“A Place to Be”
I spent most of the day yesterday in Richmond at a Virginia Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry meeting. I volunteered for this board a little over 7 years ago. But now, when the day comes for me to go to a board meeting, I have to say I dread it. It’s a whole day away from the church. I can’t get anything done that day. I get back to Ladysmith just in time for our Afterschool Program and have to switch gears pretty quickly. And since I’ve been serving as the secretary of the board for the past 4 years, I try to make sure I’m there and I have to pay attention the entire time (I’m taking minutes) and I can’t really arrive late or leave early without a good excuse. And I have to say, I’m not the only one who dreads it. Charles complains EVERY TIME. When I say I have to go to a board meeting, he sighs and rolls his eyes. Every time. The board only meets 6 times a year. It’s not a huge commitment.
But as much as I (and Charles) dread board meeting days, I am happy to serve on this board. The function of this board is to oversee the various campus ministries that the United Methodist Church supports on college campuses around the state. Sometimes the work is tedious and boring. Other times we hear about exciting things that are happening at these ministries. But I know firsthand how important the work of these ministries is. I wouldn’t be where I am today or who I am today without one of them. I was very involved in the Wesley Foundation at UVA when I was a student. At that time in life when so much of a person’s identity is formed, to have the influence and impact of a faith community is very important. The motto of the Wesley Foundation at UVA is “A Place to Be, A Place to Become.” I love that motto. It wasn’t there when I was student, but it is such an accurate description of the ministry that happens with young people there. I grew up in the church, but so much of my faith and my beliefs were formed or reinforced at the Wesley Foundation. In many ways, it will always be my faith home.
This past Sunday in worship, we saw a video of Tim Blanton and Melanie Lyons talking about how they have found a faith home while away at college. They have chosen to be a part of Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg instead of the designated United Methodist campus ministry. I thought of them and that video yesterday as our board heard from some of the leaders of the ministry at JMU. Tim & Melanie chose not to be a part of the “official” campus ministry that our church supports, but I am so proud of them for finding a place where they feel comfortable growing in their faith as they grow in so many other ways during their college years. I am proud of the ministries the United Methodist Church sponsors and supports for young people as they begin adulthood. Mostly, though, I am thankful for them. I am thankful for the Wesley Foundation at UVA that helped formed the person I am today and I am thankful for the people of Asbury UMC in Harrisonburg who are helping to form Tim & Melanie while they are away from us.
