Fall is here, and some of your church’s recent graduates may be off to college or new jobs in other towns or cities. In turn, new students may be showing up in your neighborhood and visiting your church, looking for a welcoming congregation or just a smile that feels familiar when everything around them is new.

In this time of transition in their lives, the faith foundation you shared in a student’s early years will be invaluable to them as they make new connections, experience different lifestyles and cultures, and search for answers to new questions. The faith you share now with those you meet can make a lasting impression on their lives and keep them in connection not only with their past, but in their future lives as disciples of Christ.

Some of us may remember starting at a new university or new job, meeting new friends or colleagues, trying new activities, but also experiencing loneliness and anxiety. This is even more common today, thanks to digital device isolation and the loneliness epidemic^, especially among young adults.

Finding the nearest United Methodist Church can be difficult, and taking the leap to actually visit a church may take a while.  A campus ministry program or a welcoming, affirming congregation can make all the difference in the life and faith of a recently transplanted student. For a pastor– or anyone- to take time with them, affirming doubts, offering challenging reading and studies, and introducing them to other students is part of our calling to form disciples.

Writer Laura Buchanan, in a story on UMC.org, recalled her struggle to find a welcoming congregation after college. She wrote, “When I was a recent college graduate living on my own, I had a lot of adventures finding a church home. I visited quite a few congregations on my quest to find the best fit. Some were not theologically aligned with my beliefs (back to the United Methodist fold I ran), but often, I was scared away by the rusty invitational and welcoming skills I encountered.”

If we’re to form disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world, we need to open our eyes to those who may be reaching out. We need to shepherd those who may be leaving our fold. And we need to share our faith through action, by helping the “strangers” in our midst to find the connection they are authentically, but perhaps not outwardly, seeking.

Campus ministry can take many forms, from personal connections and meaningful mission programs to new styles of worship. College students are ready to receive new ideas, challenge old conventions, and discover a deeper faith, based in Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.

As a resource to you and those who are making a big transition in life, here are some church connections in the Dakotas that you can recommend to your graduates and those you may encounter, seeking connection in your church. A list of college cities across the Dakotas has been updated on our website. It includes the college or university name, the local United Methodist Church involved in campus outreach, and an email link to the local pastor there.

Around the Conference, churches near colleges and universities are actively reaching out to find students seeking a UMC connection.

Rev. Clay Lundberg and Grand Forks Zion UMC began the fall season with a presence on August 26 at the Community Expo on the campus of UND in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and they are working on ways to be more present on campus as they transition from Niroop’s leadership into something new (Niroop completed his doctorate and may be moving away).

In Valley City, North Dakota, Rev. Bryce Blank and the folks at Valley City Epworth UMC have a college ministry called Gather, which they are launching this fall. The Gather group is a community of faith for college-age Christians. Pastor Bryce added, “We seek to create a space where people feel welcome, safe, and supported as we do life together and strive to grow in our Christian faith. We are using a Foundation grant to fund the Gather ministry.”

Blank added, “There are a few kickoff events happening over the next month that we hope to use as a point of contact with college students at Valley City State University, and then we have some follow-up events in the works after that.” Epworth’s events include “Pint Night” (conversations around a pint of ice cream), Service Night, Carving Conversations, Game Night, and more.

Dakota Wesleyan University-bound students can connect with the DWU Campus Ministry and Fusion UMC, which worships and meets in the Sherman Center on the campus of DWU in Mitchell, South Dakota. Rev. Dr. Anthony Purcell and Rev. Taryn Ragels are ready for another faith-filled year. They have Chapel every Thursday and worship with the Fusion UMC community on Sundays. Their first Student Ministry Council event was held on the campus lawn. Plans for the event included “yard games, board games, crafts, and the chance to meet new people while learning more about everything Campus Ministry has 

The Northern State University football team

In Aberdeen, South Dakota, students from Northern State University are invited to stop by the Aberdeen North Highland UMC table on Tuesdays in the Student Center for “Tell Me More Tuesdays!” Rev. Andrea Johnson will have a question-of-the-day for students and take time to connect with them, as well as promote a cooperative effort called “Northern LuMin” gatherings. Northern LuMin is planning for Bible studies, S’More Connections, Pumpkin Painting, “Thanksmas” worship, and more.

Since the football practices begin early, on August 19^th, North Highland UMC served the entire Northern State football team (1345 players, coaches, and staff) spaghetti and meatballs at the church. They tackled 30 pounds of pasta, 600 meatballs, 16 pounds of broccoli, plus desserts and lots of conversation.

Pastor Andrea said, “It was a great way to connect, support, and welcome them all. The volunteers from the church and those who came for the meal had a great time. It is a big undertaking, but well worth it.”

These are just some of the events and spirit-led practices being offered by UMC congregations near colleges across the Dakotas this fall. With our hearts set on forming disciples of Jesus Christ, folks are serving joyfully to transform our world.

But you don’t have to cook 30 pounds of pasta, or feed a football team, or make a large presentation to be welcoming to students. We’re all encouraged to connect individually with students who are leaving, and those who are arriving, in ways that welcome, affirm, and share the love of Jesus with the strangers in our midst.

Resources:

The dos and don'ts of invitation and welcoming, by Laura Buchanan, UMC.org
Campus and Young Adult Ministry in the Dakotas webpage
7 Out-of-the-box College Outreach Ideas, by Jeremy Steele, UMC.org

Reference:

Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Department of Health and Human Services, 2023