Stevensville United Methodist Church

Calling all College Students!

It may seem like the last semester just ended, but it won’t be long and it will be time to head off to school…

College is a four-year-long series of opportunities, crises, and adventures. New people, places, and things; choosing a major, funding your studies, facing that first exam; living in a dorm, off campus on your own, or commuting from home. The list is very long, but no task is as important as this:

Choose your friends wisely. Pray and ask God to send people who will be good friends; people who will live and act wisely and in ways that bring glory to God, themselves and their families. Do all that you can to surround yourself with people who are actively growing in Christ.

The “Secret Saint” program at SUMC will help keep you connected to our church family while away at school. Through cards, letters and care packages, your “Secret Saint” will remind you that you are not only loved and supported, but being held in someone’s thoughts and daily prayers. We encourage all of our first year college students to participate, but all college students are welcome to be a part of the program

Fill out the Application Form, so a “Saint” can be assigned to you by the start of the school year.

The next four years will be full of a lot of adventures. Have a great time. Study hard, survive calculus, support your college sports teams, and don’t forget to call home once in a while--just to check in!

Saints Needed!

One of the key transitional periods in the life of our congregation is when our youth leave home to pursue their dreams through higher education.

The transition to the new independence of college has a different effect on each student. Some find this to be a relatively easy and exciting time in their lives, while others struggle feeling lost and lonely.

It is essential for us to remember that our college students are an extension of our local congregation. We need to remember how important it is for us to show these students that they have not been forgotten and will continue to receive our loving care and support.

College can be a wonderful stepping stone to adulthood. It is a time of intellectual, social and personal growth. The encouragement to continue to grow in one’s faith relationship with Jesus Christ and the church is vital.

If you would like to serve our college students while they are away at school, consider being a Secret Saint. Through a variety of ways, Secret Saints can extend care and support to our college students, as well as encourage them through prayer.

The requirements are few, but the rewards are great. We ask that each Saint be in contact with their student at least one time per month through a card, care package or e-mail and to hold their student in daily prayer. Saints can be an individual person, a family, 2 people working together, or another creative combination I haven’t thought of, yet!

If you would like to be a blessing to one of our college students,please contact Nick Lesch.