New and improved

How Residential Life has changed for the better

This past summer, the residential team worked diligently to improve the chaotic lives of Union students. So this semester, a new and exciting weekly event called Ways of Worship has begun. Meeting every Wednesday evening starting at 8 p.m. in the Ortner Pit, students can reconnect with their peers and Jesus, even in the middle of a busy week.

While Ways of Worship itself is a new program developed by the residential team, it is a derivative of the Oasis events that occurred every Sabbath last year. Sara Mathey, a team member, explained that Ways of Worship is a “midweek opportunity to get together with Jesus.” She went on to say that this is a fun and relaxing way for students to take an hour from the chaos of the week, a mini Sabbath all on its own. While Oasis events were geared towards creating a casual meeting during the Sabbath hours, the advantage of Ways of Worship is that it allows students to take time during the week to just stop and reconnect. It is not just a way to pass the time; it is important to the spiritual and physical health of all students.

The purpose of this new program is exciting. Ways of Worship is centered around three core ideas: music, sharing, and caring. Each week offers a new, unique event in the rotation, ranging from simply gathering to sing and share what Jesus has done in the first part of the week, to community projects that will eventually make their way through the rotation. Food and snacks are a mandatory part of these activities, and whoever stops by will find themselves surrounded by friendship and nourishment. The turnout for the last couple of weeks has numbered around one hundred, allowing students to make new friends and connect with ones they haven’t seen in a long time.

A vital part of these events is to encourage people to stay and share in the community. The residential team seeks to connect with students, and this is an opportunity for said community to come together every week. As the weeks drag on, it is important for Union to come together.

While the weather remains warm, Ways of Worship will continue to occur outside in the Ortner Pit. However, as winter begins to kick in, it is expected that it will be relocated to the Rees Community Room. The residential team hopes that you will join in and help make these weekly events a success! 

By: Adelle Hall