Share 2010 connects student ministries

Take three parts college students passionate about the church. Add one part ministers who want to strengthen their student ministries or build new ministries with students. Mix in a variety of programs that can energize any kind of ministry or make a difference in the lives of college students.

You’ve just created Share 2010.

The national student ministry gathering of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, Share 2010 gathered more than 50 representatives of campus and student ministries from across the country.

Open to all college students and student ministers, the gathering was organized by HELM, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Texas Christian University, Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ, and the Student Ecumenical Partnership (STEP). Based on the word-of-mouth from participants, the gathering was a tremendous success.

“Share 2010 was exactly what I needed when I needed it!” said Heidi Schuler, a pastor at a Kennesaw, Ga., church. “I’m trying to create a campus ministry from scratch and found my time at the lunch and dinner tables priceless resources and opportunities for identifying what I needed, didn’t need, and how to do what needs to be done with very limited time, funds and space.”

Over five days, Share blended education about what works in campus ministry with worship and service.

EDUCATION: Several workshops focused on keeping student ministries vital and energized. Other workshops addressed worship, Bible study, social media, social justice, leadership, fund-raising, suicide prevention, interfaith relations, and sexuality.

Alexis Turner, a student at Piedmont College, appreciated a workshop on dating, relationships and faith. “The workshop touched on details and conversations that I wish the ministry at my college would address. I was amazed by the open atmosphere, making it easy to speak my mind. I will definitely try to have that angle of faith incorporated into my campus ministry.”

Four guests addressed challenges facing the denominations in coming years: Geoffrey Black, the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ; Ben Bohren, regional minister for the Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada; Rebecca Woods, former news editor of DisciplesWorld magazine and The Intersection; and Ron Buford, who helped create the UCC’s “God Is Still Speaking” public relations campaign.

While Disciples and the UCC work cooperatively on many projects, Share 2010 was the first opportunity students like Chris Grotegut had to learn about the “other denomination.”

“I am a UCC member,” said the Lakeland College student, “and I did not know anything about the Disciples. I got to meet a great group of diverse people who were very passionate about their spiritual wellness.”

SERVICE: Wednesday helped participants reflect on the work that goes into service projects – as well as the spiritual reflection service can create. Before heading into the community, representatives of three Fort Worth area charities explained their operations and put service work into perspective. Next the conference divided between the three charities (the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, and the Samaritan House for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS) for an afternoon of service work. They concluded the day sharing their experiences, both good and bad, at the different locations.

WORSHIP: Each evening presented a different style of worship. The opening worship began with traditional worship and transformed into a contemporary service. Tuesday’s “U2charist” drew on songs by the popular band U2, with an offering to Week of Compassion and its UCC counterpart, One Great Hour of Sharing. Wednesday’s worship kept with the day’s theme of outreach and service by centering on the Social Justice Stations of the Cross. On Thursday, dinner and worship were merged into a family-style gathering.

Caroline Hamilton, a TCU student and a HELM Leadership Fellow, organized evening worships. Members of the Student Ecumenical Partnership’s Leadership Team coordinated morning worship services, led by Transylvania University’s Brandon Cook, Hiram College’s Chrissy Stonebraker, Grinnell College’s Jake Joseph, and the University of Toledo’s Noah Gillespie.