Valley Wesley Campus Ministry http://valleywesley.posterous.com Adventurous Spirits. Questioning Minds. Compassionate Hearts. posterous.com Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:30:00 -0700 Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing http://valleywesley.posterous.com/come-thou-fount-of-every-blessing http://valleywesley.posterous.com/come-thou-fount-of-every-blessing

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1139043/Rob_2011_Twitter.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36EPXlWiTx73 Robert Rynders Robert Robert Rynders Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:58:00 -0700 September Update http://valleywesley.posterous.com/september-update http://valleywesley.posterous.com/september-update

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Can you believe it? Here at The Wesley Foundation at Arizona State University, we just kicked-off our fifth year of full-time campus ministry! Last spring we graduated sixteen seniors and grad students and this year we welcomed a new group of students to be a part of our ministry. As always, we have an exciting year planned for students. We just returned from San Diego, where we spent Labor Day weekend having fun on the beach and exploring the sights. We also had a number of occasions to stop and reflect on God’s presence in our lives through daily devotionals and worship. In particular we focused on the verse from Psalm 46:10, which states “Be still, and know that I am God.” Indeed, this is a message that students will need to remember as they deal with the stress and challenges of college. 

This year we continue to focus our program around our Wednesday night gatherings, however, we have changed our meeting time! We now meet at 7 p.m. for dinner in Ross Hall, followed by worship at 8 p.m. We felt we needed to push our start time back in order to accommodate students with Wednesday evening classes. And it worked! We have already heard good things from students who are now able to attend Wesley because of the time change. On Wednesday nights we have also seen our student led worship band grow. We have a new student running sound for the band and another student has joined the band as a guitar player. The band now has eight members!

We have also made a new addition to our staff. Recent Wesley grad, Abbie Riekena, is spending the year applying to graduate schools and has asked to join our staff as a part time intern. Abbie will be leading our hospitality team on Wednesday nights and she will also be working on various missions opportunities for students to participate in throughout the year. Please join me in welcoming Abbie to the Wesley team!

We have a lot of other exciting things going on this year, including a Veteran’s Day weekend Mexico mission trip, an alternative spring break trip to participate in a seminar with the UM General Board of Church and Society and the UMW in New York City, and we are hosting an exciting event in January with Christian author, blogger, and speaker, Rachel Held Evans.

As always, we could not do all of this things without your prayers and support. On behalf of all of our students and our board of directors I thank and praise God for you and your love for our our ministry. Here’s to another fabulous year of ministry with college students! 

 

Peace and Blessings,

 

Pastor Rob

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1139043/Rob_2011_Twitter.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36EPXlWiTx73 Robert Rynders Robert Robert Rynders Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:47:00 -0700 Rachel Held Evans to Speak at Valley Wesley http://valleywesley.posterous.com/rachel-held-evans-to-speak-at-valley-wesley http://valleywesley.posterous.com/rachel-held-evans-to-speak-at-valley-wesley

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Author, blogger, and speaker, Rachel Held Evans, will be speaking at an event hosted by Valley Wesley and The Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology on Saturday January 21. More about Rachel from her website:

I'm a writer, skeptic, and Christ-follower from Dayton, Tennessee—home of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. My first book, a spiritual memoir entitled Evolving in Monkey Town, released with Zondervan in July of 2010. My second book, an experimental memoir (tentatively) titled A Year of Biblical Womanhood will be released by Thomas Nelson in 2012 (at the earliest). I enjoy speaking, blogging, traveling, playing poker, and talking theology over coffee.

Rachel will also preach at Tempe First UMC on Sunday January 22. We are excited to be hosting Rachel and can't wait for this event! Stay tuned to the blog for more info as we draw closer to the event date.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Thu, 05 May 2011 10:27:26 -0700 Photos from the 2011 Wesley Banquet http://valleywesley.posterous.com/photos-from-the-2011-wesley-banquet http://valleywesley.posterous.com/photos-from-the-2011-wesley-banquet

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:00:00 -0700 Wednesday Night Worship Band http://valleywesley.posterous.com/wednesday-night-worship-band http://valleywesley.posterous.com/wednesday-night-worship-band

Our worship band has grown to eight members!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1139043/Rob_2011_Twitter.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36EPXlWiTx73 Robert Rynders Robert Robert Rynders Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:33:36 -0700 Sunrise Service on "A" Mountain http://valleywesley.posterous.com/sunrise-service-on-a-mountain http://valleywesley.posterous.com/sunrise-service-on-a-mountain

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1139043/Rob_2011_Twitter.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36EPXlWiTx73 Robert Rynders Robert Robert Rynders Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:58:58 -0700 Students walk the Labyrinth following our Stations of the Cross experience http://valleywesley.posterous.com/students-walk-the-labyrinth-following-our-sta http://valleywesley.posterous.com/students-walk-the-labyrinth-following-our-sta

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1139043/Rob_2011_Twitter.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36EPXlWiTx73 Robert Rynders Robert Robert Rynders Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:38:21 -0700 Holy Week and Easter at Wesley http://valleywesley.posterous.com/holy-week-and-easter-at-wesley http://valleywesley.posterous.com/holy-week-and-easter-at-wesley
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Join Valley Wesley for the following events during Holy Week and Easter:

The Way of the Cross:  Wednesday April 20, 7 p.m. Join us following Wednesday dinner (it's free and begins at 6 p.m), in Ross Hall, for a powerful journey through final days and hours of Jesus's life. Participants will embark on a silent journey through different prayer rooms focusing on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The journey will end with a walk through a labyrinth and time to reflect on what Holy Week and Easter mean in our lives. Maundy Thursday Worship Service:  Thursday April 21, 7:30 p.m. Rev. Rob Rynders will co-lead, along with clergy from Tempe First UMC, a Taize style worship service in the main Sanctuary. Worshipers will participate in singing, prayer, deep reflection, and communion. Easter Sonrise Worship Service:  Sunday April 24, 5:30 a.m. We will meet in the parking lot of Tempe First UMC at 5:30 a.m. and head to the top of "A Mountain" to worship as the sun rises. Rev. Rob Rynders and Aaron Prillaman will lead worshipers in songs of praise, responsive prayers and litanies, scripture, reflection, and communion. Breakfast will be served at Tempe First UMC following the service. Please wear comfortable clothes and hiking shoes.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:15:39 -0700 Alternative Spring Break: Washington DC http://valleywesley.posterous.com/alternative-spring-break-washington-dc http://valleywesley.posterous.com/alternative-spring-break-washington-dc

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Valley Wesley students pose for a picture after a trip to Wesley Theological Seminary

Alternative Spring Break 2011: WASHINGTON D.C. March 13-18, 2011 Eleven Valley Wesley students and Rev. Rob Rynders spent their spring break in the Nation's Capital attending a seminar on "Human Trafficking," put on by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Valley Wesley joined students and leaders from the Northern Illinois University and Winthrop University Wesley Foundations to learn from various speakers and organizations about the 27 million human beings (mostly women and children) who are currently being coerced into forced labor and/or sexual slavery around the world. Seminar participants also met with legislators, including our own congressman, David Schweikert and a representative from Senator Jon Kyl's office to advocate on behalf of trafficking victims and to encourage our legislators to support legislation that combats human trafficking worldwide. Participants visited the offices of International Justice Mission, a Christian non-profit organization that supports and advocates for trafficking victims and also works with governments around the world to reform and train their law enforcement agencies to combat trafficking in their own countries. To learn more about IJM and to find vast resources on the topic of human trafficking, please visit their website. Overall students had a meaningful and transformative time in Washington through the seminar program, visiting historical sites, monuments, and museums, connecting with other students from around the country, and most importantly by connecting their faith to issues of human rights and justice. This trip would not have been possible with all of those who supported these students with their prayers and financial donations and, for that, all of us at Valley Wesley are very thankful.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Mon, 14 Mar 2011 06:32:24 -0700 Wesley Students Participate in Day One of Seminar on Human Trafficking http://valleywesley.posterous.com/wesley-students-participate-in-day-one-of-sem http://valleywesley.posterous.com/wesley-students-participate-in-day-one-of-sem

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1139043/Rob_2011_Twitter.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36EPXlWiTx73 Robert Rynders Robert Robert Rynders Sun, 13 Mar 2011 04:42:00 -0700 Smiling Faces at 4:30 a.m.! #vwdc11 http://valleywesley.posterous.com/smiling-faces-at-430-am-vwdc11 http://valleywesley.posterous.com/smiling-faces-at-430-am-vwdc11

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1139043/Rob_2011_Twitter.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36EPXlWiTx73 Robert Rynders Robert Robert Rynders Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:54:42 -0800 Panel Discussion on LGBT Issues http://valleywesley.posterous.com/panel-discussion-on-lgbt-issues http://valleywesley.posterous.com/panel-discussion-on-lgbt-issues [podcast format="video"]http://valleywesley.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/LGBT-Panel.m4a[/podcast] On November 17, 2010 Valley Wesley hosted a panel discussion on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,  and Transgendered issues in the church and society. Panelists included Jason Bobo (Reformed University Fellowship), Lisa Pittari (ASU LGBTQA Services), and Shannon Buzzard (Progressive United Methodist).

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:58:00 -0800 Next Step: Demolition! http://valleywesley.posterous.com/next-step-demolition http://valleywesley.posterous.com/next-step-demolition

Asbestos abatement was completed on Wednesday November 10 with the removal of all the roof tiles on the Fireside building. We are currently waiting on a date for the full demolition of the building. We hope to hear soon, so stay tuned!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Mon, 08 Nov 2010 07:44:00 -0800 Asbestos Abatement http://valleywesley.posterous.com/asbestos-abatement http://valleywesley.posterous.com/asbestos-abatement

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On the morning of November 8, 2010, asbestos abatement begun on the Fireside building at Tempe First UMC. This process will take a few days and must be completed before the demolition of the building. We are excited to see some action going on at Fireside and hope to set a groundbreaking date soon!

 

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:13:00 -0700 State Press Article on Wesley Hall http://valleywesley.posterous.com/state-press-article-on-wesley-hall http://valleywesley.posterous.com/state-press-article-on-wesley-hall

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The State Press has released an article about our residence hall project, you can read it here.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:22:00 -0700 PRESS RELEASE: UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO BUILD RESIDENCE HALL FOR ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS http://valleywesley.posterous.com/press-release-united-methodist-church-to-buil http://valleywesley.posterous.com/press-release-united-methodist-church-to-buil

Faith-Based Intentional Living Community to Open in August 2011

 

Construction will begin soon for a "first of its kind" residence hall at Arizona State University. Located at the intersection of S Forest Ave and E University Drive, “Wesley Hall” will be one of the most conveniently located student housing options at the Tempe campus.

 

Upon completion, the facility will be operated by the Wesley Foundation, the campus ministry of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Rob Rynders believes that this project, “is an exciting step for our ministry, which we hope will result in a strong sense of community for ASU students who are seeking a more challenging and fulfilling college living experience. Wesley Hall will provide a safe and open environment where students will be encouraged, not only to engage in conversations about faith, but to explore ways to live it out in their communities and in the world.”

 

The facility is being developed in a partnership between Tempe First United Methodist Church and Newchapter. “We have spent the last two or three years developing this model of student housing and cannot imagine a better campus on which to roll it out”, says Nat Rassi, President of Newchapter. “The facility offers the perfect environment for students who love the atmosphere and energy at ASU, but who want to add spiritualexploration to their Sun Devil experience.”

 

The 89-bed facility, which will have 4 stories above grade plus a garden- level basement, will be open to all ASU students, including freshmen. There will be three Community Assistants and one live-in Community Director, allowing first-year students an exemption from the University's policy requiring residency in ASU housing.

 

Wesley Foundation member and ASU student, Cara Coleman, believes that “this residence hall is an amazing way for students to live out their faith within the ASU community. For students, this is an exciting project to be a part of and something we have been looking for.”


The Wesley Foundation is a ministry serving the students of Arizona State University. Tempe First United Methodist Church serves a diverse congregation and the Tempe community through worship, spiritual formation, and a number of outreach ministries. Newchapter finances, constructs and maintains Student Living Centers for student organizations.

 

If you’d like more information about this project, please visit http:// asuwesleyhall.com or to schedule an interview with Rev. Rob Rynders please contact him at rob@valleywesley.com

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:19:11 -0700 Final Vote to Approve Residence Hall Project on August 22 http://valleywesley.posterous.com/final-vote-to-approve-residence-hall-project http://valleywesley.posterous.com/final-vote-to-approve-residence-hall-project
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The members of Tempe First UMC will see the final project design at a special meeting on Sunday August 22 at 6 p.m. If approved the project will go before the city of Tempe for final approval in September. Construction may begin as soon as October! Stay tuned as we prepare to launch the official website of Wesley Hall on Monday, August 23rd!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:15:44 -0700 Donate Your Profile Picture to Wesley http://valleywesley.posterous.com/donate-your-profile-picture-to-wesley http://valleywesley.posterous.com/donate-your-profile-picture-to-wesley
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We are kicking off another year of United Methodist campus ministry at ASU and this is shaping up to be the most exciting year in the history of the ASU Wesley Foundation. We want to spread the word about Wesley to potential students, alumni, donors, and just about anyone to become a fan of our ministry. So for the next week or so we are asking folks to donate their profile picture spaces on their Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote Wesley. You can also invite your friends to "like" Valley Wesley at http://facebook.com/valleywesley and/or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/valleywesley. To participate, simply download the image above, which is specially formatted for social media profiles, and make it your profile picture on your social media accounts. You can also leave a comment below to brag about your support for a ministry that reaches out to students with Adventurous Spirits, Questioning Minds and Compassionate Hearts!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:15:00 -0700 Mexico Mission Trip http://valleywesley.posterous.com/mexico-mission-trip http://valleywesley.posterous.com/mexico-mission-trip Six Wesley students will be going on a house building mission trip to Rocky Point, Mexico in November. During the course of the trip, they will help to build an entire house for a family in need. Dates: Wednesday, 11/10 in the evening, to Sunday, 11/14. Cost: $100 to help cover transportation, food, housing and building materials. Logistics: The organization that coordinates everything in Mexico is called AMOR. Their website is http://www.amor.org/Page.aspx?pid=413 Registration for this trip has closed, however, we plan to do a similar trip in the near future. If you are interested in attending a future trip, please contact rob@valleywesley.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:35:11 -0700 Labor Day Retreat 2010 http://valleywesley.posterous.com/labor-day-retreat-2010 http://valleywesley.posterous.com/labor-day-retreat-2010 We are kicking off another school year with our annual retreat!!! The Details... when: labor day weekend, september 3-6, 2010 who: all college students (both undergrad and graduate) what: a weekend of fun, spiritual renewal, fellowship … not to mention time at the beach! where: San Diego, California (did I mention the beach?) why: it’s just too good to pass up… the cost: only $25! Not bad, eh? What to Expect… lodging… We’ll be staying on the grounds of Foothills United Methodist Church in the San Diego, California area. Plan to sleep on the floor! worship & discussion… Saturday evening we’ll have a short devotion time, and Sunday morning we’ll join with other campus ministry programs from ASU, UofA, and NAU for shared worship. fellowship and fun… On Saturday, we’ll have the afternoon to enjoy the surf, followed by a beach bbq. We’ll have more free-time on Sunday afternoon, with the option of a service project, more time at the beach, a visit to Sea World, and more. what Wesley expects from you… We want you to come and have a good time. But this isn’t just a cheap road trip to San Diego. We expect that you’ll participate in worship and discussions, abstain from substance use/abuse, and have a good attitude…. mostly, we expect you to have fun. Stuff you’ll need… • clothes (remember how nice and cool San Diego can be!) • a sleeping bag & air mattress (if you want one) • pillow • toiletries (the church does have showers) • towels (for beach & showering) • swim suit and other beach stuff (sorry, no room for surf boards in the church van!) • sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. • camera & other extras, but please try to pack light! • money (in addition to the $25, you’ll need about 3 meals on the road, as well as money for dinner in San Diego on Sunday night. Sunday afternoon options – like Sea World – are also your responsibility. We’ll make sure here’s a free option available… like the beach.) If you’re not going only because of the cost, please see Rob. We expect folks to pay if they can, but we want everyone to come. You can now register online by filling out the form below. You can mail in your payment of $25 or pay at the Tempe First UMC church office or online with "Wepay" (a small transaction fee will be added). Your registration is not complete until you have submitted payment. If you need a scholarship, please e-mail rob@valleywesley.com.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/433388/IMG_1645_wordpress.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5eHvRF2uY1Ud Rob Rynders Rob Rynders Rob Rynders