By Alanna Copenhaver
This year we have had lively conversations at the Memorial Church about what it means to be a University Church. As Professor Walton reminds us, Veritas (truth) and Caritas (love through service) is our motto and empowering students to live out this motto in their lives is our goal. So, who better to inform us how to serve the spiritual and intellectual needs of students than the students themselves?
This year we formed the Student Advisory Board. It is comprised of representatives from the range of student groups that gather inside of our walls, including, but not limited to: the MemChurch student ushers and deacons, the Interfaith Forum, Cru/Christian Impact, and Phillips Brooks House Association. We have commissioned the board to coordinate our programming and to catalyze student participation. This is a talented, reflective, and faithful gathering of students. They are leaders in the Memorial Church and also within the wider university.
At one of our first meetings over dinner at Sparks House, board members observed that many students complain about their lives being too busy, frantic, and frazzled to have soulful moments of reflection. They wanted to make the time. This conversation was the inspiration for a new initiative we are calling House Heart-2-Heart’s. MemChurch staff and student board members are getting out of the Yard and into the Houses. Each month we travel to a House to have a meaningful conversation. We have been told that there is no better time than Saturday morning and who doesn’t like brunch? So our Heart-2-Heart’s have been over Saturday morning brunch.
The first brunch talk took place at Mather House. We explored the idea of Perfect Love. Some of the questions we asked: Is there such thing as Perfect Love? If so, what does it look like? Have you ever experienced Perfect Love? Is there one Perfect Love? At the end of the conversation, we may not have solved this great theological mystery, but we did think out loud with students about their higher senses of purpose and ethical concerns. This is something that Harvard students often quite simply don’t have the opportunity to do.
This is the work of the Student Advisory Board — to inform the Plummer Professor, Sedgwick Chaplain, and Ministry Fellow of the spiritual needs, religious interests, and intellectual curiosities of Harvard’s diverse student populations.
I have been so impressed by the dedicated service of the Student Advisory Board. Their presence and participation in our community truly reflects the grace of God that inspires. I look forward to seeing what they come up with next!