University of Alberta Chaplaincy

Hello from the University of Alberta! The chaplaincy offers a variety of events throughout the academic year. Every Tuesday and Wednesday we sponsor a Soup and the Word Bible study over lunch. The study encourages lively discussion on how the truths of 2,000+ years ago are still relevant today.

Each semester we sponsor a few dinners at the local inner city soup kitchen. The students are always eager to volunteer at these meals. We arrive around three in the afternoon to begin preparing a hot dinner for 300-400 hungry, and often homeless, men, women and children.We all agree that the best part of this activity is sitting
down to share the meal with those who have so much less materially than we do. Each of us walks away from these suppers feeling blessed and grateful in so many ways for
this experience.

Being a young adult is very difficult in our modern society. Students today struggle financially to pay for their education, often working nights and weekends to support themselves and their studies. Campus Ministry provides a life preserver in the middle of the raging academic ocean.

The majority of my time is spent in spiritual counselling. On average I spend 10-12 hours per week during the academic year with individual students seeking counseling for a wide range of issues while exploring a deeper connection with Christ. Issues include sexual orientation, peer pressure to engage in sexual activity that is contrary to their spiritual beliefs and personal integrity, depression, ethical dilemmas concerning career changes, problems with alcohol or drugs, unplanned pregnancies, rape, thoughts of suicide and despair, and terminal illness of parents or loved ones. In addition, I counsel married students, especially grad students who are often struggling to balance their personal lives with the demands of acquiring a Masters Degree or PhD. My emergency pager service provides after hour and holiday emergency coverage.

This ministry is not without its challenges. Being a young adult is very difficult in our modern society. Students today struggle financially to pay for their education, often working nights and weekends to support themselves and their studies. This often leaves very little time for other activities. Prayer, church and Bible studies often get moved to a lower priority - not always out of choice, but often out of necessity. I believe Campus Ministry provides a life preserver in the middle of the raging academic ocean.

In a time of dwindling funds and increased costs and demands I feel very blessed by the continued support of the Edmonton Lakeland Presbytery, my local congregations and our National Church. Without their continued spiritual and financial support, this ministry could not continue. Please remember Campus Ministry in your prayers.

May God bless each of you!

— Oceanna Hall, Chaplain