November 22—United Methodist Student Day (Next Sunday)/Christ the King
A Moment for Mission
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,…will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you.” —Ephesians 1:17, CEB
Raised in The United Methodist Church, Mireille Rhodes said she experienced her first true connection with God at age 13 when she attended Camp Aldersgate in Carrollton, Ohio. During an invitational service,” she recalled, “I committed my life to Christ.” Two years later, she was confirmed. She was active in the district youth group and served as a sound manager and a liturgist at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Rogers, Ohio.
Her Christian upbringing, Rhodes said, “brought me to the right people at the right time. I have no idea what kind of person I would be if I had not been raised in the church, or where my mental health would be if I didn’t have access to the people who helped me during [a time of spiritual struggle].”
At Camp Aldersgate, Rhodes formed strong friendships and always felt welcome. “It was there,” she said, “that I decided I wanted to attend a Christian university.”
Rhodes is grateful for her Gift of Hope scholarship.
“It is helping to fund my tuition to Huntington (Indiana) University, a private Christian school,” she said. “I haven’t had to worry about working an extra job or applying for more scholarships.”
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings, United Methodist Student Day calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The special offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist applicants. Please give generously.
Offertory Prayer
Loving God,give our students—from the very youngest pupil to the soon-to-be college graduate—a spirit of wisdom and revelation that they may know you. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Reign of Christ/Thanksgiving Sunday/Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – God of mercy and compassion, what is the offering that pleases you most? Certainly, not the token gift that makes us feel we done all that is required, but a gift that reminds us that need is all around us, and compassion and love are needed desperately and can be given extravagantly. May the gifts we give through your church help the hungry, thirsty, the imprisoned; but may our whole being be centered on seeing the opportunities to personally make your love real to a hurting world. We follow in Christ’s holy, loving way. Amen. (Matthew 25:31-46)
Newsletter Nugget
Film production is Mireille Rhodes’ first love.
“My favorite college memories definitely originate with being on film sets,” she said. “I get to work with people who are passionate about the same thing as I am.”
Throughout the four-year program at Huntington (Indiana) University, students make short films and help other classes with their films. “I’m already getting to do what I want with my life,” Rhodes continued.
“While we don’t openly state that we’re Christians to those with whom we work outside the university, we treat them as we would our brothers and sisters.”
Receiving formal training for film is important to Rhodes. “I firmly believe that because I’m getting this training,” she said, “I’ll be able to thrive in the industry. Without the support of my church family, my university education would not be possible.”
When congregations support United Methodist Student Day, traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday in November, they nurture committed young adults like Rhodes. Thank you!
—Barbara Dunlap-Berg
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