Service-Learning Day

The Seminary Community Service-Learning Day gives students an opportunity to experience service-learning for one day by joining with community agencies and organizations in the work those agencies are already doing in the community. The vision of service-learning is twofold: we serve to learn and we learn to serve through dynamic, reciprocal exchanges among people in our community. This day will emphasize the importance of local churches/ministries, of investing in community organizations, and of civic responsibility.

Involvement in the community of Grand Rapids is a reminder of God's call to be active citizens in his kingdom. A community like Grand Rapids gives an example of many different parts working together- communities made up of schools, churches, government institutions, public transportation systems, businesses, families, and more. Students will be interacting with a number of these different elements within the neighborhoods of Grand Rapids. Recognizing that God's kingdom has a place for each person's gifts and abilities, different types of service-learning opportunities will be made available to the students on this day. CTS hopes that S-L Day will act as a step along the way to making thoughtful service a part of every student's life.

"It's easy to disconnect from the world around us when our heads are in books all day. It was refreshing because it's not every day that we stop and take time for those who need our help. We did physical labor, really getting our hands dirty for God. In service I often feel like I am helping others; but really they are helping me see Christ more clearly."
Samantha De Jonge, 2007 CTS Student

Often we think of service as simply helping others but it is more than that. It provides us with an opportunity to grow in several areas:

• Cultural Awareness: We learn about other people and communities, who are sometimes culturally and socio-economically different from ourselves.
• Self-awareness: Our prejudices, our perceptions, our fears, our gifts, and our talents come to light when we serve. Often, this happens most clearly when we serve with those who are culturally or ethnically different from us.
• Needs of others: We learn about the particular needs and strengths of a given community or group of people.
• God: Most importantly, we learn about what God is already doing in the area where we are serving and we have the opportunity to participate in this work.
• Action: Often one act of service leads to another. The more we participate in service, the more we become aware of how God is calling us to serve and how to motivate other believers to develop this spiritual discipline of service.

Service isn't just about what we give to others; it is about how we can be taught by those we are serving. To serve without acknowledging that we are just as needy as the next person cheapens our service to a handout. Though our hands and feet must always be ready to pick up a paint brush or carry a broom, our eyes and ears must also be alert to see and listen; to perceive the peculiarities of God's work among God's people. We pray that you will see God at work in this fantastic opportunity to engage in service with the Grand Rapids community, to grow in your own Christian living, and to enhance your training for ministry.

IF you are a first year M.A. or M.Div. student you will be required to participate in Service-Learning Day as a part of the IDIS 901 Theological Education as Formation for Ministry course.

All CTS students are invited to participate in the 2008 Service-Learning Day Projects as well as seminary student spouses. Please complete the registration form so we can make the appropriate arrangements. ALL first year FFM groups are required to stay with their FFM group. To the best of our ability we will try to keep students and spouses together. However, due to limited space at agencies we may need to create additional groups.

IF YOU ARE A FIRST YEAR FFM STUDENT, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE INCLUDED IN YOUR FFM GROUP. IF YOU WISH TO INCLUDE YOUR SPOUSE, YOU MUST REGISTER THEM!

All classes will be canceled on Service-Learning Day so that all students, faculty and staff may participate.

September 25, 2008