Introducing American University Campus Outreach
We welcome to Metropolitan, J. Cody Nielsen, who is our Associate for Campus Ministry! Cody is a first year seminarian at Wesley Theological Seminary. He will be working with our congregation to build bridges with the established campus ministries at American University. He states, “I am excited to be working at Metropolitan. I, along with all of you, will be working to establish activities for the students to become engaged at Metropolitan. These ideas are not determined as of yet but may include a book study, working to help international and graduate students with housing, special worship services, and many others. Take care and I look forward to meeting all of you this year.” If you are interested in helping, please contact Cody.

AU Campus Outreach
Click here to view our new American University campus outreach blog! Post comments and ideas for our outreach to American University!

Calling All College Students
Are you staying in the DC area this summer? Returning this Fall? Just graduated with a BA, MA, JD, or other degree? I’d like to hear from you. As the associate for campus ministry, I am hoping to build a network of students and begin having a regular opportunity to meet with together. This may take the form of lunch, a small group, or just a gathering of individuals. We will meet sporadically over the next couple of months and then begin meeting on a regular basis in the fall. I’d love to have you join us! If you are interested, please e-mail me at j.cody.nielsen@gmail.com.

Law School Group Forming
If you are a law school student, or have recently graduated with a law degree, there will be a small group beginning this summer. Times are yet to be determined, but will be focused around those who are in the law “ministry.” We’ll probably meet over lunch or dinner one day a week. If you are interested, please e-mail me at j.cody.nielsen@gmail.com .

 

The Students Return!!!
Everywhere you look around, there are students beginning another year of study. Some have returned from a long summer, others have started their journey, and still others are beginning a Master’s degree or Ph. D. program. This month, hundreds of thousands of college students will return to the universities around the country, all seeking degrees which will benefit them down the road. But what about right now...what besides school is going on in their lives? That is where campus ministry comes in. As a local church located in a unique location, and with an established partnership with the established campus ministry on American University’s campus, we at Metropolitan have not only an opportunity but an obligation to be a presence for these college students. The question is...how.

Working together with Mark Schaefer, the American University Methodist Protestant Chaplain, Metropolitan has for a year now been working to create a partnership. An AU team of congregation members are working to meet the needs of the students. These individuals include Angela Gildner (chair of the team), Penny Pagano, Julie Clements, Laura Huff, Ann Cochran, Maynard Moore, Suzanne Forsyth, Anne Matthews, Hayden Rhudy, Barbara Gaskill, and Lauren Frail, an AU student. Together the team has worked to establish many relationships with students and staff on campus. We’d like your help in this endeavor as we continue our important work.

As you see students this fall, we ask that you connect them with one of these individuals in the congregation, as well as connecting them with Cody Nielsen, our Associate for Campus Ministry. He will be starting a gathering group between services in his office (near the music room) and will also be having a tuesday lunch gathering of folks. We also would like to start a mentoring program for these students and would love to have a chance to talk with any of you who are interested. Please contact Cody Nielsen or Laura Huff regarding this developing program.

As a student, the AU team and myself (Cody Nielsen) would like to get to know you. Drop me a line at j.cody.nielsen@gmail.com or feel free to call at 319.759.9688. There will be a group sitting together during service so look around for the college students. Additionally, I would introduce you to many of the activities of the AU methodist Protestant Chaplaincy, as much of our work takes place in conjunction with their activities. Please do not hesitate to be in contact as the semester gets going. Take care.