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Celebrate United Methodist Student Day and Campus Ministries in Upper New York
October 24, 2024 / By Rev. Jee Hae Song / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following was sent to clergy and church lay leaders on Thurday, October 24 on behalf of the Rev. Jee Hae Song, United Methodist Chaplain, Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University and Associate Director of Missional Excellence, about United Methodist Student Day on November 24, 2024.
“Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them.'” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,
We all remember when we were young. For some, the young adult years were the times of meeting important people in life and making life-changing decisions. For others, it was years full of agony, disorientation, and uncertainties. Either way, these years are a formative time for a person’s spiritual journey.
For this reason, college is a unique time filled with opportunities for personal growth, both in knowledge and faith journey. Amidst the academic pressure, spiritual life can easily be overlooked. Moreover, college often presents challenges to young people’s faith as they move from “the faith they were taught” to “the faith of their own.” They struggle, tumble, and misstep.
This is why Campus and Collegiate Ministries are critical, as they provide young people an opportunity to connect with others on the same journey and solidify their beliefs. Our United Methodist Campus Ministries around the connection provide students these communities and guidance.
In order to raise awareness of the significance of campus ministry, United Methodists observe United Methodist Student Day every year, which is a denomination-wide celebration of the value of education and a call to action for all of us to invest in the lives of students who seek to grow in knowledge, faith, and service. This year, it is on November 24, 2024.
On this special day, we honor the transformative power of education by giving generously to support scholarships and initiatives that bless students across our connection. "Having access to a good education is foundational to nurturing the future generations of world-changing United Methodist leaders for the church and the world. Supporting UM Student Day creates opportunities for deserving United Methodist students to attend college through over 70 scholarship programs, especially those mostly impacted by the ever-growing social-economic gap that affects many communities in our nation and around the world," said Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez, Resident Bishop of the Susquehanna and Upper New York Episcopal Area. If you want to give to the connectional body, you can make a donation online here.
In Upper New York, there are Campus and Collegiate Ministries that are doing incredible, life-changing work in nurturing faith, developing leadership, and providing community to young adults. You can find the list on the Upper New York Conference website here.
On this United Methodist Student Day, we invite you to engage with these transformational ministries by doing the following:
- Read this letter during your Sunday services on United Methodist Student Day.
- Read the names of Campus and Collegiate Ministries in Upper New York.
- Pray for these campus ministries. The following is a sample prayer to consider using.
Loving and almighty God, with hearts full of gratitude and hope, we lift up the students who receive encouragement through United Methodist Student Day. Thank you for their dedication, hard work and the bright futures that lie ahead of them. Strengthen their faith and perseverance in their educational journeys. Give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation so they may know you better. Bless campus ministries that help and guide these students in navigating their lives in faith. Use these ministries to bring community of love and belonging to those who may feel lost amidst academic pressure. Equip and empower all their leaders. Bless all the students who experience God’s grace through these ministries. We ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen. (Prayer adapted from ResourceUMC.org)
- Reach out to these ministries if your congregation can be of any assistance.
- Consider joining Upper New York’s College Ministry Team. For more information or questions, contact the Rev. Jee Hae Song at jeehaesong@unyumc.org.
Together, we can make a significant impact, not only on the lives of individual students but on the future of our communities and churches. Thank you for your continued support and dedication.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Jee Hae Song
United Methodist Chaplain, Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University
Associate Director of Missional Excellence