Hi friend!

Welcome to the first edition of The Loop 2011! We hope you’ve had a great summer chilling with family and friends, travelling, working and hopefully not getting too sunburnt. The holidays are a great time to read any books you might have bought at SLC or Mid-Year Conference. One book that is helpful as we enter another hectic year of university is The Busy Christian’s Guide to Busyness by Tim Chester - Check it out at the Catalyst store. This book reminds us to think about our priorities in life and challenges us to put the kingdom of God first, keeping in mind the words of Jesus: ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness’ (Matthew 6:33). How can you use your everyday life to glorify God this year and to seek Him first?

This Loop we’re going to look at what’s been happening over the summer, as well as share some tips for your group on campus to help you get through O-week.

[ SUMMER NEWS ]

Wellington ICF and CU have been working through the TSCF Basis of Belief statements as a change from regular Bible study over the summer. Here are some reflections from Miriam Mylvaganam about their B.O.B studies:

‘I've found Bible studies over the summer great because it keeps the group in regular contact, and also helps us remember that taking a break over summer shouldn't mean taking a break from remembering God and studying the Bible. I've found the B.O.B studies really good because we are inter-denominational groups and it's important to come together on these eight statements that we all share in common as Christians.

During our very first study, on the trinity, we had a new girl come along; and at the end of it, just like that, she gave her heart to Jesus! We were all caught off guard actually, but it was really exciting!’

Why not check out the Basis of Belief and remember what the core truths are that unite us as students and staff workers within TSCF.

[ PARACHUTE 2011 ]

Parachute this year was such a blast! It was a time of making great connections with people who have never heard of TSCF, having conversations with people who were involved in TSCF back in the day (like 30 or 40 years ago!), with people who are currently involved, and even with individuals on how they could be involved. It was a great opportunity in making TSCF more visible and letting others know what we are about!

[ TOP 6 ORIENTATION TIPS ]

What is your group doing on campus for the beginning of this year? We’d love to hear your stories of what’s happening in your part of NZ! Here are a few tips to help you out during the first few weeks of uni:

1. Be part of a team! Recruit as many group members as possible to help out, and encourage each other to get involved – it’s so much more effective when it’s a group effort, and not just all on the leaders!
   
   
2. Be welcoming! Follow up people you meet as soon as possible, and go the extra mile! Take them out for coffee, find out if they need help moving in/out of flats, finding their way around the city etc. – be a friend, not just a salesman!
   
   
3. Be organised! Use rosters, Google documents, sub-committees; whatever it takes so that you’re prepared for orientation week.
   
   
4. Be creative! The good news of Jesus doesn’t just have to be preached from a pulpit. How can you use multimedia, food, music, or sport to create opportunities to share the gospel?
   
   
5. Be prayerful! Meet regularly to pray about what you are doing on campus and to praise God for what He has already done for us through Jesus.
   
   
6. Be good communicators! Use flyers, banners, websites, texting, emails, Facebook or chalking to let your members know what’s happening and to tell other students what your group is about.

Well, it’s time to finalise those courses and buy some textbooks – and we look forward to hearing about all your exciting O-week adventures in the next edition of The Loop!