Merry Christmas from the
Wesley Foundations of Iowa
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University of Iowa (Sending Students into the World)

Work at the Wesley Foundation constantly deals with transition: students coming, maturing, and students going. We mark the major transitions through ritual.

At the end of each semester, students finish their course work and move on to more school or to careers.  Once in awhile, a student transitions to reflection and reassessment and sticks around for a year or so after graduation.

Our transition ritual of sending students out into the world includes many elements:

A worship blessing

At the end of worship, the students who will be leaving the university and the Wesley Foundation gather at the center of the worshipping community.  The rest of the community gathers around them and lays hands on them.  The community then sings the song "Sanctuary" to bless and send them on their way.  They change the lyrics of the song just a touch for this moment:

Lord, prepare them to be a sanctuary pure and holy, tried
and true.

       With thanksgiving, they'll be a living sanctuary for you.

Dessert Reception

Wesley Foundation staff ask the students what they would like for a dessert, and they seek to make that favorite desert for the students and to share with the rest of the community following worship.

Questions and Gifts

With desert and milk in hand, the community gathers once again for the traditional asking of the five questions of each of the students leaving:

What was your favorite class at the university?
What was your worst class at the university?
What is your favorite Iowa City hangout?
What has been your most meaningful memory of the Wesley Foundation?
When people ask what you're going to do after graduation, what do you really want to say to them...

The answers given create laughter and sometimes tears. The answers also help orient the newer students to life at the university.

After the questions, each students is handed a certificate that says something personal about them and their time with the Wesley Foundation.  

They are also given a hand-crafted coffee mug with a logo of the Wesley Foundation as a significant and beautiful reminder of this community.

Then Out into the World

The students who come through the Wesley Foundation are ready to be leaders in the church and the world.  Many have made significant vocational and life decisions while involved as university students in the Wesley Foundation.  When they come into your community, they are ready to invest themselves and to help your church make a difference. 

U of I

Brian Dellabetta December Graduate on the left.

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Drake University

The Drake Wesley House had an abundant year. We have been actively engaged in ministry to the students, faculty and staff of the university as well as the surrounding community. Drake Wesley House provides a safe space for several AA groups. Addiction is an ongoing struggle for many people in our community and we are pleased to be able to help them on their journey toward wholeness.

Our ministry to students includes a regular meal that serves up lively conversation alongside a simple, hearty meal.  We have also started a weekly prayer service for peace on campus. This interfaith, contemplative service is held in Scott Chapel and features a rare phenomenon in our world; silence.

The Wesley House is also the new home for Justice for Our Neighbors, a United Methodist ministry that helps visitors navigate the difficult waters of documentation and immigration. We are excited to be able to share our resources with those doing such important and faithful work.

Drake Wesley House is anxious to see what 2009 brings and we remain grateful to you who support our ministry.

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University of Northern Iowa


UNI

Peer Ministers in service - Andrea Baker, Amber Howe, Elizabeth Collins, Emma Gu, Shiyu Dong and James Dalluge; Daytrips to Dubuque and the Bridges of Madison County; Graduates in seminary - Cody Nielsen at Wesley, Travis Stevick and Tim Frasher at Dubuque; Blood Center of Iowa Blood Drives (3); Weekly worship with music by jazz pianist Paul Chan; Thanksgiving Break Ecumenical service trip with Flood Recovery in the Cedar Valley; Thanksgiving Dinner completely prepared by the student community; Christmas Celebration with "A Christmas Story" and Chinese food; Weekly trips to the Cedar Bend Humane Society; Book study group "5 People You Meet in Heaven"; Remodeled kitchen, dining area and Bathrooms!; Campus Ministry Associate; Furniture Loan program; Friendly and casual conversations in the lobby; weekly "Office" viewing; cookie baking for the Waterloo Community Meals; Logos Bible study group; paintball; Halloween party; bon fires in the back yard; 5th Annual Block Party; Mandarin worship; Art sale and more!
 
            These are a few of my favorite things......and some of the highlights of the Fall '08 semester at the Wesley Foundation in Cedar Falls.  Thank you for your support.

UNI 2

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Iowa State University

midweek Chapel...By Nikki Ross
I have attended midweek chapel for over a year now and I love it. It is right in the middle of the week-in the middle of the day. For me it is the quiet center of my week. It is a time to sing a few songs, pray, hear a devotional, and be in community with others. We follow the Taizé style worship, which focuses on sung prayers. It is a very relaxing style that calms the mind, body, and spirit. We also have a time of sharing our joys, concerns, and answering how it is with our souls. We then lift each other up in prayer all week. It is so good for me to be able to share what is on my heart and to know that others are continuing to pray for me all week. midweek helps me to remember God during my busiest time of the week and to change my focus from all of the stress of school to the joys of living for God in Christian community.
 
Morning Prayer Time
By Cathy Cooney
 
Until recently, my morning routine consisted of throwing on some clothes, eating an omelet, and heading off to class.  Then our campus ministry began offering a morning prayer time from 7 to 8 in Nichol's Chapel.  I don't go every day, and I never stay very long (maybe 5 or 15 minutes), but it still brightens my day. I've found that this time of silence and conversation with God is a great way to start a crazy day of college life.  I also love the fact that it's not rigidly structured or something that I feel obligated to attend every day.  I am welcome to come at 7 or at 7:50.  I can stay for 2 minutes or for 30.  If the desire to sleep in wins out and I miss a day or two, that's fine as well. But those days I go to prayer time in the chapel, I enjoy those few moments of serenity in quiet conversation with my Lord.  I offer you the opportunity to do the same.
 
 
The Wesley Foundation @ Iowa State has recently heard from two former participants who are working to change the world.  Amanda Thordsen continues to serve in Haiti providing food, education and shelter for children and working in HIV/AIDS education, treatment and prevention.  Chris Deal is in Uganda with a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship studying in a Master's of Renewable Energy program.  While there, he's coordinating a couple of service projects "on the side" including one aimed at providing a sustainable source of mosquito nets for schools in rural Uganda to prevent the spread of malaria.
 
Our semester @ Iowa State wrapped up with:
 
  • a silent candle-light vigil lamenting some of the recent legislative actions regarding LGBT issues around the country and standing in solidarity with our sisters and brothers.
  • an original one-act play performed by four ISU Wesley students at the Maintenance Shop in the Memorial Union.
  • A Thanksgiving Party including turkey bowling.
  • lots of planning for next semester including the Vision/Action Team meetings and "Sneak Peek, Input and Pie Parties".
  • Dead Week Stress Relievers such as Gingerbread House Construction, Rockband, Movie Night, Board Game Night and more!
  • We're in the midst of "Finals Week Breakfasts" (a "well-buttered machine in its 22nd semester", according to Campus Pastor Jim Shirbroun).  The menu for the week includes pancakes, custom-made omelets (2 mornings!) french toast and "Bagel and Donut Bonanza").
 
Finally, our annual Iowa State Wesley Christmas Card is being assembled.  Anyone interested in receiving this huge photo-collage of our year in campus ministry is encouraged to email Campus Pastor Jim Shirbroun @ jim_shirbroun@qwestoffice.net
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Home for the Holidays
  • Host a gathering for your church's college students who are back home for the holidays.
  • Take this opportunity to discuss their experiences with religion on campus. 
  • Ask them to share what they know about Campus Ministry while also sharing your own knowledge about Campus Ministry. 
  • Invite your students to share some of their experiences with the congregation.
  • Discuss having lunch with your college students after they return to college.  Taking a couple hours and having lunch with a group of students along with some of the Campus Ministers can be a great way for college students to reconnect with their home churches and learn about Campus Ministry while spending time with familar faces. 
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