Dear Friends in Christ,
This past year, while difficult for many obvious reasons, was actually one of the best for St. A’s. We had a wonderful, consistent group that came to care deeply for each other as siblings in Christ. Our Bible study delved deeply into the Gospel according to Mark, the prophet Jonah, Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and other texts. We examined the history of racism in the church and the world, and sought to repent of the sin of racism and amend our lives. And in this pandemic year, we all stayed safe, learning to use technology to facilitate our weekly gatherings and our winter and spring retreats as we moved from in-person to online. We had a good year at St. A’s.
I always ask our graduates to write a brief reflection to share their experience of being a member of St. A’s. This year our worship leader, Glenna, graduated from her master’s program and wrote a wonderful reflection on her time as a member this community. She said:
“At St. A’s, I feel welcomed, unjudged, and that I am a priority… I can read, understand, and believe in the Word of God. At last, I feel my spiritual hunger is satiated, my thirst is quenched. My soul is nourished, and now can grow.”
At St. A’s we seek to ground students in Scripture, in community, and in God’s love and then send them out to follow Jesus and be leaders in the church no matter if they go on to be a carpenter, a teacher, an academic, or, like Glenna, a chemist. We work to make these disciples into apostles, sent to do God’s work in the world.
To do this, we need your support. Here’s how:
– First and foremost, pray for us. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of UK and pray for me, their Campus Minister.
– Second, you can tell someone about us! St. A’s is open to all students, faculty, and staff at UK and we want to support them. So tell the students you know, tell your friend who teaches in the History department, and let that cousin who works in the Financial Aid Office know that there is a place on campus where they belong.
– Lastly, please consider a financial donation to St. A’s. Small donations ensure there are snacks, meals, and office supplies for the students. Large donations allow us to keep this vital resource open and looking beautiful for generations to come.
To donate online, please visit https://onrealm.org/diolex/-/give/now4(44.4%) (or click the button below), add your amount and select “St. Augustine’s Chapel” from Fund menu. Then choose a one-time or a recurring gift. When you’ve filled out the entire form, click continue to enter your card information and complete your gift.
If you prefer to write a check, make it payable to “St. Augustine’s Chapel” and mail it to St. Augustine’s Chapel, 472 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40508.
Thank you for your loving support of our community and your prayers, especially during this last year. Without you, none of the amazing work we do at UK and beyond would be possible. I am honored to be the Campus Minister at UK, and I look forward to the future of St. A’s with hope and anticipation.
Grace and Peace,
Rob Coulston
Campus Minister
St. Augustine's Chapel 