September brings about quite a few emotions in us; some are excited for football, back to school, or the possibilities of a new beginning.  If you’re like me you are ecstatic because fall means cooler temperatures, new T.V episodes, and football.  For others, it brings about a bit of gloom, because temperatures drop, days get shorter, and they are forced to give up the carefree nature of summer for a more demanding schedule.  However these emotions are secondary to the new college student. September of their freshman year signifies an end to everything comfortable and familiar, an end to life as they know it. They are forced to make new relationships in a new environment with new expectations, all of which can leave them feeling alone, scared and frustrated.  As the college student progresses on they often make new relationships, they learn to rise to the new expectations, and they learn to adjust to their new surroundings, but even thought they adjust its still not quite the same as it was before.   If I were to sum up my college years into one statement it would be this, “never have I been surround by so many people yet felt so alone.”  I have come to realize that the reason for this was because I was missing the close connections I had created with my fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ at my church.  I became great at shallow relationships but was missing the connection with fellow believers.  Because I had two places to call home, both college and my parent’s house, I felt I couldn’t fully connect to a church body.  Luckily there were people from my congregation who would send me letters and cards and little care packages to let me know I was still cared for and a part of their family.  Those little gifts meant the world to me. 

                I say all this to inform you of a new program we are starting at St. Andrew.  We have more college age students, & recent college graduates than at any other time in my tenure hear at St. Andrew.  Up to this point I feel I have failed to help them stay connected to St. Andrew. This is why beginning this fall we will be starting a program called “College Connections.”  The program is designed to connect an adult or family from St. Andrew with a college age student or recent college graduate, with the intent to let them know they are loved, cared for, and still a valued part of this congregation.  If you would like to make an impact in the lives of a college age student please email me at deering.adam@gmail.com.  Also, If you know of a college age student or recent college graduate who has ties to St. Andrew please let me know.  I have a list of people but I could use help making sure we get to as many people as possible.