 February Wesley Foundation Update |
|
Greetings,
Here is a glimpse into what the Wesley Foundation in Iowa are doing this semester.
|
|
|
University of Iowa
|
 |
Students Learning to Lead by Leading
Ed
Crise plans a menu that will serve 150 people once a month. These
people come to the Free Lunch Program which is housed at the Wesley
Center at the University of Iowa. The Free Lunch Program serves over
38,000 meals each year out of our center. Once a month, the student
community under the leadership of Ed Crise take their turn serving the
meal.
Our students participate in this work for several reasons:
3.We use outreach as an expression of their Christian faith
2.Hungry people need to be fed
1.We believe in developing leadership in students as they lead
After
Ed plans the menu and works with food organizations in Iowa City to
obtain all the ingredients, he recruits student volunteers to help
prepare, serve and then clean up following the meal. During the actual
serving of the meal, Ed interacts with the Free Lunch guests and
student volunteers. He delegates tasks to be done. He makes an
announcement, offers a public prayer, and keeps things moving for a
hectic hour of "more salad," "is that casserole done yet?"
The
Wesley Foundation at the University of Iowa seek to develop leaders at
every possible opportunity. We believe that having students lead helps
them learn to lead. Ed meets weekly with a Campus Minister to reflect
on what works and why, to think practically and theologically through
each aspect of the work. He also meets weekly with other student
leaders to share their experiences and to learn from one another.
Offering
students the opportunity to lead through meaningful work makes a
difference in their confidence, their experience, and how they learn to
think theologically. Many students leave our program ready to offer
their leadership in communities, and churches, and through their
vocations. Free Lunch is but one venue. Some students plan and
prepare spiritual retreats. Others work at developing interfaith
dialogue on campus. Students look at the challenge of Christian
outreach on a big campus and figure out ways to spread the news about
the Wesley Foundation. In almost every venue of our work, we include
students in the leadership, mentoring them and having them reflect with
other students on their work and their faith.
Ed
Crise, has developed confidence and maturity, leading our work with the
Free Lunch Program. I have seen Ed set up strong boundaries with Free
Lunch guests, but do it gently and firmly. I have seen Ed speak words
of encouragement. He has learned to delegate work and make it
meaningful to volunteers.
Ed
has changed the vocational direction of his life through working with
the Wesley Foundation. He listened to his heart and felt called to
make a difference in the world.
We
believe leadership development needs to be an intentional practice
built around students who make a meaningful difference even as they
experience personal growth themselves. |
|
|
| |
|
Drake University
The warning went out across campus
email. Campus Security wanted to alert the community of two separate attacks
that had occurred in the Drake neighborhood.
The suspects are still at large and described as young men, ages 17-22
and wearing hooded sweatshirts. Police and campus security asked the community
to report suspicious activity of anyone matching the description.
Some students brushed off the
alert. Others were troubled. It may have reminded them of their vulnerability
or of the ever-widening gap between those who have plenty and those who are
desperate. Campus life can be an anxious life. The academic and social pressure
on college campuses impact every student. The economic pressure, fueled by our
current economic crisis, is a new source of stress for some students. Financial
Aid offices across the country are hearing the same story: this is the last
semester my parents can afford. These are difficult times for college students,
faculty, and staff.
It is unlikely that the Drake
Wesley House will be involved in apprehending the two young men in hooded
sweatshirts. Likewise, we will not be offering full scholarships to students
whose parents have been laid off. We are not called to make problems or
pressure go away. We are called be with students, to listen to their fears and
their dreams. We are called to be a non-anxious presence in a turbulent season
of life. We are called to help these fellow disciples in their search for
meaning and purpose in a broken world.
The Drake Wesley House is just one
of the ministries all United Methodists in Iowa share. We are engaged in this important
work because the Iowa Annual Conference understands the crucial role young
people have in the current and future Church.
We thank you for your trust and
your unceasing prayers.
|
Students from the Wesley Foundation @ Iowa State went on a
Winter Retreat recently. Participants
heard from students heading up each of six ministry areas (Acts of
Mercy,
Worship, Spiritual Disciplines, Community, Social Justice and Outreach)
about
activities and events coming up this Spring Semester. Our faithspring
band led worship. We also participated in a service project,
making "Hope Blankets" to be given to those welcoming babies into their
families, confirmation class members, high school graduates, persons
dealing
with health issues or the death of loved ones, etc.
We also, of course, ate lots of food, stayed up VERY late,
played some goofy games, went on a hike, and generally learned more about
ourselves, one another and God. We came
back even more pumped up about the great semester ahead.
 
Having
completed their Hope Blanket, While
the band warms up, a few
these three suddenly transformed into other participants (foreground)
the
Teenage Mutant (Fleece?) Turtles. finish their Hope
Blankets.
|
Challenges Facing Campus Ministry
In light of a recent spiritual revival among college students, The
United Methodist Church is finding new ways to respond to the needs of
young people. Through the United Methodist Student Movement, a growing
number of student leaders are seeking a strong role in the
denomination. However, they may not enjoy worshipping in local churches
with traditional styles of worship, and some of those churches may not
welcome the gifts that young leaders have to offer.
Although The United Methodist Church has the largest network of
Protestant campus outreach, it is represented on less than one-third of
U.S. college and university campuses. As the numbers of students
increase, the church must find a way to provide a more intentional
witness to a burgeoning generation of young seekers.
Today's college students have many competing demands for their
time. Students with an established history of involvement in
extracurricular activities may choose among a variety of activities
outside the classroom. Limited funds and meeting space can handicap
campus ministries.
Campus ministers may find their reach limited by the increasing
numbers of students who consider themselves spiritual, but not
religious. This individual spirituality may affect students' interest
in participating in activities planned by organizations.
The increasing globalization of the student body poses a challenge
to further develop a multicultural consciousness. Many students arrive
at college with a sense of global social mission, and the numbers of
international students continue to increase. The church and its campus
ministers and campus chaplains must be open to and prepared to offer
welcoming activities and appropriate programs and resources for
students from countries other than the United States.
Campus ministry, as well as the larger church, is challenged by
the impact of technology. Cell phones, e-mail, text messaging, and
online courses all affect relationships on campus. While technology can
isolate students, some campus ministers and chaplains are finding
creative ways to use technology and social networks such as Facebook to
communicate with students.
The church often cannot match the salary and benefits paid to
campus ministers with those provided campus chaplains who are employed
as staff of a college or university.
© 2009 General Board of Higher Education & Ministry
|
|
| |
