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.
December kicked off with a bang as we participated in the first-ever Social Justice Org fair, as part of a lead-in to MLK Commemoration at Penn State. It was wonderful to fill the hub with some of our sister-orgs who are also working for peace and justice issues within our student community. We also look forward to playing a key role in the upcoming MLK Commemoration Week in January.
Each week since the election season concluded we have been fortunate to participate in the Standing at the Gates for Justice vigil that takes place each Monday at 4pm at the Allen Street Gates. Some days the weather is cold and dreary, but there are always committed people and students from our community who want to raise their voices for justice.
We continue to think 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.
Two highlights for me (Campus Pastor Ben) were handing out free pizza during an interfaith collaboration of Free Pizza Fridays with our Muslim Student Association, and the Christmas service put on by Receiving with Thanksgiving. For many LGBTQ Christians on our campus, this will be the only inclusive Christmas service they attend this year. I felt fortunate to participate by offering the short sermonette.
3rd Way Collective was pleased to be featured in an in-depth article The Mennonite Magazine in their past issue. We continue to seek out support from other churches who want to support our work.
December also included final exams, the end of the fall semester, and the break. By t
his point in the semester Penn State students, faculty, and staff, were all ready for some time off from their busy schedules. We are thankful to be a part of Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, and their exam week resources for students.
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!