Do we have Christian organization at the Rock among students

[Polopiach]

Just wondering whether there are is a christian organization fellowship group at the rock for those who may not want to fellowship in the local churches there.

Polo

[swinginislanddoc]

Polo, yes, we do have a group that meets on Sunday mornings. As a matter of fact I'm one of the worship leaders for it (I don't head that up, I just sing. :P ) When you get here to Saba there will be an announcement and more info. If you start this semester I'll actually be one of the people coming in to make the announcement (look for the tall red-headed chic, that's me! Of course after visiting my sister-in-law's hair woman I don't know what color it will be....)

At any rate, we worship, someone in the group will speak, sometimes we have potlucks, socialize, etc. Good stuff. :D

If you have any more questions just ask!

Until then!

~S 8)

[Polopiach]

S 8) ,

Do you guys meet for, say, Bible study in the middle of the week? How many (approx.) are you? Do you have other programs like outreach to the community or the students? Do have moments when you try to reach out to the other students or island residents? Please kindly let me know how your worship is organized apart from singing worship and praise songs and preaching? More questions next time. These would suffice I suppose...and hope you ain't airborne yet to the stateside. By teh way, when is your semester officially coming to an end?

No, I'll be joining in January 2005, so maybe at that time you won't be spotting a red-dyed hair but maybe a pink one, who knows?

Thanks a lot.

Polo

[swinginislanddoc]

Polo,
Every semester things are a little different - we're looking into some more outreach.

I leave the rock Sunday morning - the semester ended on Thursday.

More later - I'm doing several things at once. :P

~S 8)

PS- PM me and we'll talk more about it.

[swinginislanddoc]

Hey Polo,
While being lazy here in the states I thought I'd address some more of your questions.

We've spoken of many of the things you asked about, but we've been so busy and the students lack the time to really get a lot of things together. We have looked into doing a bible study (but haven't started it), and we've discussed using some of our money for outreach in the community, but have yet to really figure out what kind of outreach we can/want to do. We are definitely open to suggestions though.

In the past, when we had a really strong worship team, we have island-wide worship services (aimed at bringing all of the churches on the island together). We also went one Sunday to hold our service at the nursing home, which most of the residents loved. Really we just need people with the time and motivation to look into and arrange some things. I can safely say that this coming semester I won't have time to plan anything seeing as I'll be a little gnome huddled in the corner of my room trying to memorize illogically named pharmaceuticals.

When you start (in January) if you're interested in organizing some things and/or taking on some responsibilities in the group, we'll be very open to it.

God Bless!
~S 8)

[classic]

Are there any piano's on the church that aren't currently occupied with a musician? I can play piano a bit and would love to do so if they have hymnals I could get the music from.

[swinginislanddoc]

Classic,
We do have a keyboard, currently at the apartment of one of our students but he's going to take over playing guitar this next semester and has reminded us that there is a keyboard available. If someone doesn't come along this semester and play it then it's available.

We don't do a lot of hymnals though - mostly contemporary worship, although we occasionally throw in more traditional stuff. :D

~S 8)

[classic]

I'll keep that in mind ~S 8)
**Note to self- pack one hymnal**

If nothing else, I could just practice..... it would only hurt the ears of those around me (you know God hears my music they way it sounds in my heart- what a good thing) :wink:

[Polopiach]

S 8) ,

Thanks a lot. It seems you are really relaxing! That's great! Well, when you told me that you have christian group, I was just imagining how it can be a wonderful experience just turning the island of Saba upside down with the Gospel of Christ (not religion, nor another church by another name)! I just imagined the population and how receptive they are, and just imagined, waw! What a wonderful place to minister. I believe that God is not just sending us all the way to Saba just to study alone! There is more to it my sister and I trust that with His help we can even spare 1 hour only one weekend...even if it is during teh service to even minister to a group (like the nursing home). I am glad you all have that vision and have been trying to accomplish this despite the pressure of academic work. By the way, approxly how many are you in the group?

The other question is given that the christian students spend most times with their fellow students, is your group trying to reach the other students?
If so, then how receptive are they?

Do you have prayer meetings or fellowship meetings, maybe in the evenings once a week apart from Sunday? The reason why I am asking this is because people are really far from home and need one another not only academically but also spiritually hence the need to fellwoship.

I agree with you Shauna that times academic work can be very challanging indeed! Let's talk more later or pm.

Polo (means heaven)

[Polopiach]

Classic,

I did not know you could play the piano. Which hymnals do you love most...everybody love Amazing Grace...I also have a hymn book with most of the classic songs (traditional hymns). I'll have to carry it with me too. Do you like contemporary worship songs? I have lots of these too in CDs but may only carry afew, I only listen to christian worship songs! Seems we'll have fun in the island given that we already have a pianist in the name of Cristy!

Be blessed!

Polo (means heaven)

[swinginislanddoc]

Polo,
Your thoughts match our's exactly - we're on the Rock for more reasons than just to get an MD degree.

At this moment we do not have other meetings outside of Sunday (except for the worship leaders that meet for practice). We do spend time with each other, but many of us (myself included) spend a lot of time with others in the class. THere are many professing Christians who do not attend church, and many Catholics who go to one of the Catholic churches on the island (and some who attend other churches I'm sure.) I do have athiest and agnostic friends on the rock with whom I spend quite a bit of time, and the fact that I live the life but don't force it on them keeps them hanging around me. This is how I witness in a way - create a comfort zone in which questions can be asked and keep myself open when someone needs a friend to talk to.

If you'd like to talk some more, PM me or e-mail me (my usename@yahoo.com).

Toodles! (And God Bless!)
~S 8)

[Polopiach]

S 8) ,

Thanks. I shall email or pm you shortly. But I agree with you that at times our lives preach plouder than open-air crusades. I believe that as long as these people (christian or not) know who you really are, and teh fact that they are free to ask you questions about your faith, it is a good start. Thanks a lot though. So when are you flying out to the Rock?

Remember Grace is never fair!

Blessings always.

Polo

[classic]

Polo,
I go to a very old-fashioned traditional church, and I can't really say I've listened to contemporary christian music much. I've heard some, but the music is much too difficult for my feeble fingers to play. I hope to bring a few song books with me (because it's good for keeping nimble fingers/joints)! I hope the guy with the keyboard is still on the island when we get there :wink: !

[swinginislanddoc]

Hey Cristy,
"The guy with the keyboard" will be there, and the keyboard belongs to the group, not him, so even if he was gone it would still be there. He's supposed to bring back a guitar for next semester (the group is buying it).

~S 8)

[Polopiach]

Cristy,

My background is also old-fashioned traditional church where people sing those old time hymnals...remember teh Gaithers and the Homecoming songs, yes, those types. But ever since I went to college, I came back singing new songs, contemporary parise and wosrhip songs. I love both the traditional hymns and the praise and worship songs like, "Lord I lift your name on High," The women of worship albums, among others! I believe that the old hymns were really inspired knowing the circumstances under which these were written...remember the story of the hymn "When peace like a river attendeth my way" by Newton. Great hymn!

Prepare, for you shall be our pianist and please leave no song behind! Let's us go to the island and bring the presence of the Lord down like **** and Silas!
Blessings and peace!

Polo

[Polopiach]

S 8) ,

I guese that there is already a guitarist within the group too, now that the Lord has brought Classic, the pianist to us! If not, I shall have to learn to play the guitar myself! Hope you are having fun!

Polo

[Ferrarijp]

I can play guitar a little too..... Although, someone will have to teach me some gospel tunes.

[wolfvgang22]

I sway to the music really well.....

[swinginislanddoc]

Wolf, you're a goob. just thought I should let ya know. :wink:

Ferrari, if you're interested in playing we can hook you up with some mp3s and some tabs of the stuff we usually do. Sometimes we'll also play a song on CD and sing along with it (it's easier for whomever is playing the music sometimes).

~S 8)

[Polopiach]

S 8) ,

Guese what? We also usually sing along with some common CDs when doing worship and praise songs. Most times these songs are projected up for everyone to sing along. Sounds familiar this is...looks like we are already at home.

Keep it pithy guys! God's blessings to you all! By the way, kindly tells a bit the titles of songs you guys commonly sing (of course so that Classic can start practicing the relevant keys too).

Polo

[classic]

Oh goodness, I'm not the best in the world Polo, and I've never played music while people sing (I'm not sure if I could get the timing down with people singing). However, I'll give it my best, and I'll bring a hymnal too (just in case).

As to the whole ~S 8) calling wolf a goob- sorry wolf, but I concur with Shauna. But in my opinion, you're a cool Saba paraphanelia wearing goob! (I like that about you :wink: )!! :D

[wolfvgang22]

Thank you. Thank you very much.
http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/character/2/character24.gif

[Polopiach]

Classic,

As far as we are concerned, you are our best for now since we have no other. Of course no comparison to John Bolton or any other pianist. Whether you cannot play and sing along at teh same time, but at least you can play, okay. That is the most important thing for us now. Who knows, times we may have to go acapella to accomodate you at times. But if playing and singing a the same time is hard, why not just play the keys gal, we'll sing for you!

Wondering where you guys got the word "goob" to call Wolf...Wolf, I think it was a typo and so substitute the "b" with a "d" and you you'll have the word "Good"! Cannot wait to sing to the sound of your piano Classic!!

Have a prayerful week!

Polo