Christians Open Minded

During the last month, many friends have posted on their facebook status things they are thankful for . . .

In the midst of various life stressors including personal or or world-wide economic trials, it is so important that we give thanks to God for the blessings we do have. I pray that each of you find yourself in a place this week with others who love you and support you. Whether or not you celebrate with a turkey dinner is irrelevant. COMING TOGETHER and giving thanks for surviving some of the worst struggles with climate, hunger, culture, and community . . . that is the theme of the Thanskgiving story that I remember. And that is the hope we can carry on with this Thanksgiving.

So, whatever struggles you faced this last semester . . . or find yourself facing today . . . exhale, and give God thanks for the gifts you do have. We have much to be thankful for!

I am thankful for a home, food, my family and friends, my husband Jason, 2 cuddly kitties, the ability to run and play, the freedom to speak from my mind and heart, and sharing the journey with many . . . including many of you this semester! Thank you! I am thankful for God who created me, gifted me, guides me, and sustains me . . . forgiving my doubts and affirming my faith!

At United Campus Ministry, we are REAL people living, learning, serving, and worshiping together in a holistic community with REAL life faith!

We are thankful for a full semester of FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP! Every Friday, free to all students, we gather to enjoy an on-or-off site activity. This fall included laser tag, a flashlight cornmaze, mini-golf, bowling, as well as our campus ropes course, scavenger hunt, and game nights! When we return from Thanksgiving, we will go ice-skating!

Would you like to participate in a weekly discussion in which your views on life and God are taken seriously and everyone gets to express their ideas without anyone being frowned upon or criticized? Then our Tuesday evening COM-Unity is for you. Each Tuesday we have a different student-led discussion on topics that are both relevant and interesting. Recent topics have been the “occupy” movement, death penalty, All Saints Day and Day of the Dead, Paranormal, and Prayer. The last Tuesday of the month we also cook and eat dinner together.

This semester we have read the book of Hebrews. Second semester we will have one Bible study small group as well as a group that meets to discuss themes of Justice and Community, and a third who meets to read a book together, Jesus Today, by Albert Nolan.

We are also a group who feels motivated to change the world! Want to spend your spring break helping low-income families in Philadelphia? Then our spring break mission trip is for you. All you need is a desire to help others. Other opportunities to serve will come in connection with or local churches and community organizations. We can serve as a missional community and really make a difference! The Cost is $160. Reserve a space by bringing $100 by January 31st. Call the UCM Office for more details! 872-6840.

Do you have an idea for a event or meeting or gathering that we don’t have? Let us know and we will see what we can do together. We are each gifted to love and serve God in different ways!

Whether it is your 1st or 4th year, make this the semester you get involved. You won’t regret it! You can make both memories and friends to last a lifetime!

Blessings,

Kirstin

Kirstin Shrom-Rhoads
Campus Minister
United Campus Ministry (UCM)
Christians Open Minded (COM)

Welcome to Campus! Some of you for the very first time!
Amidst your many new opportunities for hanging out with wonderful new friends and participating in something meaningful and fun, why not try Christians Open Minded (COM)?

Our opening Picnic is Tuesday, August 30th at 6pm. We NOW meet “@ the Back Door” behind the A-frame church. Look for volleyball and lots of people! It will be a blast and you can learn more about the people who are involved and the activities for this semester!

We are REAL people living, learning, serving, and worshiping together in a holistic community with REAL life faith!

If you are looking for something fun to do on Friday evenings (that is free), then we have opportunities every Friday for activities either on or off campus in our FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP!

Would you like to participate in a weekly discussion in which your views on life and God are taken seriously and everyone gets to express their ideas without anyone being frowned upon or criticized? Then our Tuesday evening COM-Unity is for you. Each Tuesday we have a different student-led discussion on topics that are both relevant and interesting. The last Tuesday of the month we also cook and eat dinner together.

As we get into the semester, we will also schedule times for a regular Bible Study for any who are interested.

We are also a group who feels motivated to change the world! Want to spend your spring break helping low-income families in Appalachia? Then our spring break mission trip is for you. All you need is a desire to help others. Other opportunities to serve will come in connection with or local churches and community organizations. We can serve as a missional community and really make a difference!

Want to get away for a weekend of fun, food, fellowship and sharing? Then try our fall weekend retreat October 21-23 in beautiful Lebanon County. Bring your guitar, your Bible, your journal, your sneakers and some marshmallows. It will be a blast and hopefully leave you feeling inspired and refreshed for the rest of the semester.

Others may want to participate in more regular community outreach or join a group of runners…

Do you have an idea for a event or meeting or gathering that we don’t have? Let us know and we will see what we can do.

Whether it is your 1st or 4th year, make this the semester you get involved. You won’t regret it! You can make both memories and friends to last a lifetime!

Blessings,

Kirstin

Kirstin Shrom-Rhoads
Campus Minister
United Campus Ministry (UCM)
Christians Open Minded (COM)

With a new year comes a new semester and the opportunity to make a fresh start. Hopefully you have learned some things from the past year and will make a few changes that will lead to a great semester and year.

If you are looking for a place to make new … [click here to read full post]

To Incoming Millersville University Students –

On behalf of everyone in Christians Open Minded (COM), I want to welcome you to Millersville! We are excited that you have chosen MU as the place to spend the next four (or five!) years of your life. If you stumbled onto our webpage, it probably means that you are looking for a spiritual home away from home. We would love to fill that need.

COM is the fully student-led ministry of … [click here to read full post]

Welcome to the new and improved COM website! We have created this site with the hopes of informing about the many activities United Campus Ministry and Christians Open Minded sponsor throughout the semesters at Millersville University. Additionally, this website should allow for the possibility of additional 2-way interaction, discussing topics of interest and keeping the conversations going.

For now, we hope you’ll take a look around and see what UCM/COM is all about. We’re glad you stopped by the site, and hope to see you at one of our events soon!