Categories: uncategorized
Date: 03 October 2011 10:51:52
It's the start of the academic year here in Durham and the city is going through it's annual welcome fest, which because of the collegiate system it does do particularly well. It's an interesting time because it's when people go into overdrive to pick up potential members for societies and so forth.
The churches are no different, but they have come up with an interesting way of coming to sell their wares this year, because of the charges the DSU makes. Wednesday to Friday at Sanctuary 21 they are having Not The Freshers Fair organised by Durham Christian Partnership and Youth For Christ amongst others. I hope this will prove positive and show students they do have choices beyond the CU and the churches that dominate the CU if they are not so comfortable with that type of Christianity. Don't get me wrong I am not knocking Durham CU (DICCU), they are an excellent organisaton and Kings Church - which is one of the big CU churches- is a particularly good church, suitable for people looking for a slightly more charismatic style of worship. It's just that not everybody is comfortable signing up to the CU's doctrianal basis and sometimes I think it can be hard for people to realise there are alternatives available such as Methsoc. Also it is important for people to grasp there are different churches which are student friendly and which offer a link to a student society and friendship group but because of having more of a mix of being town aswell as gown they are also places where students might be able to get a bit more of a family feel and escape the student bubble a bit if they want to.
Am also really glad to see that the LGBTA seem to have gotten their act together this year...although white writing on yellow background is not necessarily the best idea. I have yet to see it but I understand they have put alot of effort into revamping their handbook which now includes something on faith again. I am most impressed by them because they really are seeking to engage and not give into the stereotypical divisions which can sometimes appear to exist in Durham, they genuinely want to build bridges.
In the unlikely event any people new to Durham come across this blog and are looking for somewhere to go and worship on Sunday North Road Methodist, (just up from the bus station) is having a welcome service for students at 10:30 and Elvet Methodist (next to Shire Hall) is having one at 6:00pm - followed by a welcome tea. Methsoc have a stall in the DSU for the official freshers fair on Tuesday where you could get more details.