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October 2010 | Volume 4, Issue 5

How SPU Students Minister to One Another

By Beth Douglass, SPU senior

A student in Emerson Residence Hall slips a note of encouragement under her floormate's door. Across campus in Peterson Hall, a classmate offers to pray for his friend who is facing a difficult week.

Though professors and other adults minister to students on a daily basis, Seattle Pacific University is full of examples of students ministering to one another.

"I think SMCs [student ministry coordinators] are really important for freshmen," says junior Mark Ableidinger, who lived in SPU residence halls for two years. "As a freshman, when you don't have a lot of friends yet, they're there to hang out with you."

This month, In the Loop speaks with students involved in worship ministry, volunteer projects, and simple day-to-day life in the residence halls to see what they have to say about how they minister to and with one another. Read the article.

Check out part one of our "Being Faithful" series to learn about ministry opportunities that SPU provides for students.

How Do SPU Students Find Churches?

Finding a new place to worship, especially in an urban area the size of Seattle, can be a daunting.

Will students' own denominations be nearby? How will students get to church, especially if they don't have cars? And what if students want to explore different styles of Christian worship?

University Ministries and the Center for Worship has some answers.

"We maintain a local church database with more than 300 churches in Seattle/King County listed," says Deb Nondorf, minister of Christian community formation at SPU. "It's updated each summer, and searchable by denomination."

Read on to discover other ways SPU helps students find and connect with faith communities.

In the Loop Recommends

Stay up to date with info for parents at The Buzz on Campus, read President Eaton's writings about current trends at Saturday Morning From My Study, explore big ideas and stories of faith and cultural engagement at Response Online, and study Genesis as part of our Lectio: Guided Bible Reading.

Read more at In the Loop online

With its 2010-11 season, Seattle Pacific University's Theatre Department celebrates 50 years of live-theatre success at SPU. Founded in 1960 by Professor James Chapman, the program has become recognized nationally for its theatre education and training. Its graduates are sought after by major theatre companies.

Join us November 11-13 and 18-20 for SPU Theatre's first production of the year, Gulf View Drive. When married couple May and Raleigh move to Florida, turbulent events threaten their comfortable life and test their love in this glimpse of life in the '50s. Playwright Arlene Hutton, the play's author, will lead a post-show discussion Saturday evening, November 13. Learn more and purchase tickets.


Upcoming Events

Oh Behave! Etiquette Event
October 26

Sponsored by SPU's Center for Career and Calling, this event helps students learn how to conduct themselves in a variety of tricky social situations. Find out more and recommend it to your student.

SPU Mom's Day
November 6

Gain insights into this next stage of your student's life. Join other SPU moms and their students on campus for lunch with SPU First Lady Sharon Eaton, a special comedy improv performance by Taproot Theatre actors, and more. Register today.

Sacred Sounds of Christmas
November 29-30

An Advent tradition in the Pacific Northwest, this event showcases SPU's acclaimed Concert Choir and Wind Symphony, and many other outstanding Seattle Pacific musicians and readers. The concerts sells out quickly, so get your tickets now.

Interested in SPU Events?

Engage in the life of the campus this year. Sign up for updates about lectures, concerts, theatre productions, and athletic events.