University of Indianapolis

University of IndianapolisEducation for Service and Christian Community at McCleary Chapel Ministries

201213The University of Indianapolis Welcomes Our New President!Rob Manuel, Ninth President of our University, was inaugurated on March 21, 2013.

Bishop Michael Coyner preached at the Inauguration Day Worship Service at University Heights UMC that morning.

The Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs at UIndyThe mission of the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs is to create and implement opportunities for intellectual, spiritual, and religious formation of UIndy students.

The two chaplains serve the University of Indianapolis in both curricular and co-curricular capacities by casting a vision and empowering students to lead and participate in a variety of religious events and programs.

Through the multifaceted work of the McCleary Chapel Ministries and the Lantz Center for Christian Vocation, religious life at UIndy is vibrant and an important dimension of our campus environment. The University of Indianapolis Chaplains are Rev. L. Lang Brownlee (lbrownlee@uindy.edu) and Rev. Jeremiah W. Gibbs (gibbsj@uindy.edu).The Lantz CenterOur Lantz Center for Christian Vocations and Formation provide our students a place and a space for vocational exploration, growth in the understanding and practices that lead to a deepening spirituality, and chances to serve others in Christs name.In the context of a community of fellow Christians, and mentored by our two University chaplains, students are invited to envision and respond to way God is leading them into their future.Find more on our CVOC programming: http://vocations.uindy.edu/courses.php

Threshold Christian RetreatWith direct and immediate attention to Christian formation and community building, Threshold is a weekend retreat experience that happens in August before the start of the first semester.

It is designed to help incoming UIndy students know the ways that they can grow in their Christian faith and get connected to a Christian community on our campus.

Appalachia Service ProjectIn January, eight UIndy students and two leaders traveled to Guyan Valley, West Virginia, for a week of service in making homes warmer, safer, and drier for families in need.Two UIndy teams worked to insulate and add siding to a home and do interior floor work for two families.As a service-learning experience, the group shared each evening about what service means for us as persons of faith, and for our world.

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Faculty-Staff Christian Mentoring ProgramThis spiritual mentoring program is intended to provide spiritual mentors who are trained to enable deepening relationships for Christian Vocations students while they are at UIndy. Walking with students through the challenges and the joys of life, our faculty-staff mentors share the journey during the academic year.

Lantz Center CommissioningStudents who complete a two-year spiritual formation curriculum have the opportunity to be commissioned for Christian service by the Lantz Center. Commissioned students read their commitment statements, are anointed with oil, and receive the Lantz Center medallion. Their feet are washed by the chaplains as an example.

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Pastoral Care and CounselingThe two UIndy University Chaplains spend time with students, faculty, and staff in pastoral settings, both formal and informal, helping with matters involving the spiritual, emotional, and other needs of the persons who are involved.For a second year, we were joined by McCleary Chapel Fellow Mr. Tayon Swafford, whose role has been to help us strengthen our outreach to African-American Christian students at UIndy.

Worship OpportunitiesOur worship life is rich and varied: Taiz, Praise &Worship, Chapel Prayer Break, Community Communion Service, and special services.Throughout the academic year, our various worship opportunities are intended to facilitate a growing and transformative relationship with God in the context of the supportive community of fellow Christians.

UMYL Scholars ProgrammingSpecial gatherings, Christian Vocation courses, and service opportunities are part of our UMYL Scholars programming.This programming aims to give these United Methodist scholarship recipients relationships with their fellow UMC students, develop patterns of spiritual discipline that upholds them in their lives while at UIndy, and help them to serve others and have fellowship with one another while deepening their UMC identity.These UMYL Scholars are encouraged to step up and develop their leadership skills to be stronger local church leaders throughout their lives.

29Chapel Steward MentoringThis mentoring includes supervision, support, and book study with key student leaders assigned to help create and sustain ministry programming.The Chaplains work with students who have exhibited leadership potential and Christian commitment, in order to enable them to become more competent and confident as leaders, to gain skills in interpersonal relationships, and to gain proficiency in envisioning and implementing holistic Christian programming for our campus.

The Christian Peer MentoringPrograms for Men and WomenDeveloping strong connections among fellow Christians is the core purpose of these programs, called The Peak (for men) and Salt n Light (for women).This program enables Christian student leaders to engage in ways to strengthen Christian discipleship, which included formative, service, worship, and fellowship opportunities on campus as they mentored first-year students throughout the academic year.The bonds established help students both in faith and in the other concerns of their university years.

Service Pilgrimage to Taiama, Sierra LeoneIn May of 2012, twelve UIndy students and three adults made the trip to experience a week of service at the United Methodist-related secondary school in the village of Taiama, in Sierra Leone. Working with Operation Classroom, the group helped to rehabilitate the girls dormitory at the school. The UIndy team stayed at Njala University and had the opportunity to get to know students, staff, and others at that site, as well as in Taiama, Freetown, and Bo.

Our motto: Education for ServiceDo you have students who are interested in exploring the University of Indianapolis as their university?Our Office of Admissions is happy to help answer your questions or arrange for a visit to our campus.Contact the Admissions Office as your students approach the important decisions regarding their college/university choice. If you have any questions or comments about the university, or to let us know about prospective students, call 317-788-3216 or 1-800-232-8634, or email admissions@uindy.edu. You can access an online application for admission to the University of Indianapolis at http://www.uindy.edu.

A Good Partnership! We are grateful for our longtime connection to, and involvement with, the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.Your church-related university in Indianapolis is an active and vital partner in preparing young people for service in the churches and communities of Indiana and the world. Check out UM Connections at UIndy on Facebook!

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