Adult advisors must be 21 years of age by this date. A work crew track is available for college-aged young people who would like to apply to attend and work "behind the scenes." More information about PYT is available on the Web site
http://www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/ and from your presbytery registrar, or you may contact the Center for Church Leadership, ccl@hanover.edu.
Information or Registration forms: http://www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/promotion_planning/information_sheet/
http://www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/work_crew/
http://www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/media/pdf/Small_Group_Leader_Application.pdf
From the registration information form: “ ‘Hope Is In Our Midst’ comes from a variety of biblical texts and passages that focus around Jesus’ post resurrection instructions, promises and challenges to the early church. Believing that HOPE may very well be the greatest gift and challenge to the community of faith these days (as it was in the time following Jesus death and resurrection) – the design team for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium has as its goal – to “infuse” the Triennium experience with life giving practices, open and honest theological dialogue, youth friendly and relevant biblical study ALL revolving around the reminder that our very hope in is Jesus Christ!”
Religious Events and Activities on Campus
BASIC
Thursdays, 7-8:30pm
Alumni Lounge in Campus Center
Contact: Jessica Brown, x7904
brownje@hanover.edu
Be R.E.A.L.
Thursdays, 9pm Basement of Lynn Gym
Contact: Pam Farmer, armerp@hanover.edu
CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ)
Tuesdays 9pm
Donner Lecture Hall
Contact: Luke Zwanziger, x7864 zwanzigerl@hanover.edu
Episcopal Eucharist
Wednesdays, 9pm, Brown Memorial Chapel
Contact: Chris Blackstock, x6703, blackstockc@hanover.edu
Beth Tuck, 7963, tucke@hanover.edu
Catholic Student Organization (CSO) and Roman Catholic Mass
7pm Sundays, CSO meeting, Brown Memorial Chapel
Contacts: Maggie Lewellen lewellenm@hanover.edu
and Emily Rogers rogerse@hanover.edu
Mass, 8pm Sundays, celebrated by Father Bill Keebler, Brown Memorial Chapel
Afterwords – February 2007
In the world of Famous Paintings I have a couple of favorites that I love to see over and over again, and one of those is Norman Rockwell’s The Golden Rule. Evidently he was able to get his neighbors in New England to pose for this painting which depicts an ethnic diversity that gives one the sense of a gorgeous global community. The color in this painting is remarkable, and with the detail and variety of form and expression of humanity, every corner is worth study. Of course the viewer’s eye is drawn towards the center, but then you find your eyes being led slowly outward to make sure you see each and every beautiful face.
The words “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” are flashed out in gold on the bottom half of the painting. This gives the effect of a stained glass window that allows you to see lit-up color. In the best stained glass windows one’s attention to the color and light gathers around a theme or story, or at least an element of a story. In many churches the windows depict the stations of the cross, telling the story, pane by pane, of the events that happened along the journey to Jesus’ death. Windows might depict symbols like lilies or a crown, or elements of Christian worship like a bible or bread and grapes. Those who have given to the church leave their names on these windows sometimes, along with a whole range of images that connect the worshipper with the heritage of that particular congregation.
Like a good window a good painting encourages meditation. For those of us who have had the opportunity of viewing a lovely painting or piece of sculpture, or of hearing music that moves us, we often enter into prayer or meditation whether or not we call it by that name. There is a way that works of art draw us to offer our best selves in wordless ways, so that we come away moved or changed, even if only a slight bit.
I am moved to that sort of wordless meditation and prayer when I ponder The Golden Rule. By putting so many different and dazzling faces before my eyes, Rockwell forces me to consider just who the others are unto whom I am to do good. The many people in the painting are standing very closely together, some holding children tenderly and carefully, some holding symbolic objects, some in poses of thoughtfulness and prayer. “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you” does not mean do unto others before they do unto you, nor does it mean that we should do unto others so that they do unto us. This is not a tit-for-tat sort of directive. What this painting leads us to understand about this rule of gold is that doing unto others as we would have them do unto us prospers a peaceful world. It means we give priority to generosity rather than to guarantees that we will get what we want. It means we seek the well-being of others for their own sake, just as we respect our own well-being.
This golden rule sums up the law and the prophets, we read in Matthew 7:12. Communities – perhaps like Rockwell’s neighborhood in New England – which make generosity of spirit visible through their religious and racial diversity sum up this rule by making it plain in lives of compassion and justice. Transformed living is a lovely way of meditating on a painting.
MJB
**You can view The Golden Rule online at http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/r/p-rockwel1.htm
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