Episcopal Press and News
Education Ministries Limned at Meeting
Episcopal News Service. December 4, 1980 [80441]
New York -- Episcopalians active in higher education ministries recently heard plans for Church Center activities and strongly endorsed Church participation in the National Student Conference planned for next summer on the West Coast.
The action took place at the annual meeting of the National Advisory Committee for Ministry in Higher Education held in mid-November at the Seamen's Church Institute here. The gathering was convened by the Rev. James J. McNamee, staff officer for Youth and College Ministries at the Church Center.
Bishop Elliott L. Sorge, executive for Education for Mission and Ministry, addressed the group and observed the need for ministry to the institutions of higher education and the concomitant need for exploration in this era of emphasis on religious experience of what is unique about the role of reason with faith. He stressed the importance of helping people to enlarge their vision of ministry.
Invited by McNamee, who serves on the board of trustees of the World Student Christian Federation, Ginna Brelsford, Brown University senior and Episcopal member of the Interregional Committee of the Federation, spoke of the plans for the National Student Conference to be held on Aug. 23-28, 1981 in Berkeley, following the General Assembly of the federation in San Francisco.
She emphasized the need to open this opportunity to others in the U. S. From the National Student Conference she sees a chance to identify a national Episcopal caucus or forum which would provide for students a greater sense of belonging to the American church and an increased awareness and participation in the international church. The Committee unanimously adopted the following resolution: "The National Advisory Committee for Ministry in Higher Education enthusiastically endorses Episcopal Church participation in the National Student Conference following the WSCF General Assembly in 1981."
McNamee serves on the National Planning Committee for the Conference.
Emidio Campi, Secretary General of the federation, endorsed the formation of a student Christian movement in the U. S., citing his concern about the growing trend toward introversion in this country and the consequent breaking of the ecumenical spirit.
Committee members reported on campus ministry activities, including the Pilgrimage held at the Washington Cathedral on Oct. 4. Joanna Fitts, University of the South junior, was enthusiastic about the spiritual benefit of the Pilgrimage and recommended an annual event. McNamee took part in initial planning for the Pilgrimage which was funded in large part by the Ministry in Higher Education Office.
Discussion of the Haitian refugees initiated by Michael Burke, senior at Howard University, resulted in a decision to express the Committee's concern to the Office of Social Issues and Action.
Also attending were the Rev. Randall Chase, Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca Raton, Fla.; Ronald J. Clayton, Billings, Mont.; the Rev. Rona Harding, Marsh Chapel, Boston; the Ven. Terence Lynberg, Archdeacon, Diocese of Los Angeles; Mrs. Andrew C. Merryman, Oakland, Cal.; the Rev. E. Nathaniel Porter, chaplain, Howard University; the Rev. Wofford Smith, Memorial Chapel, University of Maryland; Charles Storrs, senior at Brown University; the Rev. Ellen Wondra, chaplain, Hobart College; the Rev. Thomas B. Woodward, St. Francis House, Madison, Wis.