Members of several ISU fraternities and sororities have merged to form Alpha Omega, a Christian Bible-study group tailored to connect members for discussions about how the Bible relates to everyday life.Members of the fellowship’s planning committee said there is a need for a comprehensive Bible-study group within the greek community.”Not a lot of greeks are involved in the Christian groups on campus, and we saw this as a great opportunity to involve more of the greek community,” said Alyssa Armbrecht, member of the Alpha Omega planning committee. The fellowship, which has met twice since Feb. 1, has an average attendance of 40 greek-community members, representing about 15 of the ISU chapters, said Armbrecht, senior in food science. The group meets twice a month, rotating from house to house within the greek community.Gamma Phi Beta member Natalie Carver, member of the Alpha Omega planning group, said the idea stemmed from interaction with Gary Schmalz, director of Campus Crusade for Christ. Armbrecht, member of Pi Beta Phi, said Schmalz has been working with the Bible-study group at the FarmHouse fraternity. Schmalz’s wife, Cristen, has been working with the Gamma Phi Beta and Pi Beta Phi fellowship groups, she said.A seven-member planning group meets once a week with the Schmalzes, Armbrecht said. The planning group includes members of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 2132 Sunset Drive; Gamma Phi Beta sorority, 318 Pearson Ave.; FarmHouse fraternity, 311 Ash Ave. and Pi Beta Phi sorority, 208 Ash Ave.The planning group discusses topics for future meetings and reviews past meeting to determine what could be improved or changed, said FarmHouse member Greg Barntsen, member of the planning committee.”This is a noncompetitive, comfortable environment that gives greeks the opportunity to get to know other people within the greek system,” said Barntsen, senior in management information systems.Carver, senior in finance, said the fellowship begins with mingling and ice breakers to encourage interaction among the group. Bible verses are then passed out, and Gary Schmalz reads Bible verses and explains their relation to everyday life, she said.The participants then break into small groups to talk about the message and how it relates to their personal experiences. The meeting concludes with announcements and refreshments, Carver said.Although the fellowship is still in its early stages, Barntsen said Alpha Omega members hope to see more involvement from each chapter of the greek community.