3 Nov, 2006
College removes cross from chapel!
The cross from the altar area of the chapel at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., has been removed to ensure the space is seen as a nondenominational area, explains administrator Melissa Engimann.
"In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space, and to make it more welcoming to students, faculty, staff and visitors of all faiths, the cross has been removed from the altar area," Engimann announced in an e-mail to staff.
The cross will be returned to the altar for those who wish to use it for events, services or private prayer, the campus newspaper, the Flat Hat, reported.
The college was formerly associated with the Anglican Church. Since 1906, the college has been non-denominational and publicly supported. Though the cross will be removed, the room will still be considered a chapel, college officials said.
photo & story courtesy worldnetdaily.com, 10/27/06
Faith without the cross?
You can't have Jesus without His cross!
What does today's God's Story teach us about the importance of Christ's cross?
Let's get to the bottom line right away - without the cross of Jesus, there is no God's Story! If there's no cross, there's no sacrifice. If there's no sacrifice, there's no Savior. If there's no Savior, there's no forgiveness. If there's no forgiveness, there's no hope. If there's no hope, there's no reason to live. If there's no reason to live, there's no story of a loving God Who sent His only Son to rescue us!
God is telling us (through the words His Spirit gave Paul) that His Story of love is more important than the storyteller. We don't have to be a persuasive communicator with great knowledge and skill. The power comes from God through the message of Christ's cross.
The world doesn't think with God's perspective, so the story of the cross will seem foolish to them. Love...grace...gift...faith...trust...new life...seems too simple...
This is what 3Story is all about! As we abide in Christ....we will love others...learn their stories...share our story...connect them to God's Story...which doesn't happen without Christ's cross...and the empty tomb!
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- Spend a few minutes right now in prayer and worship. Let Jesus remind you that about 2000 years ago, He literally hung and died on a cross for you...for your sins...because He loves you....listen to His Spirit and respond...
- Hopefully you will fellowship and worship with other followers of Jesus this weekend. Wherever and whatever the setting, look for visual reminders of the cross. Listen for words and music and stories about the cross. Think about Christ's cross. Afterwards, write down how the reality of Christ's cross impacted you. Try to take time on a regular basis to let the amazing story of Christ's cross impact you in a fresh way.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
- Remember to let Jesus give you His compassion for others. It can be tempting to get upset with friends and family who are trapped in this world's secular perspective. It's easy to just give up on them becasue they are "foolish" when it comes to Christ's cross. With Christ's love and grace, you can be full of God's "wisdom" as He helps you connect the stories.
- With those in your storysphere who are comfortable with you sharing some of your story, you might ask questions like: WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY PEOPLE WEAR A CROSS OF SOME KIND? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU SEE A CROSS? DO YOU THINK JESUS WOULD BE TALKED ABOUT MUCH IF HE HAD NEVER DIED ON THE CROSS? WHY OR WHY NOT? MAY I SHARE WITH YOU WHAT CHRIST'S CROSS MEANS TO ME?
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
