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Give Your Gifts Freely by Dr. Jennifer Diaz (Education)

Uncovering Vocation Series

Uncovering Vocation is a partnership between Campus Ministry and the Christensen Center for Vocation at Augsburg University. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, a member of the Augsburg community is invited to share a component of their vocation story. It has become a way of building community, becoming reacquainted with one another, and celebrating the diversity of people and vocations that make Augsburg University the beautiful place it is.

One morning about a month ago, as I was running around the house, getting everyone ready for school, when my 3.5 year old son drew an almost perfect circle on a leather stool with a bright red, permanent marker. When I came in the room he pointed to it with the marker and said, “I did not do this.” I frantically told him: We only draw on paper. And asked him repeatedly, “why did you do that?” He responded with tears, apologies, and a smirky 3 year old smile that told me he was both sorry and not sorry. I don’t think I will ever know “why” he did it but I imagine he got the idea and he couldn’t NOT draw the bright red circle while no one was looking. It was a little bit brave and I think he knew it. He definitely took a risk with his selection of media. But he went for it. 

After scrubbing the chair with nail polish remover, I crouched down next to him and said, “That was a very beautiful circle. Next time, please draw it on paper”. 

I tell this story because I believe in the idea that everyone and everything is a teacher. The story of the red circle is funny and playful (in hindsight of course) and it is also a statement about how I try to understand what each moment is teaching me. And what I am teaching others through my life and work.  Continue reading “Give Your Gifts Freely by Dr. Jennifer Diaz (Education)”

That’s a wrap! Final Two Vocation Chapels This Academic Year

Mark Hanson speaking at the podium in chapelIt has been a wonderful year full of stories from our community about how our staff and faculty have uncovered their own vocations throughout their lives. It truly has been an honor and blessing to listen to these stories. We are grateful for each one of them and for the campus ministry team for their willingness to try something new with us. We are looking forward to hearing more when we return to campus in the fall.

 

Watch our last two vocation chapels below from Dr. Ryan Haaland, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Rev. Mark Hanson, Interfaith Institute Fellow.


In case you are new or are unsure what vocation means. Vocation is a term we use a lot around Augsburg. It can be vague. It can mean different things to different people. It can feel elusive and slippery.

An attempt to explain vocation by Jeremy Myers: “You have probably heard the word vocation used to talk about one’s job. It is sometimes used to describe post-secondary educational institutions designed to train individuals for certain trades such as electrician, welder, plumber, carpenter, mechanic, etc. We use the term differently at Augsburg. It can be associated with your job, but it is also much more than that. Vocation is the way you are equipped, empowered, called, and driven to make our world a better place for all living things.”


“Be Careful What You Wish For”

“Formative Disruptions”

 

“The Unleashed Voice” A Thought-Provoking Vlog by Geoffrey Gill

Our congregational facilitator, Geoffrey Gill, has been exploring his own vocation of vlogging. It is an honor to share on our CCV blog another inspirational video of his. It has been an opportunity to see through Geoffrey’s perspective of the world and how he inspires us to continue to show up as our authentic selves and to use our voice and actions to care for our neighbors around us in brave and powerful ways. Please enjoy!

A journey of self-discovery and empowerment! In my latest vlog, I delve into the impact of body language and the importance of being true to yourself. This thought-provoking vlog was inspired by MLK Day and will leave you feeling inspired to embrace your power, find your voice, and follow your heart. — Geoffrey Gill

Featuring: Pan African manager- Kezia Burrows, Drummer Spirit Boy, “Change Gonna Come” Traiveon Burrows

(In order of performance)

Poet: Curtis Love

Poet: LeeRayvone Gibson

Keynote speaker – Terrance Kwame-Ross

Thank you Augsburg University

The Story Remembered: Advent Vespers

Thursday, December 8

Advent Vespers Reflection by Geoffrey Gill

Isaiah 11:1-5

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

In Hebrew, Jesse means “God’s gift” or “God exists.” This passage revealed to me that God is inside me and God is growing. That his spirit has roots that are growing deep and branches that are stretching out of me. That as God grows within me so does God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding naturally flow more potently through me. I feel a presence of deep adoration, a humbleness, and awe. As my relationship with God grows- how I see and hear the world emerges through this relationship. God exists and is emerging in everyone around me; I just need to have the eyes to see. This is sometimes challenging, especially when we live in a chaotic and despondent world.

I pray that we remember “God works best in chaos’’ (Walter Brueggemann) and that we daily surrender to that which already lives inside of us. God exists! – That within our relationship with God we grow roots so deep we will be unshakable, branches so wide that we can touch others and they will be empowered, and that we provide shade for those in need of faith and rest.

Uncovering the Mystery: Campus Ministry Fall Theme

Written by Hannah Sackett, our Campus Ministry Pastoral Intern. Hannah has previously worked with CCV through a local congregation involvement in our Riverside Innovation Hub. We are excited to have her on campus this next year. Find out more about Hannah here. 

The school year has begun at Augsburg University! The buildings are abuzz with energy and life, and there is a general sense of newness as the community navigates what it looks like to be together again in these days. Much of what the school year may hold remains undiscovered and unknown; full of possibilities, but also perhaps tinged with some new-year-nerves. As the new pastoral intern on campus, I can relate! 

 

The campus ministry team at the block party outside Foss. This fall, the theme in Campus Ministry is “Uncovering the Mystery”, a theme that in itself allows space for multiple meanings: holding space for Scripture, learning from one another in community, and practicing listening deeply, to name a few. But it also encourages us to explore some big questions together. Does something need to be uncovered in our lives in order to live into God’s call more fully? How might we make space for new wisdom to take root, to reveal what has felt hidden? Will something about our vocation be made clearer to us this year? Maybe sitting in mystery together can allow for new understandings, as well as a comfort with the unknown. 

 

For a period of time, I worked as a canoe guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota. And during canoe trips, I was often eager to know my exact route, know where each portage trail began and ended, to know how things would unfold. Oftentimes, though, the geographical twists and turns on the lakes in real life were not as easy to navigate as they were on the birdseye view from a map. Commonly, in fact, you couldn’t really see a portage entrance until it was right in front of you – and it was definitely easier and more enjoyable to do with other group members. Over time, I became more comfortable with the phrase we often used, “Know as you go”. And while it’s not always easy, it felt like a life lesson that applied to more than just canoe trips. What can feel like a mystery is often revealed if we draw closer to it and pay attention together. 

 

Students with Pastor Babette at the Block partyThe theme of “Uncovering the Mystery” similarly invites us to come closer and sit together in life and faith’s countless question marks, in the hope that new understanding and new life is just around the corner, waiting to be revealed. We’re so happy to welcome students back to campus this fall, and welcome all to come be a part of all that’s going on in campus ministries! 

 

2017 Alternative Spring Break to West Virginia

This Spring Break, join with other Auggies to travel to West Virginia!

Over spring break this year, several Augsburg students will travel to West Virginia to work on building projects with Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity. While working as a team, students will not only serve the community but think about how the experience connects to their own education and neighborhood. Auggies will explore vocational interests while their skills grow. You can be one of these students!

4 Augsburg students working together on a Habitat project

Registration for 2017 Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is open until February 3 on a first-come, first-served basis (with $100 deposit required).

The trip will take place March 11-18, 2017; and the cost is $250—includes transportation, lodging, equipment, and most meals.

To register visit: http://www.augsburg.edu/campusministry/alternativespringbreak/ to download the registration form. The forms and $100 deposit should be turned into Campus Ministry in Foss 104.

“Like” us on facebook! And follow us on twitter @AuggieSpringBrk

Sponsored By: Campus Ministry and Christensen Center for Vocation

Since 2006, Augsburg College’s Campus Ministry has committed to spring break service. These experiences have led students into unfamiliar territory to serve in a different area, reflect on the impact of the experience (both of their work and of what they learned through the people they encounter), and continue to imagine their own lifelong commitment to service. Past trips include New Orleans, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi, and Laredo, Texas, and Mobile, Alabama.

 

2016 Alternative Spring Break to Laredo

Since 2006, Augsburg College’s Campus Ministry has committed to spring break service. These experiences have led students into unfamiliar territory to serve in a different area, reflect on the impact of the experience (both of their work and of what they learned through the people they encounter), and continue to imagine their own lifelong commitment to service. Past trips include New Orleans, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi, and Laredo, Texas, and Mobile, Alabama. This year, Auggies will return to Laredo to work on building projects with Habitat for Humanity. While working as a team, students will not only serve the community but think about how the experience connects to their own education and neighborhood. Auggies will explore vocational interests while their skills grow.

Group of Augsburg students with Habitat Homeowner in Laredo

Registration for the event is open until February 5, and on a first-come, first-served basis (with $100 deposit required). The trip will take place March 12-19, 2016; and the cost is $250—includes transportation, lodging, equipment, and most meals.

To register visit: http://www.augsburg.edu/campusministry/ to download the registration form. The form should be turned into Campus Ministry in Foss 104.

Sponsored By: Campus Ministry and Christensen Center for Vocation

“Like” us on facebook! And follow us on twitter @AuggieSpringBrk

 

 

Religion at Augsburg – New Faculty Series

Religion at Augsburg 

Presentation by Pastor Sonja Hagander and Marty Stortz, Professor of Religion

Wednesday, November 11, 12:15-1:15 pm,

Find out how Augsburg’s origins as a seminary in a specific Christian tradition lay the foundations for a rich appreciation of religious and non-religious diversity. All faculty and staff are invited to this next session in the New Faculty Orientation Series brought to you by the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Christensen Center for Vocation.

All are welcome to this brown bag session in the Campus Ministry Seminar Room (Foss 110) – bring your lunch and join us!

What’s in a Name? A Christian Reflection on Current Events

On January 28, 2015, Martha E. Stortz’s chapel talk at  Augsburg College connected current events of Charlie Hebdo and Ferguson with the naming that Jesus does in the Sermon on the Mount: Light. Salt.

Her timely reflection is available electronically – What’s In a Name?