Road Trip Details

OK we are a few days away from the Road Trip! Here's more details and packing info!

• We will be back in Birmingham sometime Sunday morning, at least in time for Kristin to be at the Baccalaureate service at SMIC and Graduation that afternoon.
• Pack only in ONE BAG = one bag that you can carry yourself! When we get to NYC we will park in New Jersey and take the train and subway into Manhattan, so you need to be able to get your stuff thru several train and subway stops and lots of walking!

Here's some things you DO need to pack:

• Bath towel and/or washcloth: we are staying with the Owens 2 nights so this will cut down on Mrs. Owen's laundry after we leave. Also, the apartment in NYC provides very limited linens
• Pillow: again with the sleeping arrangements, there may not be a pillow available for everyone
• Good walking shoes: we will take the subways alot, but the BEST way to see these cities is by foot!
• Rain gear/small umbrella/rain jacket: the forecast calls for chances of rain everyday. And trust me, when it starts raining in NYC, everyone rushes to the small stores and snaps the umbrellas up quickly!

UPDATED: Itinerary For Road Trip

Tuesday May 26

• 3 AM leave SMIC
• Dinner-time arrive in Virginia; eat then "checkin" at the Owens' house
• Spend the night with the Owens

Wednesday May 27

• All day sightseeing in Washington DC
• Spend the night again at the Owens'

Thursday May 28

• 8 AM leave Virginia for NYC
• 3 PM Check in at apartment in NYC

Friday May 29

• All day in NYC

Saturday May 30

• 1 PM leave NYC for home

Sunday May 31

• 1 PM (???) arrive home

Annual College Road Trip!!!

Well the road trip is upon us, so I guess it's time we planned something!

This year, we have decided to visit Washington DC and New York City! Here's all, or at least some, of the info:

When: May 25-31

Where: Washington DC and New York City

How: We will take the church van(s). We will stay at least 2 nights while in DC with Herb and Marilyn Owen (Jonathan's parents) and at least 1 night in NYC in a TBD hotel or apartment.

How Much: $200 will get your transportation and lodging, possibly less. You'll need to pay for meals, any recreation, and shopping. Keep in mind that just about anything you'll want to do in DC is FREE! Plan a little money to pay for subways in both cities. And, as always, if your cash-strapped, you can make payments through the summer to pay us back for the trip.

What: RSVP to the Facebook Event soon to reserve your spot!

Summer Missions Info Meeting

We are having an information meeting about the summer missions trip to Montenegro this Tuesday, May 5, at 6:00 PM, in the Jones House.



Please come if you are even remotely interested! We will discuss what the trip with be about, the cost, fundraising and other important info!

Check out this post on the details of the trip!

Summer Small Groups

Summer is coming! For most of you, that means no classes, some trips to the beach, relaxing with friends, or working to save some cash for next school year. But we want to encourage you to make this summer focused on growing your relationship with God. Put Him first. Spend time with Him every day in prayer and studying the Word.

To help you achieve this we are starting small groups this summer. All groups will study John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. This study calls you to a different kind of Christianity; one that lives for God's glory and fame before anything else. The typical American Christianity won't cut it.

Details will be coming with who is leading groups on specific days, so stay tuned. You can pick your leader and/or day that fits your schedule.

College Group on Tuesday Nights

Every Tuesday night is our Bible study for the college group. We meet at the Jones House on the SMIC campus. Before Bible study we eat dinner together too! It's free, but we do ask that if you can spare a few dollars every now and then, that you contribute. "What you can, when you can"



Tonight, we have guest chefs cooking for us! Toby and Joy Moreland are making delectable lasagna and salad! Toby and Joy will soon be leaving us for the thriving metropolis of Mobile, so Toby can continue his education and training to become a physician's assistant. We will certainly miss them!

photo via Facebook from Gresham Photography

Good Friday Service at SMIC

For the last several years, our church has partnered with 3 other local, independent churches to come together for community worship on Good Friday. Each church takes a turn in hosting the service and providing the music and communion, with all the pastors participating in some manner.

This year it's our turn to host and Kevin and Harry have agreed to let Adoration Band do the service, Adoration-style! The band has taken a hiatus and we haven't heard from them since Christmas, so I am really looking forward to this!

Fullness Christian Fellowship, Shades Valley Community and Shades Mountain Bible are the other bodies involved. I have friends at each, so it's always great to see them and worship with them!

So, come, invite a friend or neighbor, and prepare your heart to remember, meditate on, and celebrate the Cross of Christ.