Jane
Anderson Internship for
Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministry
Dear friends,
The
Jane Anderson Family has decided to honor our mother's memory by creating
a UU Campus Ministry Internship in her name. Jane's love and dedication
to helping young adults will be fittingly continued via a series of
UU Campus Ministry Interns. For six decades, Jane "opened the
door" and welcomed all who came to The Unitarian Church of Urbana
that became Channing-Murray Foundation in 1957.
The Jane Anderson
Internship Trust is being prepared to fund the 09/10 Internship of
Kimberly Tomaszewski
at CMF. In addition the Anderson family will match contributions to
the Jane Anderson Internship Trust, up to $60,000 for a total initial
trust goal of $120,000. Information about contributing and having
your gift doubled [here]
The Jane Anderson Family
Jane Anderson
Intern 2009-10 - Kimberly Tomaszewski
Personal Statement
I was not raised in a traditional Unitarian Universalist congregation,
which is perhaps why my time in college was so influential to my faith
life. Coming from a small lay-led fellowship, I learned of devotion,
community and tireless energy. In college, as a young adult, I experienced
another side of ministry; one that, at times, seemed effortless as
faith and humor complimented one another. I realized how my small
home congregation had lasted for so many years, while also learning
how important a minister is to the health of a community.
My time as a
young adult in a new and life-giving Unitarian congregation was only
part of my journey. I specifically refer to my Unitarian Universalism
as a ‘faith’ because of the latter part of my college
experience. Within one semester I had lost 6 friends or family members
to accidents, old age or pain. I traveled to Central America where
I learned what it was to be an American and how faith aided in survival.
At times I was not sure if I had lost track of who I was or if I was
seeing just that much more clearly of who I was to become.
During and because
of this time, I was constantly and insistently challenged to answer
the question of how my religion answered to these experiences.
Like the congregation I grew up in, without one minister to guide
me but with a family of worshipers who supported me in my journey,
my Lutheran chaplain, and my UU church community was there as I reflected,
asked questions and sought guidance.
I needed both
that congregational home as well as a chaplain in order to fully understand
how ministry can take shape. I needed both in order to fully understand
where I was called, and to who I was called to. I needed both community
and a personal relationship in order to fully understand the importance
of having a faith life, mentor, and place that encouraged and answered
to spiritual growth during a young adult’s journey. It is with
this knowledge and excitement that I greet the opportunity the Jane
Anderson Internship offers, and to all those who are met by Unitarian
Universalist Campus Ministry.
(read
more)
personal
statement + some sermons +
blog
