Linking up with the CU and local church

Today my daughter received in the post a great little book from UCCF (The Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship) called ‘Uncover – Starting Uni edition’.  It’s a copy of Luke’s Gospel, but with extra notes that would be useful for new students.  She had signed up online at http://www.uccf.org.uk/starting-uni/.  Through this site new students can be linked up with a Christian Union at their university.  You can also find links to the relevant CU facebook page – well worth a look for information on events they’re putting on in Freshers’ Week.

Some CUs operate a ‘buddy’ scheme, whereby a current student will be assigned to the Fresher and can meet up with them and generally be a friendly face in the first few days and weeks.  The CU facebook page or website will probably be the best way of finding out about this.

I would suggest that it’s definitely worth your son/daughter finding out now what CU events are happening in Freshers’ Week.  They will also be receiving information from their course around now and from the Student Union, so they can start planning what events they can attend when in Freshers’ Week. 

Similarly, it’s a good idea to start a bit of research now on churches in the area.  The UCCF website has a helpful little film on finding a church.  Another useful site is Fusion http://www.fusion.uk.com/churches/find-a-church.  This site has a really helpful search tool, which lists local churches and gives a bit of information about each one.  The university CU may well organise a ‘Church crawl’ or ‘Church search’ in the first few weeks to help new students find a church that suits them. 

As a parent you can help with the research, suggest the websites etc, but in the end your son/daughter will need to have the motivation themselves to actually go along to a CU Freshers’ Event/Church event once they get to university.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."                    Deut 31:8