UEC Students Raise Money for Bishop's Migrant Support Fund
UEC Students Raise Money for Bishop's Migrant Support Fund
Three weeks ago, as we drove back from a campus ministry retreat in Chicago, I chatted with four UEC students about Bishop Loya’s letter to the diocese, inviting Episcopalians across Minnesota to give towards the Migrant Support Fund. The students were immediately energized by the call to action and started brainstorming an event—a combination Variety Show, Teach-In, and Fundraiser.
We were on the clock—what could we pull together in just 20 days?
As it turns out, a lot! Our organizing team doubled in size the following Sunday, and folks got to work, putting their unique gifts to use in service of an event that would help us love our neighbors better. One student, active in the local comedy scene, recruited comedians to perform. Everyone reached out to musicians—another student brought in a guitar player plus four more friends. A student with experience organizing arts fundraisers in NYC (hey, sometimes you get lucky with who's in the congregation…) created all the promotional and tracking materials we needed. The team handled social media, passed out hundreds of quarter-sheet flyers, and, on the day of, transformed the church basement into a warm, welcoming venue with great lighting, thoughtful table centerpieces, and a buffet station. The night was filled with comedy, music, storytelling, and learning about the current situation from Susan Moss--all alongside a delicious meal provided by Ascension Stillwater. My hand was off the wheel—my role was simply to send reminders, offer encouragement, and keep us rooted in scripture, like the story of the Widow and the Two Coins.
A big part of campus ministry is tending to the “soil of community” through fellowship and prayer. When the soil is healthy, God can make anything grow. I’m so grateful that an inspiring seed landed in fertile ground.
Numbers time! 45 people attended—our largest gathering since COVID. We raised $1,084—far surpassing my initial hope of $250-300. (At the end of our count, we had $970, and a flurry of last-minute dollars came in to push us over $1,000. The students were so proud.) Two attendees asked for more info on UEC. Many others were asking, “When’s the next one?” and wanted to help organize and perform. (Also—God counts differently than we do. Maybe the biggest win of the night was the person who gave crumpled $1 bills or the volunteer who helped for exactly five minutes. Who knows? Let’s celebrate them too!)
I’m excited for us as a community to keep following the breadcrumbs and see where the Holy Spirit is leading us. Over our Shrove Tuesday pancake lunch, the students shared they definitely want to do another one!
I also want to share this story widely! In just 20 days, a conversation in a car turned into our biggest gathering of the 2020s. Maybe other communities across our state will hear this story, think, Huh. We could do that too, and put their own spin on a Solidarity Variety Show--or, whatever makes sense in their context.
I’m so proud of this campus ministry, and I hope you are too. Here’s to more Solidarity Variety Shows and more opportunities to use our gifts to love our neighbors better.