Campus Y Students Act on Convictions

Michele Lynn

The following article is reprinted with permission from the Herald Sun. Campus Y Director Virginia Carson is a parishioner of the Chapel of the Cross and served on the recent committee to advise the rector on a new Associate for Campus Ministry.

CHAPEL HILL -- In 1859, a unique student organization was founded at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-an organization that has become an integral part of the campus and the surrounding community.

This organization has evolved into what is now the Campus Y, whose mission is "the pursuit of social justice through the cultivation of pluralism."

From teaching literacy to freed slaves after the Civil War to responding to the needs of the increasing number of Hispanic immigrants today, the Campus Y has consistently been at the forefront of contemporary social issues.

The Campus Y channels the volunteer efforts of its 900 undergraduate members through 20 student-run committees that focus on social issues including animal and environmental protection, hunger, homelessness and literacy.

Clients of the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service have long been the beneficiaries of Y student volunteers' commitment and passion. Campus Y Director Virginia Carson said that she thinks students have been involved with the IFC since its inception.

"Students were involved in the tutoring program set up by IFC and with IFC's Family Connections program," said Carson. "Our volunteers are involved in so many things: helping at Homestart, doing literacy work at the shelter, serving meals in the kitchen, just to name a few. Every year, we do a canned food drive for the food pantry."

Charlie Odom, a sophomore who serves as the organization's co-treasurer, was recently elected to the IFC Board of Directors. Odom credits the Y with helping him understand community needs.

"The Y has opened my eyes to some of the problems in the world and how to take the initiative to address wrongs and injustices," said Odom. "I've learned to not be afraid to stand up for things I believe in and how to be a leader."

When Carson became the director of the Campus Y three years ago, it was a homecoming of sorts. A Carolina alumna, class of 1971, Carson was an active member of the Y throughout her undergraduate years.

"I remember the Y as being the first place where anybody wanted to hear what I had to say," she said. "I hope that is still the case-that students who feel that they have something to offer can do that here and that they know that we listen to them and take them seriously."

Meredith Flowe, a senior who is the Campus Y's co-president, agreed with Carson's assessment.

"One thing that attracts students to the organization is that we are student-led and student-run," she said. "We have wonderful advisory support, but it's the students who keep things going."

Flowe said that the Y has been instrumental in her career plans to work in the modern anti-slavery movement. "My involvement with the Y has deepened my commitment to service. It's been the catalyst for seeing that service is something I want to do with my career and not something I want to do on the side."

"The Y attracts an amazing group of people who are really aware and really concerned about social issues," Flowe added. "When you walk into the Y, you're bound to learn something."

The profiles in this series are provided by the Inter-Faith Council.

URL for this article: http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-409223.html .

God and Country Series Helps Students of All Ages Explore Their Faith

Frank McBride

For the third time in two years, some Chapel of the Cross students are participating in a program from the God and Country series. The God and Country series offers first through 12th grade Protestants an opportunity to explore their faith through Bible study, discussions, prayer, and activities. The four programs are designed for specific age groups and offer increasing levels of challenge and depth. Although this series tends to be popular with scouting groups, it is available to all Protestant boys and girls.

The God and Me program is designed for first, second, and third graders. It addresses some of the core tenets of our faith, including God as our creator, God's gift of Jesus, the power of prayer, and Christian service. The program requires four group discussion/activity sessions as well as home activities and study.

The God and Family program, which is currently under way at Chapel of the Cross, is designed for fourth and fifth graders. This program focuses on components of the strong Christian family such as a spiritual foundation, spiritual heritage, unique gifts of family members, rules and guidelines, and the ability to thrive in difficult times. This program requires six group discussion/activity sessions as well as home activities and study.

God and Church is designed for middle school children. While the programs for younger students are non-denominational, this program introduces students to the history, structure, and objectives of the Episcopal Church. The first part of the program focuses on the life and work of Jesus, while the second part focuses on the ministry of our church. In addition to study and discussion, students spend 20 hours on service projects.

God and Life is the high school level program and is patterned after the life of St. Paul. Students study and reflect upon St. Paul's ministry and then apply these lessons to a series of significant service projects.

All four of these programs offer our children an excellent opportunity to build upon what they are already learning through our Christian education offerings. These programs have received strong reviews from the students and their parents. As a counselor, I have enjoyed seeing the rapid spiritual growth of the participants. Hopefully, many of our students will participate in future (and perhaps, all four) God and Country programs.

While these programs require pastoral oversight, lay counselors typically run the sessions. Because the students take such an active role in these programs, and because the programs come with detailed materials, the counselor's role is primarily to facilitate.

In the future, availability of these programs will be based on student interest and adult volunteers. If you have a child who might be interested in these programs, or if you would be interested in serving as a counselor, please feel free to e-mail me at StratAdvan@aol.com. You can also find more information about the God and Country series at http://www.praypub.org.