By Nathan Norton
Western Herald
Western Michigan University and the Kalamazoo community offer both a rich array of student-oriented and faith-based public organizations of worship. These are just a few of the different denominations and venues of worship available.
St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish
421 Monroe Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
With upwards of 750 registered members — over 250 of which are students — St. Thomas More is a popular choice among Catholic Kalamazoo college goers. With students regularly attending from Kalamazoo College, WMU, KVCC, the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, and Davenport University, the parish teems with twenty-somethings who have found a comfortable, open-minded atmosphere where they can feel at home and natural in their worship.
“We’re one of the most liberal Catholic parishes I’ve ever seen,” said Marianne Lippi, Development Secretary of the parish. “We’re so willing to understand where a person might be in their journey; it’s not a rules and regulations atmosphere.”
In addition to a plethora of community outreach ministries, St. Thomas also hosts a weekly social event exclusively for students called Midweek. Each week attendees come to have free pizza and pop, watch movies, and enjoy the company of other like-minded peers. Midweek takes place every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is a great way to learn more about St. Tom’s.
For a mass schedule and additional information on St. Thomas More, visit their Web site at www.sttomskazoo.org.
Muslim Students’ Association
WMU Muslim RSO
The Muslim Students’ Association exists to promote a friendly and productive environment where both Muslim and non-Muslim students alike can learn together, benefitting from the sharing of culture, knowledge, and religious values.
“The purpose of MSA’s creation was to provide the University community with a tasteful, informative, and positive image of Muslims and Islam and in turn learn about their non-Muslim counterparts,” said Fazila Jafri, public relations representative for the national MSA organization.
MSA organizes several community events a year to attain this goal. Coming up soon is a combined effort with other Islamic establishments around the community called Day of Dignity. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 12 in Martin Luther King Park volunteers will hand out clothes, hygiene packs, children’s toys, school supplies, and more to the homeless and underprivileged of Kalamazoo.
For more information and to check on bi-weekly meetings dates and times, visit MSA’s Web site at www.msa-wmu.org.
Educated Women in Christ
WMU Women Only RSO
“EWIC was created to provide an environment where women can mature spiritually as well as advance in their educational endeavors,” Ciji Gamble said.
According to Gamble, president of Educated Women in Christ, this is the fundamental principle of everything her RSO does. Through mentoring, panel discussions, tutoring sessions, and networking events, the Christian-centered group strives to prepare women for their future careers as well as help them grow in their spiritual walk.
Gamble went on to say that she and the organization believe education to be the key to advancement for family and ultimately the community.
University life can be a difficult adjustment for many. Finding a way to lessen the stress of a demanding schedule is worth pursuing.
“In times of transition you can find yourself confused, lonely, and even depressed,” said Gamble. “Believing in something bigger than yourself can push you through these hard times. Overall it can motivate and encourage you when you feel that you’ve failed or when you don’t know what to do.”
EWIC meets every Thursday on the second floor of the Bernhard Center from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit their booth at Bronco Bash or attend an informational meeting to be held Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. in the Bernhard Center, Room 212.
Hillel
WMU Jewish RSO
For Jewish students looking to connect with others of the same faith, Hillel, the only Jewish RSO on campus, is the perfect option.
The student-run organization’s primary focus is to build an active Jewish population at WMU through an array of different activities and events like bi-weekly Shabbat dinners, bringing in Jewish guest speakers to talk on Israel and Jewish heritage, and even a free ten day trip to Israel itself.
With each year that passes, Hillel grows a little bit bigger. There are more Jews on campus today than in any year prior, so now is the perfect time to join.
“If you’re a Jewish student interested in getting together with others of the same background, come on out and join us,” Sarah Hepner, president of Hillel said.
“It’s going to be a great year for Hillel and we’d love to have you.”
As of yet there are no planned meeting times or places, but once the Fall semester gets underway, weekly meeting information will be posted to Hillel’s Web site at www.wmuhillel.com. In the mean time, the Jewish RSO will be holding a booth at this year’s Bronco
Bash, giving away fliers, calendars, and other free items.
His House at WMU
WMU On-Campus Christian Fellowship
His House is a Non-Denominational Christian campus ministry dedicated to help students answer life’s daunting questions.
“We live in a day when it’s not popular to announce that you’re a Christian,” His House Campus Minister Ben Andrews said.
“We believe that people who have a relationship with God have a better life, that they find more fulfillment. We try and help people wrestle with the big questions: meaning, purpose, the existence of God. If He really exists, what does He want from us? We try to define what that really means.”
At its core, His House is a Christian fraternity. The ministry operates three houses around campus, each of which lodges about 18 students per semester. His House homes give their tenants an authentic sense of belonging and importance.
“While many people are rarely alone, many are lonely,” Andrews said.
“Each student feels welcome the moment they set foot in the house.”
Andrews went on to say that the students who become a part of His House are often looking for different things. Some come just looking to socialize with others.
Some come to avoid judgment from their peers, in search of acceptance, Andrews said. Some come hoping to define where they are at in their life’s journey. Some even come to take their already existing beliefs to greater depths. No matter what the reason for a student coming to His House, Andrews said they always find what they were looking for.
His House meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Bernhard Center in the President’s Dining Room. Check the His House Web site at www.wmuhishouse.com for updated information on meeting times and places.
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