Campus Connection:
Campus Ministries in the PNW
By Alissa Bertsch Johnson | Photos by various campus ministries
Central Washington University/Ellensburg UMC
(Sable, Crimson, and Black)
New to CWU? Are you a young professional in Ellensburg? We’d love to connect with you! Our ministry with young adults occurs on and off the campus of Central Washington University. We gather to form community, hang out, and discuss faith in daily life at a few different places:
- Taize-inspired worship. On 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, we gather at Grace Episcopal Church to worship in song and silence. A free community meal always follows the 40-minute contemplative worship.
- Midweek. Every Wednesday night at 7 p.m., we gather at Ellensburg UMC for food, fellowship and worship.
- Bible and Brew. If you are 21+ years old – mid-30s, you’re more than welcome to join us at The Tav, a local pub, where we gather with a beverage in hand and talk about things that matter. We meet most Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Eastern Washington University/Cheney UMC
(White and Red)
Cheney UMC offers a church-based ministry to students at EWU and other young adults aimed at mixing inclusion in the activities of the general congregation with activities specifically planned by and for younger generations. In 2014, we plan to expand our on-campus presence by working cooperatively with groups like the Compassionate Interfaith Society and Pride Center, as well as co-presenting speakers and co-facilitating discussions with campus faculty and programs.
Evergreen State College
(Green and White)
Common Bread is an interfaith ministry at The Evergreen State College. We aim to be “a still point in your turning world.” We meet at the crossroad of spiritual paths, ancient and modern, East, West, North and South. We believe that the space of the crossroad is a sacred space, cultivating interfaith dialog, contemplative practice, and holistic healing. We cherish the skills of self-nurture, listening, peace-making, and community-building. Common Bread is a safe space to share your spiritual journey. We provide support to students, faculty and staff of Evergreen.
MORE INFO
You can contact chaplain Fred LaMotte at fredlamotte@gmail.com.
University of Idaho/Moscow First UMC
(Black and Gold)
United Methodist Campus Ministry at the University of Idaho takes two forms. Students worshipping at Moscow First United Methodist Church are welcomed by peer minister, Martin Nyarko, meet periodically for pizza and fellowship, and offered pastoral support as needed.
International student outreach has brought African students to the church, with a South Korean student planning to arrive this fall. Additionally, Bible studies, service activities, fellowship, free meals and snacks, and other support and activities are offered through the Campus Christian Center at the University of Idaho, an ecumenical ministry supported by five mainline denominational churches in Moscow.
University of Puget Sound
(White and Maroon)
Spiritual life at the University of Puget Sound reflects our longstanding commitments to diversity, social justice, and critical thinking. Our programs are part of the college itself, and support resources for all students related to spirituality, community service, civic engagement, and social justice. We have robust scholarships to support student religious leadership; offer many leadership roles related to interfaith, multi-faith, and multicultural communities; and advocate for the full inclusion of persons of all races, genders, sexualities, a-religious, in all areas of campus life and society.
MORE INFO
Contact University Chaplain Dave Wright at dwright@pugetsound.edu.
University of Washington
(Purple and Gold)
The Wesley Club at The University of Washington is a campus ministry devoted to creating an open and inclusive atmosphere where college-aged people can explore spirituality, engage justice, and journey together. We have created an intentional space for college-aged people to come and just be. Whether you study, watch TV, hang out with friends, spend time in the chapel meditating, or seek support from one of our staff members – this space is for you. Our space is open seven days a week. We also offer opportunities to engage spirituality, ethics, and justice. We explore those themes through our weekly spirituality group called Deep Dish, Sunday Evening Vespers, service projects, and discussion forums.
We also do more than just think deeply about the world– we play, too! Whether it is exploring Seattle neighborhoods through a scavenger hunt, taking in a Mariners game, going to a local comedy club, or watching a movie – we have fun!
Washington State University/Simpson UMC
(Crimson and Gray)
The mission of the Wesley Foundation at Washington State University is to establish and nurture a Christian student ministry at WSU and within the Simpson United Methodist Church that is broadly Wesleyan and specifically United Methodist in its witness to Jesus Christ among the WSU community. The Wesley Foundation realizes this mission by providing resources to create a community of faith at WSU and Simpson UMC that invites and encourages all students to participate in the reconciling ministry of Jesus Christ through their worship, witness, service, and play. We are an open and accepting Christian community: we strive to be in ministry with all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age. On Wednesday evenings we offer our Inspire! Dinner and Fellowship program at 5 p.m. at Simpson UMC (325 NE Maple, Pullman, WA). All students are invited! Students of every Christian belief and background come together to cook for each other, share a common meal, discuss faith and worship God. In additional to our weekly gathering, students are encouraged to participate in small covenant groups, service to the Pullman community, retreats, and mission trips. Every aspect of our ministry is led by student peer ministers in partnership with our campus minister.
MORE INFO • Facebook: Inspire! at WSU
Wenatchee Valley College (Omak)
(Black and White)
United Methodist Campus Ministry at Omak serves students at Wenatchee Valley College on the Omak Campus through feeding ministries (Snacks for Students, Water for Wisdom and Food for Finals); peer ministry (conversation, tutoring, spiritual encouragement, resources); and activities and programs to fit students’ present and changing needs.
For more info, contact UMCMO c/o Omak United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3411, Omak, WA 98841 or 509-826-1660.
Western Washington University/Garden Street UMC
(Royal Blue, White and Blue)
Garden Street United Methodist College Age Ministry in Bellingham, Wash. invites and encourages young adults of all backgrounds to grow spiritually through discipleship exploration, development of spiritual gifts and leadership, fellowship, worship, and service opportunities in a safe and accepting environment. Students come together to be fed both physically and spiritually often making life-long friendships that support their faith in God.
MORE INFO
Contact Angie Ritchey at angie@gardenstreetumc.org.
Whitworth University/North Spokane: Covenant UMC
(Black and Crimson)
Covenant UMC is a vibrant, creative and open community of faith that has a particular call to intergenerational ministry. For some time, we have been the unofficial UM campus ministry for Whitworth because of our proximity, and we have a thriving, team-based ministry approach. We are in the process of hiring a ‘Coordinator of Young Adult Ministries’ to facilitate program and leadership development for the spiritual formation of young adults (college-aged and those beyond college). This is a ministry that connects with all ministries of the church, including but not limited to worship (music?!), missions, outreach, our LifeGroups and all other age-level ministries.
MORE INFO
Call our office at 509-466-1768.
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