Spring 2018

Classes start today and so does the new plan to reach out to students on campus.  One of the challenges we found last semester was that students weren’t feeling connected to each other which hindered the ability to reach other students on campus.  Therefore this semester we’re intentionally opening up more of our lives including our exercise schedule.  The plan is to build relationships while also getting healthier.  Ideally, this will enable more nonleaders to organize activities to build connections with each other and to have a place to invite their friends as well.

As small groups start next week, we are excited to also reach out into the art building.  We started intentionally reaching music students and faculty last semester and now we’re branching out into the art building.  We want to counteract the isolation that artists often have as they spend hours perfecting themselves and competing against others.  

Please be praying for the students and staff as we work to build authentic relationships with each other so we can reach other students and faculty with the love of Christ.  

Fasting for the New Year!

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is commonly used to help us abstain from temporary desires and focus on God.  I used it as a student at Fredonia most Saturdays during lunch to spend that extended time with God.  Now, I've chosen to start the New Year off with a 10 day fast after completing some shorter ones this year.  I believe that by giving Him the first days of the year, He'll honor that sacrifice.  

• The Goals: 
  • Align myself closer to God and His Mission on campus and in my life
  • Pray deeply in more extended lengths
    • for personal needs (specifically my funding as IV staff, but choose your own) 
    • for campus (that we would reach more students with God's love, especially artists)
    • for the world (in light of the tragedies that have happened in 2017)
• The Plan
  • Prayerfully choose what to fast for and for how long 
    • Please be safe fasting, especially if it's your first one.  Read 
    • Food, electronics, 1 day, 1 meal a day, 3 days, 10 days... all can be options
  • Invite others to join you in fasting so there's solidarity in seeking God together. 
  • Post on the IV Facebook group your stories (joys, insights or struggles) of fasting
• Results
  • Personal and Corporal spiritual growth
  • Prayers as action for God 
  • Who knows what else...

If you're interested, please let me know by messaging Kathryn and I look forward to seeking God together with you as we start the new year with our choices aligned to what He wants.  

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.  

Ongoing change in life

Here's one student's ongoing experience. 

My time with InterVarsity has been cause for a consistent, slow, and rather difficult change of attitude. The main factor is that I am often around fellow brothers and sisters in Christ; this particularly motivates me to behave and act in certain ways that I otherwise would not. Prior to becoming a part of InterVarsity, I did not surround myself with godly folk, at least not in the most obvious ways one would imagine. While ultimately it has been a good thing to be held accountable to other people, it certainly hasn't been easy. It's been quite the 180 for me: going from hateful to loving, intolerant to patient, prideful to humble, etc. And certainly I have succeeded in some areas better than other, as I think I will continue to do so until I die. 

Mostly InterVarsity has provided me with an actual community of Christians who want to be godly. Often times the Christians I met who were my age, prior to InterVarsity, were just faux Christians--people who said they believed but never really thought about how those beliefs should show themselves in their social and political lives. They were incredibly lazy, even more so than I. InterVarsity has more or less been a force against me to not be lazy like them. I have still a ways to go before I can offer a true story of my time with InterVarsity, but such as it is, this is what my time has been like.

Chapter Email Specifics

We would love to see you at any of the events so we can live out Romans 10:13-15 and all 4,850 students can hear the gospel while at Fredonia. It's not realistic to come to everything so we highly encourage picking one small group to commit to and checking out at least one of the Friday events regularly.  Here's the list of current small groups, churches, and our mission on campus.

Fall 2016 Small Groups

Tuesday:
7:30pm Power of Prayer [2nd floor McEwen]- Nick and Victoria (NHlifka@, VHendrix@)

Wednesday
12 pm: Athletes IV {Dods 101} – Nicole (NBurrows@)
6 pm: Hemingway {Lounge} – Holly (HLang@)
6 pm: Mens Group {WC G103B} –Hugh and Mike (HMosher@, MEarle@)

Thursday
6pm: SALT: Serving and Learning Together (Townhouses) – Sam (SValvo@)

Volunteer Service and Study Varies each week so email– Kim and Emily (KHodges@, EHatfield@)

Email address is @fredonia.edu.  

Church is great!

Here are some suggestions.   Hit reply for more info and to find out if there are rides. Bold means walkable.
Harvest (Free Methodist, Matteson St) 9:30/10:50
Pillar of Fire (non-denom, Lakeshore Dr, Dunkirk) 10:30
Presbyterian (Central Ave) 10:30
Newman Center (Catholic, Temple) 7:30pm
CWC (Non-denom, Eagle) 11
Laona United Methodist Church in Laona 10
Christ Community Church (Berry Rd) 10:45
First Baptist Church (Central Ave Dunkirk) 9:30
Open Door (Lakeshore W Dunkirk) noonish
Fredonia First UMC (Church St) 10 *Pickup at 9:15 at the Willy C bus stop
Faith Baptist Church (2nd St Dunkirk) 11am

Our Mission on Fredonia's Campus

Our mission and goal is to establish and advance witnessing communities on campus.  Because we believe that people on campus desire to know Christ and that Christians are sent out into the world to serve God, we are working to see students and faculty be actively involved in God's mission on campus through InterVarsity, in small groups and with the chance for students to accept Christ and say yes to Jesus. We want to see students and faculty transformed, the campus renewed, and world changers developed.  As we work to reach the campus for Christ, let's take the step to get to know people who are looking for community.  Through reaching out to others (Christians and non-Christians), our relationship with God deepens because we're putting His word into practice.  Pray that we'll meet this goal in the next few years and consider your role in it.

As Romans 10:13-15 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
We desire to be a sending location for those with beautiful feet that bring the good news to the 4,850 students on campus.

Thank you

Our new chapter president wrote this after attending the Basileia Student leadership conference where over 20 people became a Christian or recommitted their life.  She also attended Urbana 15.

Dear Supporter,
I would like to take some time to thank you for your generosity in prayer and finances.  InterVarsity has played an integral part of my spiritual growth this year.  The scholarship I have received have allowed me to be in a loving witnessing community that pushes me to seek God in a deeper way.  Being involved in this organization has changed my life and provided a way for me to actively serve and build up His Kingdom.
God bless,
Holly

Please pray for her as she leads the chapter to reach the remaining 4,900 students on campus.

Generosity Test

As I sit in front of a friend's fire at 11pm before turning in for the third night of sleeping in her spare bedroom, I'm reminded of how much my life hasn't turned out like I thought it would have five years ago.  Often birthdays bring about reflection and this year is starting out so surprisingly that I wonder what will come later.
This last week has been a test of generosity and openness as I was asked two days before my birthday to help find housing for a few basketball players without electricity for a bit.  I figured I was out of town and instead of asking some of the people in my network that I might as well just let them stay at my place.  After all, it wasn't like I was using for the next two nights.  Then came that third night when I got home about 9:30 and the real test.  After being at a training for four days and celebrating my birthday with my parents, I was starting to look forward to being home.  I opened the door to see things spread out in the house, not a mess, but clearly, the electricity wasn't back on yet.  I knew they had practice for another hour, so I called up a friend to see if I could stay in her guest bedroom, just in case.
So I waited around, cleaned up a tiny bit (very thankful that the apartment wasn't as much of a mess as it usually is, but still aware that it wasn't as clean as I usually like to have when I entertain guests).  Finally, one of the guys came up... the only one of the guys I had ever had a conversation with and knew his name.  So we arranged for them to stay there another night, then the next day I found a place for the guy to stay while the other one went home.  Due to time mix-up, I ended up even bring him along to the InterVarsity end of the year Christmas party with all of the students.
Turns out he had a great time and he even went to church two days later with his host and has plans to go to keep going to InterVarsity and church.  Later that Saturday night, as I set up the all to regular movie night with my Sunday School class, I invited him along.  The guys and I watched a great movie at his host's house, then I went back to campus to pass out water bottles to drunk college students.
Throughout Sunday, I knew it was time for the guys to move back into my apartment... this time 3 of them as it had finally gotten too cold for the remaining two.  So I packed my things, headed to work then off to my friend's house for another night where I even got to catch up on my end of the year giving.  And here I am, two nights later, having spent three of my five days at this age in my friend's house while 2-4 guys that I barely know stay in my apartment.

So maybe this story would have happened in my life that I pictured five years ago.  But honestly, I think looking into the rest of that story I wouldn't have been so open to it.  Two years ago, I read a quote which I just learned is from Christina Cleveland, who will be speaking on Racial Reconciliation at Urbana15.  "Privileged people of the cross seek out, stand with, and stick their necks out for people who have problems that are nothing like their own."
I don't think I knew what this meant, until I started learning who I was in Christ. See, the other side of this story is about race. The basketball players are black and I live in a predominately white section of town. This could have caused problems (especially as my downstairs neighbor keeps an eye on my apartment when I was out of town), but when I returned today she was helping the full time guy get into the apartment as I ended up with both keys.
When I took him to the Christmas party, I know a few students wondered if he was my boyfriend, even though I had just learned his name earlier that day.  But I had to be ok with having that conversation with them.  He stuck out quite a bit, not that he was the only new person, but he was one of the only guys and let's be honest, he's tall and black... not what our group often sees.  Now as I think about the guys staying there, I can't help but smile.  That's the only response (and I still haven't done the dishes from it yet).
Then there's the almost weekly movie nights where we often get pizza and watch a Netflix movie.  The only requirements are: it can't be R rated (my rule as they're under 18) and there has to be at least one black guy in the movie (their rule as they're not white and want minorities to be represented at least some).  Now I loved movies with my youth group growing up, but I was blessed by an amazing small group of all females my age and a great leader who, even still, models Christ's generosity with time and resources.  My youth group's topics are vastly different as the 14-15 year old guys are athletes with different experiences and aspirations (real and pretend).
And I could go on and on... about how I bought a kid some presents who won't get many, about how much I'm able to give to God's work, about the time it takes to text and pick up most of the youth group.  About the hard conversation we had at the student leaders meeting as we start seeing push-back from students against discussing race and if it really matters.
Five years ago would I have given up my place for five nights to strangers, mentored kids nothing like myself, spent time and money driving people around, tutoring youth, or giving money when needed to this extent?  I mean, I've always loved to give, but does God really expect us to give this much?  Can't I at least sleep in my own bed, enjoy a movie I want to watch, or keep everything over the 10% for the church?
God calls us to be a servant to all people.  Yes, this week has been a challenge as I recognize the privileges I have (including an open door to a guest room, a car, electricity, and knowledge to teach), and make conscious choices to share that with people with problems that are nothing like my own.  But at the same time, I wouldn't change a thing.  The journey has taken me in areas I never dreamed, and I can only imagine what will happen in the rest of this year, starting with Urbana 15 then on to an Urban Program for my area and large groups focused on race and ethnicity.  Please join me on the journey towards generosity, openness, and willingness to seek out, stand with, and stick your neck out for someone with problems nothing like your own.

World Changer: Marsha '15

Working at a nonprofit can be a lot of fun, but also very tiring. The hours are long, but seeing these kids progress academically and socially is the most rewarding part. My skills that I've learned through being an e-board member and small group leader at IV at Fredonia have helped me tremendously at this job. For example, I work in a really good neighborhood (Jay street/Metrotech), but some of these kids don't live in the best neighborhoods or come from the best homes. They can take it out on you, but what I've learned is that all I can do is be all who God has called me to be and trust that God will use me as I am now. But quite often, they just need someone to talk to, so I've had to be that listening ear. I've also learned the importance and power of prayer. Like I've stated before, all I can do is be me, but God is much more powerful and he knows exactly what these kids need and how to give it to them. 

Holly's story of act:2015

For me, act:2015 could be summarized with the words worship, community and action. Group worship is one of my favorite things. Being surrounded by others that share the same faith is extremely encouraging. We worshipped multiple times in our plenary sessions. We also used manuscript studying techniques. Worshipping in the form of manuscript study was a new concept for me. I loved it! Really digging deep into the Word is the only way to let it sink in enough to make a difference. Psalm 119:11 is a great example of what our attitude should be towards scripture. When you really understand the context, it is much easier to hide it in your heart and mind to call upon in times of trouble.

As for the community aspect, most people go to find new friends from different chapters, but I got closer to the people in my own chapter the most. That was exactly what I needed. I went through a very difficult time a couple weeks after the conference and I was able to call on my new InterVarsity friends to pray and help me through.

Every single session was geared towards action, hence the name act. One of the most impactful moments for me was being challenged to set up a meeting with a friend to witness to them. So intimidating that I didn’t do it when we were told. I froze up and didn’t know who to call. At that moment I was very disappointed in myself. I’ve been a Christian my whole life, I shouldn’t have had a problem with that! After wallowing in pity for a little bit I decided to text my suitemate Grace. This girl is feisty and I live with her. I was so scared that she might be offended and I’d just end up creating tension. However, God knew what He was doing. (He always does of course, I’m just stubborn.) Grace and I were close friends at the time so we were eating lunch together the week after the conference and doesn’t she blurt out  “So, you wanted to talk to me about God?” I’m sitting there totally unprepared in what I wanted to say, so I just started speaking. Ya never know how that’s gonna go. This time it went pretty well. I told her what the Gospel is and why I love Him the way I do. She didn’t have too much of a response. Throughout the next week or so, I talked with her and her roommate Celina about the typical controversial topics of Christianity. Still no decision from Grace. Her boyfriend in the Navy then messaged me on facebook and told me that Grace “is giving it a shot.” I was ecstatic! I gave her a Bible and invited her to InterVarsity, but I didn’t see much of a change or serious interest in learning about God, so I backed off. Yesterday, on November 22nd, she texted me saying exactly this. “You win, I’m on your side, no doubts anymore” Praise be to God, as He knows exactly what He’s doing! *Side note, I procrastinated on writing this and even in that God showed me He had a plan. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t know that Grace took the first step in her new walk.

To conclude, I’d like to challenge you to TRUST HIM. We studied Daniel and one thing that stuck out to me was Dan. 3:17-18. Daniel trusted that God knew what He was doing, even if He didn’t deliver him from the furnace. That is the kind of faith and trust we should all have.

Holly Lang

Freshman Biology major

SUNY at Fredonia

More stories of God at work!

More testimonies from Basileia's student leadership conference. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to grow deeper in my faith at Basileia!  I can't wait to put God's word into action next semester as I enter into leadership on E-board at Fredonia.  God has beautiful plans for me and I'm so undeserving of His Grace, but still He chose to call me child!  [Sophomore]

Thank you for your generosity and prayer.  IVCF has helped me and my friends form closer relationships with God and has provided many opportunities to be His hands and feet on campus and in the community.  Thank you for being a friend to students like me who desire to see God move! [Junior]

Thank you so much for blessing me with the funds for Basileia.  This week I was faced with the questions "What does it mean to follow Jesus where He goes?"  "What's holding you back from following completely?" I realized that I am very weak.  I often times doubt God's faithfulness and limit His works to my own capabilities.  I have had a lot of time to spend in prayer asking God to kill the doubt and renew my faith.  During the Retreat of Silence, He showed me this word and I hope it is encouraging to you as it was to me.  Romans 5:2  "Because of faith, we stand in an undeserving privilege, surrendering to His leadership.  Praise God that His mercies are new every morning.  [Sophomore]

Thank you very much for the generous donations you have given to InterVarsity.  Personally, it allowed me to attend Basileia.  While at this Christian retreat, I experienced God in new ways and grew much closer in my walk with Jesus.  InterVarsity has changed my life as well as many other students'!  Some have made the decision to follow Christ while others have grown closer to Him.  WIthout your donations, much of this would not be possible. [Senior]

Thank you so much for blessing me with the opportunity to experience God this week at Basileia.   As a member of the Fall 2015 E-board [Student leaders] at Fredonia, I took away from all the messages on being more missional.  On the last night, the word was from Matthew 25:45.  God has really been pressing on my heart to love the least of these while at Fredonia, that will look like reaching out to the inclusive education students at Fredonia and in my dorm.  Next semester I will be intentional on reaching three specific girls in my dorm.  Praise God for the heart H has give me for His creation. Proverbs 31:8-9 [Sophomore]

Thank you highlights!

Below are some testimonies from students to the ministry partners who support InterVarsity prayerfully, financially, and with their time. 

Joining InterVarsity has changed my life so much.  I came into InterVarsity broken, with your support I was given the opportunity to worship God with some amazing people that helped fix that brokenness.  Your consistent support has given me the chance to grow stronger in my faith, which is something that I doubt would have taken place if I was back at home.  [Freshman]

Thank you for supporting InterVarsity at Fredonia!  I have learned a lot of new things within this past year being a part of InterVarsity.  One thing I learned was how to hear Jesus speak to me.  With this, I will keep hearing Jesus throughout my life! [Senior]

You honestly don't know how much your constant support means to me.  InterVarsity has helped me become a better person spiritually and mentally.  Honestly, I don't know what I would do without InterVarsity and the fellowship they provide.  My experiences at InterVarsity have been life changing and I hope that the Lord blesses you with all you need because you well deserve it.  I hope in the near future I can become the leader that you want me to be, so that I can help support the next generation with their experiences with InterVarsity.  [Freshman, new small group leader]

InterVarsity has helped me grow spiritually- through intimacy with Jesus, as well as the importance of fellowship.  With this, I will continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus - the most important relationship of all!  Thanks again! [Sophomore]

You have done an amazing thing for InterVarsity.  You have given girls like me hope to get to know the Lord and what he stands for.  InterVarsity has helped me get through a lot of [struggles] during the school year and I know stand here in triumph because my past no longer defines me, and InterVarsity helped me through that.  I am forever thankful that I can continue my journey in InterVarsity for the next 3 years.  Once again, thank you for everything you have done.  [Freshman]

Thank you for your prayers, financial support, and kindness throughout my time at Fredonia.  I just finished spending five days at Saranac Lake for our annual Basileia conference.  Basileia is Greek for "kingdom" and one cannot help to think about the kingdom of God as a place, right?  But at Basileia, we have learned that the kingdom of God is a person, not a place.  We took a look at the parable of the generous landowner, and it brought to mind that God is a generous landowner who supplies and abundant amount of grace to all his children. [Senior]

Your support has helped me a lot.  If it wasn't for your support, there would be no InterVarsity at SUNY Fredonia.  I will always be grateful that I got the chance to grow in my faith through InterVarsity.  As I continue my years at SUNY Fredonia I will always remember the growth that I've experienced in InterVarsity in hopes that the class after me may experience the same thing.  I just wanted to let you know in case no one has told you before you are amazing and all that you do for InterVarsity is well recognized.  Thank you again.  [Freshman]

NYCUP

I hurt for the things brought up during the NYC Urban Project.  For the injustices in the world that are present here in Fredonia/Dunkirk as well as in NYC and around the world.  I think specifically of the youth I see regularly as they go through struggles.  I pray for wisdom in how to support them, understanding for what they're going through and compassion to join along side them however that looks.  I never imagined I would be doing tutoring at the Salvation Army with 15-20 kids and running a program there for hours each week, that I would have such a heart for people who are growing up in so different of circumstances, that I would cry with them and for them when they hurt.

My viewpoint on justice has changed since I've been able to live it out regularly.  I don't feel like NYCUP taught me much that was new as I knew about human trafficking and it's prevalence, I knew that I have trouble feeling and that sometimes it gets so bad that I'm not only suppressing my difficult emotions, but that I lose all desire to do anything, including simple tasks.  I knew that I needed to work on accepting love and being shown love as well as being more vulnerable to share my feelings even in the midst of the constant pain that I feel.  It's hard to accept that I can't do everything, but having the staff support to accept that makes a difference.  I need that regular support and I felt truely loved as I arranged for a ride home and had three people willing to come and get me, even if that meant borrowing a car to do it.  

Many of the phrases used during NYCUP I had heard before when I looked over the past notes from NYCUPs and training: discussing LoGOFF (Local, Green, Organic, Free, Fair Trade), ethnic identity, human trafficking, poverty + isolation=exploitation.  But I want to increase my conscious thoughts for how I live in terms of the 4 P's: Pray, Purchase, Partner, and Policy.  I want to continue to press into who I am as a Pennsylvania Dutch white person and what that means for how I relate to others.  I'm thankful that I've grown in my own ethnic identity dramatically since I joined staff and then made the decision to fully invest in Dunkirk.  I know that I have privileges that many others don't have and I want to help alleviate the differences when possible, knowing that they cause some types of poverty and isolation.  I want to start next year with the goal of becoming a MEF and learning about who we are, embracing it and desiring wholeness in Christ.  I know that others are watching my life and I feel that while I'm not perfect and I still have a long way to go, that I am far enough on the journey of racial reconciliation to invite others to join along side of me, even those who haven't considered their white culture.  I never would have imagined my life turning out this way, but I wouldn't give it up either.  I want that same thing for others so that they can see the bigger picture of the body of Christ.  We need people of all races, ethnicities, ages, and voices to see who God is, to join alongside each other to rejoice and cry.

Fredonia and Geneseo students know there's hope in Christ. 

NYCUP gave us the chance to join alongside UVA in prayer around the police brutality that happened during the trip, to cry with others as they shared their psalms and were given permission to feel, to puzzle together what it means to accept our ethnic identity, and to rejoice as 10 joined in the body of Christ on our final night.  Now as we return to our campuses and consider what this means for ourselves we know what we are inviting others to: a fuller picture of God's Kingdom on this earth.  

Videos!

This year we have at least three videos that have been made celebrating the work done through InterVarsity so far.  Recently, one of the new students has decided to use his gifts and love of video making to produce future videos for us.  This is a huge blessing as it frees up Kathryn's time for other things and enables more people to serve the Kingdom.
Check out the most recent video below then subscribe to the channels to see new videos as they are posted:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuoq58vAK2fdNDLfEO2jXBw

https://www.youtube.com/user/IVCFatFredonia

And if you missed the September newsletter, check it out here:
http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b8ad235dbdf3cdd411d46dca5&id=ab7bfd753a

Fall Service Trip

Ten students spent their Fall Break connecting to the local community and here's part of one story of where God met them in their service location.  

I Saw God in an Assisted Living Home

To the person reading this blog post, a reminder: 

God is alive, moving, and working in the most unexpected ways. 

So, where have I seen God lately? Well, everywhere, but there's one place in particular; the WCA Assisted Living Home. There, senior women from the community have the opportunity to live in an assisted living home, with other senior women, and caretakers who help them. Thursday morning, a group of friends and I had the opportunity to serve these women. What did we get to do? We painted nails! I was ecstatic! I was so excited to have the opportunity to just hangout with these women and hopefully have the chance to hear some of their stories.

So, I arrived at WCA, with intentions of sharing hope and love to a somewhat depressing place. I mean, for a lot of these women, this may be the last place they will live in their lifetime. Mentally, they prepare themselves to finish their long-lived lives in this place. Most of them don't have visitors, and all they are left with are the memories they have from before they got here. But, my God is a God who lives and is not afraid of death. He has never left these women alone. He has never given up on them. He loves them. 

Read the rest at Kayleigh's blog.  

http://kayleighricks17.blogspot.com/2014/10/i-saw-god-in-assisted-living-home.html