Last Saturday, the elders of our church met for the annual Session Retreat. During that time, elders asked deep questions of themselves, exploring ways that they can best listen to God's will for the congregation and help lead. We are so thankful for the leadership of the Session. We are grateful for all the ways that our elders nurture, guide, and plan for our church.
Campus Ministry has been one of the highest priorities of our congregation since its beginning in the 1890s. In fact, campus ministry was the reason for its formation! (<--Click here and scroll through a sermon to learn the history). Austin Agape is fortunate to be placed in a congregation that has valued students from the beginning. We are thankful that our elders continue to dream and hope wonderful visions for what Campus Ministry can become in our congregation!
What are your hopes for Campus Ministry at UPC?
"My hope for the UPC Campus Ministry is that it provides a faith community to students that encourages them to ask questions they face in their lives, and provides a bridge between their childhood and adulthood years within the church. I want college students to know that there is a place for them in the church."-Chris Corley, Elder
"I would love to see more interaction between the Campus Ministry and the general congregation of UPC. If anyone has suggestions as to how to make this happen, please feel free to contact me. I'll run the ideas past the appropriate church authorities for their feedback."-Reta Hollonquist, Elder
"I hope that campus ministry can reach out to the students in the apartment buildings that surround UPC."-Bobbie Sanders, Elder
"I hope that campus ministry can be a way for young people to grow in their relationships with God and each other. I hope that the blog can provide a useful means of communication within the group and with the UPC Community at large."
-Steve Visser, Elder
"I hope to see more older members of the congregation attend and participate."-Rey Leggett, Elder
"I see about 100 students who are eager to share their love of Jesus with others, causing the group to grow and eventually change any shallow values that exist in our little part of the world."
-Lynn Bridge, Elder
"I hope the campus ministry continues to evolve and welcome new members without becoming exclusive or self-selecting."-Kate Norman, Elder
"My hopes for campus ministry is that there will be further opportunities for interaction between the youth group and the campus group."-Will Bucknall, Elder
"I hope that the extent of activities in the ministry become better "visible" to the congregation -- maybe by having a campus ministry participate speak periodically at worship."-George Henderson, Elder
"My hope is perhaps to see better integration with the congregation as a whole."
-Brandon Marsh, Elder
"Invite high school juniors and seniors who plan to come to UT to come to UPC for a Discover UT and Austin weekend hosted by UPC Campus Ministry. UPC college students could take these students to tour UT, work on a habitat house, swim in Barton Springs and join them for Sunday evening worship. Keep the communication going and mentor new students once they're here."-Mary Dodd, Elder
"My hope is to see more college students in morning worship and more congregation at evening worship. Also, I would like to have more involvement between College and Youth (both at a committee level, and activities)."-Rob Gearhart, Elder
"I hope there is more integration of the "evening worshippers" and "morning worshippers."
-Meg McReynolds, Elder
"My hopes are that our college students feel at home at UPC, that they feel comfortable here, but also challenged, motivated, inspired, and empowered to be their best selves, their true selves."-Allison Phillips
Thank you, elders, for your love and concern for our students at UPC!
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