Ohio Wesleyan University | Connect2 OWU | October 7, 2009 – Our Town

October 7, 2009 – Our Town – OWU

UMSM Returns to Ohio Wesleyan
Revival of group on campus will promote service and discussion

Image courtesy of United Methodist Student Movement

The United Methodist Student Movement (UMSM) is back on campus The organization is led by President Christina Yost ’10, who was approached last fall by Chaplain Jon Powers with the proposition to reinstate the group, which had dwindled and finally disappeared several years ago. As a part of a national organization, UMSM provides opportunities for young adults to participate in church decision-making through gatherings such as Exploration 2009, an upcoming event emphasizing spiritual growth and leadership. UMSN also provides a relaxed environment for students to talk about the role of the church in everyday life.

“The two core components of the group are service and discussion,” Yost explains. Discussion so far has focused on the Methodist roots of Ohio Wesleyan, but possible topics are endless. The vast field of options does not intimidate Yost, who says, “I think the exciting part is that it’s so open!” While UMSM is part of a larger network of groups, Yost says that it has flexibility in its role on campus. “Big things are service and engagement in the community,” she says, adding that there is a lot of potential to be involved with local congregations like Asbury and William Street Methodist churches. Although it’s natural for members of UMSM to take a Methodist worldview, the group is open to different voices and new students. A parallel group on campus is the Newman Club, a Roman Catholic group that also welcomes students of other faiths.

One of the goals for UMSM is to raise awareness about Ohio Wesleyan’s Methodist roots. Yost attends William Street Methodist Church, which played an active role in the founding of the University. In 1842, the Rev. Adam Poe, then the pastor of the church, recognized the need for an institution of higher education in the area and, with the help of community members, raised the $10,000 necessary to purchase what is now Elliott Hall–Ohio Wesleyan’s first building. Today, Ohio Wesleyan is a spiritually diverse campus that offers resources and support for students representing a variety of faith traditions. The Chaplain’s Office Web site (http://chaplain.owu.edu) provides a list of faith-based organizations. With its rebirth, UMSM has shown great vitality as an organization, and will be co-sponsor for several upcoming events. The documentary For the Bible Tells Me So will address issues of faith and sexuality, followed by a panel discussion, on October 27 at 7 p.m. in the Benes Rooms. The documentary They Killed Sister Dorothy will be shown November 5, detailing the story of a missionary murdered in Brazil. A member of this missionary’s sisterhood will be available for questions.

– Abby Dockter ’12