Christians Open Minded

Welcome to Millersville University and United Campus Ministry! We meet “@ the Back Door” behind the A-frame church, 121 N George Street.

A scan on Facebook these days shows many people participating in one form or another of giving thanks through their Status updates. Today, I want to give thanks in a similar way. Last fall, I was hired as the Director and Campus Pastor for United Campus Ministry at Millersville University. As we continued to develop my position description, one theme that came up again and again was that of being a prophetic voice to campus. As it is with Biblical prophets, when you share a prophetic message, some people want to listen, and others just want to shut you out. I have had the distinct privilege to work on a prophetic project this year in which there doesn’t seem to be many voices of dissent. Last year we identified that there was a problem with some of our Millersville University students having enough food or money for food. Some were going without 1-2 meals a week, some have reported going without food for 1-2 days a week. As we continued to hear stories, we also began to do some more research. This is a problem for students at many universities throughout the nation.

The solution became clear! Students need to have food! We have begun a partnership with Millersville University, local churches, and the Central PA FoodBank to host a free student market called the Campus Cupboard. It is open on Fridays from 2-4:30pm. We have been open 3 weeks into this semester and have had 11, 13, 19 visitors respectively.

Check out our Campus Cupboard Tab to learn more!

Also still to come this semester!!!

Christian’s Open-Minded meet on Tuesdays at 8:30pm

Bible Study with the Wired Word on Wednesdays at 4:00pm

Coffee Hour on Fridays at 10:00am

FREE Friday weekend activities each week at 5:30pm.

Finals week Campfire, Gift wrapping, and candle-making!

NEXT SPRING…

Spring Break trip to New Jersey!!

Whether it is your 1st or 4th year, get involved! You will be sure to make great friends and grow immensely!

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

Welcome to Millersville University and United Campus Ministry! We meet “@ the Back Door” behind the A-frame church, 121 N George Street.

Together with our student group, Christians Open-Minded, our group is most known for Tuesday evening COM-Unity discussions or what I like to call the dialogues at the crossroads of life and faith. Each Tuesday, at 8:30pm this semester, we have a different student-led discussion on topics that are both relevant and interesting. Some topics that have been tossed around for this coming semester include Faith topics like forgiveness, baptism, and Celtic spirituality as well as themes from the fall Presidential election, themes from the movie Avatar, the “It Gets Better” project, Gnosticism, and Winter Solstice. All views and questions about life and God are taken seriously. Everyone gets to express their ideas with respect. The last Tuesday of the month we also cook and eat dinner together at 7:00pm.

Together with Multi-Cultural Affairs, we are organizing InterFaith Art Projects once a month offered free in the SMC. September: Pandora’s Box. October: Masks. November: Zen Gardens. December: Candles
If you are looking for something fun (and FREE!!) to do on Friday evenings, then we have opportunities every Friday for activities either on or off campus in our FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP! Some traditional activities have been laser tag, a baseball game, and the Corn Maze as well as on campus Scavenger Hunt, messy games, and Wii tournaments.
October 12 Laser Tag
October 19-21 Fall Retreat
October 26 Mini-Golf

This group of student leaders is motivated to continue to serve our community. We are creating new opportunities to learn and serve with various communities and groups in Millersville and Lancaster. We hope to join a church in the city with serving free breakfast and serve dinners through the Lancaster Council of Churches. We are also planning to form a food bank here on campus, in the building where we meet! Please keep praying for each of these opportunities!

Last year, over Spring Break 2012 we took a team to Philadelphia to serve with many ministries and agencies in helping both homeless and low income people to get food as well as shelter and other resources. Our group grew so much individually by hearing people’s stories and discussing what it means to be the “Next Christian” generation. We will plan a spring break trip again!

We have other small group gatherings too like our retreats, Bible and theme studies, running club, one day service projects, advocacy and leadership opportunities and more!

Bible Study, Students: Wednesdays 4-6pm
Bible Study, MU Graduates and Community Young Adults: 2 Sundays per month, 7-8:30pm

Whether it is your 1st or 4th year, get involved! You will be sure to make great friends and grow immensely!

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

Welcome to Millersville University!

Whether you are a returning student, or new student, consider trying out Christians Open Minded (COM) this year? Just like the title says, this student group is a welcoming and nonjudgmental group who values diversity in belief, culture, and attitude. We appreciate coming together to share and learn from each other. It is a great group with which to explore and claim your spiritual identity as your own in ways that you maybe haven’t yet.

This summer, a few of the group are taking classes and around campus. We are loosely organizing some times to get together as students and alumni for gatherings like baseball games and movies. If you are in the area, please contact me, Kirstin. I would love to take you around campus or treat you to a slice of pizza or a cup of coffee. It will be great to just say hello! We meet “@ the Back Door” behind the A-frame church at 121 N George Street.
Our group is most known for Tuesday evening COM-Unity discussions or what I like to call the dialogues at the crossroads of life and faith. Each Tuesday we have a different student-led discussion on topics that are both relevant and interesting. Some topics that have been tossed around for this coming semester include Faith topics like forgiveness, baptism, and Celtic spirituality as well as themes from the fall Presidential election, themes from the movie Avatar, the “It Gets Better” project, Gnosticism, and Winter Solstice. All views and questions about life and God are taken seriously. Everyone gets to express their ideas with respect. The last Tuesday of the month we also cook and eat dinner together.

Our student leaders will meet in July to develop a more accurate schedule which we will post at that time!

If you are looking for something fun (and FREE!!) to do on Friday evenings, then we have opportunities every Friday for activities either on or off campus in our FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP! Some traditional activities have been laser tag, mini-golf, a baseball game, and the Corn Maze as well as on campus Scavenger Hunt, messy games, and various tournaments like Wii and Ping-pong. New ideas this year include First Friday’s in Lancaster and catching a comedy club act.

This group of student leaders is motivated to continue to serve our community. We are creating new opportunities to learn and serve with various communities and groups in Millersville and Lancaster. We hope to join a church in the city with serving free breakfast and to serve immigrant families who come to the USA through Lancaster. We are also planning to form a food bank here on campus, in our building! Please keep praying for each of these opportunities! Over Spring Break 2012 we took a team to Philadelphia to serve with many ministries and agencies in helping both homeless and low income people to get food as well as shelter and other resources. Our group grew so much individually by hearing people’s stories and discussing what it means to be the “Next Christian” generation. We will plan a spring break trip again!

We have other small group gatherings too like our retreats, Bible and theme studies, running club, one day service projects, advocacy and leadership opportunities and more!

Whether it is your 1st or 4th year, get involved! You will be sure to make great friends and grow immensely!

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

We are about to wrap up “Summer One” session at Millersville University. It has been much quieter since May 12th graduation. And it is odd to hear about high school graduations happening as late as this weekend! Kirstin is not @ the Back Door as much during the summer, but is still working over 30 hours weekly and taking a course during summer 2. Would love to visit with you if you are coming to campus! In the meantime, enjoy the summer! Praying for great relationship with friends, relaxation after all your hard work, and a few extra dollars in your pocket until the next tuition is due! Be Blessed to be a Blessing!

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!