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Summer 2020 Newsletter Examples
My Experience at The Found (Thomas | 352 words)
All my life before college, I was raised in a very traditional Episcopal church in Lansing, Michigan. The only church worship experience I knew was that of the very ritualistic Catholic-based liturgy. While I did not really have a problem with that growing up, I wanted to experience something different during college. I came to the Found my freshman year and was instantly refreshed by the unique style and structure of the worship service. The prayer and worship felt so much more genuine and from the heart, especially with the prayer circle where we discuss praises and prayer requests from the previous week and looking forward to the next. This intimate setting where each member makes themselves vulnerable by opening up about personal or family problems really helps the members to connect with one another on a deeper level. We aren’t just attending a service and going home, we are developing our relationship with each other and with the Lord. Because of this, The Found is like a family at Purdue. It is a community of individuals that you can depend on and go to for help whenever you are in need.
Coffee House and Authentic Dialogue are also fantastic ways for individuals at the Found to connect socially. I unfortunately was less available to attend these events during most of my undergraduate due to my intensely busy schedule with flight and work, but I really enjoyed serving specialty milkshakes and Italian sodas during the Coffee Houses. The Authentic Dialogues that I could attend brought opportunities to learn about and discuss social justice issues, different religious questions, and much more. Recently, we had individuals from the Baha’i, Muslim, and Jewish faiths join us for online Authentic Dialogue and that has been extremely insightful in learning about the belief systems of these other faiths and has been a great opportunity for inter-faith prayer.
The Found has so much to offer to anyone from any faith background and I am extremely happy to have spent the past five years worshiping the Lord with such incredible individuals.
Thomas W. Laub
Coffee House and Authentic Dialogue are also fantastic ways for individuals at the Found to connect socially. I unfortunately was less available to attend these events during most of my undergraduate due to my intensely busy schedule with flight and work, but I really enjoyed serving specialty milkshakes and Italian sodas during the Coffee Houses. The Authentic Dialogues that I could attend brought opportunities to learn about and discuss social justice issues, different religious questions, and much more. Recently, we had individuals from the Baha’i, Muslim, and Jewish faiths join us for online Authentic Dialogue and that has been extremely insightful in learning about the belief systems of these other faiths and has been a great opportunity for inter-faith prayer.
The Found has so much to offer to anyone from any faith background and I am extremely happy to have spent the past five years worshiping the Lord with such incredible individuals.
Thomas W. Laub
My Experience at The Found (Jon | 448 words)
When I first came to the Found as a sophomore it instantly felt like a special place. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, it made me feel like I was visiting my church back home. And that's what is most important to me about the Found: it feels like a home. While other churches on campus may be larger and have more members, our group at the Found can truly call ourselves a family. Whether it be staying way past the end time of authentic dialogue, doing work for the community, or just enjoying each other’s presence at coffee house, there is never a time when God's love isn’t present in our group. I’ve cherished all these moments with members past and present, and I’m truly grateful for the memories made with my Found family.
My faith has deepened, been challenged, and grown in so many ways during my time at the Found. Pastor Rodney’s emphasis on inclusion and diversity in the Found meant that I had the opportunity to meet all different types of people of different nations and beliefs and learn more from them than I could have anywhere else. Through all of this I have learned so much more about the love of Jesus and what his true purpose is, and I can truly say I’ve become a better person after my time of learning here. I am eager to begin my career after graduating, and spreading the spirit of community I experienced at the Found. I was so blessed to be able to play music each Sunday at the Found. There are not many places I’d rather be than next to Lily on keys and Thomas on guitar, and hearing everyone sing with us. I hope that the tradition of music continues to be strong within the Found.
There are so many people I want to thank for what they do for the Found: Rodney, Felicia, Wellington, and Abe, you all make the Found the most special place on campus, and I can’t thank you enough for your friendships and dedication to working for God’s kingdom. Thomas and Katelyn, thank you for your leadership and being great examples and friends. Lily, Jem, and Alyssa, you are all amazing people, and I know you will continue to make the Found a great place.
My heart is so full when I think of all of the time I’ve spent at the Found, and with the people I’ve spent it with. It is a place that will continue to reflect the love of God on Purdue’s campus. I know I am so lucky to be a part of the Found family, and I can’t wait to visit again!
My faith has deepened, been challenged, and grown in so many ways during my time at the Found. Pastor Rodney’s emphasis on inclusion and diversity in the Found meant that I had the opportunity to meet all different types of people of different nations and beliefs and learn more from them than I could have anywhere else. Through all of this I have learned so much more about the love of Jesus and what his true purpose is, and I can truly say I’ve become a better person after my time of learning here. I am eager to begin my career after graduating, and spreading the spirit of community I experienced at the Found. I was so blessed to be able to play music each Sunday at the Found. There are not many places I’d rather be than next to Lily on keys and Thomas on guitar, and hearing everyone sing with us. I hope that the tradition of music continues to be strong within the Found.
There are so many people I want to thank for what they do for the Found: Rodney, Felicia, Wellington, and Abe, you all make the Found the most special place on campus, and I can’t thank you enough for your friendships and dedication to working for God’s kingdom. Thomas and Katelyn, thank you for your leadership and being great examples and friends. Lily, Jem, and Alyssa, you are all amazing people, and I know you will continue to make the Found a great place.
My heart is so full when I think of all of the time I’ve spent at the Found, and with the people I’ve spent it with. It is a place that will continue to reflect the love of God on Purdue’s campus. I know I am so lucky to be a part of the Found family, and I can’t wait to visit again!