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December 2021 Prayer Letter
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Dependent on God and Grateful for You


Merry Christmas!  I am so grateful for your faithful support of this ministry to graduate students and faculty across Upstate, NY!

 

Here is a snapshot of the work of our ministry this fall.

As all ten graduate student and faculty fellowships across Upstate NY returned to in-person learning/teaching last semester, it has been a joy for us to be back on campus for in-person scripture study, missional prayer walks, outreach activities and much-needed community building events. Our goal heading into the semester was for these fellowships to re-enter campus as embodied witnessing communities while giving particular attention to the spiritual and community needs among students and faculty.

"This semester has been amazing, and I've really enjoyed serving as a student leader," shared UB student, Bradley. "Often, our schooling gets too hectic, especially during the pandemic, and we allow ourselves to lose perspective on what is most important: being with Jesus, sharing him with others and joining him in mission. This semester, we have been encouraged by one another and challenged to grow in our love for God, God's word and God's people on campus. And being able to meet together in person this year has been particularly meaningful." 

Some students have been thriving in returning to campus. Some have not. 

Many of our grad student fellowships have been important landing pads for struggling students, regardless of faith background. For example, shortly before the start of the fall semester, I received an email from Andrew, a PhD student in the Math department, asking to meet and wanting to know about GCF (Graduate Christian Fellowship).

"I've been so incredibly lonely through the pandemic," Andrew shared. "I have nothing good to say about God; I do not like him and I do not think he likes me, but I'm desperate for community and need to change something." 

Andrew became the most regular member of GCF this fall. He has come to every Bible study, every prayer walk, and every meet up. There have been students like Andrew at UB, the UR, and Cornell who are seeking community among their peers and finding it with InterVarsity. 
In July, I hired Eric to full-time staff work at the University of Rochester (UR). In his first semester orienting to a new city and a new campus, Eric has found there to be wide open doors for ministry among 1) Hindu students curious about Jesus and 2) faculty, paving the way to begin planting a multi-campus faculty fellowship between the UR and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Praise God! 

I have enjoyed meeting with Eric every Monday to pray and plan for ministry to move forward at the UR and now at RIT. 
As the fall semester comes to a close and I reflect on the good work that was accomplished, where we have sensed God at work among students and faculty, and the opportunities that lie ahead as we begin planning for the spring semester, I am so incredibly thankful.

I am thankful that, through Jesus, there is real Advent hope and that together we share in the work of bringing that hope to students and faculty on campuses across Upstate, NY. 

Prayer Requests


Thank you for your continued partnership in the gospel among graduate students and faculty across Upstate, NY. As we close on this year, would you consider increasing your giving to this ministry? In 2022, I need an increase of $20,000 to fund recruiting and hiring new staff, for planting unreached campuses across the state, and resourcing the expanding ministry in Buffalo, Rochester and Ithaca. 

To help reach this goal, two very generous partners have each given a $5,000 matching with hard deadlines. The first deadline is January 31 and the second deadline is April 16. 
  • For those of you who give once a year, would you consider an extra gift in 2022 for these matching grants? 
  • For those of you who give monthly, would you consider doubling your monthly support in 2022?

Thank you for prayerfully considering this invitation! 

 

Personal Corner 


As Maia nears 3 years of age, we are eagerly anticipating a completely diaper-free life and with it the eventual bathroom-independence of all four kids. Hope abounds! 

Sarah has continued working numerous jobs, including as administrative assistant with CMDA, and full-time employment with 24/7 Sullivan Daycare.

As some of you know, Chris has had some health issues this fall. After a long bout of discomfort, procedures and ER visits, he was diagnosed with stomach ulcers and is continuing to heal amidst (or more accurately, in spite of) a life without (much) coffee or chocolate. Thank you for your prayers!

Noah (9), Levi (7), Asher (4) and Maia (2) are full of joy and good health and we thank God for his care over our family during these crazy times. 
Give Today

Advent Prayer 


I have been drawn to this Advent prayer in recent weeks. 

In our secret yearnings
we wait for your coming,
and in our grinding despair
we doubt that you will.
And in this privileged place
we are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than do we
and by those who despair more deeply than do we.
Look upon your church and its pastors
in this season of hope
which runs so quickly to fatigue
and this season of yearning
which becomes so easily quarrelsome.
Give us the grace and the impatience
to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes,
to the edge of our finger tips.
We do not want our several worlds to end.
Come in your power
and come in your weakness
in any case and make all things new.
Amen.


- Walter Brueggemann, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth 
Copyright © 2021 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, All rights reserved.


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