Winter 2008 The PCM Connection Advent musings Ben Larson-Wolbrink, Campus Minister Once again, we find ourselves in the season of Advent. This time of waiting and preparation has always been a favorite for me as we anticipate the coming of the Baby who would change the world. Babies have become a major focus of PCM’s graduate group these days. Over the past few years, five babies have been born to members of the group, one just last week, and another is due in January. Two of these little ones – including our daughter, Lily – regularly join our Sunday evening gatherings. On more than one occasion, the whole group has found itself gazing – in wonder and awe – at the latest, miraculous phase of development in these little ones… a smile, laughter, a word. Of course, the babies’ cries and antics often disrupt our time together. We’ve had to make time and space in our meetings for feeding, diaper changes, and the occasional tantrum. I often worry that the babies distract us from our time of worship and sharing, and I have approached the grad group on more than one occasion to see if it’s time to create a separate group, or at least a separate space, for the moms and babies. Each time, the group has responded – in no uncertain terms – that I can go ahead and separate the moms and babies if I want, but that they’ll all go with them and I can worship all by myself! As I reflect on the amazing mystery of God coming to us as a baby, I’m kind of embarrassed to think that I wanted to remove the distraction of the children from our worship. But, I know I’m not the only person to ever have this impulse. It’s quite common to want to separate worship from the mess and disruption of our lives. The impulse is especially strong this time of year. The students are slogging through finals. There are presents to be bought, cards to mail, and parties to attend. How can we pay attention with so much to do?!? I just want to get away from it all and await the Savior in peaceful contemplation. And yet, in my desire to pull away from the mess, I may be missing the whole point of the season. In the introduction to God with Us, Eugene Peterson reminds us: “Every year Christmas comes around again and forces us to deal with God in the context of demanding and inconvenient children; gatherings of family members…all the crasser forms of greed and commercialized materiality; garish lights and decorations. Or maybe the other way around: Christmas forces us to deal with all the mess of our humanity in the context of God who has already entered that mess in the glorious birth of Jesus (9).” God has, indeed, entered our mess. The babies – those in our group and the baby Jesus – remind us that we don’t need to get away from the craziness to find God. God is right there, in the midst of the mess… making all things new. Advent blessings to you from PCM. Inside this issue: My PCM Experience by Benjamin Pope (Page 2) PCM…the place I always wanted to be by Cassie Grant (Page 3) Thank You to Donors (Page 4) Good News from the PCM Board by Dave Wasserman (Page 5)
Transcript
Winter 2008 The PCM Connection
Advent musings Ben Larson-Wolbrink, Campus Minister Once again, we find ourselves in the
season of Advent. This time of waiting and preparation has always been a favorite for me as we anticipate the coming of the Baby who would change the world. Babies have become a major focus of PCM’s graduate group these days. Over the past few years, five babies have been born to members of the group, one just last week, and another is due in January. Two of these little ones – including our daughter, Lily – regularly join our Sunday evening gatherings. On more than one occasion, the whole group has found itself gazing – in wonder and awe – at the latest, miraculous phase of development in these little ones… a smile, laughter, a word. Of course, the babies’ cries and antics often disrupt our time together. We’ve had to make time and space in our meetings for feeding, diaper changes, and the occasional tantrum. I often worry that the babies distract us from our time of worship and sharing, and I have approached the grad group on more than one occasion to see if it’s time to create a separate group, or at least a separate space, for the moms and babies. Each time, the group has responded – in no uncertain terms – that I can go ahead and separate the moms and babies if I want, but that they’ll all go with them and I can worship all by myself!
As I reflect on the amazing mystery of God coming to us as a baby, I’m kind of embarrassed to think that I wanted to remove the distraction of the children from our worship. But, I know I’m not the only person to ever have this impulse. It’s quite common to want to separate worship from the mess and disruption of our lives.
The impulse is especially strong this time of year. The students are slogging through finals. There are presents to be bought, cards to mail, and parties to attend. How can we pay attention with so much to do?!? I just want to get away from it all and await the Savior in peaceful contemplation. And yet, in my desire to pull away from the mess, I may be missing the whole point of the season. In the introduction to God with Us, Eugene Peterson reminds us: “Every year Christmas comes around again and forces us to deal with God in the context of demanding and inconvenient children; gatherings of family members…all the crasser forms of greed and commercialized materiality; garish lights and decorations. Or maybe the other way around: Christmas forces us to deal with all the mess of our humanity in the context of God who has already entered that mess in the glorious birth of Jesus (9).” God has, indeed, entered our mess. The babies – those in our group and the baby Jesus – remind us that we don’t need to get away from the craziness to find God. God is right there, in the midst of the mess… making all things new. Advent blessings to you from PCM.
Inside this issue: My PCM Experience by Benjamin Pope (Page 2) PCM…the place I always wanted to be by Cassie Grant (Page 3) Thank You to Donors (Page 4) Good News from the PCM Board by Dave Wasserman (Page 5)
The PCM Connection Page 2 of 6
gatherings have included bible studies and communion worship. In September, I was one of a small group of students who supervised children, including leading worship for the children, during a Camp Meeting on the Tohono O’odham Reservation in Sells. Also, more recently, I helped serve at PCM’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, and I helped prepare the food for the Campus Christian Center’s Thanksgiving Dinner for International Students. Since all study and no leisure would make for dull PCM students, the leisure activities have included monthly grad group potlucks, as well as attending some of the UofA home football games. Last month, I also went on the PCM retreat to Mount Lemmon.
What is The PCM Connection? The PCM Connection is an occasional newsletter of Arizona Presbyterian Campus Ministry, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In it you will find students’ reflections from their experiences with this ministry. If you have any input or responses regarding this newsletter send them to: [email protected] Donations can be mailed to:
Presbyterian Campus Ministry 715 N Park Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719
This edition was edited by, Ann Lawrence, PCM Student Intern.
I am a first year doctoral student in Statistics at the UofA and an active member of PCM. As an undergraduate, my growth as a Christian and fellowship with other Christians played a significant role in my undergraduate experience. As such, I knew that among my priorities in graduate school was finding a source of fellowship. So, when I found out that I had been accepted to and decided to attend the UofA for graduate school, I began to research what fellowship options the UofA offered. I found two which piqued my interest based on familiarity: Graduate Christian Fellowship, the graduate chapter of InterVarsity, of which I had been a part as an undergraduate at UC San Diego, and PCM, the ministry affiliated with my church at home. Originally, the PCM grad group was not scheduled to have its first event of the year until the Sunday before the third week of classes, so I was planning to check out GCF until the PCM grad group had its first meeting of the year. But, fortunately, I found out during the week before the fall semester was to start, that PCM was having a gathering the night before the first day of classes. I have found PCM to be a welcoming group of students of faith who are fun to be around. Much of my free time has been spent engaging in activities with PCM students, both worship and service as well as leisure activities. Among the worship and service activities, I have attended the weekly gatherings of the PCM grad group on a regular basis. The activities at the PCM grad group weekly
My PCM Experience Benjamin Pope, Graduate Student
Benjamin cooking away at the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for International Students.
Benjamin (front, left) with new friends at the Fall Retreat on Mt. Lemmon.
The PCM Connection Page 3 of 6
As I sat in worship a few weeks ago, during my final semester at the UofA and at PCM, I thought to myself, “Wow… I can’t believe it’s all coming to an end. It really feels like it was just yesterday that I started this all. ” Now as I sit trying to think of the right words to sum up my experiences here at PCM I am overwhelmed with great memories. I can remember the first time I heard about PCM. I was a new freshman scanning the endless tables of clubs during orientation. I met Ben for the first time, recognized the Presbyterian denomination and chose PCM as the first stop of what I thought would be many first visits to Christian clubs on campus. However, once I stepped through the doors of the Campus Christian Center (CCC), I never left.
At PCM I found common ground with students looking for
PCM…the place I always wanted to be Cassie Grant, PCM Student
purpose and a deeper connection beyond the typical college student’s social life. Here was a group of people ready to embrace you as you were. I found my best friends, my family away from home. If there was anything I needed, a hug, a laugh, or a shoulder to cry on, I always knew I could walk in to worship on Tuesday nights and find it there. Over the years I have spent time socializing, worshipping, praying, serving and even living with my PCM family. I was even blessed to meet my future husband here. The relationships that have been nurtured by PCM will be with me for many years to come.
In the past three years, I have been an active member of PCM, and a member of the Peer Leadership team. I also served as the Student Intern in my sophomore and junior years. The experience I have gained working for the church in such an intimate way is priceless.
Some of my favorite moments at PCM have been participating in the numerous service projects. In my first year, my idea of a perfect weekend was staying the night at the CCC, waking up early to cook pancakes, and then spending the morning packing food boxes at the Tucson Community Food Bank. The following year I spent my spring break on a mission trip to inner city Los Angeles where we volunteered at homeless shelters and an after-school program. Last year I was fortunate enough to travel to Northern Ireland and experience God in a new country. Through all of these experiences I have grown closer to Christ and to my family at PCM.
(PCM, page 4)
Cassie and the undergrads serving food in inner-city Los Angeles for
the 2007 mission trip.
Erin and Cassie at a UofA football game.
Students getting ready for Tuesday Night Worship.
Cassie and Nichole packing boxes at the Tucson Community Food Bank.
The PCM Connection Page 4 of 6
The big trips are memorable, but some of the best moments have come about during our weekly Tuesday night dinner and worship. There is nothing better than a homemade meal shared across a table of friends, or spending an evening reflecting on God’s good grace on the rooftop of the CCC. I cherish every conversation and the authenticity of our worship.
PCM was the place I always wanted to be. Without it I wouldn't be who I am today. It changed my life and the way I look at the world. I have been so blessed to be a part of such an incredible community of people who love Christ. And now as I think about what is to come after I leave this place, I hope that the new students who continue to come through those doors have a similar experience and feel the immense love this place provides. I may not be a part of the PCM community forever, but it will always be a significant part of who I am and who I will become.
And for that, I am forever grateful.
-PCM (continued from page 3)
Thank You to our Donors! The following individuals and congregations have given to PCM between Oct 1 and Dec 1: Giving $1000 or more St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tucson Giving $100 or more Davis, Merrily and George Fohr, Bruce and Janet McAllister, Ken and Rachel Srubas Olmstead, Lyle and Arlene Raffety, David and Jayne Roske, Gwyn and Chuck Samoy, Joey and Sue Scott, Eileen Smith, William and Nicee Giving up to $99 Ayer, Harry and Barbara Davis, Stephanie Diekema, Larry and Bridgett Helmers, Richard and Samantha Hing, Richard and Saik Song Long, Russell and Christy Mendis, Eardley Ross, Howard Thompson, Doug and Laura Williams, Michael E
Gifts to PCM help support outreach efforts like our Annual
Thanksgiving Dinner for International Students. The Communion table is ready at our weekly Tuesday night worship for
undergraduate students.
Page 5 of 6
Greetings! As you can see by all of the activities highlighted in this newsletter, this is an exciting time for our Presbyterian Campus Ministry. It has been a great time to serve on PCM’s Board as well! Over the last year, the Board has grown from being a support arm for Ben and his staff to being a fuller partner in insuring the ongoing ministry of PCM. By that I mean that the Board has recognized its responsibility to be a primary participant in the financial oversight and future of this ministry. Last Spring, the Board met with a funds development consultant which led to a year round funds development plan which we are now implementing. While we continue to be grateful for the support PCM receives through Presbytery de Cristo’s mission budget, the Board is facing the financial challenges of supporting PCM’s ministry directly – and successfully! At the same time, the Board is in the process of re-organizing its paperwork (By-Laws and Procedures) for the future. Neither of these are “center stage” issues, but I believe they are the “behind the scene” support efforts that a Board needs to do, and important to this good ministry.
Good News from the PCM BOARD Dave Wasserman, Co-Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian in Tucson
For me, serving on the Board this fall has meant connecting with some of the students, but mostly with Ben and Rachel and Ann. It has meant watching and delighting in the ways they are engaging this ministry, with all of those good Presbyterian traits of energy, intelligence, imagination and love. It has also meant some fun moments, such as hosting the recent Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser (see pictures). And, it has meant getting to know other Presbyterians in de Cristo Presbytery who are interested in and committed to a ministry of witness and service to young adults in the name of Christ. The students at the UofA, Pima Community College and elsewhere are well worth our love and support!
The PCM Connection
Students and guests singing along at the 2nd Annual PCM Spaghetti Dinner.
Board members Sue Samoy, Debby Johnson (Moderator), Jan Bredehoft, and Janet Fohr, taking a break from working at the 2nd Annual PCM Spaghetti Dinner.
Guests enjoy a yummy meal, served up by students, at the Spaghetti Dinner.
Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid
PAID Permit No. 14
Tucson, Arizona
Get Connected! Learn more about PCM by visiting our webpage: www.pcmarizona.org Your tax deductible donation can be mailed to:
Presbyterian Campus Ministry 715 N Park Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719
The PCM Connection Arizona Presbyterian Campus Ministry is a welcoming, relevant, and biblically grounded community where students and young adults in Tucson can: Be… themselves, beloved children of God. Belong… to a community following Jesus Christ. Become… who the Holy Spirit is calling them to be.
CAMPUS CHRISTIAN CENTER 715 N. PARK AVENUE TUCSON, AZ 85719
