Posted by: Nancy | March 8, 2010

Call+ Response, a response

About 250 people watched the movie Call+Response in Grand Rapids and Allendale. Others of you may have seen the movie elsewhere, or be familiar with a variety of anti trafficking groups. 

The question is, “ Now that you know, what do you do”? 

As you consider your response to Call+Response, you might begin with looking at “33 Ways to Respond” at the Call+Response website 

 Is there something on the list you can do? 

None of us alone can do all the things on that list. None of us alone can stop slavery. But each of us can do something. People of faith are called by God to various actions in the world. Guided by God we can make a difference. 

  Some of us are called to work professionally against slavery. More of us are not. But that doesn’t mean we are not called to respond in some way. How do we know what we are called to do? How do we keep from becoming overwhelmed by the tragedies in the world? 

 Now that you know, what do you do?  

Some of us may feel called to greater involvement. Some of us might not be sure how we should respond. There is no cookie cutter answer, no step wise formula to follow. 

The practice of discernment  can help. Discernment is about discovering a way forward, about seeking God’s will for you in a particular situation. Over the next several days and weeks, True North Campus Ministry will offer resources and opportunities to explore the process of discernment - both on line and in person.  Check back here, or sign up for the RSS feed or join our Facebook  page for more information and updates.  

If you would like to make a comment, ask a question, or simply talk, please contact me, via comments here, by e mail, nancy@truenorthonline.org, by phone, 616-821-0351 or on Facebook 

 

Posted by: Nancy | February 17, 2010

Lent 2010

Lent is the period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter when Christians traditionally focus on discipline and penitence. Often Christians observe Lent by giving up or sacrificing a pleasure as a small way to remember the much greater sacrifice of Jesus. Sometimes Christians observe Lent by taking on particular spiritual practice, for example committing to a more focused time of prayer. Christians may decide to focus on service to the poor, or hungry, or lonely during Lent. Churches often have extra midweek services during Lent.

There are many ways to observe Lent all with the same goal, to bring us closer to Christ in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection at Easter.

Here are several on line resources for Lent.

www.d365.org/journeytothecross/

www.readthespirit.com/ourlent/

www.sacredspace.ie

If your congregation does not hold a mid week Lenten service, you are welcome to join True North at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 47 Jefferson in Grand Rapids. We will meet for a simple dinner at 6:30 pm, attend worship together at 7 pm, and a 7:30 pm have a short reflection on the Lord’s Prayer for college students.  You are welcome to attend all or part of these evenings, as your schedule allows. Come for dinner, come for worship, or come for study.

Posted by: Nancy | February 3, 2010

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Last Saturday night about 16 GRCC and Kendall College students watched “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” at the Celebration Cinema as Woodland Mall.  It’s a movie about a chicken stealing fox, who “goes straight” by becoming a journalist and then returns to a life of chicken stealing on the sly.

But of course, there is more to the movie than that. It is also a story about identity and responsibility. 

“The Fantastic Mr. Fox” is not a Christian movie. But it is a movie that explores what it means to be an individual who is also in relationships with other people. What if being “true to who we are” is bad for others? What if our family and community don’t like what we do but continue to love us and be in relationship with us in spite of our actions?

Important themes to consider as Christian people.

And it’s a really entertaining movie too.

PS.   “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” has been nominated for two Academy Awards, best animated feature film and best original score.

Posted by: Nancy | December 19, 2009

We Have Pictures

The fall 2009 semester has ended. Here are some pictures.

This is one of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship groups at GRCC. True North ministry coordinator, Nancy Janisch, facilitated the discussion of “Here I Am” by Quentin Schultze.

 

We were pleased that Quentin Schultze was able to come and talk with students about his book “Here I Am” and about faith and life.

In November GRCC students watched the movie “Whip It” at Celebration Cinema and then discussed the movie over pizza.

Kendall Christian Fellowship is an organization for Kendall College of Art and Design students.  Nancy attends their weekly meetings.

Posted by: Nancy | October 29, 2009

This Just In

Movie Night November 14- Save the date.  Details coming soon.

Posted by: Nancy | October 22, 2009

Quentin Schultze to meet Students

Quentin Schultze, author of Here I Am: Now What On Earth Should I Be Doing will be meeting with students on November 18 at 12:45 pm  at GRCC to discuss the subject of his book, the ways we discover and live out God’s call on our lives. We have been reading and discussing his book on Tuesday at 12:45 pm and on Wednesday at 11:30 am and 12:45 pm. It’s not too late to join us. Next week we will be discussing “Life in Community”.  Please join us.

Posted by: Nancy | October 12, 2009

True North on Facebook

True North now has a fan page on Facebook.  You can find our page by searching “True North Campus Ministry”. Our ministry coordinator, Nancy Janisch also has a Facebook page.   We hope to have a line in our webpage’s sidebar shortly, there are- as always- coding issues to resolve.

Posted by: Nancy | September 9, 2009

Is All Work Holy?

Here is an essay from the Inside Work website that asks us to consider what “holy work” looks like.  Is all church employment holy? Can a secular job be holy?  How do we know? How do we make those sorts of decisions?

What do you think?

Seeking the answers, at least some answers, to these questions is why True North exists.

Posted by: Nancy | September 9, 2009

GVSU Campus Life Night

GVSU Campus Life Night 004We had a great time at the GVSU field house at Campus Life Night tonight. We had the chance to meet many students and we hope you will plan on attending some of our events. We are planing groups to discuss Culture and Christians and a discernment small group. Also we’re planning to continue Movie Nights. If you would like to be involved in any or all of these event, watch this website, join us on Face Book (True North Campus Ministry) or send me an e mail (nancy@truenorthonline.org)  We’re looking forward to a great school year!

GVSU Campus Life Night 001

Posted by: Nancy | August 11, 2009

Discover True North

If you are interested in the mission and activities of True North, please join us on September 15 from 4-5:30 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church 47 Jefferson, Grand Rapids MI.  No arm twisting, no high pressure tactics, just information about who we are and what we do.

Older Posts »

Categories