This past Saturday we spent the day building a prayer labyrinth on the property here at the PSC. With the help of a whole bunch of students, boy scouts from local Troop 149, and a few surprise helpers, the labyrinth was put together in just under 6 hours of work. We had lunch catered by Zaxby’s, and we shared a lot of laughs and sweaty hugs by the end of the day.

Our labyrinth was created (re)using glass bottles donated by more people than I care to try and name right now, and with river rock pebbles purchased thanks to a generous donation from The Labyrinth Society. We will be holding a short dedication service this coming Monday, April 18, at four o’clock in the afternoon, and we are inviting anyone and everyone around Athens who has an interest in labyrinths. If you are reading this, you’re invited. Even if you can’t make it to this service, we invite you to come and walk the labyrinth whenever you need to take a moment of sabbath from your hectic schedule. It is open to the public, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It’s even illuminated at night by the lights in our parking lot, so feel free to walk it at any time of day or night.

Below, you can check out some more pictures.

Thanks be to God for the glorious weather we’ve been having lately. The first outdoor cornhole match of 2011 was just played on the new lawn (can I call it a quad?) by the main doors at the PSC.  The game was played between the PSC’s faithful intern and amateur blogger, Mitch Roper, and UGA Alumnus and former block house resident, Jason Coombs.  It was a fierce contest, to be sure. On more than one occasion, the determined players found themselves howling in frustration as their hole-in throws were matched by their opponent. Jason even managed to get three hole-ins in one round! The game really came down to the wire. In the end, however, the steady hand of the intern proved to be the deciding factor. Final Score: Mitch – 28, Jason – 18.

We play a lot of cornhole here at the PSC. If you’d ever like to challenge Andy or myself (or Chris McCreight, the DOC’s Campus Minister, for that matter) to a game, chances are you’ll get an enthusiastic “yes!” in response. See y’all on the cornhole pitch.

Mitch Roper

Last weekend was a busy one at the Presbyterian Student Center.  Friday night, we held a raffle night fund-raiser to benefit our on-going Labyrinth Project.  We were joined by over forty students and friends of the PSC, and everyone had a fun time eating together and waiting with baited breath to see who would win each prize.  We raffled off donated items from students, neighbors, and local businesses, and we raised over $350 for our labyrinth by the end of the night.

Karen Hartsfield and Daniel Kilfoyle, our Student Ministers for Encounter and Community, can be seen above, holding down the ticket table.  At right, student (and three-time raffle winner) Delaney Young can be seen walking a canvas labyrinth in the Dining Hall at the PSC.  We were lucky enough to borrow this labyrinth from Fr. Dann Brown of the Episcopal Center for the evening.

On Saturday, we were honored to hold the Northeast Georgia Presbytery’s Youth Rally, concurrent with the Presbytery’s Winter Leadership Event, which was being held up the street at First Presbyterian Church.  Keynote Speaker and Vice Moderator for the 219th General Assembly, Landon Whitsitt, joined us and led the youth in a discussion about Paul’s letters to Timothy.  None of the adults were allowed to talk, and the youth really got engaged, sharing stories of what challenges and inspirations they encounter in the Church and in the world.  At right, youth from all over the Presbytery gather for a quick shout out to all of us.  You can really get a sense of the size and excitement of Saturday’s Youth Rally, but to be honest, you really had to be there.  All in all, it was a fantastic weekend.  We wrapped things up like we always do, with a fellowship meal on Sunday evening.  Doug and Peggy Bailey joined from Central Presbyterian Church, and we were grateful for the tasty chili and cornbread they made for us.

Mitch Roper

Below are some preview photos of some student-produced items we will be raffling tomorrow night. Come out tomorrow night @ 7pm! Support our Labyrinth Project by entering to win some of these, and more! Additional prizes are coming from local businesses such as Borders, Shenanigans and Kaleidoscope Salon.

Art by Lauren Marsh

Art by Sarah Osborne

Art by Sarah Osborne

Pottery by Lisa Tantillo

Pottery by Lisa Tantillo

Pottery by Lisa Tantillo

Photography by Parker Feierbach

Photography by Parker Feierbach

Photography by Parker Feierbach

Voucher for Personalized Poem by Keith DeHart

Voucher for Oil Change by Aron Val Preda

Voucher for Piano Lessons by Nik Bauchat