Today marks the end of the first full week that students have been back on campus, or, for new students, the end of their first week at Penn State.
It’s an exciting week for everyone. I enjoyed walking around at lunch time, seeing students reading their schedules, looking at campus maps and looking up at buildings to see if they’ve successfully found their classes. Our students designed and distributed handbills that advertised Community Groups, which are meeting for the first three weeks of this semester to provide a place for students to get to know each other and learn a little about Asian American Christian Fellowship, and Turning Point, our weekly large-group meeting that features worship, a message from the Bible, and social activities.
Staff and student leaders met and surveyed 81 freshmen moving in to East Halls, asking them about their culture and faith backgrounds and offering them the Freshman Survival Kits, which are gift bags that include a laundry bag, water bottle, school supplies, toys and some Christian literature. We are emphasizing the three components of the Epic Movement, of which Asian American Christian Fellowship is a member: culture, community and faith. It is our hope that students will pursue depth of knowledge and passion in each of these three areas. The Asian American culture is unique and wonderful; students in that culture, however, are often taught not to appreciate it and struggle with the conflicts between Asian culture and American culture without necessarily embracing the combination of the two. Community–real, deep, nurturing community–is important to everyone, and is emphasized so much in the teaching of the Bible. Lastly, we want students to explore matters of faith. The Bible tells us there is eternal life, and it is found in Jesus. Everyone should investigate this claim.
Today, the students organized a picnic at a nearby park, just to relax and enjoy some burgers and dogs on the grill. It was a nice ending to a crazy but somewhat typical first week in AACF at Penn State.