Urbana Invite

Where can you pray, worship and learn with 16,000 other people from many different denominations, cultures and walks of life?

Where can you be part of a daily Scripture study with hundreds of other college students that is facilitated by some of the best Bible study leaders in the world?

Where can you step into a sacred space to hear from God about your unique place in his worldwide mission?

Where can you take part in the most rocking and worshipful New Year's Eve party you've ever experienced? 

The answer, of course, is Urbana '18! And these are just a few of the many reasons to join us for InterVarsity's student missions conference, December 27-31, 2018 in St. Louis, MO. This world-class event happens only once every three years, so don't miss your chance! 

We know, December 27, 2018 seems like a long way off. But the time to start preparing is already here! Here are some things you can be doing now if you think you'd like to go:

1) Check out the Urbana website - Start researching what this conference is all about and learn more about what to expect, registration details and more.

2) Talk with your parents/guardians this winter break - If you are going to take off (maybe literally) for 6 days right after Christmas next year, you probably ought to start talking with them about it and expressing your interest now. 

3) Start saving! - The cost is well worth it, but it does add up. Between, the conference cost itself, travel, hotel accommodations, food and miscellaneous expenses (like books!), you can expect to pay anywhere from $700 on the low end (if you register early bird between March 1-June 30 and carpool to St. Louis) to $1200 on the high end (if you register late and fly). Some saving ideas include: Having an Urbana piggy bank that you put aside money in each week (from your paycheck, loose change etc.), ask for Urbana money for your birthday and Christmas, collect cans around your neighborhood/dorm. There will be opportunities to write fundraising letters and earn scholarship money as well! 

We hope you will consider taking advantage of this rare opportunity!

Every Corner, Every Campus

I just listened to the video about the partnership between InterVarsity and Cru.  I'm excited to see them (and hopefully other campus ministries) partner to reach all colleges in the US with a witnessing community.  As I've reframed my own thinking of just being called to the Fredonia campus, I've been challenged to think of the students who are transferring from Fredonia to a community college as blessings to that college.  Some of those places have a witnessing community, while others we're working to plant something at (like ECC).  Each missional student sent there has the potential to help that work begin.  

At act, I got to talk to a few of the leaders and the advisor from a new SUNY school that was checking out InterVarsity to see if they wanted to affiliate their current ministry.  They talked of the struggles of not having the resources of a wider network when hard times come and I learned afterward they all chose to affiliate.  Then this morning, I read of a phone call that happens for students from a specific background who have big obstacles in their new faith due to their heritage.  The monthly call enables them to grow together and provide support when needed.  After this post, I'll be heading into a time of prayer for the Would Jesus Eat Frybread conference and for the native students gathering together to be sent back to their campuses and nations.  

I, personally, am so thankful of the network of staff, partners, and students, with wide talents and skills all bringing their resources together to advance work.  It saves so much time and effort to be able to work together and helps us all grow closer to Jesus.  I long for this connection to happen at every campus and I mourn when I hear transfer students talk of not having fellowship at their prior colleges.  

If this is something you would like to get involved in, please check out InterVarsity.org to find out where chapters exist and if you don't see your local college on the list, contact a local staff (or me to help you find someone).  And pray... for the community colleges without witnessing communities, for the missional students who desire to bring others to Jesus, and for the resources (prayer, financial, and people).  To give financially, visit donate.intervarsity.org and type in the school name or area (Western New York is my area) to give towards work there.    

Formation and Networking

This week, I was reminded of how important it is to engage in both spiritual practices of detaching from the regular world in order to hear from Jesus and attaching to Him. Through that time of silence, solitude, listening, and scripture study, God showed that He doesn’t want us to worry as He wants us to be obedient to what He’s called us to do. He will provide the things we need as He is God (and we are not). 
As I enter three months of more intense ministry partnership development to get to a place in the ministry where I am fully funded and equipped to serve at Fredonia where He has called me, I’m inviting you to join in that process. My goal is to meet with 200 new people to share about the ministry and invite them to partner with us.
Would you take some time to pray about who in your network might be interested in hearing about God’s work at Fredonia?
If your church isn’t a partner, would you introduce me to the pastor or the missions team?
Do you need some time to recharge and connect with God? I will be leading a free spiritual formation retreat December 2nd from 9:30-3 for students and partners on campus. Contact me to RSVP.   #spiritualformation

Ways to Serve

Ways to Serve

1. Follow up with new and returning students - build connections, eat lunch, coffee, etc.  (Go and Do)
2. Join the worship team to use your musical gifts. (Talk to Mike E)
3. Large group needs people to help set up, clean up, run the ppt, design the ppt slides, emcee, and other activities.  (Talk to Nineth)
4. Join hospitality to help welcome students at large group, to follow up with decisions during calls to faith, and mentor others.  (Talk to Hannah K)
5. Become a small group apprentice to prepare to lead your own small group in your network or to branch off once a current one gets too big.  (Talk to Simona)
6. Design a t-shirt (Talk to Kathryn)
7. Participate in Thirsty or the prayer walk... we also want someone who'll be responsible for buying the water bottles from Walmart. ($ provided)
8. Pray for the campus as an individual or grab a few people together to pray as we seek to have every student and faculty hear about Jesus in a positive way this year.
9. Join the Hurricane Harvey Relief Team as they raise money for those affected. (Talk to Hannah K)
10. Want to spread awareness about human trafficking in the area?  There'll be a concert in November you can help with.  (Talk to Hannah K)
11. Send out the weekly email (Talk to Kathryn)

Other options will come as the year progresses and there are options to serve in the local community as well...specifically with children.

The Impactful Role of act Volunteers

The act staff which proves itself to be indispensable when it comes to one’s spiritual journey is most certainly notable in the guidance they provide. In addition to the staff however, I am extremely grateful for the act volunteers of whom I vividly recall. The smiles offered by the many volunteers, who kindly without any request offered them to the participants such as myself, gave the act environment a profound sense of kindness. Whether it was at the reception desk or the dining hall, or everywhere else in between, the volunteer staff truly made the entire experience much more pleasant. Their kindness, compiled with everything that goes on at act truly helped me achieve a sense of belonging. For that, I am forever grateful to everyone at act, especially the volunteers.

Thank You.

Sincerely,

Oscar

God's love

Did you know that Jesus willingly gave up heaven to come to earth?  The riches and everything that He wanted to live as a refugee, die on the cross, and struggle with everything else that we might deal with in life.  If an earthly emperor lives in a place like this, can you imagine how much God loves us to give it up for us?  I'm amazed and encouraged as I look at this image now during my quiet times as it hangs over the couch.  He is a wonderful God.

Community Service Options

Community Service is a wonderful way to show God's love in action.  I recommend grabbing a few friends and checking out these opportunities.  If you want to serve in another place or have suggestions, please let Kathryn or a leader know and we would be happy to help you lead a group.  

Friday Night 11pm-1:30 am - Thirsty? Ministry passes out water bottles downtown to students in need of physical and spiritual water.  Meet at Starbucks at 11pm or FFUMC at 11:15pm with a backpack and we'll provide the red hat (or bring $10 and you can own your own).  Contact Mike Slilaty or Nick Hlifka. 

Mon-Thurs 3-7pm and occasional weekends - Tutoring, general supervision/mentoring of youth, or snack/meal distribution at the Salvation Army on 704 Central Ave in Dunkirk. If you would like to help with the food pantry, painting, or odd jobs around the building you could volunteer from 9-2 Mon-Fri.  Contact Kathryn Pilgrim for times and activities.  

Wednesdays 3:30-5:30pm - Assist kids with gym, snacks, or Bible lesson during AWANA programs at the Fredonia First United Methodist Church.  Contact the church office at 716-679-1513.  

There are lots of nursing homes in the area that would love to have volunteers or groups come visit for a purpose as well.