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National Gathering of College Students, 2004
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December 28, 2004– January 1, 2005
YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado
“be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. -- Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
The world changes - but we are called to do more than simply watch. We are called to actively seek out God’s will, offering ourselves as agents of God’s change in our own lives and in the world. At the Episcopal National Gathering of Students (affectionately known as NatGat), and amidst the beauty of God’s creation, we opened our minds to renewal and ourselves to transformation by celebrating, learning, and sharing, together discerning what is good and acceptable and perfect.
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Transformation and Renewal at Nat Gat 2004
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Whitney Rice
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Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
We knew something crazy was going on when Episcopal college students, notorious both for their need for sleep and their need to be excessively casual about everything, were voluntarily getting up early to come to a traditional morning prayer service. It appeared that many things were indeed being transformed.
Renewal and transformation are the main focus of the verse from Romans that was the theme for the National Gathering of Episcopal College Students. The Gathering took place in Estes Park, Colorado from December 28, 2004 to January 1, 2005. Nearly 250 participants from as far away as Barbados, Canada, Japan, and South Africa joined students from all over the U.S. for a week of worship, workshops, small groups, and fellowship. The Right Reverend Jim Curry, Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut was the one and only bishop who responded to the students’ invitation to attend and the Gathering was delighted by his presence and commitment.
The Reverend Altagracia Perez, rector of Holy Faith Church in Inglewood, California, and well-known economic justice advocate, served as keynote speaker and warned students from the start that she planned to bother them and shake them up. Many students found her talks to be a major highlight of the Gathering as they responded to her challenges to be mindful of everyday things such as the clothes they wear and the food they eat, both in terms of giving thanks for their blessings and taking steps to stop supporting companies that engage in oppressive and unethical practices. She reminded students that both as Episcopalians and as young people, they have the responsibility and the gift of sharing the Gospel through faith and action.
Mr Sabelo Mashwama joined the gathering from South Africa as a representative of the International Anglican Youth Network. He offered an address and a workshop on his work with the Anglican Student Federation in the Province of Southern Africa. Many participants were affected by his deep spiritual presence among us. He also entertained the gathering to no end with his jokes when he served as Master of Ceremonies at Open Mic Night.
Along with the Open Mic Coffee House, which featured a Jesus rap, Canada jokes, and many other creative offerings, there were a variety of exciting activities at NatGat. The students had the opportunity to participate in writing and producing the NatGat newspaper called “Altitude 8010,” which included information about the day’s events as well as such highlights as great “pick-up lines” from scripture, which drew heavily on the Song of Solomon. Following the success of Open Mic Night, Karaoke Night took NatGat by storm, particularly the rendition of “Old Time Rock and Roll” performed by upwards of fifteen college chaplains. It became clear that the chaplains’ spiritual gifts did not necessarily extend to vocal music and dance, or winter sports for that matter, as became clear on the recreation day of skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating.
One chaplain, the Rev’d David Krause and Julie, his wife, renewed their marriage vows before the Gathering on their 24th anniversary.
The week culminated in a Rite I Eucharist celebrating the Eve of the Feast of the Holy Name, a banquet, a New Year’s party with balloons, confetti, and dancing, and aWatch Night service to welcome the New Year with Taizé chanting and prayer. In the end NatGat truly proved to be a transforming experience. Everything seemed to be bursting with new life and energy and unexpected twists and turns—from breaking two microwaves in a futile attempt to make popcorn to actually observing many Episcopalians relaxing enough to sing karaoke and to have an event without one single wine and cheese party. It is also a well-known fact that at every single Episcopal youth or young adult event, there will be a random guy with a guitar that shows up and leads informal singing. In true form, NatGat took everything to the next level by having a random guy with a banjo, who turned out to be a very talented student named Robert Young.
In addition to all of the good times, the students at NatGat showed that they are not the future but the present church. Their faith gave them courage to truly answer the call to seek and serve Christ in all persons. The Reverend Robyn Franklin-Vaughn, in her sermon to the Gathering, stated that our generation is fulfilling the prophecy of Simeon: “Thus saith the Lord…this generation is destined for the falling and rising of many, and you will be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.” We sought to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and left our Gathering ready to take that transformative power of the Gospel out into the world. We found the joy of being young people and Episcopalians committed to loving and transforming ourselves and each other, and now we go forth rejoicing in the power of the Spirit to share that love with the world.
--Whitney Rice
1 January 2005
(Whitney was a member of the Episcopal Student Leadership Team (ESLT) that spent two years planning NatGat. She is a student at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.)
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