ECUMENICAL CHAPLAIN MINISTRY AT UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

I never went to university or college as a young adult.  Even if I had, I don't think my experience of it on Thursday would have been like it was 45 years ago.  Yesterday, I spent a few hours in the midst of about 22,000 students who go to the University of Guelph (or, as some people call it, Cow Poo U). 

There were young folks every where...some were heading out for the Christmas holidays, being picked up outside their dorms by parents and friends, suitcases and duffle bags in tow.  Others were in the student union building alongside a Starbucks, coffee in one hand, muffin in the other, staring at a text book or a lap top.  It was the next to last day of exams and there was a fair amount of cramming still going on.  I felt their pain.

I was at the Guelph campus to learn about the Ecumenical Campus Ministry (ECM) led by United Church minister Andrew Hyde.  He's a young-ish man, full-time chaplain to the university students and staff who seek to make a Christian faith connection on an otherwise secular campus.  His chaplaincy is funded by money provided by the Anglicans, the Presbyterians and the United Church of Canada; this is where some of our Mission & Service donations go, to support the pastoral care that he provides to students attending university in Guelph.

I had no understanding of his calling until yesterday's visit; it didn't take me long though, to appreciate the value of that ministry.  I frequently read of or listen to reports of the pressures that young adults deal with when they begin post-secondary education.  Many of them are away from home for the first time; most of them have significant academic workloads they have never experienced before.  The majority shoulder a significant financial burden to attend university - tens of thousands of dollars of student debt is common.  The pressure to achieve is immense.

It's not surprising that rates of anxiety and stress for university and college students is high and climbing.  It gave me confidence and hope that Andrew was able to provide spiritual care and a safe place for students who need some caring attention.  He told me that he frequently encounters students who have been desperately waiting three weeks for access to counselling services provided by the university.  For young adults whose faith community is far away, or for those who have no faith background but just need a listening ear and compassionate heart, his ministry is a life saver...literally.

I've never doubted the value of my giving to the Mission & Service Fund; it made me feel good to experience the positive impact of my gifts in the pastoral support provided to students by Andrew Hyde.

The purpose of the University of Guelph is "Improving Life".  Andrew Hyde and the Ecumenical Campus Ministry are doing that.

 Pat

Take This Thought Away With You

"When the Student is ready, the Teacher shall appear."

~ ancient proverb ~

A Week's Worth of Gratitude

Saturday ~ food drive at the hockey game

Sunday ~ the wonder of White Gift

Monday ~ Truth & Reconciliation

Tuesday ~ home in the snow

Wednesday ~ knights of the rectangular table

Thursday ~ Guelph Ecumenical Ministry

Friday ~ every day is a day of thanksgiving