wfn.org | STUDENT STRATEGY TEAM HOLDS FIRST MEETING

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

12-May-95

95160PRESBYTERIAN STUDENT STRATEGY TEAM HOLDS FIRST MEETING 
 
                         By Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--With an eye toward strengthening the student Christian 
movement in the United States, the newly formed Presbyterian Student 
Strategy Team (PSST) gathered on the campus of Austin Presbyterian 
Theological Seminary April 29-30 in Austin, Texas. 
 
     PSST is composed of students elected at national gatherings, with the 
first members selected during January's Ecumenical Student Conference in 
St. Louis. Working with partners from Presbyterian Ministers in Higher 
Education (PMHE) and staff from the National Ministries Division (NMD), the 
team serves to guide the work of the church in the area of student 
ministries. 
 
     In addition to their own meetings, PSST members met with the Student 
Ecumenical Partnership (STEP), its counterpart from the Disciples of Christ 
and the United Church of Christ, which was also meeting in Austin, Texas. 
 
     "Although the Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ and United Church of 
Christ teams had some initial differences in their plans, one thing was 
immediately clear," said PSST member Ed Chan. "PSST and STEP wanted to work 
with each other. While denominational identity was important, so was the 
call to do ministry cooperatively and ecumenically." 
 
     According to Chan, the two teams have committed to working together on 
a national student leadership event. The teams will also assist in planning 
new and existing regional conferences and other activities in the hopes of 
strengthening a grassroots student Christian movement. 
 
     In addition to these joint activities, Chan said, PSST members 
discussed ways to increase communication about higher education ministries 
across the church. PSST members also represent the denomination in national 
and ecumenical bodies, such as the Council for Ecumenical Student Christian 
Ministry and the World Student Christian Federation. 
 
     The current student members are Chan from Cornell University; Kelly 
Bower from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Julie Dunning from 
the University of Rochester; Allison Irick from Clemson University; Denise 
Oliveira from Cornell University; Steve Rogers from Texas A & M; Kyle 
Walker from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary; Jennifer Warner, 
formerly of the University of California at Davis; and Tara Williams from 
Washington State University. The PMHE partners are the Rev. Taryn Hillary 
and the Rev. Mike Miller. The Rev. Clyde O. Robinson, NMD associate for 
higher education and student's ministries, serves as staff representative. 
 
 

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