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| UCM Annual Board and Staff Retreat at the beautiful Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens! (Aug. 2015) (First row, L-R) Anna-Kaye Rowe (social media intern), Kathryn Bublitz (Social Work intern), Kelsey Gerard (Community Service intern), Kelli Wanamaker (Community Service intern), Jackie Duffy (Social Work Inter), Melissa Wales (Executive Director), Amanda Hobson (Board Secretary), Katie Dawes (Board Member), Miranda “Lacee” McKinney (Program Intern), Anne Huddleston (Board Member), Josh Baron (Community Service Intern), Rev. Evan Young (Campus Minister), Andrew Stuart (Board Treasurer), Laura Harrison (Board Member), Sarah Jenkins (Board Member), Josh Bodnar (Board Member), Kellea Tibbs (Board Chair), David Descutner (Board Vice Chair) and Tyler Barton (Board Member) |
Thank you, Casa Nueva for choosing United Campus Ministry as the recipient of customer tips for the month of July! Go to Casa today, and every day this month, and tip generously! You’ll enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced meal AND contribute to UCM’s work and mission!
2015 Annual Meeting
You are invited….
United Campus Ministry’s
Annual Meeting 2015
Wednesday, April 15
5:00pm – 7:00pm
ArtsWest 132 W. State Street
Meet the current Board of Directors
including the newly elected 2015-16 Executive Officers,
staff and interns.
Celebrate our Sustainer Circle and donors.
Panel conversation on current and future accomplishments including
this year’s expansion of the Campus Minister position!
Refreshments provided.
We look forward to seeing you!
Campus Minister Evan Young facilitating interfaith reflection and dialogue with students after service project with Monday Creek Restoration Project in New Straitsville.
Dear Friends of UCM,
For as long as I’ve served here at UCM, I have also served other organizations–either as the part-time minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, or as an intern minister at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta. And while I’ve loved my involvement with congregational ministry, while I treasure all I’ve experienced and learned in those settings, I also have to acknowledge that this bi-vocational path I’ve been on comes with a cost I’m simply no longer willing to pay.
It’s been a trying, demanding, challenging semester at Ohio University, a semester that’s called me to rooms and to tables and to conversations I’ve needed to be in, and where others have needed me. Many of you know about Megan Marzec, Student Senate, the “blood bucket” video, and the ensuing conversation on campus about Israel, Palestine, and justice. (For those who don’t, I wrote a blog post about it for the Interfaith Youth Core–read it at www.ifyc.org/content/cultivate-peace.) Many of you probably remember the People’s Climate March in New York City, and you might know that I went there with a busload of students UCM helped to organize. Most of you know what’s going on now about Mike Brown and Ferguson and Eric Garner and John Crawford and Tamir Rice and all the seemingly endless examples that are showing us how entrenched institutional racism continues to be, and some of you know how students on this campus are coming together to respond to that.
As a campus minister, especially one serving a progressive interfaith campus ministry like UCM, I’m called to show up and to speak out at times like these. And I have. At the same time I’m called to be there for our interns, to be there for the people who come to Thursday Supper and Saturday Lunch, to be there for students who come to us for help with their own personal challenges and crises as well as their social justice concerns. And I’m called to work with and be in relationship with university faculty, staff, and administrators as we work together to shape the future of this institution. It’s a full-time job at minimum–and, when I’m doing it the way I’m called, much more than that.
But I’m only a half-time campus minister. With another part-time ministry, with its own full slate of committee meetings, staff reports, pastoral care concerns, and administrative tasks. With its own expectations about which conferences I should attend, what organizations I should join, and how I should lead. Those expectations are legitimate and important and deserve everything I can give them. And, actually, more than I can give.
So, in this Christmas season, I have a wish. And UCM has a wish. And we’re bringing that wish to you, because you can help.
My wish is to be, for once, ONE THING. I want to be a campus minister, through and through, and I want to serve United Campus Ministry with everything I have to give. Over the nine years I’ve been here, it’s become absolutely clear to me that this is what I’m for, this is where I’m meant to be, doing this. So when my intern ministry ends on June 1, 2015, my wish is to be UCM’s full-time campus minister.
UCM’s wish, in this challenging and demanding time, is to be even more the campus ministry Ohio University needs. To continue to be at the forefront of work for social justice, but to have an even louder voice, an even greater impact, to change even more students through our interfaith bridge-building and community service work. And this semester more than ever, it’s become absolutely clear that a key piece of our being more is, well, having more–more time, more presence, more service–of our campus minister.
Which brings us to you. Because embracing this larger vision of UCM is a leap of faith we need you to take with us. I’ve been blessed to be able to do this work because you’ve believed in the mission and ministry of UCM. Now, when I’m about to be able to commit even more to this work, and when UCM is committed to being and becoming more the ministry that’s needed here, we need more–more of you (meaning more donors), and more from you (meaning more financial support from each of you).
You have it in your power to grant these wishes. You received this letter because you believe in what UCM does. So think about how much you’d believe in UCM doing more—and give accordingly. And then, share this letter, and your own stories and wishes about UCM, with someone you know who doesn’t know about us. Help them to connect with us and with our work, and give them the opportunity to join us on this leap of faith. And remember—UCM is a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax-deductible and will do more than simply finance operating, facilities, and programming expenses. They’ll help make our wishes come true.
With warm Season’s Greetings from the whole UCM family, and with all best wishes for the New Year–
Rev. Evan Young, Campus Minister
UCM ANNUAL BENEFIT AUCTION – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
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| THE LOCAL GIRLS |
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| CALLIOPE FEMINIST CHOIR |
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MOST IMPORTANT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 6PM
ATHENS COMMUNITY CENTER, 701 E. STATE STREET
LIVE AUCTION BY SHAMROCK AUCTION SERVICE!
SPECIAL MUSIC BY THE LOCAL GIRLS AND CALLIOPE FEMINIST CHOIR!
LOCAL CRAFT BEER BY JACKIE O’S PUB AND BREWERY
APPETIZERS BY AVALANCHE PIZZA, CASA NUEVA, PURPLE CHOPSTIX
AND VINO DE MILO!
RSVP AT jennifer@ucmathens.org
$25 – $100 (sliding scale donation) $15 (student/low income)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 6PM
ATHENS COMMUNITY CENTER, 701 E. STATE STREET
LIVE AUCTION BY SHAMROCK AUCTION SERVICE!
SPECIAL MUSIC BY THE LOCAL GIRLS AND CALLIOPE FEMINIST CHOIR!
LOCAL CRAFT BEER BY JACKIE O’S PUB AND BREWERY
APPETIZERS BY AVALANCHE PIZZA, CASA NUEVA, PURPLE CHOPSTIX
AND VINO DE MILO!
RSVP AT jennifer@ucmathens.org
$25 – $100 (sliding scale donation) $15 (student/low income)
The UCM Benefit Auction is generously sponsored by the following businesses and individuals: The Athens Real Estate Company, Carpenter & Associates, Cetide, Jeffrey D. Chaddock, Judith Daso, The Farmacy, Mara Giglio, Rev. Jan Griesinger, Laura Harrison and Christy Zempter, Hocking Valley Bank, David LaPalombara & Robin Webb, Mac’s Thrifty Shop, Vicki Marshall, Dick & Judy McGinn, Frank & Lorraine Myers, MS. Accounting & Taxes, Inc., Peggy Pruitt, Rich Gardens Organic Farm, Carole Schloss, Snider, Full and Stroh, Sarah Webb & Chad Burkett, Wendy Porter Financial Services and Zoe Fine Dining. You can add your name to this impressive list!
Who’s Who of Thursday Supper! Gerry Edition
This week we interviewed Gary, Frances’ husband.
1. What’s your name?
“Gerry Lee”
2. Where are you from?
“Athens, Ohio.”
3. What is your favorite food?
“Meatloaf.”
4. Where is you favorite place in Athens?
“OU.”
5. What do you like the most about Thursday Supper/
“Friends and good food.”
6. What is an interesting fact about you that most people might not know?
“Eight heart attacks… still alive. Quit smoking.”
Who’s Who of Thursday Supper! Frances Edition
As new interns at United Campus Ministry this summer, we decided that it is time to get to know more about the people who attend, volunteer and are involved with Thursday Supper. This week we are featuring Frances, a regular at Thursday Supper:
1. What’s your name?
“Frances”
2. Where are you from?
“Kentucky”
3. What is your favorite food?
“Soup beans. I love soup beans.”
4. Where is your favorite place in Athens? Why?
“I don’t know… here.”
5. What do you like most about Thursday Supper? Why?
“I guess…rice with beef stew. I think you had it two or three weeks ago.”
6. What is an interesting fact about you that people might not know?
“Love to sew…make quilts.”
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Our Annual Holiday Letter
Dear Friends of UCM,
Really, I’d planned on a witty and entertaining holiday fundraiser, like last year and the year before. I thought I’d write a takeoff on “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” “On the first day of Christmas, my interns (or maybe donors) gave to me. . . .” But I never got that one written, and I think it’s because there’s something I need to say more.
We’re not always clear with you about what we do here at UCM, and why. You know a lot about us–about Thursday Supper and Saturday Lunch, about the alternative winter and spring break service/learning trips, about our stream cleanups and community service days and our interfaith organizing and community-building and our ministry to the LGBTQ community and our public witness on social justice issues. And I know you care that we feed the people we feed, and help the people we help, and clean up the things we clean up, and say the things we say. But sometimes we give you the idea that those things are at the heart of what we do, when really they’re the means to an end. And the end is . . . well, it seems silly when I write it out like this, but the end is to save the world.
First, last, and always, we are a campus ministry. And the students we serve have grown up and are coming of age in a world in need of fixing, one plagued by massive economic inequality and injustice, environmental havoc, and violent discord between people of different faiths. They have every reason to despair, to concern themselves with their own survival and to disregard the plight of others–and yet they yearn for the chance, and the spiritual energy and discipline, to make a difference. What we really do at UCM is give them that chance, over and over again. And over and over again, they’re transformed by the experience. Honestly? You and I will not be around long enough to fix everything that’s broken. Any fixing that gets done will get done by people, young now, who have felt this kind of transformation, who have learned how to connect the life they’re choosing for themselves with the things they believe in their hearts. For almost 60 years UCM has been a part of transformations like that.
At the same time, the institutional expressions of our various faith traditions–the denominations, associations, and other structures that support our various communities and movements–face dwindling resources, increased costs associated with their various ministries, and a suspicion among many younger people that the institutions themselves are becoming increasingly irrelevant. Often over the last decade or two these institutions have responded by diverting funds away from campus ministry–especially from ecumenical and interfaith ministries that aren’t explicitly identified with a specific denomination. So that chunk of our annual income has been shrinking–and we can expect it to keep shrinking.
This change in our funding stream is coinciding with two other changes–one you know about, and one you may not:
Change #1: The global economic climate. We share your pain on this one; like you, UCM is trying to make do with less, and like many of you we find ourselves faced with the possibility that we’ll simply have to DO less. But then there’s
Change #2: Despite the money thing, the relevance and effectiveness of UCM’s ministry is growing by leaps and bounds, more every year and especially this year. Whether you measure it by numbers of students participating in our programs, depth of their participation, or awareness of our ministry and mission in the campus community, UCM continues to make a difference here–and the difference we make continues to grow!
To borrow a question from our Interfaith Impact meetings, though — “so what?” For me the “so what?” is a two-part challenge from me to you.
Part #1: Think about UCM’s world-saving mission, our growing impact on the OU and Athens communities and our transformative influence on the students we meet. Decide how much that amazing work is worth to you. And support UCM to a degree that matches your commitment to the work we do.
Part #2: Help us to get to know the people you know who don’t know us. We need to reach more people with the good news of our ministry here at OU, and the best way to do that is to enlist you, who already believe in what we do, as our goodwill ambassador. Pick a few friends you think would feel as you do about us, and talk to them about why you support us. Encourage them to give us a call, drop by, or make a donation online through our website–we’d love to meet them!
Thanks to our generous donors, UCM has been blessed with meaningful work to do, and the means to do it, for nearly 60 years. Please consider making a contribution now to help us continue our world-saving work. UCM is a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit organization–your contributions are tax-deductible and will finance operating, facilities, and programming expenses. Thank you for your generous ongoing support–we couldn’t do it without you!
With best wishes from the whole UCM family–
Rev. Evan Young, Campus Minister
Better Together
So, we’re planning this Interfaith Peace Walk for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. And we send out a press release, and a reporter contacts me and says he’s doing a story about the declining level of compassion and unity in the years since 9/11 brought us all together, and can he ask me a couple of questions? Here’s how the exchange went:
Him: Why does it take a tragedy to bring us all together?
Me: We humans are creatures of compassion. We see another’s suffering, we recognize it as in some sense our own, and we respond with kindness, concern, respect, and generosity. This is built into us, it’s how we are able to do community. But most of the time we’re distracted from our common humanity—we feel separate, we think our suffering is special, we don’t consider the suffering of others legitimate. Until a tragedy strikes that we all in some way experience—through news coverage, through personally feeling the tragedy’s impact or knowing someone who feels it, whatever. In the days following 9/11 we recognized each other as suffering the same pain, fear, and loss, and our compassion took over. In time we went back to feeling separate and not well understood, and we returned to feeling alienated from each other. We forgot that common thread that unites us.
Him: What happened to all that unity [we felt in the days following the attacks?
Me: Well, see above. But there’s more. Because the stories we hear and see most often are about difference, division, and conflict—how Republicans disagree with Democrats, how Muslims hate Christians or Jews, how the poor resent the rich, how the rich think the poor want a free ride, and on and on. Stories of unity, of bridge-building across persistent divisions, don’t get the same kind of attention—even though they’re happening every day, in communities all over the country. Take our Interfaith Peace Walk—and Better Together, the year-long interfaith community building campaign of which the walk is a part. The walk and the campaign tell a story of all kinds of people working together to make the campus and the community better–and judging by the numbers and enthusiasm of the people who want to participate, it’s a compelling story. But I’d be very surprised if we make the cover of Newsweek.
I liked my answers, so I thought I’d share them with you. If you like them, you should think about getting involved with our Better Together campaign at Ohio University. This is our year.
-Rev Evan Young