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College students open hearts, raise funds for tsunami survivors

Jan. 25, 2005	 News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*
Nashville {05055}

NOTE: Related materials are available online at http://umns.umc.org.

A UMNS Report
By Kathy L. Gilbert*

Shonti Breisch, a student at United Methodist-related University of
Puget Sound, was vacationing with her family at a resort area of Khoa
Lak, Thailand, when the Dec. 26 tsunami hit.

Her 15-year-old sister, Kali, died. Her 16-year-old brother, Jai, barely
survived.

Ron Thomas, president of the Tacoma, Wash., university, says Breisch
wanted people to hear about her experience. "Shonti asks that we share
her family's story to help others appreciate the magnitude of what has
happened, the resilience of the Thai people and the miracle of her
brother's survival," he said.

As the waves crashed over South Asia and Africa, many college students
were on holiday break. On many campuses, officials are checking on
students from the affected areas and hearing stories like Shonti's.

At the same time, a tidal wave of response is on the way from returning
students and faculty as they plan prayer vigils, concerts, spaghetti
suppers and other creative fund raisers in response to the disaster,
which left more than 200,000 dead and millions homeless.

"Because I know of the strong commitment to service at the United
Methodist-related colleges and universities, I am not surprised by the
immediate and generous response of our students, faculty and staff,"
says Wanda D. Bigham, executive with the United Methodist Board of
Higher Education and Ministry. "It has been my experience that there is
a true concern for helping people in need both at home and abroad. In
the aftermath of this terrible tragedy, our college communities have
moved quickly and creatively to offer assistance."

Victoria Scott, a student at Mississippi (Perkinston) Gulf Coast
Community College, is spearheading the relief effort for the Wesley
Foundation on that campus. The mission is personal and real for the
students because they sponsor a 7-year-old boy, Casmito, who lives in
Indonesia. The students have been sending money and letters to Casmito
for the past year through Compassion International.

"Victoria has been our contact person for our sponsored child, writing
him often, making certain enough funds are collect each month for our
pledge," says Susan Vuyovich, director of campus ministry. "We have not
yet heard from our child but have heard from Compassion, and if he was
in his village, he should be safe. We are praying so!"

A weekly love offering will be collected during the campus-wide vespers
service until the end of the semester for victims of the tsunami,
Vuyovich says.

A "change war" was waged on the campus of United Methodist-related
Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., and $400 was raised.

"As a community, we have been overcome with emotion after seeing images
and hearing about the widespread devastation in Southeast Asia," says
the Rev. Tiffany Padgitt, chaplain. "We wanted to help our brothers and
sisters who have been affected by the tsunami, and also let them know
that they are in our thoughts and prayers."

The missions committee of Lambuth's Religious Life Council sponsored the
change war Jan. 10-17. Buckets sponsored by different organizations and
athletic teams were placed in the cafeteria and at basketball games.

"We realize that college students understand the great need for aid
created by tsunami disaster but feel unable to help because of our lack
of finances," says Jennifer Brough, a student member of the missions
committee who helped create the project. "We decided to do a change war
because we can all give a little and together it will add up to provide
some relief for the victims."

Concerts and dinners

Several faculty members of Emory University in Atlanta were in the
affected areas on Dec. 26 and are staying, using their personal
resources, to help with recovery and rebuilding until the spring
semester begins, university officials report. Students will station
tables around the campus for six hours a day to collect money for the
relief fund, and they will hold a benefit concert featuring student
performances during the week of Jan. 24.

A core group of international students from India, Sri Lanka and
Indonesia has been the catalyst for the University of Cincinnati's
response, says Jeanne Smith, campus minister.

The Tsunami Victims & Orphan Relief Coalition held a multifaith
fund-raising dinner Jan. 22 at the Memorial Hall of Cincinnati Music
Hall. Smith presented the Christian prayer.

"The Wesley Foundation will host monthly dinners to raise funds by
providing the campus and community with authentic South Asia and African
cuisine and programs detailing culture and relief efforts in the
countries affected," she says.

"Fact posters" and canisters are being placed throughout the campus at
North Central College, Naperville, Ill., to help students understand the
tragedy, says Alycia Capone, assistant director of ministry and service.

"The Ministry and Service Department, along with North Central College,
understand that this tragedy will have long-term effects, and we have
committed to support our Southeast Asia neighbors throughout the
rebuilding of their lives."

Participants at a Holston Annual (regional) Conference young adults
event, Divine Rhythm, are being asked to donate relief kits to the
United Methodist Committee on Relief. The weekend conference for ages
18-35, held Jan. 21-23, drew 500 participants.

The Rev. Christine Henchar Reed, a United Methodist chaplain at Converse
College in Spartanburg, S.C., is helping two students from Sri Lanka
collect donations for their home church, St. Mary's Church in Ratmalana,
Sri Lanka.

"The church (St. Mary's) has been acting as a homeless shelter since the
storm, providing housing and meals, and our students' mother has been
cooking meals around the clock," she says.

Joining in prayer

Many colleges are holding multifaith services on their campuses. Hamline
University in St. Paul, Minn., held a "Remembering Indian Ocean Tsunami"
service with participants from Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish and
Hindu traditions.

Faculty, students and staff from different countries led the service,
says the Rev. Theresa Mason. Rituals included "a Hindu flower offering,
a Buddhist water pouring in remembrance of those who died, Tibetan
Buddhist prayer flags, a Jewish Kaddish, new United Methodist hymns
about the tsunami, Muslim chanting and lighting candles," she says.
Students have set a goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the year.

"I initiated plans for a 'teach-in' when spring term starts," Mason
continues. "The teach-in will give us all more opportunities to learn
about our sisters and brothers in nations which were affected, and
respond to the questions it raises scientifically and theologically.
Students are planning a fund-raising dinner in connection with the
teach-in."

On the campus of United Methodist-related Ferrum (Va.) College, a
campaign for tsunami relief will be integrated into the religion course
"Understanding Mission: A Biblical Perspective." Funds raised will go to
UMCOR.

Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, has used a ballroom dancing club
demonstration, all-campus talent show, the showing of a Southeast Asian
film and a social event for faculty members to raise funds. Cornell's
crocheting club, "Knot Just for Grannies," is also teaching crocheting
so interested people can create blankets to donate to the Red Cross.

"The tragic circumstances of the tsunami that ravaged parts of Asia and
Africa (have) galvanized a worldwide response from religious
communities," says the Rev. Luther Felder, executive with the Board of
Higher Education and Ministry. "I am especially, gratified, though not
surprised, to see the tremendous support young people active in our
United Methodist -related campus ministries, schools, colleges and
universities have given to the relief effort. They have helped to
demonstrate that the cause Christ has no boundaries."

Donations to UMCOR's "South Asia Emergency" relief efforts can be placed
in local church offering plates or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside
Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance
#274305 and "South Asia Emergency." Credit-card donations can be made
online at www.methodistrelief.org or by calling (800) 554-8583.

###

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
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http://umns.umc.org