Friday, March 28, 1997

Christians celebrate annual week of faith

By BRENT F. ENGLAND
Collegian Staff Writer

This Easter Sunday some Christian University students will begin celebrating United in Christ Week -- a week sponsored by 11 Christian campus fellowship groups.

Ilsa Heinaman, United in Christ Week chair, is pleased with this year's organization and planning.

"This is the best year in regards to everything falling into place," she said. "We haven't had any major schedule changes, and this is the first year that has happened."

Events kick off at 8 p.m. Sunday in the HUB Fishbowl with a night of praise and worship. Prayer meetings will be held at noon Monday through Friday in the Frizzell Room of the Eisenhower Chapel.

Monday:

Testimony day will be held in front of Willard Building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will deliver their testimonies and tell how they came to faith in Jesus. Gary Cattell, the Willard Preacher, agreed to yield the day to students wishing to do this. To finish off the day's activities, Traveling Light, a play based on the Gospel of Mark, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the HUB Ballroom.

Tuesday:

Lunch will be held with Jami Breedlove at 11:30 a.m. in the Pollock Commons Silver Dining Room. Breedlove was a lesbian for 12 years until, through the persistence of a man who is now her husband, she left behind her gay identity and now ministers in Loveland, Colo. A separate discussion group will be held with Breedlove at 9 p.m. in the Pollock Rec Room.

Wednesday:

Breedlove will again have lunch with students at 12:15 p.m. in the Pollock Rec Room. She will also give a speech at 8 p.m. in the HUB Ballroom entitled "Once Gay, Always Gay?"

Thursday:

A prayer service called "See You at the Pole," will be held at 7 a.m. at the Old Main flagpoles. A speech by Gary Horton, entitled "What America Is and What It Should Be," will be held at 7:30 p.m. in 10 Sparks.

Friday:

Along with the final noon prayer meeting, a coffeehouse called "The Upper Room" will be held in the Pollock Piano Lounge at 8 p.m.

Saturday:

Ultimate Frisbee will be played at 2 p.m. at the Pollock Fields. Later, the bands Sixpence None the Richer, Black-Eyed Sceva and Dryve, will perform at 8 p.m. at the Park Forest Baptist Church, 3030 Carnegie Drive. Vans will begin leaving at 6 p.m. from the HUB to transport those interested in attending.

United in Christ week started in 1995 through a letter-writing campaign in Christian Student Fellowship, and is now in its third year. Many Christians on campus are excited for the events this year.

"The reason I'm involved in the (planning) committee is because of God's plan for His body (Christians)," said Jeff Patrizio (junior-human development and family studies). "The divisions among the body of Christianity really hurt the church, and I hope people see unity and love among us Christians during United in Christ week. I hope they feel they would like to be a part of it."

A candlelight service to close the week will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday on the HUB lawn.