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University of Iowa
Ministry in times of Stress at the
University of Iowa 2008-2009
 When
students arrived at the University of Iowa in August 2008, they came to
a different campus. Floods ravaged the campus. Most of the Arts
Campus had been decimated, in effect washing away the heart of the
University of Iowa. Visual Arts students found that they were
commuting out to an old Menards store that had been converted into
studio, classroom and gallery space. Music students found practice
rooms and classrooms all across the city, including in the basement of
the Wesley Foundation. Theater students had the same issues. The
student union was not open until November. Uncertainty still pervades the Arts Campus as officials continue work on whether to reclaim, rebuild or relocate. In
the midst of the floods, other events shook the lives of students. Two
professors committed suicide, both after being accused of sexual
harassment. The charges against one of the professors has since been
refuted and dismissed. A local mother known to our community killed one
son and attempted to kill another and is now awaiting trial. On
the personal side, students involved at the Wesley Foundation have
experienced trauma from the death of a parent and other family members,
from health issues; from depression. Students continue to offer
prayers for friends serving in the military overseas. This is on top
of the usual transitional issues of leaving home, entering into
relationships, changing life plans and life perspectives. On
the positive side, students became engaged and involved in politics on
an unprecedented scale. Students from the Wesley Foundation also gave
up Saturdays and Sundays to help with flood recovery work. At the
university, Dance Marathon engaged the whole campus as students raised
over a million dollars for cancer research and patient support. In
the midst of all of this, the Wesley Foundation at the University of
Iowa ministered to the students, staff and faculty at the University of
Iowa, trying to help make meaning out of tragedy and blessing. Marsha
Acord, chairing the Association of Campus Ministers, lead conversations
with the president of the University, counseling services, the
diversity office and university security. Paul
Shultz worked in collaboration with the Lutheran Campus Minister and
helped start an inter-faith group at Kirkwood Community College where
Muslims, Christians, and Mormons -- from Africa, the Middle-East,
urban America and rural America -- talk about how their faith has
shaped them. The
student community at the Wesley Foundation worked hard, encouraging one
another to be more intentional in outreach. A new logo was developed
for a campaign of bringing a friend to events. The logo was posted on
Facebook pages and dorm room doors. Students re-instituted Sunday
Supper connecting with even more people. The
year has been trying and exhilarating at the University of Iowa and at
the Wesley Foundation. More persons show up to talk with campus
ministers one on one. Many tears have been shed and frustrations
expressed. Young adults, who haven't had the years of life experience
which bring perspective to tragedy and trying times are growing up fast
and learning how faith can ground a person in the midst of a changing
world. And students, even more, are determined to give their lives to
make the world a better place.
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Iowa State University
 Summer, the Iowa State Wesley Foundation is definitely staying
active. Here are a few details.
>Two students (Jenny and Carli) and Campus Ministry Associate
Chris Hockley attended the United Methodist Student Forum in Louisiana in May
where they made new friends, sharing about our ministries and came back with
good ideas for next Fall.
>A small group got together following Sunday worship two weeks
ago to care for their "highway miles", picking up at least six BIG
bags of trash.
>The "FaithLink" Sunday morning study group decided
to keep meeting throughout the summer, inexplicably voting to meet BEFORE
morning worship (at 8:30!). This past Sunday was the start of a 5-week
study on food issues and our faithful responses...hunger, obesity, local
and sustainable agriculture,
>The Iowa Cubs outing was rained out but the group went for "plan
b"...they saw the movie "UP" and otherwise wrecked havoc
on Des Moines.
>Wesley participants hosted "Operation B.R.U.N.C.H."
(Bring Righteous Unity, Come Hungry) this past Sunday for the Collegiate/Wesley
congregation. The pancakes and hashbrowns FLEW out of the kitchen,
feeding at least 75 people. Another B.R.U.N.C.H. is happening in July.
>Campus ministry staff, students and volunteers from the
Collegiate/Wesley congregation are "working the booth" at Iowa
State's "Summer Orientation Resource Fair". Incoming students
and their parents come to the Resource Fair at the end of 1.5 days of
Orientation. We greet these often bleary-eyed, over-informed people and
tell them ALL about our campus ministries.
>Each Wednesday night from 6-8 finds us on the Terrace @ 2622 W.
Lincoln Way in Ames for "Barbecue Bible Study". Participants
bring something for the grill. After we eat we dig into scripture using a
wide variety of methods. Join us any week (but just know that we're
joining Collegiate/Wesley's "All-Church Picnic" shindig on
June 24).
>We're going on a "Spiritual Mountaintop" nature
hike to the Ledges State Park this Saturday, June 20 (leaving the church @ 10
a.m. and returning around 3 p.m.). The NEXT Saturday, it's back to
the Ledges, THIS time by BOAT! We're canoeing down the Des Moines
River and, we hope, stopping @ the Ledges (otherwise it's Saylorville
time, once again).
>We're still hoping to take "Wesley on the Road"
this summer, gathering with friends, alums and current and future students in
various locations around the state. All we need are some folks to loan us
their back yard (or direct us to a city park) and maybe fire up the grill for
us. The agenda would be food and fellowship. Contact Rev. Jim
Shirbroun ( jim@cwames.org ) if you'd
like to participate!
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Nine College Students Emphasize Love and Service this Summer
by
Mary Beth Coudal
New York, NY, June 2, 2009--"We as young people should be
leaders in reaching out and serving others," Joe Riddle said. Mr.
Riddle is one of nine Summer Interns going to work at United
Methodist-related community centers and congregations. "I believe that
love is the answer, love will find a way."
The young adults--a socio-economically, racially, and ethnically
diverse group--shared their beliefs, stories, songs, and laughter, and
played football at their orientation last week. They were selected to
participate in Global Ministries' Summer Intern program based on
applications received in the spring.
The young people met at Stony Point Retreat Center in Stony Point,
New York, to get to know one another; learn about their work over the
next two months; and hear about the wide range of Global Ministries'
work. Upon completing their assignments at the end of July, the Summer
Interns will return to New York City for several days to share what
they've learned.
The Summer Interns will serve with children, homeless adults, and
marginalized communities in centers around the United States. The names
of the 2009 Summer Interns and their places of assignment follow:
- Ashita Elanko from Virginia will become an instructor at
the Asian Women's Resources Center in San Francisco, California. She
will mentor the children from the Chinese community who attend the
summer program.
- Joy Harrison from New England will serve as
the Assistant Summer Camp Instructor at North Rampart Community Center
in New Orleans, Louisiana. She will help youth develop study skills and
self-esteem.
- Ilunga "Raissa" Kiboko from Iowa will also be
serving as an Assistant Summer Camp Instructor at North Rampart
Community Center, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Nicole Luebrun
from California-Pacific will be working at First Grace Community
Alliance in New Orleans, Louisiana. As the Hagar's House Summer Intern,
she will organize, manage, and assist with donations to the women's
shelter.
- Saul Montiel from Desert Southwest will tutor
children in English at Amor y Paz Iglesia Metodista Unida in
Winchester, Virginia. Working with the Niños de Dios program, he will
organize recreational activities and teach kids healthy eating habits.
- Jeannette
Nez from Texas will serve in the Upper Sand Mountain Parish in
Sylvania, Alabama. She will help with summer camp activities and
volunteer teams that visit the eight churches that make up the Upper
Sand Mountain Parish.
- Joseph Riddle from North Alabama will
minister to children from the Cherokee community. He will also help
organize the volunteers who visit Cookson Hills United Methodist
Mission in Cookson, Oklahoma.
- Rebekah Swineford from
Western Pennsylvania will be a Summer Intern at Rising Hope United
Methodist Mission Church in Alexandria, Virginia. She will empower
people who have limited incomes with food and clothing distributions
and childrens' summer activities.
- Paul Turner from East
Ohio will work at Travis Park United Methodist Church Corazon Ministry
in San Antonio, Texas. He will be a part of the supportive community
for homeless people at the center, giving hospitality and hope.
This is Global Ministries' second annual Summer Intern program.
Popular in the 1980s and 1990s, the Summer Intern program ceased in
2000 when the mission agency shifted its focus to longer-term mission
opportunities for young adults.
"Working in new, often unfamiliar environments offers young people
opportunities to experience first-hand how mission functions in a world
of diversity," said Rev. Suzanne Field-Rabb, youth and young adult
ministries executive at the mission agency. "Each placement involves
some element of social justice, which allows interns to become engaged
with the church in action in eradicating injustice."
Summer Interns are between the ages of 18 to 25 and have completed
at least one year of college. They receive a $2,500 stipend, the cost
of travel to and from their place of assignment, and room and board. In
exchange, they agree to tell the story of their encounter with social
justice and witness to their faith through The United Methodist Church.
In 2008, Meredith Faggart from North Carolina was one of 15 Summer
Interns; she worked at Cookson Hills in Oklahoma with the Cherokee
people. "I'm definitely considering the Mission Intern program after I
graduate from college in 2011," Ms. Faggart says. The Mission Intern
program is a three-year missionary commitment wherein the young person
works half the time internationally and the other half, nationally.
"I believe that through this program I will learn to serve and build
a closer relationship with God," said Summer Intern Ashita Elanko. "I
can help the children I will work with by sharing my belief in God, and
this could encourage them to develop and grow more as Christians."
For information on how you can become or support a young adult
missionary through Global Ministries, click: Young Adults in Mission.
For more information on the Summer Intern Program, contact Rev. Field-Rabb at SFRabb@gbgm-umc.org.
Source: GBGM Administration
"We as young people should be the leaders in reaching out and serving
others." Summer Interns Joy Harrison, Nichol Luebrun, and Joe Riddle
share stories at Stony Point Retreat Center.
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