We thank you, Lord
For decades
of faithfulness and support from both college and community partners. For the vision of Sharon Draft and Jan
Veenstra in 1964, and for many others since then. For creativity in teaching and learning, and
for meaningful academic learning matched with effective and respectful
grassroots-led positive social change. For
the opportunity to work together as we yearn for a more just world. And for the chance to learn alongside one
another in a place of compassion.
We Pray
For the
Service-Learning Center:
We pray for
a creative imagination – one that
sees our community, city, and world, clothed in hope. We pray that we may be humble students of the
neighborhoods we live in, learning from the joy, sorrow, and love of the people
who live in them. Give us the courage to
practice faithful presence and contemplative
servanthood.
We pray that
your Spirit will enable us to use our gifts for the flourishing of our fellow students,
our faculty and community partners, and especially the poor, both in Grand
Rapids and around the globe.
We pray for
student leaders – past, present and future – in the Service-Learning
Center. We pray for our covenant pledges
and our hopes. We pray that your Spirit
will nourish us and bring us closer to you and to each other.
We pray that
all students might be inspired to act out their faith and pursue opportunities
to serve. We pray that they might also
learn what is required in passions relative to already present hobbies and
interests beyond, and in so doing, be shaped into people committed to
kingdom-building work and lives of service and action beyond self.
For Academically-Based
Service-Learning:
May the
Social Sciences and Contextual Disciplines Coordinator facilitate
service-learning in order to open minds to reflect and question, open hands to
serve and open hearts to love. May there
be compassion and mercy; discomfort, challenges and growth. May there be strength, hope and courage;
humility, justice, and learning.
May the
Natural Sciences and Mathematics Coordinator create space for thoughtful and
attentive science, computer science, math, and nursing majors to express their
care for the community and passion for their subject through academically-based
service-learning. May professors and courses involved in this service-learning
engage in grace-filled service and intentional reflection for full learning.
May the witness of these students and professors cause others’ hearts to be
softened to the needs of their neighbors.
May the
Education Coordinator share the vision of pursuing shalom in reconciling God’s
Kingdom through Calvin education students who serve in local schools as teacher
assistants. May the students discover their calling as educators who shine the
light of Christ in love through the deeply rooted sorrow of the community. May
the passion of the Education Coordinator and Calvin students spread through the
community like wildfire through the Holy Spirit.
May the
Language, Literature, and the Arts Coordinator truly facilitate student
learning in their courses. May there be
investment, integrity, and intentionality so that students experience a
reciprocal relationship with those they are serving.
For
Student-Based Service-Learning:
May the
Residence Hall Community Partnership program engage students and community
partners in building reciprocal relationships where service and learning takes
place. May the CPC coordinator
facilitate discipleship with the CPCs and empower them to facilitate
service-learning and thoughtful reflection with their peers.
May the
Spring Break Trip Coordinator provide students with a wide range of
opportunities to challenge themselves through forming relationships with and
engaging in communities outside of Calvin College. In doing so, may students
develop an excited attitude of servanthood, a new perception of community, and
a greater awareness of the large world around them. May the trips also allow
students to practice humility, leadership, and teamwork with a Christ-mimicking
mindset.
May the
College Access Coordinator discover the beauty and courage within Grand Rapids
high school students. May they choose to resist racism, the one story, and
preconceived ideas. May they inspire dreams and desires of pursing a college
education. May they be filled with joy when life appears hopeless. May they
love even when it’s undeserved.
May the
Special Projects and Student Organizations Coordinator help inspire students to
act out their faith and pursue opportunities to serve and learn beyond what is
required in passions related to already present hobbies and interests. May doing so shape them into people committed
to kingdom building work and living lives of service and action beyond
self.
And for our
ties to the community:
May the
Communications Coordinator facilitate the opportunities and resources needed to
be actively and humbly engaged in the Grand Rapids community. May students have the courage and willingness
to participate and share stories of reciprocity, struggles, learning, and
hope.
May the Partnership
Development Coordinator connect students to communities in order to pursue
justice and equality, and to become more familiar with the kingdom of God
through local congregations. May they learn how to live in community and build
strong, loving relationships in Jesus’ name.
May the Transportation
Coordinator not only aid students in travel, but in a discovery and deep
understanding of the blessing that service-learning on themselves as well as
those they serve. May you provide safety on the road for our drivers and
students as they go to placements throughout our city.
And may the
Research Coordinator not only learn, but teach others about the importance of
knowledge through their work. May they
open the eyes of students to the city of Grand Rapids as a place with a rich
history and a beautifully diverse community.
We ask you, Lord
To bless our
investment in the lives of student leaders that they might go out from here to serve
the building of your kingdom here on earth.
To bless the
systems and processes we create; may they be invisible in facilitating service
and learning and never impede anyone’s participation.
To bless our
community partners; may they be a blessing to their communities and teach our
students to care for people and places on the margins.
To bless our
voice in the college and beyond; may we point to your kingdom and hold your
people accountable to our calling to serve.
To bless our
planning. Give us wisdom to know how
best to serve our campus and community into the future.
