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.
After a quiet summer it has been great to have a full campus back in swing! Classes began at Penn State on August 21, and right away 3rd Way Collective hit the ground running.
Our first week included the Penn State involvement fair, an ice cream social, as well as a collaborative welcome back barbecue that we planned with our Collaborative Campus Ministry friends.
At the end of the month we participated in LION Bash, a campus and community event, with members of University Mennonite and University Baptist & Brethren – two churches who support this ministry. 
September included our regular weekly meals (this year in homes as well as somewhere at a downtown restaurant!), our grad student pub night, encouraging students to engage the activism in our community, as well as a small service experience providing a meal for Hearts for Homeless‘ new permanent residence. 
Our student officers are young and passionate about the work we are doing. They meet with campus pastor Ben at the end of each week for breakfast, to reflect on the work we’ve done, and to plan for upcoming events and activities. They have been an invaluable resource as we engage our community.
Special events this month included continuing to work with the Free Pizza Friday initiative with Muslim Student Association, a project collecting items to send for hurricane relief through UMCOR, and the annual International Day of Peace March (click here for a reflection from one of our student officers).
It is clear that 3rd Way Collective continues to provide our campus and community a unique presence. We have received deep affirmation for our ability to promote peace and justice, and to build bridges between organizations collaboratively working for peace and justice beyond their political, religious, economic, or ethnic identities.
Thank you for your continued support!
– Campus Pastor Ben Wideman