At the beginning of the current university school year, me and one other Drew University seminary student were charged with creating a new United Methodist student organization as part of our internship. As time went on, Steve and I met with undergraduate students to hear from them about what kind of things they were looking for in a student group. It came out from many of them that they were looking for a space to discuss social issues. One student mentioned how each organization had their own social issue they cared about, but there was not one organization that cared about all social issues (whether that be sexuality, immigration, occupy wall street, etc).
It was then that I remembered the OnFire movement, and talked to Shannon about the possibility of creating an OnFire group at Drew University. That's how Drew OnFire was born.
We are a group of young seminarians and college undergraduates who meet weekly for "java and justice" -- a time to sit around, drink fair trade coffee, and discuss issues in the world.
Our first meeting we talked about Fair Trade, and the issues surrounding that. We are blessed to have a connection with the Sustainable Food group on campus, and are co-hosting a Fair Fest that is happening tonight, where local artisans will be selling their handmade goods.
The group is excited to begin on this new endeavor, and will be creating space to talk about issues of faith and justice. We will be creating a facebook page soon, so be sure and keep your eyes posted for that, and keep us in our thoughts!
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Kaleigh Hussey-Tomich is a seminary student at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and is pursuing ordination in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. She is a youth director at a local UMC, and loves all things about summer camp. She is one of the student leaders in the new Drew OnFire group for students at Drew. She blogs at Campy Living.
It was then that I remembered the OnFire movement, and talked to Shannon about the possibility of creating an OnFire group at Drew University. That's how Drew OnFire was born.
We are a group of young seminarians and college undergraduates who meet weekly for "java and justice" -- a time to sit around, drink fair trade coffee, and discuss issues in the world.
Our first meeting we talked about Fair Trade, and the issues surrounding that. We are blessed to have a connection with the Sustainable Food group on campus, and are co-hosting a Fair Fest that is happening tonight, where local artisans will be selling their handmade goods.
The group is excited to begin on this new endeavor, and will be creating space to talk about issues of faith and justice. We will be creating a facebook page soon, so be sure and keep your eyes posted for that, and keep us in our thoughts!
---
Kaleigh Hussey-Tomich is a seminary student at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and is pursuing ordination in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. She is a youth director at a local UMC, and loves all things about summer camp. She is one of the student leaders in the new Drew OnFire group for students at Drew. She blogs at Campy Living.
This was my first time attending a witness event, so I have to admit that I was nervous as we approached the crowds. I didn’t participate as fully or as loudly as many people did, including my fellow staff members, but just having the chance to be there and to observe and reflect was the highlight of my day. I loved having the opportunity to watch hundreds of people stand up for what they believe is right and to ground it in the faith that is such an important part of their lives. Two things occurred to me as I listened to the speakers and watched the crowds sing and pray together.