Jesus Week is upon us, bringing an assortment of events which are sure to excite those religious (and possibly the not-so religious) students among us.
Historically, Jesus Week has been held in relation to Islam Awareness Week (which is next week) and has now been running for eight years. The idea is for the various churches to come together and share ideas and experiences, with the aim of letting people know who they are and what they are all about.
The week kicked off on Sunday with a ‘street clean’. Volunteers met on the corner of Dundas and Castle Streets, and cleaned off the Scarfie remnants of the night before. Today, Monday, there is an ‘Interfaith Dialogue’ from 12 to 1.30pm that brings together the Muslim and Christian community, and aims at creating an educational learning opportunity for both by discussing the similarities and differences between the two religions.
This week also overlaps with Maori Language Week, and a worship session in te reo Maori is being held on Wednesday between 12.30 and 1.15pm at the All Saints Anglican Church. “The event is aimed at celebrating Maori understandings of God in a Christian Church, and it is an attempt of being multicultural and reflecting our treaty commitment and partnership with the tangata whenua,” says Greg Hughson, University Chaplain.
Last year Neil Ballantyne, the Chairperson of Otago Combined Christian Groups, headed up a major global poverty project in the town hall, which over 2000 youth attended. This year Ballantyne will give a lecture titled ‘How the other half lives: a look at global poverty’ on Wednesday at 1pm in the Burns 1 lecture theatre. “This is Christianity in action! It’s for all people who want to put their skills into action – we’re not just living in a religious bubble, this is applied religion,” says Ballantyne.
On Thursday at 8pm a musical event is being held at the Hub, followed by ‘Bring the Love’, a drive aimed to show a visible presence by offering free food and support to students in an intoxicated state. Free rides home in the Student Life van will also be offered.
Additionally, every morning this week there will be a prayer session from 8-9am upstairs in the Link.
For more information regarding Jesus Week visit www.otagoccg.co.nz
Free candy and rides in van offered. Not creepy.
