‘Exist for God’ students told during annual forum

June 7, 2004  

A UMNS photo by Pamela Crosby, Board of Higher Education and Ministry Students celebrate during worship at the 15th annual Student Forum Plus.

Students celebrate during worship at the 2004 Student Forum Plus held at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. Sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Student Forum is the leadership conference of the United Methodist Student Movement. Student Forum Plus, held every four years, offers a chance for more students and campus ministries to participate from each annual conference. A UMNS photo by Pamela Crosby, Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Photo number 04-206, 6/7/04 UMNS#236

By Pamela Crosby*

CONWAY, Ark. (UMNS)—More than 500 United Methodist college students and student ministry leaders explored the question “What Shall We Become?” during the 2004 Student Forum Plus at Hendrix College.

Using the scripture Jeremiah 18:1-6 as a guide, the image of being “clay in the potter’s hands” infused the plenary sessions, small group meetings, Bible studies, worship services, workshops, activities and community outreach projects.

The Rev. Denise “Dee” Baker, a pastor and professional potter, led Bible study. Using a potter’s wheel and clay, Baker demonstrated pottery making and linked the process with God’s work in a person’s life. God can change a person’s shape, but the change “requires your willing involvement with God…. Don’t underestimate the power you’ve been given. Exist for God,” she said.

Sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Student Forum is the annual leadership conference of the United Methodist Student Movement. Student Forum Plus, held every four years, allows more students and campus ministers to participate from each annual conference.

A UMNS photo by Pamela Crosby, Board of Higher Education and Ministry Students hold hands in prayer during the 2004 Student Forum Plus.

“That former leaders of the UMSM are returning to address the gathering is evidence of the movement’s maturation,” said the Rev. Hal Hartley, a director with the Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The annual meetings held during the last weekend in May began in 1989 .

Forum participants considered 21 resolutions submitted by students. Although seven resolutions received a majority of votes, only three received the required two-thirds vote to become official positions of the UMSM. The adopted resolutions:

• Establish an “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” worship service as an official Forum activity “welcoming all people with hospitality, generosity and enthusiasm on their journey of faith;” 

• Request that a future lecture or workshop address the history of the Reconciling Congregation movement;

• Issue a call to prayer for unity in the church.

“It’s nice to have a voice and to use our opinion, to know that we’re making a difference for things in the future,” said Ruth Huth, a sophomore at Adrian (Mich.) College.

A UMNS photo by Pamela Crosby, Board of Higher Education and Ministry Three hundred students participated in outreach ministries in Arkansas.

Thirty-seven international students from eight African countries, South Korea, Ireland, Russia, Brazil, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago attended to make a connection between the UMSM in the U.S. and the student movements in their home countries.

Four students from Africa University in Zimbabwe were first-time attendees. Share Our Worlds sponsored their trip. The new program brings United Methodist-related young adults from around the world to serve as summer staff in United Methodist camping and retreat settings in the United States. The denomination’s Board of Discipleship, Board of Global Ministries and the National Camp/Retreat Committee launched the new ministry with support from the Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

UMSM attendees elected new members of their steering committee. Two students serving alternate two-year terms represent each jurisdiction. Five at-large members also serve to ensure diversity.

The 2004-05 UMSM Steering Committee

Chair:

North Central

• Laura McDowell, Ohio State University, Columbus
• Christine Seymour, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato, Minn.

Northeastern

• Krystal Grant, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
• Nate Kurtz, Frostburg State University, Maryland

South Central

• Derrick Hurst, Cameron University, Lawton, Okla.
• Chad Harry, Grambling State University, Grambling, La.

Southeastern

• Terrill Williams, East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.
• Theon Johnson, Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss.

Western

• Christopher Koontz, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
• Stacey Bertsch, Eastern Washington University, Spokane.

At-Large members

• Ana Kelsey-Powell, North Central College, Naperville, Ill.
• Xiomara Villalva, Lafayette College, Easton, Pa.
• Sungano Ziswa, Delaware Technical and Community College, Georgetown.
• Kimberly Takagi, Chapman University, Orange, Calif.
• Puanani Langi, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Honolulu.

More information on the United Methodist Student Movement and the Student Forum is available from the Campus Ministry Section, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007. Information is also available at the Student Movement's Web site, www.umsm.org and at the Board of Higher Education and Ministry's site, www.gbhem.org.

*Crosby is assistant editor and writer for the Office of Interpretation, Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Nashville, Tenn.

·(615)742-5470^·Nashville, Tenn.

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Suggested Resources United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry United Methodist Student Movement United Methodist Student Forum The United Methodist National Camp/Retreat Committee