The Union College Campus Protestant Ministry offers opportunities for service, guidance, care, fellowship and fun for the over 300 Protestant students on campus. We have a leadership core of 22 students and The Rev. Viki Brooks. The Ministry is sponsored by over 18 area Protestant churches and organizations as well as some very generous individuals.
Our programs include:- Weekly Fellowship Time-Questions of faith and its practice are discussed.
- Weekly Prayer & Reflection Time - Open to the campus community
- Sponsorship of lecturers on topics of faith
- Locating a church home in Schenectady
- Community Service opportunities
- Social events
- Spiritual guidance and support
- Spiritual guidance
- A non-judgmental listening presence
- Discussion of religious materials that are presented in a classroom context
- Exploration of ethical issues
- A resource for questions about Christian doctrine or the practice of faith
- Presence: Maintaining a Protestant identity while hosting an interfaith presence.
- Action: Strengthening campus and community relations.
- Reflection: Reflecting on experiences to give life meaning.
- Support: Supporting the campus community.
If you have more questions, or would like to find ways that you or your church community could be involved in this vital ministry to our young people, call The Rev. Viki Brooks at 388-6618 or 370-3573.
Community Service
The projects selected by the group of students associated with the Campus Protestant Ministry vary from year to year. Historically we have been involved in the Capital Area AIDS walk, the Schenectady Area CROP walk, Better Neighborhoods and the Community Land Trust. Our participation in the Community Land Trust (a housing rehabilitation project) has spanned eight years, involved over 7 houses and earned us the CLT award for group participation in the year 1999.
Viki Brooks is available to assist you in discerning the gifts you might bring to this work or in processing your experiences once you begin to volunteer in a particular area. She may be reached at ext. 6618 or at brooksv@union.edu.
Areas of Service:- Hunger Relief
- Homes & Homelessness
- Health & Support for the Ill and Elderly
- Education & Service to Children
- Advocacy or Umbrella Organizations
- Office/Clerical Opportunities
Service without reflection upon its meaning and impact is a fleeting experience. In the hope of deepening the connections of community work and the life of faith, the Campus Protestant Minister is very intentional about providing resources and reflection time when service work is done as a group. Many significant insights have been reached by students about the causes of poverty in Schenectady and some of the ways students of affluence can address those causes.
