School got you stressed? Are you in need of a little relaxation time? If so, it’s about time you heard about campus ministry. Those who are familiar with the ministry find it one of the most comforting places on campus.
The ministry is more than just a group of Christians who study the Bible all day. They get out there and try and make this community a better place. It is a service provided by the local churches and it provides spiritual, social, and service activities to members of the Plymouth community of all faiths.
There are three campus ministers: Kathy Tardif, the Catholic minister, Preston Fuller, the Protestant Campus Chaplain and United Campus Minister and Eric Lovejoy, the Minister of the Chi-Alpha Christian Fellowship at PSU. The campus ministry offers sources of discussion and counseling that encourage students, faculty and staff to think about faith.
The Catholic Campus Ministry focuses on building the community and holds monthly prayer services and suppers. The Ministry also organizes community hikes, movie nights and suppers. They also collaborate with other departments for events. “We do a lot to really support the University,” said Fuller.
The most recent collaboration event was the Labyrinth Meditation Walk they sponsored alongside the Wellness Center in May of this year. The event introduced participants to an ancient form of meditation that promotes relaxation and well-being. The Ministry also holds weekly meetings on Tuesday nights. The meetings are designed to discuss a wide variety of issues of faith, including “The Simpsons” and religion, differences between Catholics and Protestants, being religious at a state university and U2’s Christian music (Source: plymouth.edu/campmin/index.html).
“We’re available to everybody and anybody,” said Tardif. The United Campus Ministry explores the mysteries and ideas of God in an effort to strengthen spirituality. The service prides themselves in providing social justice opportunities to members of the area and hold community worship sessions on Wednesday nights. Furthermore, the Ministry takes any opportunity to actively benefit the community. Often they cook ‘soul food’ for needy residents and are involved in programs like Boston City Reach and Fun and Fellowship.
The Chi-Alpha Ministry is a national Christian student organization. Chi-Alpha provides opportunities for students to become familiar with God, each other and the community. Their meetings are informal and often involve music and social interaction. They value integrity, servant leadership, excellence, community, diversity and creativity.
A big event that the ministry holds is called ‘Walking with Boston’s Homeless.’ Every year in October, the ministry takes students down to Boston to observe and interact with the city’s homeless. “Homelessness is now not an idea or a concept, it is a person,” said Tardif. Participants observe what their lives are like and how the homeless survive. They also provide clothes and food for them upon arrival.
A recent project that the ministry is sponsoring is Thanksgiving baskets for Plymouth and the surrounding towns. Sodexo provides some of the food and a place for individuals to physically put together the baskets. Anyone that wants to participate and volunteer is welcome.
An important space to Campus Ministry is the Reflection Room, where students can go to simply get away from the busy outside world for a while. “It is also the only place on campus where you can light a candle; a lot of people use it for that,” said Tardif. That space is also used for various faith-based group meetings. PSU student Jesse LaFountaine said, “It’s kind of like a way to just get away from school work. Not necessarily being religious and doing religious things, but just clearing your mind.”
So, when you are feeling a little stressed and need someone to talk to, or just want to be more involved with the community, the Campus Ministry is the place to go. “This office is an office that is open to and safe for any student of any background, regarding any situation,” says Fuller. Getting in touch with your faith could lead to some refreshing peace of mind.