I attended American University from August 2000 until May 2004. When I arrived at American, I was excited, but mostly, I was scared of so much change and scared of being away from my parents for the first time. As someone who grew up in the church, I naturally sought out a religious community to worship with on Sundays. What I found at American is that I was able to have that need met, but also so many more. The campus ministry at American provided me with a place to worship, a place to meet new friends, a place to have my problems heard, and finally, a place to discern my own call to ordained ministry.
Being in college and being a Christian are two things that have difficulty coexisting. If a person commits to engaging their faith on a regular basis, they seek opportunities to do in the community in which they live. While I could have gone to a local United Church of Christ congregation or a local United Methodist congregation, I believe that it would not have met my needs the same way as an on-campus experience. Being a Christian and a young adult, one struggles with how to fit in, and yet maintain their sense of boundaries and ethical standards. We struggle with how to engage our faith in the real world, and yet at the same time, be comforted and guided as we confront exactly what that "real world" is all about. Having a pastor that focuses specifically on that unique set of issues is invaluable. Having a Christian community to engage with regularly eases the burdens that I named. Seeing how my faith mattered not just to me, but to my peers and my pastor (Mark Schaefer) has an incredible impact. It seems to me that if we are to hope for my and future generations to seek out a faith community, then we need to nurture them in their journey at all stages, including college. I believe that it was in part, because of this nurturing that I so readily accepted my call to seminary and ordained ministry straight out of college. I often wonder had I not had such a nurturing community and leader, if I would have waited until a "second career" to enter into the ministry. I am so grateful that I am able to call ministry my first (and hopefully only) career. Seminaries are experiencing a resurgence of "first career" (under age 30) people seeking calls to ordained ministry. It seems that to support campus ministry is crucial as the church nurtures it's upcoming community of leaders (both lay and ordained).
Mark Schaefer and his ministry at American University empowers people to find ways to express their faith. Whether it be through a covenant discipleship group, a Bible study, or helping with worship planning, Mark tries to find the strengths of each person and utilize them in ministry. Not only does this mean that students become more involved in their faith, but it also means that they feel affirmed in their gifts and encouraged to continue in their journey. However, campus ministry at American was not simply for those who showed up on Sundays and this was also an incredible strength. Mark recognizes that campus ministry has the potential for evangelism. Throughout my time at American, we held numerous campus wide events called "Feed the Quad" in which we had a BBQ for anyone who would come. For many people, the church has been a place of rejection and of scorn. Events that offered food and fellowship with no judgment or strings attached opens up the potential for dialogue and extends the welcome of Christ that for whatever reason was sadly not offered to them in the past.
Finally, campus ministry provides a system of support. During my first year of college I was raped. As much as we pray that we are kept safe from knowing such hurt, inevitably, some experience great heartache and loss during their college years whether it be through sexual assault, the loss of a loved one, or a person's own illness. When these situations occur, there can be no greater comfort than that which is offered by God. Without a campus ministry - who can remind the hurting of this truth? Who can remind the hurting that God can bear all things and can grieve, rage, rejoice, and heal all things? After my painful experience, the Campus Ministry and Rev. Mark Schaefer was one of the very first places that I turned. Over the next several months, I experienced a variety of emotions and having a pastor and a community to hold and support me through those emotions was absolutely invaluable and without it, I don't believe my recovery would have gone so smoothly.
The importance of campus ministry simply cannot be underestimated. I urge you to continue to support the programs and services that campus ministry provides.
Danielle Neff is a student at Chicago Theological Seminary.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thomas Pack, Oklahoma
“We’re going to do something different tonight” were the opening words of Wednesday worship the first time I went to the United Campus Ministry at East Central University. Since a first visit to a campus ministry is more about scoping the place and people out than actual worship… well, those words made me a little nervous. The Holy Week Tenebrae service started in dimness and quiet and ended in darkness and silence. Though the service was not ideal for meeting new people, I was fascinated by its rhythm and contemplative nature. In the end, I stuck around the campus ministry for two years plus some, including a year as a campus ministry intern. Though I am not, and may never be United Methodist (UM), I am grateful God placed me in a campus ministry sponsored by the United Methodist Church (UMC). Here are some reasons why UM campus ministries are great places for non-Methodists:
* UM campus ministries are ecumenical. Most college students have moved beyond denominational loyalty, so this point is particularly important. Wherever students are in their lives, we want to point them to the reality of Jesus Christ and Christianity. I always felt like Scott, the director, was pointing me to something bigger than the UMC – he was pointing me to Jesus.
* UM campus ministries are wholesome places to hang out, but are not overly restrictive. You don’t have to be one person at the campus ministry and another outside. Just be who you are. We like you that way. In fact, so does Jesus.
* UM campus ministries expose students to the diversity of Christian tradition and practice. If I was not a part of a Methodist campus ministry, I would not know much about Taizé, the traditions of Native churches, walking a labyrinth, charismatic Methodists, or celebrating the Eucharist with prayers for healing.
Christians in any denomination often get stuck in their own perceptions of Christianity. As a non-Methodist, I also contributed to the life and work of the campus ministry.
* I brought my own non-Wesleyan theological perspective to the campus ministry. We all need to have our beliefs challenged every now and then to keep our faith strong and vital. Debating the Five Points of Calvinism a couple of times was good for my Methodist brothers and sisters as well as for myself. Having to explain the notion of prevenient grace to someone from the Reformed branch of Christianity helped my Methodist friends to better understand it themselves.
* The fact that I am not United Methodist made the campus ministry a more welcoming place to other non-Methodists. More than just a denominational club, God uses UM campus ministries to make disciples of Jesus Christ, and to help disciples grow into fully-devoted followers. Isn’t that the point?
Students worship, pray, struggle, ask the big questions, hang out, build relationships, and spend “I should be in class right now” time at the campus ministry (of course I never did that!). For many students, it’s the most important location on campus and the lens through which they view their college experience. Others may only come for social events. Regardless, campus ministries are crucial points of ministry for one of the most formative periods in a person’s life. I count it God’s grace that He put me in a UM campus ministry.
Thomas Pack, a graduate of East Central University and a former student intern at United Campus Ministry, lives and work in Washington D.C. and is an active member of Grace DC (Presbyterian Church in America).
* UM campus ministries are ecumenical. Most college students have moved beyond denominational loyalty, so this point is particularly important. Wherever students are in their lives, we want to point them to the reality of Jesus Christ and Christianity. I always felt like Scott, the director, was pointing me to something bigger than the UMC – he was pointing me to Jesus.
* UM campus ministries are wholesome places to hang out, but are not overly restrictive. You don’t have to be one person at the campus ministry and another outside. Just be who you are. We like you that way. In fact, so does Jesus.
* UM campus ministries expose students to the diversity of Christian tradition and practice. If I was not a part of a Methodist campus ministry, I would not know much about Taizé, the traditions of Native churches, walking a labyrinth, charismatic Methodists, or celebrating the Eucharist with prayers for healing.
Christians in any denomination often get stuck in their own perceptions of Christianity. As a non-Methodist, I also contributed to the life and work of the campus ministry.
* I brought my own non-Wesleyan theological perspective to the campus ministry. We all need to have our beliefs challenged every now and then to keep our faith strong and vital. Debating the Five Points of Calvinism a couple of times was good for my Methodist brothers and sisters as well as for myself. Having to explain the notion of prevenient grace to someone from the Reformed branch of Christianity helped my Methodist friends to better understand it themselves.
* The fact that I am not United Methodist made the campus ministry a more welcoming place to other non-Methodists. More than just a denominational club, God uses UM campus ministries to make disciples of Jesus Christ, and to help disciples grow into fully-devoted followers. Isn’t that the point?
Students worship, pray, struggle, ask the big questions, hang out, build relationships, and spend “I should be in class right now” time at the campus ministry (of course I never did that!). For many students, it’s the most important location on campus and the lens through which they view their college experience. Others may only come for social events. Regardless, campus ministries are crucial points of ministry for one of the most formative periods in a person’s life. I count it God’s grace that He put me in a UM campus ministry.
Thomas Pack, a graduate of East Central University and a former student intern at United Campus Ministry, lives and work in Washington D.C. and is an active member of Grace DC (Presbyterian Church in America).
Rae Cooper, Oklahoma
When I first came to Oklahoma City University in the fall of 2007 to pursue a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts, it was a rushed affair — I had applied in early July, quickly visited the campus, and rushed in the four and a half weeks before the semester began to get paperwork, student loans, and housing lined up before the semester began. After a sort of false start in bad housing, I finally settled as classes began. Coming from a closely-knit Christian university where I got my Bachelor’s, OCU was a new cultural experience for me. I came to this school not knowing a single person, but thinking surely I would meet some fellow grad students and that would be that.
I soon found I was wrong — that most of my courses were combined with undergrad, and the few grad students I met lived off campus and had little involvement in campus. While many of my friends are undergrads, I never seemed to be able to connect with the ones in my classes. I tried Kappa Phi, an inclusive sorority of fellow Christian girls, but my evening class meant I couldn’t go that often. And then one Monday afternoon I met Molly on my way back from the cafeteria. I’d met Molly at Kappa Phi, and she asked if I was coming to Evensong that evening. I’d heard of Evensong, even considered going, but wasn’t really sure. So she told me to come.
That evening I walked down to the room where Evensong is held, and was surprised to see so many students already gathered. Molly saw me peeking in and led me to a seat on the front row. We only had time for me to meet another friend, Lance, before worship started. I didn’t know half of the songs, and I didn’t care because there was unity in worship, a one-ness of spirit. When worship ended, we were told to pass the peace and greet each other.
In my home church, when we greet each other it consists of shaking hands with the person on your right, on your left, in front of you, and behind you, and possibly another one or two people in the immediate area before sitting back down. At Evensong, I realized they were huggers, which was cool, because I like hugs, too. So Molly hugged me. And I turned to shake Lance’s hand, only to be caught up in a huge hug — I think my feet cleared the ground. And I found not only a new friend but a place to belong, fully embraced.
The fall semester was full of changes for me — friendships from my past that I had to release, family moving away, and many other transitions, some good and some not. It took me most of the semester to find a church home in Oklahoma City. Despite all of these things, I was okay because I had my own steady fellowship, my own group of people who would talk to me, joke with me, and give me those hugs when I needed it. Our family has changed as some graduate, and I’m sure we’ll soon have new members when the spring semester starts. If friends are the family you pick for yourself, then Evensong is the family God blessed me with — one I hadn’t even asked for.
Rae Cooper is a graduate student at Oklahoma City University. She worships at Evensong, a worship service offered by the Wesley Foundation at OCU.
I soon found I was wrong — that most of my courses were combined with undergrad, and the few grad students I met lived off campus and had little involvement in campus. While many of my friends are undergrads, I never seemed to be able to connect with the ones in my classes. I tried Kappa Phi, an inclusive sorority of fellow Christian girls, but my evening class meant I couldn’t go that often. And then one Monday afternoon I met Molly on my way back from the cafeteria. I’d met Molly at Kappa Phi, and she asked if I was coming to Evensong that evening. I’d heard of Evensong, even considered going, but wasn’t really sure. So she told me to come.
That evening I walked down to the room where Evensong is held, and was surprised to see so many students already gathered. Molly saw me peeking in and led me to a seat on the front row. We only had time for me to meet another friend, Lance, before worship started. I didn’t know half of the songs, and I didn’t care because there was unity in worship, a one-ness of spirit. When worship ended, we were told to pass the peace and greet each other.
In my home church, when we greet each other it consists of shaking hands with the person on your right, on your left, in front of you, and behind you, and possibly another one or two people in the immediate area before sitting back down. At Evensong, I realized they were huggers, which was cool, because I like hugs, too. So Molly hugged me. And I turned to shake Lance’s hand, only to be caught up in a huge hug — I think my feet cleared the ground. And I found not only a new friend but a place to belong, fully embraced.
The fall semester was full of changes for me — friendships from my past that I had to release, family moving away, and many other transitions, some good and some not. It took me most of the semester to find a church home in Oklahoma City. Despite all of these things, I was okay because I had my own steady fellowship, my own group of people who would talk to me, joke with me, and give me those hugs when I needed it. Our family has changed as some graduate, and I’m sure we’ll soon have new members when the spring semester starts. If friends are the family you pick for yourself, then Evensong is the family God blessed me with — one I hadn’t even asked for.
Rae Cooper is a graduate student at Oklahoma City University. She worships at Evensong, a worship service offered by the Wesley Foundation at OCU.
Rebecca Yount, Oklahoma
Growing up my mom would harp on me that we were United Methodist. Ok, I’d respond. Yet, somehow my mother’s unwavering faith in Wesley’s theology has become my own - for the most part. I especially appreciate John Wesley’s saying: “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” Now that I have graduated from Oklahoma City University I am finding that ‘at all the times you can’ means something very different. Instead of putting off homework to attend Evensong Worship, Kappa Phi, or Wednesday at the Wesley lunch and Bible Study I’m now juggling which meetings are the most important and when I’m going to check my e-mail between meetings. Gone are the 3 a.m. nights and here to stay are the 7:45 a.m. mornings.
You’d think I was working in corporate America as opposed to serving as a US-2 Young Adult Missionary through the General Board of Global Ministries with the United Methodist Church. “The US-2 Program is a leadership development experience through peace with justice missions for young adults (20-30 years old). This two-year opportunity to serve in the United States encourages its participants to deepen their faith while learning from and serving with community based organizations. US-2's will boldly reexamine their role and participation in society as they struggle with hunger, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, children at risk, substance abuse, racism, domestic violence, and inadequate health care.” (http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mp/missionaries/youngadults/us2/)
The experience I’m having at my US-2 placement, working for Church World Service Education and Advocacy program as an assistant public policy advocate, is priceless. Every morning I walk past some of our country’s most important landmarks in Washington D.C. Every day I am able to work on issues I am passionate about. And every evening I thank God for the path that brought me here.
I wouldn’t trade my time at OCU for the world. The endless hours I spent in Watson Lounge are always fresh on my mind and dear to my heart. The relationships I formed and the lessons I learned there continue to foster me in Washington D.C. So often I heard Saint Francis of Assisi quoted, “Preach the gospel at all times, when necessary use words.” Today as I run from meeting to meeting I pray my actions follow the wise words of St. Francis.
My words may not be as wise but I would say to you get involved in your Campus Ministry. Attend as many worship and fellowship experiences as you can. Lose sleep to get your class work done, but also just to hang out. Life’s next chapter will be upon you sooner then you know. And although the next chapter maybe more spectacular then present, don’t let the present slip away without enjoying it!
Rebecca Yount is a graduate of Oklahoma City University and is currently a US-2 Young Adult Missionary through the General Board of Global Ministries.
You’d think I was working in corporate America as opposed to serving as a US-2 Young Adult Missionary through the General Board of Global Ministries with the United Methodist Church. “The US-2 Program is a leadership development experience through peace with justice missions for young adults (20-30 years old). This two-year opportunity to serve in the United States encourages its participants to deepen their faith while learning from and serving with community based organizations. US-2's will boldly reexamine their role and participation in society as they struggle with hunger, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, children at risk, substance abuse, racism, domestic violence, and inadequate health care.” (http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mp/missionaries/youngadults/us2/)
The experience I’m having at my US-2 placement, working for Church World Service Education and Advocacy program as an assistant public policy advocate, is priceless. Every morning I walk past some of our country’s most important landmarks in Washington D.C. Every day I am able to work on issues I am passionate about. And every evening I thank God for the path that brought me here.
I wouldn’t trade my time at OCU for the world. The endless hours I spent in Watson Lounge are always fresh on my mind and dear to my heart. The relationships I formed and the lessons I learned there continue to foster me in Washington D.C. So often I heard Saint Francis of Assisi quoted, “Preach the gospel at all times, when necessary use words.” Today as I run from meeting to meeting I pray my actions follow the wise words of St. Francis.
My words may not be as wise but I would say to you get involved in your Campus Ministry. Attend as many worship and fellowship experiences as you can. Lose sleep to get your class work done, but also just to hang out. Life’s next chapter will be upon you sooner then you know. And although the next chapter maybe more spectacular then present, don’t let the present slip away without enjoying it!
Rebecca Yount is a graduate of Oklahoma City University and is currently a US-2 Young Adult Missionary through the General Board of Global Ministries.
Katy Sensenig, Oklahoma
The air was freezing and the sky was dark on the OU campus early Easter morning. I walked alongside my friends as we trekked along sidewalks and streets to the Wesley Foundation’s sunrise service. We trotted along, bundled in layers of blankets and coats, hats and scarves, gloves and multi-layered socks -- all of us Oklahomans nine months out of the year, and therefore completely unaccustomed to the wintry chill surrounding us. Our frozen hands carried guitars, Bibles, and song sheets, and our mouths laughter and excitement.
I had stumbled upon the University of Oklahoma’s Wesley Foundation, two years before, as a lowly freshman who’d been dragged along to a cookout by her United Methodist boyfriend. Sure, I’ll go, I told him. I pretended to be really excited. But really, I was just being nice. What I found, however, was so much more than what I expected. One cookout turned into a whirlwind of spiritual excitement and growth. I was thrown into worship services and bible studies that kept me wanting more. I made friends who seemed to care about me more than any friends of the past had. I felt welcome every time I walked into the Wesley foundation, and sincerely missed when I was away. I felt at home.
What started as a simple favor to my boyfriend has really turned into a life-changing experience. The Wesley Foundation has given more to me spiritually than I could have ever wished for. The worship and fellowship I’ve been blessed with has helped me to develop my spiritual disciplines, and more importantly, helped me grow in my love for Christ. I’ve developed a desire to grow and help others do the same. I now lead bible studies at the Wesley (two every semester), help with mission projects, and plan retreats twice a year. I am also an evangelism intern at the campus ministry, and help new freshmen find their place in the Wesley Foundation, and more importantly, as God’s disciple. I only hope that I can do for them what others did for me.
Making my way to that cold Easter service, I smiled, looking around at the people who walked beside me. I was lucky to know them, and to be with them. We walked past quiet dorm buildings, where thousands of students were fast asleep on Easter morning. The students I was with, though, were not only awake – they were excited to be awake. To them, there was something more to college than sleeping in and having fun. To them, and to all of my friends at the Wesley Foundation, there was a greater purpose to fulfill: a mighty God to serve. I smiled. I was truly blessed to be around a community of believers so excited to live and love. So excited to serve. And I knew it was exactly where I belonged.
Katy Sensenig is a junior at the University of Oklahoma.
I had stumbled upon the University of Oklahoma’s Wesley Foundation, two years before, as a lowly freshman who’d been dragged along to a cookout by her United Methodist boyfriend. Sure, I’ll go, I told him. I pretended to be really excited. But really, I was just being nice. What I found, however, was so much more than what I expected. One cookout turned into a whirlwind of spiritual excitement and growth. I was thrown into worship services and bible studies that kept me wanting more. I made friends who seemed to care about me more than any friends of the past had. I felt welcome every time I walked into the Wesley foundation, and sincerely missed when I was away. I felt at home.
What started as a simple favor to my boyfriend has really turned into a life-changing experience. The Wesley Foundation has given more to me spiritually than I could have ever wished for. The worship and fellowship I’ve been blessed with has helped me to develop my spiritual disciplines, and more importantly, helped me grow in my love for Christ. I’ve developed a desire to grow and help others do the same. I now lead bible studies at the Wesley (two every semester), help with mission projects, and plan retreats twice a year. I am also an evangelism intern at the campus ministry, and help new freshmen find their place in the Wesley Foundation, and more importantly, as God’s disciple. I only hope that I can do for them what others did for me.
Making my way to that cold Easter service, I smiled, looking around at the people who walked beside me. I was lucky to know them, and to be with them. We walked past quiet dorm buildings, where thousands of students were fast asleep on Easter morning. The students I was with, though, were not only awake – they were excited to be awake. To them, there was something more to college than sleeping in and having fun. To them, and to all of my friends at the Wesley Foundation, there was a greater purpose to fulfill: a mighty God to serve. I smiled. I was truly blessed to be around a community of believers so excited to live and love. So excited to serve. And I knew it was exactly where I belonged.
Katy Sensenig is a junior at the University of Oklahoma.
Leland Spencer, Ohio
I am grateful that campus ministries exist, and campus ministry is one way that the church lives out its care for persons seeking higher education. Campus ministry is a witness to me because it suggests to me that even in a small way, church people in some places have refused to embrace an economic model of ministry where we provide ministry for the persons whose offering dollars finance the ministry. I am a student living on a graduate assistant stipend, and I know that my classmates and I are not the ones financing campus ministry, even if we are the ones who benefit from it so deeply. Therefore, I am thankful for the witness of those who truly value being in ministry with students - not just in word, but in deed; not just in theory, but in practice.
Of the many things I think are valuable about campus ministry, I believe one of the most significant is community. Even in just a few months of activity at the Wesley Foundation, I have noticed that community is central to our identity as students, in a way not dissimilar from the importance of community for people of faith. Community is central to our identity in part because it helps us to shape our identity, and I have found that for me, identity is very important.
Leland Spencer, a graduate of UM-related Mt. Union College, is currently a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati (where he is the worship intern at the Wesley Foundation.)
Of the many things I think are valuable about campus ministry, I believe one of the most significant is community. Even in just a few months of activity at the Wesley Foundation, I have noticed that community is central to our identity as students, in a way not dissimilar from the importance of community for people of faith. Community is central to our identity in part because it helps us to shape our identity, and I have found that for me, identity is very important.
Leland Spencer, a graduate of UM-related Mt. Union College, is currently a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati (where he is the worship intern at the Wesley Foundation.)
Brad Corban
I wouldn't be in seminary, I wouldn't care about God or Church, and I wouldn't have known about Pacific School of Religion if it wasn't for campus ministry at my undergraduate school. It will be an utter failure of the mainline churches to be relevant in today's world if campus ministry goes ignored, unsupported, and/or uncritically left on the sidelines.
Just the fact that I had a place to go, once a week, to have a free lunch (that wasn't from the cafeteria) and see fellow Methodists and other progressive Christians, was great enough. The fact is that many of my United Methodist campus ministers were revered by the whole college. But that's what not what had an impact on me. The best thing about our Wesley meetings were the openness, the lack of a preachy vibe, and the presence of adults who genuinely cared about the lives of college folk. These ministers didn't want anything from us, they didn't ask us to be someone we were not, and they didn't treat us like we were dumb. We were presented with new activities each week, and we were given the opportunity to express our opinions and values.
The Associate Chaplain my freshman year, a United Methodist pastor, went to the Pacific School of Religion, where I currently go to seminary. Without her encouragement as I stayed in touch with her and began discerning graduate school plans, I probably wouldn't be where I am today.
I am of the firm conviction that campus ministry may be one of the single most important aspects of ministry for the United Methodist church if the church is to survive. Not only should campus ministry be highly funded, but the leadership of campus ministry must be consistently held accountable for success. Not many people are cut out for leading a good campus ministry, but there is not a system of accountability in UMC campus ministry like there would be in a congregation. The focus upon campus ministry must continually increase. If the gospel is not adapted and made relevant and engaging for a new generation of postmodern young adults, then we might as well hang up our hats right now.
Just the fact that I had a place to go, once a week, to have a free lunch (that wasn't from the cafeteria) and see fellow Methodists and other progressive Christians, was great enough. The fact is that many of my United Methodist campus ministers were revered by the whole college. But that's what not what had an impact on me. The best thing about our Wesley meetings were the openness, the lack of a preachy vibe, and the presence of adults who genuinely cared about the lives of college folk. These ministers didn't want anything from us, they didn't ask us to be someone we were not, and they didn't treat us like we were dumb. We were presented with new activities each week, and we were given the opportunity to express our opinions and values.
The Associate Chaplain my freshman year, a United Methodist pastor, went to the Pacific School of Religion, where I currently go to seminary. Without her encouragement as I stayed in touch with her and began discerning graduate school plans, I probably wouldn't be where I am today.
I am of the firm conviction that campus ministry may be one of the single most important aspects of ministry for the United Methodist church if the church is to survive. Not only should campus ministry be highly funded, but the leadership of campus ministry must be consistently held accountable for success. Not many people are cut out for leading a good campus ministry, but there is not a system of accountability in UMC campus ministry like there would be in a congregation. The focus upon campus ministry must continually increase. If the gospel is not adapted and made relevant and engaging for a new generation of postmodern young adults, then we might as well hang up our hats right now.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Holston Conference, Tennessee
Five Stories of Campus Ministry from the Holston Conference
(after the jump, click on the Wesley Foundation links on the lower right hand side of the page)
(after the jump, click on the Wesley Foundation links on the lower right hand side of the page)
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Chris, Texas
More than a pantry
like a family
A peaceable kingdom
a heavenly beacon
a community of individuals
that understand the pressure, drama, love & life.
A place to take guard down from it.
A place, when left, is sorely missed.
My thoughts, jumbling, not solid
Wesley’s all I like, but know not what to call it.
Wesley’s takes issues & perspective
its friendliness, seductive
I know what it is -
impossible to replace.
It is a just, favorable, loving face.
- Chris, Texas Christian University Wesley Foundation Student
like a family
A peaceable kingdom
a heavenly beacon
a community of individuals
that understand the pressure, drama, love & life.
A place to take guard down from it.
A place, when left, is sorely missed.
My thoughts, jumbling, not solid
Wesley’s all I like, but know not what to call it.
Wesley’s takes issues & perspective
its friendliness, seductive
I know what it is -
impossible to replace.
It is a just, favorable, loving face.
- Chris, Texas Christian University Wesley Foundation Student
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