Further Up and Further In

University Christian Outreach Alumni Association

He Who Would Valiant Be

Volume 2, Issue 2

Ann Arbor came to an official end in mid-July and many traveled to the first Ecumenical Youth Congress (more on that later). Following that an Ann Arbor contingent of around fifteen traveled to Toronto for the week of World Youth Day.
Perhaps one of the biggest changes for UCO is that Nico Angleys has moved to London to lead Koinonia, a sister outreach of UCO.  Nico has been on staff with UCO for the past six years, the last five as chapter director.  His faithful service and zeal for the Lord have blessed us abundantly.  Brian Lalonde and I will be co-leading the UCO chapter here.  Our four feet should be able to step into Nico's very capable leading of the chapter.  As I write this the big fall push is revving up.  We wait on the Lord expectantly as our chapter continues on - further up and further in!
-Brian Laba  UCO Co-Chapter Director

I'm finishing some summer reading and can't help comparing life in the past couple months to the journey of Christian in The Pilgrim's Progress. Life has been very busy with one thing after the other lately. While we haven't dealt with any giants we have certainly been through many trials and experienced much joy as we strive towards our eternal goal.
The winter term was capped off with a celebrative finale which went into the wee hours. As finals ended the spring academy was upon us; a week of ecumenical teachings, prayer, and service projects led by Tom Bergler. After this, some students traveled home for summer jobs and several of Ann Arbor's finest were able to participate in Detroit Summer Outreach and the Summer Internship Program.  Many UCOers also remained in Ann Arbor and participated in summer activities; including prayer, a course at the Birk's, and rich BBQ fellowship. The summer activities in

Summer 2002

As Iron Sharpens Iron ...

to play soccer, had several barbeques for our new soccer acquaintances, participated in a Christian Service course, and applied our love of neighbor in weekly service projects. Somehow we also found time to publish the first edition of the Highlander newsletter for the residents of our dwelling and hosted a barbeque for these same residents.  Perhaps the greatest weekly occurrence was our household Lord's Days, during which we reflected upon all of the blessings that the Lord had provided for us throughout the week. In addition, we also came to appreciate Polish cuisine and found exciting ways to show our grateful brothers how far our hygiene had progressed.
God has shown us how to live fruitfully as brothers, and we are indebted to Him for the opportunity to share the life described to you. By our continuing commitment to live as brothers in Christ, we hope to bring our example to others and to never forget that we find our true unity in Him alone. 
-David Eldersveld                 David, a U of M history major going into his third year, strengthens all in UCO with his encouragement and example of faith.

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity." In many ways, the Ann Arbor Men's Household was able to adopt the words of this Psalm as a theme for the summer. Through our activities, meditations, and interactions, God truly blessed us with a spirit of unity and strengthened us with its effects. He prepared our hearts to be touched by a unique sense of community, which is something that we will all appreciate for a long time to come.
Eleven young men called a group of three apartments at the luxurious Highlands complex their home for nine weeks of Summer Household. During this period, we took part in a variety of ordeals through which the Lord fortified us and of which I am now obligated to tell you.  Every day (save Sundays), the brothers awoke and participated in morning prayers, where someone shared a scripture passage for meditation. Through the reflections upon these passages, which set the tone for the day, we grew in both understanding and love of how God has called His people to Him. Once a week, we took part in a scripture study of Nehemiah and learned of how our souls can relate to Nehemiah's chronicle. Afterward, we had sharing time with another brother, where we narrated the ways in which God has worked in our lives.  We also gathered

• Christian began to sink and cried out … said Hopeful, "Be of good cheer, my brother, I feel the bottom and it is good."
  
• -Crossing the river before the Celestial City in The Pilgrim's Progress