Welcome to St. Paul’s Lutheran ChapelOpening Weekend 2007
Opening weekend at the University of Iowa greeted new students with sunshine and cooler temperatures. The weather provided the perfect backdrop as the students, staff, and congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel welcomed both internationals and Americans to Iowa City.
The work began on Thursday, August 23. The Peer Ministry team assembled for a BBQ and planning session. They finalized details of outreach events while munching on burgers, chips, melon, and cookies. It became readily apparent that the next three days were going to be a lot of work but a lot of fun.
The first event of the weekend was the International Student Ministry (ISM) dinner. Deaconess Intern Leonarda Decker secured Pavilion 3 in Upper City Park, and at 5:00 PM on Friday the 24, international students and the ISM core of volunteers got together for food and fellowship. It was great time. Many new faces were in the group, which is always exciting!
On Saturday the Peer Ministry team loaded their backpacks with 500 bags of M&M’s bearing a Chapel information sticker. Each bag of candy had the Chapel address, phone number, and worship schedule. The team headed off to the dorms, handing out M&M’s to new students and their families and inviting folks to join us on Sunday.
On 9:00 A.M. Sunday, the Peer Ministry team and members of the permanent congregation arrived at St. Paul’s and started hauling tables, chairs, and sun shelters out to the parking lot. The annual Welcome to the U BBQ is a favorite tradition of all the chapelites. Together we joined in celebrating the Divine Service, and after the worship, the crowd headed out to meet and greet the new students and enjoy a picnic lunch in the parking lot. There was much joy and feasting, and very little food was left by the time the picnic was through!
We had a great start. We’re looking forward to a great year.
Opening weekend at the University of Iowa greeted new students with sunshine and cooler temperatures. The weather provided the perfect backdrop as the students, staff, and congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel welcomed both internationals and Americans to Iowa City.
The work began on Thursday, August 23. The Peer Ministry team assembled for a BBQ and planning session. They finalized details of outreach events while munching on burgers, chips, melon, and cookies. It became readily apparent that the next three days were going to be a lot of work but a lot of fun.
The first event of the weekend was the International Student Ministry (ISM) dinner. Deaconess Intern Leonarda Decker secured Pavilion 3 in Upper City Park, and at 5:00 PM on Friday the 24, international students and the ISM core of volunteers got together for food and fellowship. It was great time. Many new faces were in the group, which is always exciting!
On Saturday the Peer Ministry team loaded their backpacks with 500 bags of M&M’s bearing a Chapel information sticker. Each bag of candy had the Chapel address, phone number, and worship schedule. The team headed off to the dorms, handing out M&M’s to new students and their families and inviting folks to join us on Sunday.
On 9:00 A.M. Sunday, the Peer Ministry team and members of the permanent congregation arrived at St. Paul’s and started hauling tables, chairs, and sun shelters out to the parking lot. The annual Welcome to the U BBQ is a favorite tradition of all the chapelites. Together we joined in celebrating the Divine Service, and after the worship, the crowd headed out to meet and greet the new students and enjoy a picnic lunch in the parking lot. There was much joy and feasting, and very little food was left by the time the picnic was through!
We had a great start. We’re looking forward to a great year.
