FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
COVID-RELATED ACTIVITIES, FALL 2020
- Care packages delivered on Post to Rats we met at Rat Sunday and Third Year Cadets who worshipped with us in 2019-2020
- Special informational handouts to Rats and W&L freshmen on ways to access our online church services and the LPC website
- Messages, electronic birthday cards, and electronic seasonal and encouragement greeting cards sent to LPC college students periodically during the semester
- Weekly emails and updates from Campus Ministry to VMI Rats
- Plans to distribute care packages to students, Rats, and cadets who attend in-person services (when they resume)
OUR MISSION
The Campus Ministry Subcommittee serves both our own LPC students away at college and university and the VMI Rats, Cadets, and W&L students who attend our services. We offer activities throughout the year that not only welcome students to our church but also encourage their involvement in the life of Lexington Presbyterian. We also strive to maintain close contact with our LPC young people as they move away from home to pursue their educational goals.
The most important work of our subcommittee occurs in the winter and spring of each academic year, when we consider applications and award substantial grants to our own LPC college students. In 2020 alone, our subcommittee awarded over $11,000 in grants to 15 recipients from the LPC Endowment for the Educational Grants Assistance Fund. This fund, begun with generous contributions and bequests over the years since 1986, has provided much-needed assistance to our young members and to those who attend our church who begin or continue their undergraduate and graduate education or certification or recertification classes.
TYPICAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT A NORMAL YEAR
- Presence at VMI Matriculation and Rat Sunday
- Rat Sunday Breakfast for Rats who are interested in attending worship
- Station with handouts and information at church gate during W&L Orientation “Walk Downtown”
- Weekly email updates to Rats and W&L students on Lex Pres worship and events
- Placement of Rats in Host Families whenever possible
- Coffee Fellowships before 11:00 AM Worship
- Christmas/Exam Period packaged treats for VMI Rats, Cadets, and W&L Students
- Periodic electronic encouragement and holiday greeting cards to LPC students
- Subway gift cards at Christmas for our own LPC college students
- Occasional Sunday lunches for VMI Rats, Cadets, and W&L students
- January Brunch for LPC students returning to college
- Gifts to Rats to celebrate their “break out” from the Rat Line
- Grants from the Educational Grants Assistance Fund (Scholarship Fund)
- Reception for scholarship recipients
HOW OUR CONGREGATION CAN HELP
- Volunteer to be a Host Family for a VMI Rat
- Seek out and enthusiastically greet all students, cadets, and Rats who attend LPC worship services and activities
- Help us maintain at least monthly contacts by letter or email with LPC students in college
- Consider contributions or bequests to maintain and increase the LPC Educational Grants Assistance Fund
