December update: the gift of hospitality

Dear friends,

When the founders of Delta Kappa Epsilon erected their stately brick edifice at 611 E. William St. in 1878, they probably did not envision hundreds of students crowding into the building for homemade waffles, sausage links, cranberry juice, and countless cups of coffee. The MCSC Study Day Waffle Bar, which kicks off final exam week, is the creation of Director of Hospitality and Student Engagement Heidi Lemmerhirt, who uses her family's traditional waffle recipe to bless hundreds of students and to draw new students into the Center's ministry. It is truly one of the highlights of the semester. 

Hospitality is  a core commitment of the Michigan Christian Study Center, and it has enabled us to develop a vibrant Christian community, something that was on display last Friday evening at our student-led Christmas concert, followed by hot cocoa and Christmas cookies.

That sense of community in turn provides a foundation for our ultimate purpose—fostering Christian thinking that transforms lives and impacts the University of Michigan. Last week, our History of Christianity course concluded, and we have a full cohort enrolled in next semester’s course, "Living Your Story: Christian Life and Calling," taught by InterVarsity staff member Dave Paladino. We are also preparing for another full semester of Friday lunches with Christian professors, book discussions, "life labs" with our Director of Spiritual Care, and public events beginning in January with a talk on American origins by historian John Fea.

A recent Friday lunch with UM neuroscientist Thad Polk

Next week, as students head home for the holidays, the Center will conclude the semester with a campus ministry leaders' lunch on Wednesday and a faculty lunch on Thursday, followed by a well-deserved rest for our staff—and for our well-used building.

This unique ministry at the U of M exists because of the generous support of our partners. If you haven't done so yet, please consider including the Center in your year-end giving plans. You can read our year-end summary letter here, and you can donate to the Center here.

We are grateful for the many ways that God continues to bless the Center through the generosity of his people, and I wish you a joyous Advent season,

Rick

Dr. Rick Ostrander

Executive Director

Michigan Christian Study Center

Ann Arbor, MI  48104