This Week In Common

August Intensive common meal, noon - 1:00. ESR dining room

August Intensive Joint common meal. Noon-1:00 ESR dining room

Come, be awakened! Join us for worship as Bethany Theological Seminary and Earlham School of Religion gather together to celebrate a new academic year. Stimulate your senses in the aroma of worship!

The Bethany and ESR communities invite you to join us as we gather together to celebrate a new academic year. Awaken and stimulate your senses in the aroma of worship!

After the rise of convocation around 12 noon this Thursday, August 28, please join us for the first Peace Forum of this semester in the seminary dining room. We will have introductions of one another as well as a peek at upcoming presentations. Peace Forum is jointly sponsored by Bethany and ESR and we also invite students from Earlham College and the Richmond community to attend.

Join Joe Trueblood, senior African and African American Studies major, as he speaks on "Respect" for the second of a ten-week worship series on the Principles and Practices at EC.
When: Sun., Aug. 31, 11 a.m.
A continental breakfast begins at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Stout Meetinghouse.
Contact: Kelly Burk, Director of Campus Ministries, burkke@earlham.edu , x1386.

Each morning of classes during the semester, Tuesday through Friday, join us for silent worship in the Quigg Worship Room from 8 am to 8:25 am. This time of silence is for meditation and contemplation open to all. So, start your day out with the Spirit!
Lonnie Valentine

Join us for the first Common Meal of the Fall Semester.

New students will be introduced, with plenty of time for conversation.

Also, a representative from Kelley Temporary Services will be here to talk to you about opportunities for substitute teaching in the Richmond School District.

Come, hear and prepare to become a doer of the Word! Join us for worship in Nicarry Chapel as the Student Leadership Team (SLT) introduces the Fall 2008 Preaching Series theme, “Intersections.”

Please join us for the first ESR programmed worship of the year. We meet in the ESR worship room from 11:20 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. each Thursday during the semester. On Sept. 4 our theme will be "Reading and Being Read." ESR student Al Dodson will lead the service.

Cathy Athofer will kick off our series on "the psychology of security."
Cathy is the director of Earlham's Campus Safety and Security,
where she has earned a great reputation for the department.
She will also share with us from her doctoral work on Dearborn MI,
where the police's positive relationships with the large
Arab-American population led to greater safety after September 11.

Friday, September 5
11:20 am @ Nicarry Chapel

Experience worship through the lens of women around the world! The Global Women's Project (GWP) began 30 years as a result of the inspiration of Bethany President, Ruthann Knechel Johansen.

Each morning 8-8:25am, Tuesday through Friday, there is silent worship in the Quigg worship room. All invited. Start the day off right!

Nancy Bowen will tell us about her Sabbatical.

A few of us are meeting on Wednesday for a Meeting for Worship with attention to Spiritual Healing from 12:00 noon to 12:30 in the Moriuchi room. Since unprogrammed worship meets immediately before this, I thought we could use that to center and then worshipfully walk up to the Moriuchi room. I reserved the room from 11:30 to 1:00, so if you would like, you could center in the Moriuchi room.

Please join us for or next Peace Forum. Welling Hall, Assoc. Professor of Politics and International Studies at Earlham College, will address our theme of security from the international perspective.
Last week, about 60 people came to Forum, so join the fun! Good food and always excellent company.

Join us for Joint Worship this Friday in Quigg for a time of expectant waiting.

We will gather in silence for a simple form of outward worship that will open our spirits to a deep inward experience.

Come, find the fresh and transforming Grace that is the presence of God!

Hannah Mayer, Senior Women's Studies Major will speak Sunday, September 14 in Stout Meetinghouse on "The Problem with Integrity." Please join us for the fourth in a series of sharing on "Principles and Practices." A continental breakfast is served at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

Childcare available Sunday, September 14 at 11 a.m. in Stout Meetinghouse.

Open House! Ever wonder where Virginia Cottage is? Curious where the staff of Campus Ministries and the Newlin Center hang out all day? Interested in FREE ICECREAM? Drop by Virginia Cottage on Tuesday, September 16 from 3-5 pm. All are welcome! Hope to see you there!
For more information, contact Sue Kern at 983-1413 or kernsu@earlham.edu.

All ESR and Bethany community members are invited to Joint Common Meal, on Wednesday, September 17th at 11:20 a.m. in the ESR Dining Room. Dr. Tom Boomershine, keynote speaker at ESR's Pastor's Conference the following weekend, will be presenting on Biblical Storytelling.

Join us this Thursday for another thrilling Peace Forum. Michael Jackson, Earlham College professor of psychology, will discuss how psychologists have been involved in overseeing the administration of torture (i.e. "extreme interrogation techniques").

Joint Worship
Friday, Sept. 18 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry

"Prayer is part of Christian spirituality, a spirituality which is not a call to turn inward, to retreat from social action and public life but, on the contrary, a call to awaken and to pursue the continuity of things of
the spirit with action for justice and peace."

– Samuel Kobia, 2004 General Secretary, World Council of
Churches

ESR is hosting their annual Pastor's Conference on Saturday, September 20th from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm in the ESR Center. Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Tom Boomershine will speak on the topic of biblical storytelling. Other workshops on this topic will be offered. Breakfast and lunch are included in the $40 registration fee. Students attend for free!

Please join us for College Meeting for Worship to hear Bob Hunter speak on "A Force More Powerful" on Sunday, September 21 at 11am in Stout Meetinghouse. This will be the fifth in a worship series on Principles and Practices. Kelly Burk, Director of Campus Ministries - burkke@earlham.edu, ext. 1386.

“Facilitating Sustainable Agreements,”
Monday September 22, 10-12, ending with lunch provided by ESR (RSVP requested for lunch head count)

“Spiritual Journey: Turning to and away from God and Religion,”

Tuesday September 23, 11:20-1 pm. ESR dining room (Lunch is $7 for non ESR folks; the presentation is free)

Mary Ann will present a piece of her own spiritual journey as part of ESR’s weekly common meal. We gather for prayers and lunch at 11:20. Speaker begins at noon.

Come, experience our Brethren-ness as we begin the Fall Faculty Preaching series, “Intersections” by embarking on the vision of our Anabaptist and Pietist roots!

Meeting for Worship with attention to Spiritual Healing will be held in the Moriuchi Room. On Wednesday Sept. 24 from 12-12:30. Participants are encouraged to center in unprogrammed worship and then worshipfully move to the Moriuchi room. If you'd like to be held in the light, please contact Sue Axtell or Jerry Knutson

On Thursday, September 25, the ESR Worship Committee invites one-and-all to come together during the time set aside for Programmed worship in a service of breaking bread together. In this non-traditional Communion service, we encourage people to come to the table with their memories of Communions past, their views on Communion present and hopes for Communion future.

For this week, Peace Forum will focus on the concept of "community policing." This approach to policing emphasizes building community connections between police and neighborhoods. Bobby Lipps from the Richmond Police Department will join us to talk abut how Richmond is applying this idea. Join us for a nice lunch and great conversation.

Attention Writers!
Ministry of Writing Colloquium
Friday and Saturday, October 24-25 at ESR
Keynote speaker author Robert Wicks, and presenters including Tom Mullen, Jean Harper and others.
Cost: $25 for students, $65 for non-students before October 11th, $70 after October 11th
Cost includes breakfast, lunch and refreshments

Joint Worship
Friday, Sept. 26
11:20 am
Quigg

Does your soul long for God (Ps 42:1)?

Join us as we explore this longing of the soul through music, scriptures,
and reading as we reflect on some of the many images of God in the Bible.

“Deepening the Spiritual Life of a Meeting” Friday September 26, 12-3:30 with lunch provided by ESR (RSVP requested for lunch count)

Stephanie Mann will speak at College Meeting for Worship on September 28, 2008 at 11 am. This is the sixth in a worship series on Principles and Practices. "Finding the Peace Within" will be the topic of her sharing. Please join us for a continental breakfast at 10:30 am prior to worship at 11 am.

This past summer ESR and Earlham hosted a gathering of Young Adult Friends. Nathan Sebens and other ESR students who were involved will be talking about their experiences.

Join us this Thursday, Oct. 2, 12-1:10pm, for a presentation on seeking security in Palestine/Israel. Our presenter, Margaret Hawthorn, recently spent several months at the Ramallah Friends School teaching writing and listening to stories. She is a graduate of the School of Religion and now is working on editing a collection of the stories she heard.

Joint Worship
Friday, October 3 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

The Muslim observance of Ramadan is a time to ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils. It is also a time of purity through self-restraint and doing good deeds.

Bonita Washington-Lacey, Associate Dean of the College and Registrar will speak at College Meeting for Worship on October 5th in Stout Meetinghouse. Bonita will speak on "Simplicity: The Evidence of God's Grace in One's Walk." This is the seventh in a worship series on Principles and Practices. Please join us at 10:30 am for a continental breakfast followed by worship at 11:00 am.

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, October 8 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

You may be familiar with the parable of the dishonest manager from Luke 16:1-13. As we continue the Fall Faculty Preaching series, Travis Poling leads us in worship as we delve into contemporary issues of faith and finance.

Join us this week for a presentation by Aaron Nell, director of the Richmond Conflict Resolution Center, on how mediation relates to security.

Please join us for worship in the Quigg Meeting Room 11:20 on Thursdays.

This week we will focus on experiencing the Holy in and through the physical world of nature.

Joint Worship
Friday, October 10 @ 11:20 am
Quigg

This is a special week in the world, for the holy days of Yom Kippur and Eid al Fitr converge. You are invited to listen to the poetry and words written for these special days.

"Live simply so others may simply live," will be the topic for College Meeting for Worship on October 12 at 11 a.m. by Anna Putnam, Senior Psychology Major. This is the eighth of a worship series on Principles and Practices. Please join us at 10:30 am for a continental breakfast and worship at 11 am in Stout Meetinghouse. Childcare will be provided.

Cathy Anthofer, Earlham's Director of Campus Safety and Security is going to present suggestions on how to best take the opportunity out of crime, skills or tools for your personal safety tool kit, and information on understanding escalation to violence and what an individual can do to de-escalate a potentially violent situation.

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, October 15 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

Continuing our Fall Faculty Preaching Series, we turn to look at “Other Sheep.” Julie Hostetter, Director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, brings the message for worship from intersecting texts in the Gospel of John.

Meeting for Worship with attention to Spiritual Healing will be held in the Moriuchi Room. On Wednesday October 15 from 12-12:30. Participants are encouraged to center in unprogrammed worship and then worshipfully move to the Moriuchi room. If you'd like to be held in the light, please contact Sue Axtell or Jerry Knutson

Mary Lacey, Professor of English, will speak at College Meeting for Worship on October 19, 2008 at 11 am in Stout Meetinghouse. Mary will speak on, "Home for the Harvest." Please join us at 10:30 am for a continental breakfast before worship at 11 am. Childcare will be provided. Kelly Burk, Director of Campus Ministries, ext. 1386.

Ask not what the community can do for us, ask what we can do for the comunity!

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, October 22 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

Neither this world nor our lives are so broken God cannot restore them to wholeness. Join us for chapel this Wednesday as we wrap up our Fall Faculty Preaching Series.

Kendall Rogers, Professor of Historical Studies, will guide us in reflecting on the injustices of war that we have been a part of throughout history.

Bethany Common Meal begins Wednesday, October 22, directly after chapel in the ESR Gathering Area/Dining Room.
Come, eat, drink tea/coffee, be merry!

There will be no Peace Forum on Oct. 16 because of mid-semester break, but join us on Oct. 23 when Melissa Hill will talk about the role of third parties in US politics. Melissa has worked for the third party campaign of Ralph Nader and has studied the role of third parties in US political history.

Joint Worship
Friday, October 24
11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

David Johns, ESR's chief theologian, will bring the message to Joint Worship this week. His sermon title is "A Change of Plan." He will be reflecting on what it's like to trust and strike out on the journey, even when your map doesn't reflect the terrain or it looks like you're walking off the map.

Michael Birkel, Interfaith Dialog

As the General Presidential Election approaches, we and those to whom we minister are faced with decisions in our civic lives that greatly impact our entire country's way of being in the world. How and to what extent do discussions around elections and other political matters intersect with our faith and ministry?

Phil Baisley will lead the annual expedition to the "dark side" in this worship service focusing on "The Valley and the Shadow." Music by Murder By Death, Charlotte Autry, and Nightwish, with a special song for the season by GrandpaJoe.

This week we will ponder the possibility that the 2008 election will be stolen. The evidence is clear that fraud turned the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections and altered the 2006 mid-term election. Lonnie Valentine will present some of this evidence, showing video clips from the documentary "Uncounted." Also, we will discuss what to watch out for in the upcoming election.

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a budding foodie, whether your culinary abilities are gourmet or microwave-from-a-box, all are welcome to participate in the 3rd Annual Iron Chef Competition!*

Teams comprised of the Bethany and ESR communities and extended friends
and families are invited to spend the day cooking up a storm using a secret
ingredient in each of the recipes!

Please join us as Michael Birkel speaks on "Discernment: Sorting Laundry and Untangling Threads" for the ninth of a worship series on Principles and Practices. November 2 at 11 am in Stout Meetinghouse, continental breakfast at 10:30 am. Childcare provided. Kelly Burk, Director of Campus Ministries, ext. 1386.

Come support Kate Newlin during her MA thesis presentation

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, November 5 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

As Martin Luther King, Jr once said, “The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.”

Meeting for Worship with Attention to Spiritual Healing will be held in the Moriuchi Room. from noon to 12:30 on Wednesday. Participants are encouraged to attend Unprogrammed Worship at 11:20 in Quigg and then worshipfully move to the Moriuchi room.

If you'd like to be held in the Light, please contact Sue Axtell or Jerry Knutson

Programmed worship on Thursday, Nov. 6 will be an All Saints Celebration. We will be remembering those who have gone before us, particularly in the last year or so.

If there are friends, loved ones, or other saints that you would like named in this service (both seminary communities are welcome to contribute names), please email them to Jim Higginbotham: higgija@earlham.edu

This week's Peace Forum will feature singer and song writer Bill Joliff. Please join us for some fun. As always, good food and good company, too.
Look for announcements of Bill's other presentations on campus.

JointWorship
Friday, November 7 @ 11:20 am
Quigg

Join us for Joint Worship this Friday for a time of expectant waiting.

We will gather in silence for a simple form of outward worship that will open our spirits to a deep inward experience.

Come, find the fresh and transforming Grace that is the presence of God!

College Meeting for Worship: “Discernment: A service of music & storytelling.” Guest Musician: Bill Jolliff of George Fox University and
Storytellers: ESR Students, will present College Meeting for Worship on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM in Stout Meetinghouse.
Continental Breakfast at 10:30
This is the tenth of a worship series on
Principles and Practices.

Mark your Calendar for the Third Mini-handbell Festival!

The public performance is scheduled for Sunday, November 9th at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary of Central United Methodist Church. Four local handbell choirs combine to present this exciting concert! You don't want to miss this. Call your neighbor, bring a friend!

Let us come together next Wednesday, November 12th to hear those among us who have stories to tell about Supervised Ministry and Clinical Pastoral Experiences!

Lunch will begin at 11:20, program will begin at 12:10.

All are welcome!

Last summer Earlham College students Syed Mafiz Onik KIamal and Ishmail Sheriff Daoh organized an eight-day art workshop for war-affected children in Daoh's hometown of Freetown in Sierra Leone. Syed and Ishmail were awarded the Kathryn Wasserman Davis "100 Projects for Peace" grant to carry out their idea.
As always, good food and good company.

Joint Worship
Friday, November 14 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

Peace. Prayer. Joy.

Preparation of a Pure Heart. Meditation on Our Spiritual Nature. Love and Praise.

Through scripture, expectant silence, readings and music we will explore worship together.

Holly Dehner, Senior Religion Major will speak on "The Feminine Divine" on Sunday, November 16 at 11 am in Stout Meetinghouse. Please join us for a continental breakfast at 10:30. Childcare will be provided.

Writing students from ESR and Bethany will be reading!

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, November 19 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

Come, experience “The Fullness of God in Worship” as members from the cross-cultural trip to Iona, Scotland guide us in worship influenced by Celtic Christianity.

Everyone (Bethany and ESR) is invited to come together for a Thanksgiving-esque potluck this Wednesday, November 19th at 12:10 p.m. in the ESR Dining Room!!

So far on the menu: Turkey and Stuffing (gluten-free), Tofurkey, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Corn out of the garden, Bread and Apple Butter, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potatoes (both savory and sweet w/ Apples), Cranberries, other desserts...

Join us for poetry at Peace Forum on Thursday, November 20 12-1:10 in the seminary dining room. David Ebenbach, teacher of creative writing at Earlham, will discuss community projects where he has brought in poetry as a way to connect people. Food for mind, body and soul.

JointWorship
Friday, November 21@ 11:20 am
Quigg

We all need healing. We all need forgiveness. Bethany’s Training in Ministry program coordinators will guide us in another look at bringing healing through forgiveness into our lives.

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, December 3 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

As we begin the season of Advent, we come together in worship marked by a communal spirit of longing, preparation, expectation, and anticipation.

Meeting for Worship with Attention to Spiritual Healing will be held in the Moriuchi Room. from noon to 12:30 on Wednesday. Participants are encouraged to attend Unprogrammed Worship at 11:20 in Quigg and then worshipfully move to the Moriuchi room.

If you'd like to be held in the Light, please contact Sue Axtell or Jerry Knutson

Local author Jean Harper and storyteller Jennie Kiffmeyer worked with 2nd graders at Crestdale Elementary in Richmond to increase literacy through photography projects, “creating tangible links between people and people, people and place, all of which strengthen the fabric of community.”

Joint Worship
Friday, December 5@ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

“The exchange with God becomes real for us in prayer: by his Holy Spirit, God comes to dwell within us. By his word and by the sacraments, Christ gives himself to us. In return, we can surrender everything to him.”
~ Brother Alois, Letter from Cochabamba, Taizé, France

I will survive
as long as i know how to love
I know I will stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive

Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Cake, YOU.....

Choose your lyrics, we'll provide the music.....
it's KARAOKE time!!!

That's right.....it's....

KARAOKE NIGHT, Live at the Seminaries!

Katherine Jordan, Senior Religion Major will speak on "A question of hope" at College Meeting for Worship on Sunday, December 7 at 11 am in Stout Meetinghouse. There will be a continental breakfast at 10:30 am. Childcare will be provided.

College Meeting for Worship on December 14 will be "Silent Worship" in the manner of Unprogrammed Friends. 11 am - Stout Meetinghouse with a continental breakfast at 10:30 am prior to worship. Childcare will be provided.

The Richmond Church of the Brethren invites all in the seminary communities to join us in Christmas caroling!

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE: Join us for a candlelight service of beautiful carols and the Christmas story. Following the service, there will be a lighting of luminaria around campus and refreshments in Bolling Center. When: Tues. Dec 16, 7 p.m. Where: Stout Meetinghouse. Contact: Campus Ministries, x1386, burkke@earlham.edu .

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

Joint Common Meal for students taking January Intensives, and employees of ESR and Bethany. Noon-1:00. There's no program scheduled, just time to meet new students, renew old friendships, and enjoy the New Year!

There is also a Common Meal on Wednesday, January 14th, same time.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

It's time again for all-students to gather together (both physically in
our Bethany Gathering Area AND through a webcast) and share our thoughts
and feelings about a few important topics!

Join the Student Leadership Team in the Bethany Gathering Area this
Thursday, January 8th at 7 p.m. for discussion of the following topics:

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.

The thesis defense committee (Steve Angell and Stephanie Ford) would like to invite you to Lloyd Lee Wilson's defense of his Master's Thesis on the subject of:
“The Remnant of Like Faith” :
The First Fifty Years
of North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative).

This will be an open defense. Anyone is welcome to attend. Robert Barclay Conference Room.

All are welcome,

Morning Prayers will be held each week day during January intensives in Nicarry Chapel. It is a time to center for your day of study, writing, or work.

8:00am - 8:15am: an informal time of gathering in silence. Come at any point during this opening 15 minutes. There are candles that you may light as you focus on your concerns, disciplines and joys for the day.