GCF Newsflash! Crucifixion Iconography: From the 4th to the 21st Centuries

Welcome to the MIT Graduate Christian Fellowship!

The crucifixion of Christ is the most represented subject in the history of art.  And yet its paradoxical nature poses a challenge to the artist: What should an image of simultaneous suffering and hope, ugliness and beauty, shame and glory, look like?  Fellow GCF-er Victoria Jones, who blogs regularly on religious art and culture, will teach us how to identify the visual symbols and motifs as they have evolved over time, influenced by the Gospels, politics, and legend.

Come join us as we journey from the Roman catacombs to medieval monasteries to contemporary art galleries.  Discover how different cultures and subcultures have made the Crucifixion their own.  Don't miss this unique large group!

 

What:            Crucifixion Iconography: From the 4th to the 21st Centuries
Where:          W20 Student Center, Room 407 **must take the elevator**
When:           Friday, January 31st | 7:30 p.m.
Contact:       Eric Jones

A teaser of what's to come :

Announcements

• Save the date: GCF Winter Retreat will be Fri. 2/14 to Sun. 2/16.  Come reflect on the love of God, learn how to be His ambassadors on campus, and get refreshed!  We need lots of help to plan, so contact Peng to lend a hand (areas such as ride arrangements, activities, publicity, leading discussions, etc.).
  
• This Thursday @ 2pm is the last session for the IAP class "Questions for Christians" (room 1-273).  The class addresses difficult faith related questions. It is co-sponsored by the Ravi Zacharias New England Fellows.
• Mark Manuscript studies will be starting with a preview this Wednesday at 6pm in W11.  If you are interested in the Mark I or Mark II streams, contact Kevin for more info.
• We're looking for one or two people to help out with writing the weekly GCF Newsflash!  Email Emily if you can lend a hand.

Prayer Square

• Did you know that the Super Bowl may be the single largest human trafficking incident in the US?  One way to address this from afar is to pray for protection for potential victims and for God's truth to shine out in the darkness.  (Or take this person's approach.)
  
• Pray for favor and divine strategies for reaching out to our classmates, roommates, labmates, and neighbors.
  
• Pray for endurance for those with pressing deadlines and work to wrap up this IAP.
  
• Pray for safe travels to campus for those who were away over IAP.
• Praise for the weddings, engagements, and baby announcements that have graced our community this past winter!
  

Community Corner

We've been active during this IAP!  Two weeks ago we sat riveted by Francis Su as he reflected on grace in teaching (based on a recent speech he gave; text found here). 

And last week, our small groups battled to gain culinary mastery over their brethren -- all in good fun, of course.  40 people ate their way through the 3-course meals, and the SP1 group was declared the overall champion.  The winners per dish: Tang for appetizer (guacamole chips with cranberries), SP1 for entree (spicy Thai chicken), and a tie between Tang's fried fritters and SP1's bread pudding for dessert.  Delicious!

Verse of the Week
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
_ Proverbs 3:5-6

For Other Good News and Updates, Visit the GCF Website: http://web.mit.edu/mitgcf/www/

Newsflash: Small Group Cook-off; Winter Retreat; Mark Manuscript

Our fellowship is blessed with a plethora culinary talents. This week, we will celebrate winter and each other with a small group cooking competition! :) It will be a great time to invite other friends and introduce them to our community. Please come even if you are not part of a small group: we will need people to eat the food and vote for the winner. The more the merrier!

What: GCF Small Group Cook-off

Where: Sidney Pacific 1st Floor Owu Room

When: Friday, January 24| 6pm **note the earlier start time***

Contact: Peng Shi

Announcements

• Save the date: GCF Winter Retreat will be Feb 14-16 (Fri. evening to Sunday morning). Its purpose is to help us reflect on the love of God, be refreshed, and know how to better love God and be His ambassadors on campus. We will have a guest speaker from Ravi Zacharias Ministries on the love of God and outreach, a talk by Kevin on busyness, and potentially some student led sessions. Peng is leading the planning, but he needs your help! Areas of need include ride planning, activities brain storming, publicity, designing/leading discussions, and being a retreat small group leader. If you are interested please contact Peng.
• The IAP class "Questions for Christians" is still going on Thursdays @ 2pm, room 1-273.  The class will address difficult faith related questions. It is co-sponsored by the Ravi Zacharias New England Fellows.
• Mark Manuscript studies will be starting the last week of IAP.  If you are interested in the Mark I or Mark II streams, contact Kevin for more info.

Prayer Square

• Prayers for strength for those burdened with work, or stressed with deadlines, quals, or adviser expectations. 
• Safe travels back for those travelling during IAP.
• Discernment for those planning life's next steps.
  
• Opportunities to give a defence to people who ask us for a reason for the hope that is in us, and to do it with gentleness and respect.
• Thanksgiving for many generous alums and supporters who have helped us with retreat scholarships and other funding.

Verse of the Week
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, it it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." -- John 14:15-21