A PUBLICATION OF THE CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN STUDY
CONVERSATIONS in COMMUNITY The Elzinga Residential Scholars tackle issues of faith— and the kitchen! Story on p.6
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DECEMBER 2015
ANNUAL2015-2016 FUND
THIS ISSUE: A Letter from Our Executive Director by Bill Wilder, page 3
Notes from Our Family page 4
How to Give page 6
STUDY CENTER STAFF BILL WILDER
Executive Director bill@studycenter.net
LANE COWIN
Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Women lane@studycenter.net
FITZ GREEN
Director of Educational Ministries fitz@studycenter.net
JAY MCCABE
Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Men jay@studycenter.net
VINCENT MORRA
Facilities + Program Assistant vincent@studycenter.net
TRISH OWEN
Library trish@studycenter.net
SHELLY PELLISH
Director of Administration + Development shelly@studycenter.net
DEBBIE RODRIGUEZ Director of Finance debbie@studycenter.net
LISA ROHRER
Communications + Program Assistant lisa@studycenter.net
JACLYN STOKES
Communications + Program Assistant jaclyn@studycenter.net
AMY ZELL
Director of Counseling Resources amy@studycenter.net
WHO WE ARE We are a non-profit education and outreach ministry serving the University of Virginia and Charlottesville since 1976. We seek to serve Jesus Christ by fostering the serious consideration in the university environment of a Biblical worldview, and by encouraging and facilitating wise discussion of the Truth in light of the challenges of contemporary culture.
CONTACT US Phone: (434) 817-1050 Email: info@studycenter.net Website: www.studycenter.net Twitter: studycenteruva Facebook: studycenteruva The Study Center Newsletter is published for our friends and supporters. University Christian Ministries, Inc. (dba Center for PAG E 2 S S T U DY CE N T E R NEW SLETTER DECEMBER 2 0 1 5
Christian Study) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation EIN 51-0192618.
WE WANT TO SEE STUDENTS FORMED TO CHRIST I always enjoy hearing what people say after visiting the Center for Christian Study for the first time. A few weeks ago, the writer, Rod Dreher, came to speak on “The Benedict Option: Faithfulness and Community in a Post-Christian Time.” He was astounded by the Christian community he found at the Study Center and U.Va.:
In the end, we at the Study Center desire to see students know Christ and be formed to him. In his talk at the Study Center, Rod Dreher quoted Flannery O’Connor to the effect that “you have to push back against the world as hard as it is pushing against you.” That’s a very biblical conviction. The Apostle Paul put it this way:
I like how the Center for Christian Study is a hive of activity. They made the best room in the house—the one with the greatest view of the gentle valley—the library. And they have thousands of volumes there and plenty of rooms for students to gather. It is a place of light and happiness. The whole community seems very L’Abri somehow.
It didn’t take Rod long to recognize a key aspect of our life together at the Study Center: the gift of our lovely home on Chancellor Street, a place for faith and learning that welcomes students and gives them space, in all kinds of ways. It is indeed “a place of light and happiness.” In the following pages you will hear from other folks as well: students, parents, alumni, ministry staff, and friends who have been blessed by this ministry. They speak to the truth of the gospel that is at the heart of our mission here, the strength of foundations in faith and friendship laid for life, the care of our staff for students in the midst of suffering and doubt, and the provision of a safe place to invite friends and ask questions.
Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:2).
That is our vision for students who come through the Center for Christian Study: a transforming of minds and hearts that leads to an embrace of what is “good and acceptable and perfect” in every part of their lives, to their joy and God’s glory. Of course, this ministry is itself a testimony to “faithfulness and community.” Many of you have been a part of that faithfulness over the years. Many of us have also benefited from it. The Lord has done great things through the Study Center over the past forty years. We look forward to what he will do over the next forty. Our hope is that the following testimonials will encourage you to be part of God’s good work here in a way that enables this ministry for years to come.
Bill Wilder Executive Director
YOUR GIFTS MAKE THIS HAPPEN. The Annual Fund seeks support from U.Va. alumni, parents, students and community members through gifts made on a monthly, yearly or one-time gift basis. Most of our services remain free of charge to the University and local community. The majority of this year’s ministry support (74%) comes from individuals who make gifts to the Annual Fund. Our goal this year is $791,022. STUDY CE NTE R NE WSLE TTE R DECE MBER 20 15 S PAG E 3
NOTES FROM OUR FAMILY “Our main concerns as parents involved the possibility that our children would not connect with other believers or that they would walk away from the Lord during their college years. Thanks to the Study Center staff, volunteers and other campus ministry partners who seriously pursue our kids, Ryan and Sarah, they connected early on and had plenty of wise, godly counsel. We thank the Lord over and over again and pray regularly for the Study Center staff.” Laura Hill, Parent ‘15, ‘17
“I felt like I could be myself in all of my rawness at the Study Center, and yet I was still welcomed. I’d never actually experienced that before.” Titus Matthews, CLAS ‘14 “Here at the Study Center, there is a huge emphasis on the fact that each calling is of value. In a world where the size of the paycheck seems to dictate the worth of someone’s vocation, the people at the Study Center are a reminder that anything done for God’s glory is of
“I am thankful for the Study Center for multiple reasons. In Trinitarian fashion, I’ll mention just three. First, the staff: they are gifted and dedicated. Second, the building: an optimal location and used at full capacity (which appeals to an economist). Third, over and again I hear from students that the Center is a ‘safe’ place – not just in terms of physical safety, but also as a space to bring friends, to ask questions, to pray with others and to learn more about how to follow Jesus.” Ken Elzinga, Professor, Co-Founder and Past Board Member “Something is different about this house. While my world spins with deadlines, life challenges and distractions, the Study Center stands as a dwelling of rest, consistency and clarity. A haven. It’s a place where I find my family. Where I laugh, cry, hug, worship, intercede and question. ” Christian Kochuba, ARCH ‘16
worth. The staff are great and want to know who you are -- not just what you do, or where you come from.”
“Along with wonderful teaching, the Study Center
Rachel Gaffin, CLAS ‘17
continues to be an invaluable refuge.” Elizabeth Cox, NURS ‘18
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“As an incoming student, I had hoped to find Christian community at school, but wasn’t sure what it would look like. Darden Christian Fellowship, through its partnership with the Study Center, has provided countless opportunities to grow in my faith. From hearing different speakers share about being believers in the workplace, to participating in a service learning trip to Nicaragua, I have been constantly reminded of how God uses all things for his good.” Kelly Gerhardt, Darden ‘16
“The ‘God and Vocation’ class taught by Bill Wilder has expanded my understanding of individual call or vocation versus a future career. The class, which is required for the Elzinga Residential Scholars, has answered multiple complex questions of mine and has formed a foundational belief of Christianity that I never had before.” Josh Oswald, CLAS ‘17 “I am grateful for the emphasis the Study Center puts on the whole person’s development, which I see in care for students, Grounds Ministry partners and our staff. By offering resources to cultivate minds as well as heal emotional wounds and form lasting friendships, people really do tend to wind up in a better place having been a part of this ministry. And most of all, there is a Christ-centeredness to everything that happens here, which affects people in ways far beyond what we can see in the short years they are here.” Jay McCabe, CLAS ‘05 and CCS staff since 2010
“When I reflect on my time with the Study Center I am reminded that the Study Center doesn’t just sow seeds. They take care to make the soil soft, to water them and to support their growth. If my heart was so cultivated and cared for by a place during college, they need to know how I’m doing now. So, my involvement shouldn’t end when I left. They’ve served and loved all of us, and now we can serve and love them. Whether it’s supporting the Study Center through prayer, encouragement or finances, we have a responsibility to stay connected because of how much it’s blessed us. ” Abby Harries, NURS ‘14
“The Study Center has been a huge part of our children’s college experience, of which we are continually thankful. As a parent, exam snack volunteer and Board member, I have been blessed to witness the way the Study Center becomes a ‘home away from home’. There is always someone at ‘home’ -- to care, to help, to pray, to listen, to guide, to encourage these UVA students. God’s Love and Truth is abundantly found in this place! ” Amy Ziegler, Parent ‘14, ‘17 and Board Member
‘And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight’ (Phil. 1:9). The Study Center deepens my understanding of who I am, and more importantly, who my Creator is. I’m learning that loving Him means being unafraid to ask questions, but still hoping for what is unseen.” Alice Xie, NURS ‘17 STUDY NTECE R NE WSLE S PRING 20 15 PAG PAGE 5 S S CE TUDY NTE R NETTE WS R LE TT ER D EC EMSBER 20E155
WILL YOU PARTNER WITH US THROUGH GIVING? Annual Fund Goal: $791,022 July 1, 2015- June 30, 2016 WHERE OUR SUPPORT COMES FROM:
74%
ANNUAL FUND CONTRIBUTIONS
17%
SERVICE REVENUE
5%
RESTRICTED GIFTS
4%
ENDOWMENT INTEREST
Our operating budget for the 2015-2016 academic year is $1.1 million. The Annual Fund provides 74% of the Center’s ministry support.
HOW THIS MONEY IS ALLOCATED: 37%
UNDERGRADUATE OUTREACH
22%
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
14%
GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10%
ALUMNI & PARENT RELATIONS
Expenditures are heavily weighted towards the Center’s primary missions of education and student ministry, which accounted for 81% of total expenses for 2014-2015. These figures were provided by our accounting firm Hantzmon Wiebel LLP as part of our annual financial review.
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6%
GRADUATE OUTREACH
6%
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
5%
FUNDRAISING
HOW TO GIVE 1
SEND A CHECK Make checks payable to “Center for Christian Study” Our remittance address: Center for Christian Study • 128 Chancellor Street • Charlottesville, VA 22903
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DESIGNATE A GIFT THROUGH THE U.Va. FUND www.studycenter.net/annualfund U.Va. alumni, parents and students can support the Study Center by making a gift through the U.Va. Fund. This is a great way to set-up monthly or quarterly giving. U.VA. FUND ADDRESS: Attn: Margaret Anderson • U.Va. Fund • P.O. Box 400314 • Charlottesville, VA 22904 Please write “Center for Christian Study” in the memo of your check.
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MATCHING GIFTS www.studycenter.net/annualfund Several employers match their employee’s contributions, enabling you to easily double or triple your gift to the Study Center! If you are a U.Va. alumni, parent or student, the easiest way to do this is giving online through the U.Va. Fund.
GIVE ONLINE www.studycenter.net/annualfund Arrange an online payment through your bank or visit our website and donate online using your credit card via PayPal.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ
For giving related inquiries, please contact our Director of Administration and Development, Shelly Pellish. MORE ALUMNI REFLECTIONS? 434.817.1050 • shelly@studycenter.net • www.studycenter.net Check out our blog online at:
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128 Ch a nce llo r S t ree t , Ch ar l o t t e s v il l e , VA 2 2 9 0 3 (434) 8 1 7- 1 05 0 ww w. s t u d y c e n t e r. n e t ADDR E SS S E RV IC E REQU E ST E D
Photo by Brittany Fan
HELP US RAISE OUR ANNUAL FUND GOAL OF $791,022 BY JUNE 30, 2016!
Make your gift today with the enclosed envelope, online, or through the U.Va. Fund. More information at:
STUDYCENTER.NET/ANNUALFUND
ANNUAL FUND 2015-2016