By Alanna Copenhaver
Last August I met with Professor Walton to interview for the Ministry Fellow position at the Memorial Church. During our meeting, he told me about the church’s vision of being a space of grace on Harvard’s campus where we educate minds, expand hearts, and enrich lives. The Memorial Church’s calling is to be a place where people are intellectually challenged and spiritually nourished. In our frantic lives at Harvard, the Memorial Church strives to create an environment where people find respite, take a moment to connect, and know they are fully loved and accepted. As a university church, we are a church that serves the needs of the University. When I heard this vision, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this community.
As the Ministry Fellow, I have the privilege of meeting and serving students from a broad spectrum of the Harvard community. This year we enjoyed the growth of some community-building activities and programs with increased student involvement. During the Fall Term, Sparks House tailgates became a fixture of the Crimson football season. We had an impressive showing of students from various groups on campus, including: Harvard College Faith and Action, Harvard Hillel, the Harvard cheerleaders, and the Harvard basketball teams.
MemCafé continues to be a highlight for students as they pass through the Yard on Wednesday mornings. It brings a smile to my face when I hear about how much a cup of coffee and a granola bar means to a student after a long night of studying. This spring we introduced the MemCafé coffee mugs and corn hole game boards in an effort to encourage students to stay and take a break between classes.
Our undergraduate ministries continue to flourish with dedicated student participation. Ushers serve a vital and visible role in our church, as they are the first faces that people see when they enter our church on a Sunday morning. As the gatekeepers to the church during services, they work diligently to manage the integrity of the worship experience for our congregants. This year the ushers started to meet for breakfast once a month at Zoe’s. It is a time for relaxation and fellowship before Sunday services. A frequent topic of conversation is whether the regular or Greek French toast is better. (Each usher has a distinct opinion.)
We have also started some new traditions this year at the Memorial Church. Breakfast food appears to be a running theme. We hosted several pancake breakfasts for the undergraduates. During the Fall Term finals period, we learned how just quickly freshmen can consume 300 pancakes: 15 minutes!
It has also been wonderful to witness how students have felt welcome to use MemChurch as a place for their student gatherings. On Saturday mornings, music wafts through the building as the River Charles Ensemble practices the Choir Room for their weekly rehearsals. Kuumba stages their annual concert in the sanctuary in December. The Interfaith Forum held their end of the year gathering in the Buttrick Room. We are excited to see students utilizing this great resource in the center of the Yard.
Many New Testament scholars agree that Jesus’ table fellowship is one of the most historically reliable actions recorded in the Gospels. There is something very powerful about sharing meal with someone, an acceptance of that person on a basic and very fundamental level. I feel deep gratitude for the time I have spent with students breaking bread and building community.
Alanna Copenhaver is Ministry Fellow in the Memorial Church.