Moving on to a better place

This blog has moved to a new home: http://blog.mattstauffer.org/

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Chicago

We're moved and settled into our new place in Chicago! We love our neighborhood, and I have a great office at a coworking space. Tereva's working at an after-school program in the neighborhood, and starts grad school in January.

I've already connected with a few InterVarsity people in Chicago--some friends on staff, and a few people who are studying at Trinity Divinity School. We're still looking for a church, and hoping that finding one will be a part of us finding our community here.

When I'm not working with InterVarsity, I'm developing web sites. Although I'm working hard to get more hours with InterVarsity, I am also enjoying my work--among other freelance projects, I'm continuing work with Staffhacker (a blog helping campus ministry staff use technology and productivity systems well) and just released the very early testing release of a contact management tool for fundraisers called Karani.

We're getting ready for our first winter in Chicago--and all signs point toward it being an extra-cold one! We'll see how this Florida family handles the cold combined with Chicago wind.

"Communications Assistant"

After a few months of working with various groups in InterVarsity to find my final landing place, I'm finally filling out the final application to be the "Communications Assistant" in the Multiethnic Ministries department. My responsibilities will be varied, ranging from writing and editing articles and histories, to working on web sites and social media, to developing tools and communications to help staff and students pursue multiethnicity and racial reconciliation well.

It's an amazing position, one I'm honored to be applying for. The team I'll be working with has worked long and hard to create a position that both utilizes my skills in web design and communication, but also gives me space to grow and learn in teaching, communicating, and theology. I'm so excited to work with the wise, Godly women and men who will be surrounding me in this role.

The position is currently for 10 hours a week, which is what the current state of my fundraising can support, but there's room to increase my hours as I get established in Chicago and as the LORD increases my fundraising.

June 2010 Prayer Letter

June 2010 Prayer Letter (not a pdf anymore!)

Recaps from external sources

A few blogs, including one from friend Benson Hines, have been posted recapping and describing Urbana and InterVarsity's general ministry. I recommend you read them to get a feel for our heart.

Nick Liao: Radical evangelicalism

Benson Hines: What Urbana Reflects about InterVarsity, Part I and Part II

Urbana 2009 Photos

You can now see Urbana 2009 photos online as well.

Wayne Yuan, one of the Urbana photographers, posted some of his best photos online here, as well as a slideshow of 400+ photos here.

Your engagement with Urbana

Supporters: you've made a huge impact on the experience of our students at Urbana. Your scholarship sent students to Urbana who couldn't have afforded it otherwise. Your prayer helped their parents give them permission, kept them safe, and allowed the LORD to move in and through them during their time there. So, from me and from them, thank you for your support!

If you want to experience some of Urbana yourself, Urbana has uploaded almost all of the talks, skits, dances, and other content as videos here. I'd love to hear from you about any questions, comments, or anything else you have. Thanks again for your support!