On Oct. 27, we held a poverty simulation at the PSC in cooperation with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. We invited some other campus ministries too. It was a very meaningful event. The night before, we had a “Broken Bread Poverty Meal” before worship at the PSC in which we served a corn soy blend porridge instead of our normal home-cooked meal. During worship, Betsy gave us a message about poverty and how we are called to respond to it as Christians.

October 19 was a great night at the PSC. Mary Frances Early, the first African-American to graduate from the University of Georgia, was our guest. She shared with us about what it was like coming to UGA in 1961. It was especially moving to hear her read a letter that Dr. Martin Luther King wrote her during that time. She told us about coming to the Presbyterian Student Center for a surprise birthday party after arriving on campus in that summer of 1961. I was glad to have her back to tell that story and to hear her say what it meant to her. I was proud that we could be a part of that history.

I received a letter from Dr. Early this week. In it, she wrote “Words are inadequate to express my appreciation for the warm welcome and uplifting service on last Sunday…Thank you for the invitation to come and talk to the students. They were so inspiring. The cake was not only lovely, but also the best chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten! I had to fight the tears as I remembered a similar occasion in June of 1961. God is so good; He reminds us daily that we do not walk alone. The beauty of fellowship was once again emblazoned in my heart. I was humbled and grateful!” She goes on to write, “Please give my regards to your lovely family, and to the great students; they are awesome! Convey to them my sincere gratitude for their warm reception.” 

God is so good.

We had an exhibit of Karen Low Phillip’s photography last week. Karen (UGA ’02, ’07) was involved here a few years back and she painted a beautiful mural in the dining hall that tells the whole story from creation to resurrection.

When we decided to start displaying art at the PSC, she was the first person that we called. The exhibit is entitled EKARO: Good Morning Nigeria. Several students, board members, alums, and people from the community gathered together last week at the PSC to see the exhibit and hear Karen tell of her time in Nigeria. I don’t have any pics from that night–I always forget to take pictures–but I do have some pics of the pics.

Last night, we hosted a free screening of Darius Goes West at the PSC. This was a last minute opportunity for us to see the film and meet the crew before they went on the road. The documentary was amazing. If you haven’t seen it, you should. Better yet, you should buy a DVD. I’ll sell you one at the PSC or you can order one at www.dariusgoeswest.org.

In a nutshell, the guys are trying to raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and raise money to find a cure ($17 of the $20 price of the DVD goes to research). They’ll be traveling around the country trying to sell one million DVDs this year. Several members of the crew came by the PSC last night, including Darius. It was a very meaningful events–and I was glad for us to host it.