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LOCATION AND TIME: We will be meeting in PAES 103. As usual we will gather at 6:30 and after some time to hang out and catch up, we will enter into worship and then dig into Ecclesiastes. We finish around 8 pm and then go out afterward to dinner at a local dinner spot decided on via a survey to the Yahoo group.

TOPIC FOR NEXT QUARTER: Next quarter's topic is "what you always wanted to know about Christianity but were afraid to ask." What this means is that we will be soliciting your questions on this theme. We will be collecting suggestions at this Friday's meeting, or you can email me if you won't be able to make it. Can't guarantee that we will cover every question but we will do as many as we can.

SMALL GROUPS AND SALT GROUPS: We are interested in finding out whether there are people interested in a SALT group (disciplinary discussion and support groups) or a small group meeting near campus. We will ask for your feedback on Friday but if you won't be there, feel free to email me on this as well.

PARADE OF TEARS: This is the kickoff event for the Price of Life Invitational. It will take place on Sunday April 18 from 3 to 6 pm beginning at the new Ohio Union. We hope 5,000 plus students and others in the Christian community will participate. We also hope each participant will donate/raise $100 toward anti-trafficking efforts of our partnership organizations. Our overall goal is to raise over $100,000 through this event. Online donations can made through the website. If you collect any donations, checks should be to InterVarsity with Price of Life in the memo. All proceeds will go to our partner organizations. So plan to walk and help us reach our goal in the fight against human trafficking!]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100226-061128
LOCATION AND TIME: We will be meeting in PAES 103. As usual we will gather at 6:30 and after some time to hang out and catch up, we will enter into worship and then dig into Ecclesiastes. We finish around 8 pm and then go out afterward to dinner at a local dinner spot decided on via a survey to the Yahoo group.

PRIZE DRAWING! We will have a prize drawing for copies of Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen. Everyone who attended the workshop last Saturday is entered!

PRICE OF LIFE WEBSITE: Check out the Price of Life website for information about this upcoming outreach, the ability to donate to anti-trafficking efforts, and more info about human trafficking.]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100219-100950
ACTIVITY: We will be Swing Dancing this Friday. Now for some, this is really scary because you've never done this. Not to worry. Steve Yao will be our dance instructor for the evening (Steve taught us Salsa Dancing last year!). Steve is a great instructor, and even if you have two left feet, you will have a good time. Invite all your department friends and join us. The dance will run from 6:30 until around 9:30 with breaks for food and socializing. We will have some great food there!

LOCATION: Our swing dance will be held in the middle room of the Royer Student Activities Center on north campus. Use the campus map to get you there. Enter by the north set of doors (on the left side of the front of the building), go up the steps, pass the hall and enter the door on your right.

FOOD AND SET UP REMINDER: For those of you who signed up to bring an appetizer, dessert or drinks, please remember to bring them! If you have any question about what you are bringing, contact Kim Orleans. If you didn't sign up but want to bring food, bring an appetizer, dessert or a beverage--main course will be provided! If you helping with set up, the room will be available at 6 pm.

SATURDAY PRICE OF LIFE KICKOFF AND TRAINING REMINDER: On Saturday from 9:30 to 3 pm, we will have the kickoff event for the Price of Life Invitational April 18-23. Content for the day will include an event orientation, information about human trafficking, and training in working at Proxe' Stations including a helpful approach to sharing the gospel. We are asking for a suggested donation of $5 to cover training materials. And any CGSA member who attends will be eligible for a drawing at the next CGSA meeting for a free text or audiobook copy of Gary Haugen's Good News About Injustice (we will award one of each!). Some have asked about attending for part of the day. Whole day attendance is encouraged but if you can come for part of the day, we would suggest from 9:30 to 12:30.
]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100204-132734
Wealth=contentment. The writer of Ecclesiastes might take issue with this equation. This week's study of Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 will explore both contentment and the pursuit of wealth.

LOCATION AND TIME: We will be meeting in PAES 103. As usual we will gather at 6:30 and after some time to hang out and catch up, we will enter into worship and then dig into Ecclesiastes. We finish around 8 pm. This week, our leadership team decided that we would order in some pizza since we will be joined by some students coming up from Cincinnati. They will be headed back Friday night and this will allow them to get on the road early. Be prepared to chip in a few dollars to help cover the cost.

WEATHER CONTINGENCY: Some reports indicate we could have heavy snow tomorrow evening. If this looks to be the case and it seems advisable to cancel our meeting, we will send an email to this by 4 pm tomorrow.

SUPERBOWL PARTY! Randy and Christina Mathison are hosting a Super Bowl party this Sunday evening. Here's what Christina writes:
For the Super Bowl party we were thinking of starting at 6:00. We thought we could make pizzas together for dinner and would ask everyone to bring their favorite pizza topping (cheese, pepperoni, etc.), and a drink, or a snack. If those who are coming could email Randy (mathison.4@osu.edu) or me (mathison.5@osu.edu) or just let us know some how so we can get a count and pass along directions.

COMING EVENTS:

February 19: The CGSA Swing Dance

February 20: Proxe Station Training for the Price of Life Outreach, 9:30am to 3:30 pm at Hitchcock Auditorium. In April CGSA will join more than a dozen campus organizations in an outreach around the issue of human trafficking. This day will be a critical orientation on the issue of human trafficking, the use of interactive kiosk-like stations to raise awareness and involvement and training in sharing the message of Christ in the context of this outreach. More info at CGSA this Friday!
]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100128-195842
LOCATION AND TIME: We will be meeting in PAES 103. As usual we will gather at 6:30 and after some time to hang out and catch up, we will enter into worship and then dig into Ecclesiastes. We finish around 8 pm and then go out afterward to dinner at a local dinner spot decided on via a survey to the Yahoo group.

COMING EVENTS:

February 19: The CGSA Swing Dance

February 20: Proxe Station Training for the Price of Life Outreach, 9:30am to 3:30 pm at Hitchcock Auditorium. In April CGSA will join more than a dozen campus organizations in an outreach around the issue of human trafficking. This day will be a critical orientation on the issue of human trafficking, the use of interactive kiosk-like stations to raise awareness and involvement and training in sharing the message of Christ in the context of this outreach. More info at CGSA this Friday!]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100120-213019 Sustainable Witness.

Our regular meetings at PAES 103 will resume next Friday and we will continue our study of Ecclesiastes.]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100114-212821
LOCATION AND TIME: We will be meeting in PAES 103. As usual we will gather at 6:30 and after some time to hang out and catch up, we will enter into worship and then dig into Ecclesiastes. We finish around 8 pm and then go out afterward to dinner at a local dinner spot decided on via a survey to the Yahoo group.

WINTER RETREAT REMINDER! Next week, January 22-23 we will be going away on retreat to the Heartland Retreat Center for a retreat on "Sustainable Witness". We will be exploring what it means to bear witness to Christ with those around us in academic or professional life with thoughtfulness, integrity and compassion. Craig Gartland, Midwest Director for InterVarsity Grad and Faculty Ministry will speak. The retreat is from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon at 4 pm. You'll be home for dinner!

It is still possible to sign up for the retreat. You can download the retreat flyer at the CGSA Winter Retreat website and bring the flyer and your check to the meeting this Friday. Money an issue? Talk to me or one of the CGSA leaders--help is available.

There are many good organizations doing relief work in Haiti. I would suggest World Vision at www.worldvision.org/haiti if you are considering a donation. And remember to pray for Haiti before you go to sleep tonight, remembering the people whose bed is in the streets.]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry091123-165714 Download the brochure here.

One way to live dangerously in the academic world is to self-identify as a follower of Christ. It is a live question for followers of Christ in the academic world as to whether we can be faithful to Jesus call to be his witnesses and survive, let alone flourish, in the academic world.

Sometimes we think we can just witness through the character of our lives (even though the only clear message here is that we are ‘good’ people). Or we hope that the quality and character of our work will be our witness (except how does this convey anything about Christ’s death, resurrection, and transforming work?).

The other issue some of us face is that we learned models of witness at earlier points in our journey that we wouldn’t be caught dead prac-ticing in an academic setting.

During the retreat, we will be exploring what it means to be Christ’s wit-nesses in the academic and profes-sional world and how we might develop practices that are sustain-able over the long haul. ]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry091119-111623
This Friday, John "Jack" Watson will help us explore the impact of C S Lewis' scholarly community on his life as a Christian academic and author. Jack is pastor emeritus of Bethel Presbyterian Church and Director of the Anselm Institute as well as the Board of Ohio Central Bible College.

Most important, Jack is a lover of the work of C S Lewis, having regularly attended various CS Lewis conferences and discussion groups.

TIME AND PLACE: We meet at 6:30 pm on Friday at PAES (Physical Activities & Educational Services) 103. The link provides a campus map. PAES is connected to and just east of RPAC, our recreation facility. Come in the front door of PAES (one should be unlocked and we may have some friendly faces out to welcome!). Room 103 is the first room on the left just inside the front door.

DINNER OUT THIS WEEK! Most weeks, CGSA goes out to eat after meetings and all are welcome. If you need a ride to the restaurant, or home afterwards, we're glad to help. We usually choose restaurants via a survey sent out to everyone in our Yahoo Group (not this group). To participate and join the fun of selecting the restaurant, go to the Yahoo! Groups Information page on the CGSA website and follow the subscription instructions. If you are signed up, you will have already received this week's poll, the results of which will be announced at the CGSA meeting! (This is also a group anyone can post to for informal events, roommate searches, stuff to sell and more.)

OSU-Michigan GAME BASH! Paul and Jona are hosting a game party at their apartment. They are gauging interest in getting together to watch the Michigan game this Saturday. They would love to have people over! Some of you probably already have plans but if you don't and you're interested e-mail Jona at jona.d.hilario@gmail.com. The game is this Saturday November 21 at 12 noon. Games usually last for three hours. If you're new to OSU (or the US!) and would like to have the game of American football explained, that can also be arranged.]]> http://www.osu-cgsa.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry091112-220322