Balance of Activities & Year at a Glance
The 3 types of Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministry (UUCM) Activities:- Worship/Spiritual
- Fellowship/Social
- Social Justice/Political
Campus ministry programs succeed when they provide at least two of these three types of programming each year. Often you will find that not all students will respond or attend all of your programming–similar to the fickle church member who goes only to the sermons s/he likes–but if you provide several different styles of activities and are intentional about publicizing their purpose you will generally find new and interested students showing up. It is important to not get stuck providing only one type of program. We often see campus ministries falling apart when they exist primarily as a social group. Don’t be paralyzed by the planning, stretch beyond your comfort zone if need be and invite someone from within or outside your core group to offer a program that diversifies your activities.
Here are a few that you may want to consider first. For the workshop and discussion ideas, these can be excellent topics to bring in a guest speaker. For the student group activities, these are generally self led or group led where students can take much of the leadership. A basic student group activity might include chalice lighting; check in; a short worship activity; meditation, prayer, reading, and/or song. Always it is good to have a volunteer or appointed person to coordinate the specific program, to make sure all the details are followed through on.
Remember that it is a good idea to take time at the beginning of each term (or a few weeks beforehand if you can) to facilitate a brainstorming session with the group to see what ideas and topics they would be interested in, including ones they might be willing to lead. Even if you do not have an active group that meets weekly, you can get a sense of what the students and adults are interested in doing and what experiences and ideas people have to share including people they personally know who might be good guest speakers.
Here is a sample look at the type of activities a campus ministry can do on a yearly basis.
Annual
- Bring a guest speaker to campus using the UU Billings Fund for Campus Outreach (grants of up to $2000).
- Fall Welcome for Students and Congregation with free pizza, drinks and a short worship with the minister.
- Discussion with a local minister.
- Overnight retreat for campus students and friends.
School Term
- Tabling at the student activities, student orientation or other student faire.
- Postering & Brochure-dropping blitz on campus.
- Bring a friend to Unitarian Universalist (UU) campus group event to learn about one another’s spiritual journeys.
Monthly
- Potluck
- Worship
- After Sunday Service Lunch
- Social Service Project
- Coordinators/Organizers Check In Meeting
Weekly
- Regular Campus Group Meeting, Discussion, Worship, Activity.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
