November 2016 Review

Each month we hope to give an update on the 3rd Way Collective experience at Penn State! Follow this blog to learn more about how we’ve been creating spaces for peace, justice, and faith at Penn State.

 

To say that November was a meaningful month would be an understatement. Where we had been feeling fatigue and disconnection from Penn State’s student body because of the fall’s election intensity, the election results seem to have sparked students toward reaching out and taking action. It seems clear that we continue to exist in a country that is deeply divided, one in need of “third way” solutions to the problems that we face.

15259363_1080811202017448_8719255565757733862_oRight now we are thinking creatively about what it means to be a student organization that stands for marginalized people who are feeling the pressure and pain of a rise in hate speech, discrimination, and abuse. We are also trying to imagine a community where students feel like they can belong regardless of their political or theological identity. It is challenging work, but this is why 3rd Way Collective exists.

The lead-up to the election included a collaborative Gray Matters series on being a person of faith in the election, and an Election Day Communion event that was a joy to take part in. We also joined the LGBTQA Student Center and several other groups in the first Transgender Visibility Week on our campus.

Campus Pastor Ben traveled to Lancaster Mennonite School and Dock Mennonite Academy to speak in chapel at these Mennonite high schools. He also led an afternoon retreat through the Sabbath Away organization.

This month two podcasts featured Ben sharing about 3rd Way Collective. You can hear interviews with the Peace Lab Podcast here and the Waterworks Ministries Podcast here.

November also included the long-awaited Thanksgiving break. By t14915188_1054701434628425_3671106126242506514_nhis point in the semester Penn State students, faculty, and staff, are all ready for some time off of their busy schedules. December includes only a few short weeks of class and then final exams before our winter break begins.

Thank you for following our journey!

If you would like to support the work of 3rd Way Collective, head on over to our giving page!

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