Further Up and Further In

University Christian Outreach Alumni Association

Volume 2, Issue 1

Never a Dull Moment

Winter 2002

Growing up I often wondered why my life wasn't as exciting as the fantasy and science fiction novels I often read. I thought I was born in the wrong time; no one really went jousting anymore, and due to the fact that light speed travel hadn't been invented strange new worlds were in seriously short supply.

Luckily for me, life in Ann Arbor is often stranger then fiction.  It truly has been a blessed and exciting year so far, and there is much still to come. Hopefully this newsletter can give you a glimpse of what's going on as UCO seeks to follow the Lord, going further up and further in.
-Brian Laba

God's People, a Communion of Saints

An over-capacity crowd of 179 people from six UCO Chapters gathered January 4th for the annual UCO Winter Retreat at Pine Hills Camp, Brighton, Michigan. The theme was "God's People - A Communion of Saints."
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin…," began U of M chapter director Nico Angleys, choosing a fitting text from Hebrews 12 to set the tone for the two-day event. "This is a theme we've wanted to do for a long time," said Nico of the retreat focus and format which included four prayer times and an ecumenical prayer service.
"The highlight was the prayer times," said Theresa Bede a sophomore from EMU, "They were incredible!" After Friday evening praise & worship led by Stan Mathay and an eight-member worship team, Sue Cummins spoke on living in Christian community. Next was entertainment, followed by an ecumenical prayer service. Five members from UCO Chapters nationwide explained their beliefs, representing the Reformed, Baptist, Lutheran, Greek Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions, to preface a Prayer for Unity and a group chorus of "Father, Make Us One." Robust retreatants then resisted a redoubtable urge to rest, many rapping through sunrise only to arrive ragged at the 8 a.m. repast in the cafeteria.
Corporate Morning prayer launched a Saturday morning multimedia presentation by Tom Bergeler on discipleship called "Living a Cross-shaped Life." The fruit? "The Lord

called me to dedicate myself to service during the meditation time," said WCC junior Adam Oberhausen.  Afternoon talks focused on Christian community mission from different state-in-life viewpoints. Sherry Snyder, a missionary nurse living single for the Lord, and married UCO alumnus Melody Wilson of Detroit community Outreach shared how their University-age conversion led to full-time community mission work for God. WCC freshman Luc-Philippe Tshiboyi said this community-living sounded interesting, "but I want to see it with my own eyes."  Later Luc said, "Watching people pray together…I got what I wanted!"
What began as a candle-light procession of a nicely-attired host of students quickly turned into a powerful worship time precipitating many testimonies of God's work experienced on retreat. Surrounded with banners of saints both ancient and modern in the newly decorated meeting hall, final speaker Dr. Dan Keating explained the relationship between earthly and heavenly saints in a talk entitled "The Kingdom of God: Already and Not-Yet." Finally, the retreat ended amidst praise and hora dancing. EMU junior Steve Distelzweig summarized his experience saying, "I gained a sense of freedom…school and work are things I live with, not what I live for."     
-David Wittgens
A former UCO staff worker, Dave is back in Ann Arbor this year and has helped out on many fronts. It has been a great support having Dave's willing and very able personage around.

• "All that is gold does not glitter,  Not all those who wander are lost;
  
• The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost!"
  
• -The Lord of the Rings Book One