Personal Essay: Finding a space for my faith

by KATIE CRADDOCK

Staff Writer

At twilight, the UMW amphitheater gleamed under candlelight as over 150 voices were raised in song. On Oct. 17, the combined dream of all the Christian clubs to unite across campus came alive at UMW’s first Worship Night.

As a freshman in Fall 2022, I found it difficult to find a Christian community. Without a car, I couldn’t drive myself to church and with Christian clubs mostly dormant at the time, it was hard to find a community on campus. 

I grew up the daughter of one pastor and the granddaughter of another. With this upbringing, I’ve always been surrounded by a Christian community; not just through church, but also by participating in events multiple times a week, serving as a camp counselor for various Christian programs throughout the summers and seeking the guidance of family members. 

Arriving at UMW caused an unexpected shock. Being away from my family and not having a physical presence in church on Sundays—which, as many have experienced through virtual learning during Covid, is not the same as being in person—and unsuccessfully seeking out community during my first year was very discouraging. 

When I started sharing my faith more openly at the beginning of sophomore year, offering rides to church now that I had a car, I found someone else who wanted community like me. And then another person. And another. It turned out there were a lot of people on campus who were missing their home faith communities and were looking for one at UMW.

During my time at UMW, now as a senior, I’ve seen the growth of the Christian community through the revival of UMW’s on-campus clubs. Attending the Worship Night, I was ecstatic to see how many people came. Rather than strangers, these were familiar faces. Surrounded by friends who shared my faith, I realized how much my community has grown since freshman year.

Encounter, the Worship Night held on Oct. 17, was a collaborative event with on-campus Christian clubs like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Catholic Eagles or Catholic Campus Ministry, Cru, Chi Alpha and off-campus communities for UMW students like the Center and Spotswood College. 

Between sets of songs, each community showcased its individual styles of service. Three testimonies were shared, one from the Catholic Campus Ministry, the Center and Spotswood College, each one offering a glimpse into how faith shapes their life. Although everyone was joined together for one reason—faith—the individuality of each community prevailed through their contributions to the night. 

Tyler Cooper, college campus pastor of Spotswood College, closed out the night in prayer and with an encouraging word. Around the back of the amphitheater, candles were lit, each marking where a pair of leaders from the other Christian communities stood for those wanting prayer. I volunteered to be part of the prayer team and a handful of people came up to me and my partner as we stood next to flickering candles. In this moment, after worshiping, I was reminded once again that faith isn’t something we practice alone.

Throughout my time at UMW, I’ve seen these communities grow both through my own involvement and through the involvement of my friends. Friday night, I saw the culmination of the hard work and effort these communities have put into growing and connecting with UMW students. As I’ve become a part of these communities, I’ve seen how they have helped me grow closer to my friends and make new ones. I’ve found a support system at UMW that has carried me through hardship. Freshman year was the most difficult year for me because I lacked that support. While I’ve gone through harder trials since, they haven’t seemed as challenging because of the encouragement of those around me. 

Encounter was especially powerful because it reminded me of the strength of connection. Reminding me and those around me that our support system is bigger than we thought if we step out in faith. 

As the candles flickered silently in the night air while echoes of the last song still rang, I smiled as I realized exactly how much the Christian community at UMW has grown. 

From watching online church alone in Willard Hall to singing in community with other UMW students, I’m so glad to be part of a community where Worship Nights on campus are not only a dream, but also a reality. So next year, rather than sit alone in freshman dorms, new students can join the chorus.