Wesley Campus Ministry at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is a Spirit-led living and learning community that nurtures faith development and servant leaders: rooted in Jesus Christ, grounded in the Wesleyan tradition and practicing radical hospitality. We are seeking qualified candidates to apply for the position of Campus Minister for its expanding ministry. Applicants must be ordained elders in the United Methodist Church who have a call to serve the campus and surrounding community, who are passionate about working with students from diverse theological perspectives, and who are gifted in areas of teaching, preaching, leadership development and community building. The person selected will have experience in working with groups to develop and lead small groups, programs, worship and outreach ministries, preferably in the campus context.

Interested applicants may submit electronic cover letter and resume/CV to:

The Rev. Carl King

c/o Ms. Laura Gallo

wesleyunc2@bellsouth.net

We regret that we are unable to accept hard copy submissions. Applications must be received no later than March 5, 2010. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2010.

http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/academics/id.413/default.asp#Campus

To Transform the World: Vital United Methodist Campus Ministries

Drawing on their extensive experience in campus ministry, ten campus ministers offer insights and practical suggestions for vital United Methodist campus ministry today. Topics include why campus ministry is crucial for the church’s witness in the twenty-first century; the role of campus ministry in preparing leaders for church and world; dealing with trauma and violence on campus; nurturing a healthy relationship between campus ministry and the annual conference; effective use of emerging digital technologies, and more.

To purchase this book please visit:

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=791613

Eighty-five United Methodist campus ministers and chaplains gathered for the “Biennial Conference for United Methodists in Campus Ministry” at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. from July 22-26, 2009. The theme of the event was “A Global Affair: The Faces of God’s Children.” Featured speakers and workshops focused on developing an inclusive community of faith on campus, celebrating the rich and diverse gifts of all God’s people, and living a faith that both embraces a vision of wholeness and speaks out when that vision is broken by prejudice.

As the preacher at the opening worship service, Bishop Sally Dyck, the episcopal leader of the Minnesota Conference, retold the parables of Jesus to inspire participants to be as inclusive and welcoming as our Savior. The conference featured other informative and inspiring speakers including: Dr. Harold J. Recinos, professor of Church and Society, Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas; Dr. Jan Love, dean of Candler school of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.; Dr. Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, professor of Theology and Women’s Studies, Director of Women’s Studies, Shaw University Divinity School, N.C.; and Dr. James Shopshire, professor of the Sociology of Religion, Wesley Seminary, Washington, D.C. As the preacher for one of the worship services, the Rev. Bridgette Young, the newly appointed Assistant General Secretary for Campus Ministry for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, shared her commitment to campus ministry where a new generation of leaders for The United Methodist Church are being developed.
Four opportunities for workshops allowed participants to find resources, discover information, and build skills needed in a variety of campus ministry settings. Some of the workshops were designed for new campus ministers as a part of “Campus Ministry 101.” Topics of workshops included: faith formation and vocational discernment, Bible study, models of inclusive programs, administration and marketing of campus ministry programs, and models of opposing prejudice and hate groups on campus. Free time allowed campus ministers and chaplains to share ideas and develop personal support.

The location of the conference was significant. Bennett College for Women is one of only two historically Black colleges in the U.S. exclusively for women. It is a four-year liberal arts college in Greensboro, N.C. Founded in 1873, this historically Black institution began as a school to provide education to newly emancipated slaves. It became a women’s college in 1926 and currently serves 600 undergraduates. Bennett College is one of 11 historically Black colleges related to The United Methodist Church.

A book signing event recognized the recent publication of the book, To Transform the World: Vital United Methodist Campus Ministries. The editor, Dr. Alice Knotts, and eight of the 10 campus ministry contributors to the book were present. The book draws on the experience of these 10 campus ministers who offer their insights and practical suggestions for vital United Methodist campus ministry today. The book is available from Cokesbury.

Sponsored and funded by GBHEM, the event was developed in cooperation with the United Methodist Campus Ministry Association. Financial assistance from GBHEM enabled campus ministers needing help to attend. Through Jurisdictional meetings, support networks were developed and new members of the Coordinating Committee were elected to serve as officers for the United Methodist Campus Ministry Association. The Rev. Dr. Beth Cooper, director of the Wesley Foundation for the University of California, San Diego, was recognized for her two years of service as co-chair of the UMCA. The Rev. Dr. Lynn Pries, chaplain of North Central College, Naperville, Ill., was re-elected co-chair and the Rev. Dr. Leslie Long, director of the Wesley Foundation for the University of Central Oklahoma, was elected as co-chair. Other campus ministers elected to the Coordinating Committee were: the Rev. Narcie Jeter, the Rev. John Higginbotham, the Rev. Maxine Allen, Janis Slade, the Rev. Willie Laws, the Rev. Bernadette Beckett, the Rev. Malcolm Frazier, the Rev. Paul Schultz, the Rev. Robert Rynders, the Rev. Tarah Trueblood, the Rev. Beth Tipton, and the Rev. Dee Baker.
The United Methodist Campus Ministry Association (UMCMA) is a professional organization of campus ministers and chaplains who are dedicated to ministry in higher education. The organization works to develop communities of personal and professional support for campus ministers. It is one of several affiliate organizations of GBHEM.

Membership in the UMCMA is open to anyone who is active in a United Methodist campus ministry or any United Methodist working in an ecumenical campus ministry.

This story originally appeared at: http://www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.5059179/k.8479/Recap_of_the_UMCMA_Biennial_Gathering.htm