Ministry Organization: Alive and Well

Do you remember the Shaving Cream fight at the beginning of the semester? Trivia question: Can you name which campus group sponsored that activity? *Jeopardy Theme plays* Don't remember, huh? Trivia answer: Campus Ministries was the group that sponsored that gooey activity. You may not have remembered that but what you should remember for the rest of the semester is that there are more fun activities happening in the near future.

Campus Ministries welcomes students of all faiths to participate and be involved in the activities that they sponsor. Students don't have to be Catholic or Christian to be involved. Director of Mission Effectiveness and Campus Ministries, Dave Armstrong says that the group works for a "visible faith" by encouraging students in prayer, service, and community activities.

I [want to]...keep my faith growing in any way that I can," sophomore Brittyn Reid said. "And I think that [Campus Ministries] just is a lot of fun and it keeps me thinking."

"I believe that faith is strengthened and lived out in action," Director of the group Dave Armstrong said. "Faith is not a noun it's a verb. Faith is action. [It is] How you act, how you behave, what it is you do and how you reach out to others in service, in help, and in love."

The group offers four activities every week for students to participate in. On Mondays they have their team meetings. Students who would like to help in the planning of fun activities for the Avila community are welcome to attend. The group also takes time to discuss a book, and have prayer.

On every 2nd and 4th Monday there is a Bible study at 8pm following the team meeting.

Tuesdays are Community Nights on campus. Every week there is a different featured activity. Upcoming events include the Busy Student Retreat held right here on campus, Talk and Tacos, and a special Thanksgiving night. The most popular activity that the group hosts is Bingo night at Villa Ventura, an assisted living center. Fliers placed around campus let students know which event is being held and where they should meet to participate. All activities are free. Community Nights start at 7pm.

Wednesday morning presents an opportunity for students to have a time of prayer at 8:30 am in the Marian Center.

Armstrong wants students to know that this isn't the type of group that requires attendance at every meeting. He wants students to feel comfortable being involved whenever they can.

"A lot of times people are just nervous, the campus ministry team is over there and that's for them and not for me," Armstrong said. "But it's not, it's for everybody. [If] Anybody has absolutely any desire to get involved in any way, shape, or form, I want them to be involved."

Other students should get involved because Campus Ministr[ies] isn't a club, it's open to everyone," junior Megan Easterday, who is also a team member, said. "One of our main goals is to develop a sense of community on campus and find a way for everyone to get involved."