A Message from Reverend Efrain Avila, Jr., EdD, LCPC
Pastor of Campus Ministries and Director of the NIU Wesley Foundation

March 28, 2008

It has been over a month since the NIU Valentines’ Day Tragedy. After a week off from campus students returned for one week before leaving again for Spring Break. Our Spring Break was followed by Holy Week/Easter. It has been four weeks of breaks and time on/away from campus. This past week was the first week that was not followed by time away from NIU.

It seems that most students are wanting to move forward from the events of 14 February 2008. There is a sense of hoping to finish this semester quickly. One of our students was close friends with one of the victims. Yet, she says that she does not like to talk about her or the Tragedy, as it is beyond comprehension.

The NIU Wesley Foundation has been present, along with other NIU campus ministries, to provide support and care for the entire college community. The Association of Campus Religious Organizations, of which NIU Wesley is a member, will continue sponsoring the Peace Room at NIU. Set apart as a place for quite reflection and prayer, the Peace Room will hopefully remind folks that seeking God’s presence in one’s daily life will bring about true peace in our trouble world.

NIU Wesley continues its programming schedule of Tuesday Bible study, worship and fellowship. We have also decided that we want to move forward in offering ourselves in service. This 19 – 26 May 2008 a group of us will travel to Puerto Rico to assist in a renovation service project at the Iglesia Metodista “Obispo Corson” in Ponce, where its pastor, Rev. Juan Feliciano, PhD, a former minister in our NIC, currently serves. We are currently continuing raising funds toward this project. As a group we feel that through our service we will heal our own wounds and the wounds of others while making a new thing for God’s greater glory.

The Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation, as well as the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, have sent us banners expressing their support. Photographs of these will appear on our website soon for you to see.

Thank you for all you have been to us throughout these last four weeks.

Caminemos con Jesus,

Pastor Efrain

Worship Opportunities

Traditional Worship Service
Sanctuary
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

CrossRoads
Education Wing
Sundays at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Sunday School that strengthens our children
in their faith journey with Jesus Christ.

SHINE!
Fellowship Hall
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
The Contemporary Worship Community
of First United Methodist Church

Boardman Chapel
Holy Communion
Thursdays at 8:45 a.m.

Celebrate!
Sanctuary
Sundays at 6:00 p.m.
The Student Contemporary Worship Service
of the NIU Wesley Foundation

For more information
about Methodist missions,
history or beliefs, visit the
United Methodist Church website.