Greetings,
For many colleges and university spring break is currently happening. Please be in prayer for all students as they volunteer, serve, travel, study, prepare for their future, and visit family and friends.
iowa state university
Quad Cities Mission Trip Reflection
by Amy Seibert & Kaylyn Hodge
We recently took a mission trip to the Quad Cities during part of our spring break. We had a variety of experiences during this trip that explored many opportunities to serve in any community. We were all in a new environment on this trip, but being in a group setting made it easier to be open to new experiences.
by Amy Seibert & Kaylyn Hodge
We recently took a mission trip to the Quad Cities during part of our spring break. We had a variety of experiences during this trip that explored many opportunities to serve in any community. We were all in a new environment on this trip, but being in a group setting made it easier to be open to new experiences.
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On Saturday, we worked on a new house with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that builds houses for low-income housing. We finished painting and put down about half of the flooring in the house. The future homeowner worked with us for the day and we learned about her situation and her involvement in the building of her house with Habitat. |
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On Sunday, we attended Grace United Methodist Church in Davenport who runs a clothing closet called Blessing Closet. We worked with them to sort clothing and distribute it to homeless people
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in the community at Timothy's House of Hope and Humility of Mary Shelter Incorporated. This ministry provided clothing to over 3,000 individuals last year.
We also watched a documentary (which I would recommend you all watch on Netflix!) called "Living on a Dollar". This documentary follows four college friends on a two month stay living on one US dollar a day in Puerto Rico. They learn a lot about living in poverty and the economic situation of the families who under the poverty line. We had many reflections ... |
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On Monday, we worked at Nahant Marsh clearing invasive species and learning about their restoration efforts. The Marsh was trap and shoot grounds that had lead bullets which lead to high amounts of lead in the soil. They are now taking great lengths to conserve and restore the prairie land.
On Tuesday, we headed to a local parks and recreation for where we cleaned lockers, cleaned walls, moved chairs, and painted. We learned just how much preparation is involved to prepare a local swimming pool for the summer. |
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How can I help? We may not be able to fix the problems people face completely, but we can offer partial solutions. These partial solutions and the relationships built with the people around us provide hope to continue the work when we are no longer able. We are provided with a lifetime of opportunities to give to those we come across in our path. Oftentimes we let fear hold us back. Once this fear is overcome we can find connections we never thought possible and open up to a world of possibilities.
Enjoy this Spring Break carol from us!
On the first day of Spring Break ... we helped to build a house; and made a difference indeed.
On the second day of Spring Break ... we handed out free clothes; helped those in need.
On the third day of Spring Break ... we worked at Nahant Marsh, cleared invasive weeds.
On the fourth day of Spring Break ... we helped with parks and rec; painted and cleaned with great speed.
Enjoy this Spring Break carol from us!
On the first day of Spring Break ... we helped to build a house; and made a difference indeed.
On the second day of Spring Break ... we handed out free clothes; helped those in need.
On the third day of Spring Break ... we worked at Nahant Marsh, cleared invasive weeds.
On the fourth day of Spring Break ... we helped with parks and rec; painted and cleaned with great speed.
university of northern iowa
by Macie Anderson
This past year, several beloved staff members have moved on from Threehouse for various reasons, whether that be graduation from college, a new career move, or simply a change in place. Thus, the students and staff members remaining at Threehouse are discovering new ways to branch out from our daily tasks and take on new roles.
This past year, several beloved staff members have moved on from Threehouse for various reasons, whether that be graduation from college, a new career move, or simply a change in place. Thus, the students and staff members remaining at Threehouse are discovering new ways to branch out from our daily tasks and take on new roles.
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Whether they are playing the piano, reading scripture, creating content for Threehouse communications, or creating displays for worship, students have stepped up and taken on new leadership roles to keep Threehouse moving forward. Megan Capek and Jordan Derhammer have taken on the role of decorating the worship center for Wednesday night worship. EachWednesday, Pastor Dave Glenn-Burns provides the scripture and theme to Megan and Jordan, and they are in charge of using their creativity to decorate and bring worship to life. They have created everything from a river of water to a table set for a feast. It may seem like a small task, but taking on this role has been a great opportunity to develop their leadership and creativity. |
May 8-13, Threehouse students will be traveling to Memphis to serve with an organization called Serve901. Serve901 connects with other service organizations to provide the opportunity for college students to engage and serve in the Memphis community. We discovered Serve901 through our connection with Patric Newton, former site director at Pictured Rocks UM Camp. Megan is in charge of setting up for a trivia night fundraiser for this trip which will take place on April 8th at 6:30 pm at Threehouse. She is working with the UNI campus PR group and other students to spread the word about the event. There will be an $8 admission for the community and $5 admission for students. Contestants will work with teams of 6-8 people to solve trivia questions to receive prizes throughout the night. If you are interested in attending, call Threehouse (319) 266-4071 to register.
university of iowa
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Campus ministry meets students where they are, and helps
empower, equip, and encourage their spiritual growth, vocational discernment, and leadership in community. Jannalee Nieuwenhuis, Campus Ministry Associate at the UI Wesley Center, preached last week at Solon UMC. Below is a link to her sermon. Hear these words of a young person practicing prophetic spirituality and gospel faithfulness, even when it takes her out of her comfort zone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPkPw3eI6M&sns=em |
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Greetings,
Summer break is in full swing, but Wesley Foundations aren't just waiting for the Fall semester. Iowa Wesley Foundations are still actively ministering to students to provide a place for support, community, learning and personal growth. Do you know any students taking summer classes or attending orientation events? Please encourage them to visit their local Wesley Foundation this summer!
Summer break is in full swing, but Wesley Foundations aren't just waiting for the Fall semester. Iowa Wesley Foundations are still actively ministering to students to provide a place for support, community, learning and personal growth. Do you know any students taking summer classes or attending orientation events? Please encourage them to visit their local Wesley Foundation this summer!
Greetings,
May is always a time of change at the Wesley Foundations. It's a time to reflect on the last year or the last few years for those that are finishing their final semester of college. Below are a few reflections from some recent college graduates and Wesley Foundation staff.
May is always a time of change at the Wesley Foundations. It's a time to reflect on the last year or the last few years for those that are finishing their final semester of college. Below are a few reflections from some recent college graduates and Wesley Foundation staff.
Greetings,
Spring break is this week for many colleges and universities. Please pray for all of the students, staff, and campus pastors that are spending their spring break on service and learning trips.
Spring break is this week for many colleges and universities. Please pray for all of the students, staff, and campus pastors that are spending their spring break on service and learning trips.
Greetings,
Spring is in the air and most high school students are counting down the days until graduation and think about their plans for next year. Please let those that are going to college know about their local Wesley Foundation and let the Wesley Foundation staff know about them. Wesley Foundation staff and students can answer questions for them about campus, classes, housing, finding God on campus, ways to grow in your faith while at college and so much more making them a little less anxious about the future.
Spring is in the air and most high school students are counting down the days until graduation and think about their plans for next year. Please let those that are going to college know about their local Wesley Foundation and let the Wesley Foundation staff know about them. Wesley Foundation staff and students can answer questions for them about campus, classes, housing, finding God on campus, ways to grow in your faith while at college and so much more making them a little less anxious about the future.
Greetings,
Have you contemplated how campus ministry impacted your life? In this Wesley Foundation Update, Rev. Larry Hollon shares a little bit of his story as was printed in the March/April issue of Interpreter Magazine. The whole issue is dedicated to Higher Education and Campus Ministry What does campus ministry mean to you? How has it impacted your life? We would love to hear your story. Please send your story to Lisa at [email protected].
Have a blessed Lenten season.
It takes a village and more
by Rev. Larry Hollon
Higher education was not part of my family's experience. It was, for me, a vague possibility. As no one in my extended family had attended college, it was unfamiliar territory. I showed promise in writing and debating, but the skills known to my family were for manual labor. When I experienced a call to ministry, a call that was as equally beyond my imagination as attending college, I was at a loss about what that call entailed. Of course, it was obvious that it meant working as a local church pastor, but who knew you needed an education for that?
Even before this, I had been encouraged by schoolteachers and other adults in the community to consider higher education. By the time I was a senior in high school, the idea began to solidify. It does not escape me that today some parents start thinking of college plans for their children from the time they start kindergarten. But in those days, the pressure was neither so intense nor the competition so fierce. Individual laypersons and my pastor made a life-changing difference. They counseled me about how to collect the information about colleges, understand the tuition fees and apply for scholarships and loans.
They pointed me to a church-related college and helped me to review scholarship information and to prepare an application. Encouragement came in other ways. I recall that sometime during this journey I got a call from Mrs. Agnes Booker, a member of our local congregation who lived across the street from First United Methodist Church in Stroud, Okla. She asked me to stop by her house. Mrs. Booker was a widow. She was not a person of notable wealth. She explained to me that she got a monthly pension remittance for her deceased husband's work as a volunteer firefighter in our small town. She wanted to give me this stipend for one month. She handed me 30 dollars and change. It was the most meaningful encouragement I'd received at that point. To this day, it brings forth gratitude.
I also learned of a church-operated student loan fund. The United Methodist Student Loan Fund provided loans at a very low interest rate. It was unlike any other student aid at that time. With a mix of crazy part-time jobs, the United Methodist Student Loan and scholarships, I was able to complete college and seminary. We paid off that student loan over several years, never begrudging the obligation. in my case, it took a village, and more, to raise and educate a child. It took the commitment of people whom I will never know who founded and supported church-related colleges and seminaries; individuals who encouraged, guided and believed in me; and educators who nurtured new thinking and imparted knowledge.
It took a caring community and institutions, and it still does. Our United Methodist system of higher education continues to offer hope and impart knowledge. It continues to make the dream of higher education real for young people, some of whom are among the first of their families to achieve the goal of higher education.
"Reprinted from Interpreter Magazine, a publication of United Methodist Communications March/April 2013"
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/unitedmethodist/interpreter_20130304/index.php
Higher education was not part of my family's experience. It was, for me, a vague possibility. As no one in my extended family had attended college, it was unfamiliar territory. I showed promise in writing and debating, but the skills known to my family were for manual labor. When I experienced a call to ministry, a call that was as equally beyond my imagination as attending college, I was at a loss about what that call entailed. Of course, it was obvious that it meant working as a local church pastor, but who knew you needed an education for that?
Even before this, I had been encouraged by schoolteachers and other adults in the community to consider higher education. By the time I was a senior in high school, the idea began to solidify. It does not escape me that today some parents start thinking of college plans for their children from the time they start kindergarten. But in those days, the pressure was neither so intense nor the competition so fierce. Individual laypersons and my pastor made a life-changing difference. They counseled me about how to collect the information about colleges, understand the tuition fees and apply for scholarships and loans.
They pointed me to a church-related college and helped me to review scholarship information and to prepare an application. Encouragement came in other ways. I recall that sometime during this journey I got a call from Mrs. Agnes Booker, a member of our local congregation who lived across the street from First United Methodist Church in Stroud, Okla. She asked me to stop by her house. Mrs. Booker was a widow. She was not a person of notable wealth. She explained to me that she got a monthly pension remittance for her deceased husband's work as a volunteer firefighter in our small town. She wanted to give me this stipend for one month. She handed me 30 dollars and change. It was the most meaningful encouragement I'd received at that point. To this day, it brings forth gratitude.
I also learned of a church-operated student loan fund. The United Methodist Student Loan Fund provided loans at a very low interest rate. It was unlike any other student aid at that time. With a mix of crazy part-time jobs, the United Methodist Student Loan and scholarships, I was able to complete college and seminary. We paid off that student loan over several years, never begrudging the obligation. in my case, it took a village, and more, to raise and educate a child. It took the commitment of people whom I will never know who founded and supported church-related colleges and seminaries; individuals who encouraged, guided and believed in me; and educators who nurtured new thinking and imparted knowledge.
It took a caring community and institutions, and it still does. Our United Methodist system of higher education continues to offer hope and impart knowledge. It continues to make the dream of higher education real for young people, some of whom are among the first of their families to achieve the goal of higher education.
"Reprinted from Interpreter Magazine, a publication of United Methodist Communications March/April 2013"
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/unitedmethodist/interpreter_20130304/index.php
Dear Pastor Karen Hoff,
Lent just started and for students it's also the time of the semester with the first big round of exams. Almost every student we talk to either just had an exam or two or three or they will have exams next week. We are offering ways to worship, ways to serve, ways to build community, and ways to deepen their faith. Lent is such a spiritual journey and for some giving something up or adding something on are wonderful spiritual disciplines that help them to strengthen their connection with God. I've known people that have written a personal letter to someone each day of Lent. What about talking with a college student or two about their spiritual journey? What letting them know about their local Wesley Foundation and the opportunities that will help them deepen their faith this Lent?
Lent just started and for students it's also the time of the semester with the first big round of exams. Almost every student we talk to either just had an exam or two or three or they will have exams next week. We are offering ways to worship, ways to serve, ways to build community, and ways to deepen their faith. Lent is such a spiritual journey and for some giving something up or adding something on are wonderful spiritual disciplines that help them to strengthen their connection with God. I've known people that have written a personal letter to someone each day of Lent. What about talking with a college student or two about their spiritual journey? What letting them know about their local Wesley Foundation and the opportunities that will help them deepen their faith this Lent?
Bishop Dyck: You Cannot Walk This Path Alone
by Vicki Brown
You have a purpose-given life, Bishop Sally Dyck told young adults attending Imagine What's NEXT. She urged them to find that purpose and to find a community of faith to help them with that purpose.
"You cannot walk this path alone," Dyck, the resident bishop of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference, told 560 students and campus ministers attending a new student event sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in partnership with other UM boards and agencies.Dyck told the students that some of them will decide to enter candidacy for ordained ministry, but she added that the church also needs people who are gifted in math and science and can teach children. She encouraged them to watch for signposts along the way to guide them, saying that when she "fell into" campus ministry, the ordained woman who led that ministry was "my calling made flesh."She told the group that she knows some of them are tired of church, comparing churches to store-bought tomatoes that just aren't what a tomato should be. "But don't give up on church just because you've seen the worst," she said.
"Dare to step out and trust that the solid rock of Jesus Christ is there," Dyck said in the closing worship service for NEXT, a new United Methodist event held in St. Louis, Mo., on Nov. 9-11. The event was meant to challenge and inspire college students to consider and plan the next faithful steps for their vocations, their communities, the church, and the world.The event included a concert Saturday night by the Grammy-nominated group Gungor. Their 2011 release Beautiful Things was nominated for best gospel song and best rock or rap gospel album. In opening worship, the Rev. Rudy Rasmus told the group of his previous life in the sex trade and how he became a Christian at age 34 through his wife Juanita's church. "Every Sunday, they kept telling me they loved me, and one day five years later, I believed them," said Rasmus, who now co-pastors St. John's United Methodist Church in downtown Houston with his wife.
Rasmus told the group that 80 percent of the money for churches comes from people over 55 years old and said someone has to replace those people because it takes money to do ministry.
He asked them to consider how many people in our world are on the margins. "I envision a world where people who love Jesus need to fight for justice," Rasmus said.
He asked the students to write their eulogy in six words, and then reflect on how they could live that eulogy."How would you like to be remembered in six words if your life ended today?" he asked. "Mine was: I loved like tomorrow didn't matter."
*Brown is associate editor and writer, Office of Interpretation, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
© 2013 General Board of Higher Education & Ministry
http://www.gbhem.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lsKSL3POLvF&b=7941329&ct=12492767
by Vicki Brown
You have a purpose-given life, Bishop Sally Dyck told young adults attending Imagine What's NEXT. She urged them to find that purpose and to find a community of faith to help them with that purpose.
"You cannot walk this path alone," Dyck, the resident bishop of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference, told 560 students and campus ministers attending a new student event sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in partnership with other UM boards and agencies.Dyck told the students that some of them will decide to enter candidacy for ordained ministry, but she added that the church also needs people who are gifted in math and science and can teach children. She encouraged them to watch for signposts along the way to guide them, saying that when she "fell into" campus ministry, the ordained woman who led that ministry was "my calling made flesh."She told the group that she knows some of them are tired of church, comparing churches to store-bought tomatoes that just aren't what a tomato should be. "But don't give up on church just because you've seen the worst," she said.
"Dare to step out and trust that the solid rock of Jesus Christ is there," Dyck said in the closing worship service for NEXT, a new United Methodist event held in St. Louis, Mo., on Nov. 9-11. The event was meant to challenge and inspire college students to consider and plan the next faithful steps for their vocations, their communities, the church, and the world.The event included a concert Saturday night by the Grammy-nominated group Gungor. Their 2011 release Beautiful Things was nominated for best gospel song and best rock or rap gospel album. In opening worship, the Rev. Rudy Rasmus told the group of his previous life in the sex trade and how he became a Christian at age 34 through his wife Juanita's church. "Every Sunday, they kept telling me they loved me, and one day five years later, I believed them," said Rasmus, who now co-pastors St. John's United Methodist Church in downtown Houston with his wife.
Rasmus told the group that 80 percent of the money for churches comes from people over 55 years old and said someone has to replace those people because it takes money to do ministry.
He asked them to consider how many people in our world are on the margins. "I envision a world where people who love Jesus need to fight for justice," Rasmus said.
He asked the students to write their eulogy in six words, and then reflect on how they could live that eulogy."How would you like to be remembered in six words if your life ended today?" he asked. "Mine was: I loved like tomorrow didn't matter."
*Brown is associate editor and writer, Office of Interpretation, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
© 2013 General Board of Higher Education & Ministry
http://www.gbhem.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lsKSL3POLvF&b=7941329&ct=12492767
From our friends at Iowa State University
Imagine No Malaria
The Wesley Foundation at Iowa State and the Committee on Lectures cosponsored the showing of the documentary A Killer in the Dark in the Sun Room in the Memorial Union at Iowa State University on Wednesday, October 10th. A Killer in the Dark is a documentary about the fight against malaria, a preventable disease that kills an estimated 800,000 people each year. The film shows what life is like for those fearful of contracting the disease and highlights the work of Imagine No Malaria, a ministry affiliated with the United Methodist Church in Africa. Carrie, a Wesley Foundation Student introduced this documentary and shared her personal connection to this cause. When she was in high school, she became friends with a foreign exchange student from Tanzania. A couple of years after he returned to Tanzania he contracted malaria and died. He wasn't even 18 when he lost his life. Carrie also introduced the two guest speakers. Lyric Bartholomay, associate professor of medical entomology at Iowa State gave us a great explanation of malaria. She thought that Imagine No Malaria was a wonderful initiative since nets are one of the best ways to fight this disease and it is crucial to use them properly. Rev. Katie Dawson, The Coordinator for Imagine No Malaria in the Iowa Annual Conference told us a little more about Imagine No Malaria and gave us an update on what is happening now. They both answered questions after the documentary.
Our Imagine No Malaria Planning Team has planned a couple of fundraisers this semester to help end malaria. We collected cans, bottles and cash at the football game on October 13th while wearing green Imagine No Malaria t-shirts. We will also be collecting cans, bottles, and cash at the Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 27th starting at 4 p.m. A couple that live close to the stadium will graciously let us set up a table in their yard for our headquarters where we will sell hot chocolate or lemonade depending on the weather and Imagine N Malaria bracelets. If you are at the football game and see anyone wearing a green Imagine No Malaria t-shirt, we hope you will consider donating to this cause.
Our Imagine No Malaria Planning Team has planned a couple of fundraisers this semester to help end malaria. We collected cans, bottles and cash at the football game on October 13th while wearing green Imagine No Malaria t-shirts. We will also be collecting cans, bottles, and cash at the Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 27th starting at 4 p.m. A couple that live close to the stadium will graciously let us set up a table in their yard for our headquarters where we will sell hot chocolate or lemonade depending on the weather and Imagine N Malaria bracelets. If you are at the football game and see anyone wearing a green Imagine No Malaria t-shirt, we hope you will consider donating to this cause.
University of Iowa
"Finding Your Bliss Retreat"
by Liz Ernst, UI Wesley intern
UI Wesley hosted a retreat at Pictured Rocks Camp the first weekend in October. We were a small but mighty group of five. I had been asked at the beginning of my Wesley internship to plan a retreat, which sounded like a great idea, except I had never been on a spiritual retreat before. So, I really had no idea what exactly I was getting myself into. My intent was to create a fun and close environment where we could share some laughs and grow in a personally significant way spiritually. Reflecting on the trip I would definitely say that it was a success. We got there on Friday night, set up camp and Taylor, the other student leader, gave a great talk about where we find bliss in our lives while we sat around the campfire... Later, three of us got to go caving with a guide which was a really cool experience. Tight spaces, bats, pitch black caves...yeah.
Saturday we did service for Camp Courageous, hauling fire wood for three hours. It was rough at times but Camp Courageous is an amazing organization and it felt good to help them out. Later that night over the campfire I gave my TED talk about a time in my life where there was no bliss in it. It was difficult to talk about it, but we developed a great group dynamic where I felt comfortable sharing.
There are a couple things I learned/will take away from the retreat-
Being in nature is a great way to connect with God. Taylor and I went hiking together and at one point we got to the top of the ridge and we just stood there and listened to the silence. It was a cool experience because there is usually so much noise in my life. Being completely still, surrounded by quiet, was a very peaceful experience.
Just go with it. Never having been on a retreat before I was not sure how the weekend was going to go. Things did not always go as planned but in those situations I just went with it and it turned out to be a good experience.
Saturday we did service for Camp Courageous, hauling fire wood for three hours. It was rough at times but Camp Courageous is an amazing organization and it felt good to help them out. Later that night over the campfire I gave my TED talk about a time in my life where there was no bliss in it. It was difficult to talk about it, but we developed a great group dynamic where I felt comfortable sharing.
There are a couple things I learned/will take away from the retreat-
Being in nature is a great way to connect with God. Taylor and I went hiking together and at one point we got to the top of the ridge and we just stood there and listened to the silence. It was a cool experience because there is usually so much noise in my life. Being completely still, surrounded by quiet, was a very peaceful experience.
Just go with it. Never having been on a retreat before I was not sure how the weekend was going to go. Things did not always go as planned but in those situations I just went with it and it turned out to be a good experience.