Spring 2023 Newsletter

THE STUDY CENTER

PHOTO BY PETER LARSEN

Executive Director Welcome A Letter from Bill Wilder

Dear friends,

A few weeks ago, I returned from a monthlong sabbatical in Cambridge, England. It was a time of refreshment and study at the Tyndale House, an Evangelical research library there. My wife Nicolien and I enjoyed rest, worship, family time, sightseeing, and Bible study.

It was good to take a longer time away after almost twenty-four years at the Study Center. It was also great to come back, having been reminded of the people, place, and ministry the Lord has so richly given us here in Charlottesville.

I spent a lot of time at the Tyndale House focusing on the New Testament understanding of gospel and mission. I was struck by the way Jesus invites the 12 (Luke 9) and then the 72 (Luke 10) into his own work of preaching and healing. It led me to ask, “How can I more fully enter into the Lord’s work in my own life?” “In our common work at the Study Center?”

And what wonderful work it is. We thank God that he has enabled the Study Center to continue (and even increase) our ministry in the midst of construction. As our sign outside says, “Chaos outside, cozy inside!” We’re also grateful for God’s goodness through so many of you. Many thanks for your generous end-of-year support.

May the Lord continue to call each of us in our various callings (and in our partnership here at the Study Center!) into his earthly work of gospel proclamation and restoration!

Yours in our Lord, Bill

STUDY CENTER STAFF

BILL WILDER Executive Director

FITZ GREEN

Senior Director for Education & Programs

KATIE BLACK Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Women

RICK CAMPANELLI Director of Graduate Ministries

HANNAH FRITZEEN Director of Hospitality

DREW MASTERSON Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Men

JAN MATHEWS

Administrative Assistant

TRISH OWEN Librarian

MARK PHILLIPS Facilities Assistant

DEBBIE RODRIGUEZ Director of Finance

CALLIE WEST Director of Communications

DANIELLE WILCOX Director of Development & Parent and Alumni Relations

CONTACT US

Phone: (434) 817-1050

Email: info@studycenter.net

Website: www.studycenter.net

Find us on social media: @studycenterUVA

The sign says it all! It’s an exciting time at the Study Center.

Visit page 7 for more construction progress from our building expansion.

UVA Professor of Sociology Brad Wilcox speaks to a student following a lecture on “Love, Sex, and Faith: Common College Mistakes that Reduce Happiness.”

WHAT WE’RE READING

On the Trinity by Hilary of Poitier

Read in a Catholic/ Protestant Reading Group in partnership with St. Anselm Institute for Catholic Thought with UVA faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

Darden Christian Fellowship students gather for a retreat on the theme of generous giving.

Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley

Read in a Friday small group led by Katie Black, Bryan Pedersen of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Claude Atcho, pastor of Resurrection Anglican Church in Charlottesville.

Students enjoy a homemade meal during the Lunch Club series. This semester’s theme is the meaning of success.

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

Read in a Friday small group led by Bill Wilder. This group meets every semester to discuss a different work of C. S. Lewis.

Soul Mates by Brad Wilcox

Intern Kaitlyn Carico prepares cookies for a Grounds Ministry leaders meeting at the Study Center.

Published in 2016 by recent Study Center speaker and UVA Professor Brad Wilcox, Soul Mates explores religion, love, and marriage among minority couples.

Encountering God Through the Arts

Spring Small Group Highlight

Drew Masterson Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Men

What kind of world do we inhabit? Still living through the aftershocks of massive earthquakes, land wars, mass shootings, and more mass shootings— it might be tempting to respond that our world is irrevocably broken and leave it at that. But for Christians, this must not be our final word.

The brokenness of the world is well documented in the Biblical story, but that is not where our story begins. It begins with God’s exultant delight in his beautiful and bountiful creation, and no amount of rebellion or degradation among his creatures can fully erase its fathomless potential to reveal something of God’s Reality to us. As Rowan Williams has said, “Things are not only what they are...they can give more than they have.” Artists help us to see this.

Want to learn more about theology and the arts?

Check out Drew’s episode on the intersection of faith and the arts on the Study Center podcast!

“The world is charged with the grandeur of God,” declares Gerard Manley Hopkins. The golden cracks of Makoto Fujimura’s kintsugi bowls remind us that even the most broken things might hope for a beautiful restoration. Jesus crafted short stories about seed and farmers and families that revealed essential truths about his coming Kingdom.

What would it look like to see this world we inhabit through artists’ eyes?

Drew’s Podcast Picks

The Russell Moore Show Episode: Malcolm Guite’s Hope for Hurt Christians

The Bulletin Episode: The Bono Interview

The Habit Podcast Episode: Jeremy Begbie on the Art of New Creation

FAITHFULNESS AS FACULTY

Featured Faculty: Larry Mueller, Assistant Dean of Global Advising, Darden School

Q. Larry, you’re known far and wide on Grounds in your capacity as an advisor. How did you become connected to the Study Center at UVA?

A. I came to know the Study Center in 1998, shortly after the completion of the first building addition. I had a number of advisees move into 128 Chancellor Street as the first batch of residents in the new building. Soon I became the advisor to all 11 of the guys living there.

I also became the Faculty Advisor to Darden Christian Fellowship while Bill Wilder was serving as the Director of Graduate Ministries at the Study Center.

Q. That’s an amazing display of hospitality! How have you seen Christ’s hospitality displayed in your own home as well as the Study Center?

A. For the time being, the Lord has destined me for singleness. It’s allowed me to focus wholeheartedly on students at the University.

“[The Study Center is a place] where students can touch the hem of Christ’s garment.”

This was all around the same time I was building my house on Robinson Woods, immediately behind the Rugby Road/Preston Ave. intersection. I had all members of The Virginia Gentlemen as advisees and I had a growing set of Christian advisees who were seeking me out. I needed a spot where I could invite over Christian students I was advising along with non-Christian advisees and give them a place to mix.

I make my house, “The Larriott,” available to my advisees. They have a place to study, grab a snack out of the refrigerator, do their laundry, or even host their family when they visit Grounds.

I also host a weekly Sunday Fellowship and Brunch for students either after or before they attend church. I generally have between 25-50 students each week.

The Study Center functions much the same way. It’s a hospitable place where students can come to touch the hem of Christ’s garment. It has given believers a place to join together and invite people in a non-threatening way. People enjoy going to the Study Center because it’s a place where they feel loved.

Waffles

2 cups self-rising flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 large eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1. Sift flour, then spoon into measuring cup to measure two cups.

2. Mix flour, sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl.

3. Separately whisk eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla until uniform.

4. Make a well in the flour mixture. Add egg mixture, then buttermilk.

5. Gently whisk until fully combined. Do not overstir.

6. Make in a waffle iron on medium heat.

Makes 10 Belgium waffles

Larry serving his famous Belgium waffles at the 2022 Study Center Homecomings tailgate.

Larry’s Sunday Brunch Belgium

A Week in the Life of a Study Center Resident

Sophie Burk Third-Year Student

“Church of the Resurrection has been a wonderful community for me. I attend with three of my housemates from the Yellow House, some girls from small group, and a first year student who’s living in the Yellow House next year.

On Sunday evenings, the girls in the Residential Program meet to discuss house logistics, pray together, and someone shares their testimony. It’s a great way to start the week and is one of my favorite ways we encourage and support each other in the program.”

MENTOR MEET UP

“Every other week, I meet with Katie Black for mentoring. I’ve loved getting to know Katie as a friend as well as a mentor. She is wise and knowledgeable, as well as extremely caring and thoughtful. It’s so wonderful to have someone to talk to about anything I’m dealing with. Katie does a wonderful job listening and pointing out God’s truth in my life.”

RESIDENT DINNER & DISCUSSION

“Thursday evening Resident Gatherings are a wonderful time in community and one of the highlights of my week. Everyone takes turns grocery shopping and cooking for the group. After we eat, we have prayer and discussion about the book we’re currently reading. This semester, we’re reading ‘You Are What You Love’ by James K.A. Smith.”

SMALL GROUPS

“I’m attending two small groups at the Study Center this semester. Katie and Drew always have so much insight to share. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Scripture and spend time with friends across several Grounds ministries.”

CHURCH & YELLOW HOUSE MEETING

MAKING ROOM BUILDING UPDATE

Just 350 boxes and 14,000 pounds later and the Study Center library is safely in storage!

The majority of our library has moved to an off-site storage facility for the duration of construction. A small library remains open downstairs.

The new building foundation is underway! Once complete, the addition will seamlessly connect to our existing space, creating a cohesive transition from the old building to the new.

Support our Ministry

The Center for Christian Study relies on generous support from alumni, parents, and community members. As our ministry continues to expand, our Annual Fund budget is also growing.

Would you help us meet our Annual Fund goal of $812,000 by June 30?

Annual Fund as of March 3 $500,701

Annual Fund July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

June 30 Goal $812,000

“The Study Center is the place where I am seen and known, where I can bring my questions, and where I am cared for. I love being a part of continuing their work through giving and helping them to care for UVA students.”

Abby Cornwell, Class of 2023

View more from the construction site!

Center for Christian Study

128 Chancellor Street Charlottesville, VA 22903

www.studycenter.net

Address service requested

SAVE THE DATE

March 23

“Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel,” with Russell Moore

as part of our Meaning of Success series

April 11

“What’s Wrong with Democracy,” with John Owen

as part of our University Faculty Lecture Series

May 4-6 & 8-11

Exam Snacks

June 4-14

Trip to Israel

as part of the Passages Program

August 14-17

Foundations Week

A retreat for first-year students

STUDY CENTER PODCAST

Never miss an episode of Conversations from Chancellor Street.

Check out our podcast and listen to recent events including:

Success and Staying with UVA Professor of Economics Ken Elzinga

Love, Sex, and Faith: Common College Mistakes that Reduce Happiness with UVA Professor of Sociology Brad Wilcox

Success and Singleness with author Connally Gilliam