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Finding what fits you

By Heather B. Peterson

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The summer after my high school graduation was filled with preparations for college: working out last minute details with my college and shopping for school and dorm supplies. The move between living at home and being away at college was a big step.

So was transitioning from a youth group to a young-adult setting.

College students often forget church and faith. It’s not always our fault: Ministries for college students within a church setting are few and far between. Religious campus organizations often provide an evening Bible study but not a Sunday worship service, which we so desperately need.

But if we look, churches and their ministries are there. Search through directories for local congregations and visit a different one each Sunday. Some colleges provide a worship setting as well as fellowship.

When I was a freshman and not close to home, I spent many Sundays going from church to church experiencing different services. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I returned to one that topped my list. It had everything I wanted ­ a meaningful worship service, pastors who were welcoming, an after-worship college Sunday school class (so I could sleep later), and even a home-cooked meal for college fellowship on Sunday evening.

Even when high school graduates stay close to home and can attend worship with their families, the move from youth group to young-adult ministry can be difficult. You may have to ask pastors to create a place in the church’s ministry specifically for young adults.

Like many college students, I love being a camp counselor. To stay involved, I decided to help out as a young-adult leader for the youth group. During the summer I volunteer one week as a camp counselor, help out with Vacation Bible School and serve as a young-adult leader for youth mission work. Other college students have joined in and quickly become role models for youth to stay active in church life.

As young-adults we can find a place in church life only if we remember to make room for God in our lives.

For help in finding a campus ministry or information for young-adults in the ELCA please visit these Web sites: www.elca.org/campusministry or www.elca.org/youngadults.

Heather is a senior at Lenior-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., where she is a communication major and English minor. She was the 2004 summer intern for The Lutheran and is the editor of her college newspaper The Lenoir-Rhynean. She is vice president of Lenoir-Rhyne’s, Circle K service club, with which she enjoys volunteering. She also helps as a young adult leader for her youth group’s summer mission programs. Heather’s hometown is Knoxville, Tenn.