As many in our worshiping community know, the Campus Ministry Intern has a lot of various responsibilities in and around the Presbyterian Student Center. One of these responsibilities is to design and carry out a ministry project throughout the course of the year, with the intention of enhancing the PSC’s ministry through an avenue that the intern is passionate about. Last year, with the help of God and many of our students, I completed a ministry project focused on ecological stewardship. This year, with the help of God and many of our students, I hope to complete a new ministry project. This time, the focus is on cultivating a more intentional culture of prayerfulness at the Presbyterian Student Center. In formulating the idea for this project, I have looked to scripture as a guide in my thinking, in particular to a couple of verses from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (5:16-18).

I believe that our growing community is blessed in that we come together each week to worship God and pray together, and that we find joy in service and the thoughtful discussion of issues and theology. However, I also believe that we as a community tend to shy away from prayer as a constant spiritual practice outside of our weekly worship and community groups. I think that prayer is a chief avenue through which God helps us to discover our part in manifesting God’s will on earth. I also think that prayer with others can be more intimate, and therefore sometimes more uncomfortable, than even some of our most intimate physical moments with each other. For these reasons, I believe that we have to intentionally work toward being more spiritually vulnerable around each other, and I think that we as a community of faith at the Presbyterian Student Center have a lot of room for growth in this area. I recognize that my own personal prayer life is lacking as well, and I hope to encourage others to work with me to grow in prayer, both individually and in community. It is my hope that in doing so, we may live abundantly, rejoicing always, praying constantly, and giving thanks in all circumstances, since this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.

I have set five broad goals for this project in order to help organize myself in working toward these ends. Those goals are as follows:

1. Creation of a dynamic community of prayer within the PSC.
2. Improvement of PSC facilities to facilitate prayerful practice.
3. Increased prayerful connections with local Presbyterians.
4. Increased prayerful connections with other Campus Ministries.
5. Personal spiritual growth in the direction of prayer and meditation.

Toward completing some of these goals, I already have certain things in mind, such as setting aside time every day to pray in the PSC Chapel (goals 1 & 5) and building a permanent prayer labyrinth on our property (goal 2). As we come together this academic year, I hope to involve as many students as are interested in this project to accomplish these goals; God knows I can’t do this on my own. If you have ideas that you would like to share with me, or if you would like to know more, please contact me. Also, make sure to check the ministry project bulletin board in the Dining Hall at the PSC. I will be updating it with new information about my project throughout the school year.

Mitch Roper

April and May were busy, but good, months at the PSC. We returned from our Spring Retreat and finished the semester strong.

On April 25, we hosted High School Night at the Presbyterian Student Center (see picture). We had high school students from Oconee Presbyterian, Friendship Presbyterian, Covenant Presbyterian, and Alpharetta Presbyterian join us for dinner and worship. It was great to have high schoolers worshiping with college students and for them to see that it is possible to be in college and be a person of deep faith. All together, we had about 75 people there.

The following week, we had our graduates’ night. We celebrated those who had been a part of our community and who were be sent on to other places. It’s difficult to say goodbye, but it’s also a joy to send these students on to the next chapter in their lives.

Finals week followed. We had a great “study break” with pizza, games, etc. (see picture) early in finals week. By the end of the week, the PSC was empty as students left to go home, go to summer jobs, etc.

For those that are in town over the summer, we will have a Bible study on Tuesdays at 6p beginning on June 8 and going through July. Staff will also be around for orientation and other events over the summer, but we won’t have regular hours. If we don’t week you around this summer, we hope to see you on August!

Join us for dinner and worship this Sunday. As with every Sunday, a free dinner is served at 6:15p. After dinner, we will worship in the Chapel at 7p. Worship services at the Presbyterian Student Center always include communion. After worship, you are welcome to stay around for dessert and fellowship. We hope to see you on Sunday!

Near 100 student organizations at the University of Georgia have joined together to form Dawgs for Haiti, an organization dedicated to mobilizing students to help in the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12. Currently, Dawgs for Haiti is raising funds online and through the sale of tee shirts. These funds will be split between Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross. Tee shirts are on sale in Tate plaza–check the Facebook group for details.

Our prayers are with the people of Haiti and those who are working to bring relief. All are welcome to join us in worship on Sunday as we pray together. Also, our Chapel is open from 9a-5p during the week for prayer and ministry staff is always here during that time to pray with you.

In the wake of this tragedy, we believe that God is calling out to us from Haiti. Join us as we answer that call as a community of faith while seeking the Kingdom of God for the people of Haiti.