Harvesting the Christian Spirit
PC: Levi Ventura
Friday, Sept. 14 was a big day for Union College. Not only were there Preview Day students on campus, but it was also the day of Harvey’s Harvest. Harvey Meier, retired Union staff member, and his wife Nancy Meier who works for the Fine Arts department, opened up their land to the college for Friday night dinner, games and a special vespers.
Students began arriving around 5:30 p.m. and many began to play the lawn games set up around the yard.
Games included cornhole, volleyball, football, soccer, ladder toss and kite flying. Dinner was served around 6 p.m. Union Market provided the food, which included hot dogs, chips, watermelon, cookies and drinks. Students continued to chat and a large volleyball game began as people finished eating.
Family worship service began at 7:30 p.m. behind the Meier house in a dip in the yard surrounded by trees. Students brought blankets to sit on, and soon the lawn was filled with students ready for vespers. Because a large amount of rain had fallen that week, mosquitos were rampant and several people went to a nearby store and bought enough insect repellent to fight the swarming creatures. Vespers started out with a song service before transitioning to the speaker, Pastor Kessia Reyne Bennett from College View Church. She discussed how an individual could make his or her prayer life better and how he or she could know that God cares about people. She also talked about how busy life can be and how we can stay connected to God through the busyness of life.
She challenged those present to stay connected to God. At the end of her talk, there was an opportunity for students to gather in groups and pray with one another. The evening concluded with s’mores over the fire pit before everyone headed back to Union, ready for the weekend, and for many, with strengthened faith.
Harvey’s Harvest was an amazing event, from the fellowship to the games and the vespers service. Everyone should plan on attending the next Harvey’s Harvest.
Jordan Judge is a freshman studying business administration.