CU @ Chester Uni

Link-Up Update 4
In this Issue: Farewell to the Field Words from Warrington Man Up! Women in the Kitchen End of Year Celebration Freshers Fortnight 2011 Presidents Word

Over the summer months our university field (which you can see above) is being dug up to make room for accommodation, tennis courts and various other things. Therefore to celebrate something which is something we held Farewell to the Field which as the name suggests was a time to celebrate and enjoy the field before it is gone. At the field we did face painting; we gave out free squash and sweets, we played games. Also we took over the Student Union Bar and we had a number of people come and perform from the university. We were blessed on this day to have students come from other universities including Liverpool Hope, Liverpool John Moores and, Manchester Met, which we take this opportunity to say thank you! God really blessed this event and he really had his hands upon it to which we are really thankful for. This was an event that was accessible to non-Christians and is another reminder of how great our God is!

Over the past year God has not forgotten the Warrington Campus. . One of things we are most grateful for is that he has placed two Christians on this campus (Sarah-Louise and myself Elspeth). If nothing else it is a great support for both of us. He has also placed on our hearts an urgency for something to be done here. Before Christmas we handed out Candy canes to everyone living in halls with cards saying 'God loves you'. Valentines day meant everyone living on campus received a red rose and 'The Father's Love letter'. 'The Father's Love Letter' caused a reaction around campus (especially on Facebook). It became very clear that people liked receiving the gifts but not scripture. However, we were very encouraged to see others defend our actions.

We had a Mini Mission Week in March, which the two of us led (with help from Chester campus). Text-atoastie was very well received; with 270 made in 2 hours! We had a cuppa night for people returning from town. Not many used this but for those who did, they really enjoyed and appreciated it. Mission week ended with a 'Chill Night'. Three people came to this (Two were writing an article for a paper about what was happening). The evening went well, although it would have been fantastic to see more attend. We have really used the past year to find out what would work in Warrington (known to the students as Wazza). We have a lot of very exciting plans for our campus. Currently we are getting a logo made, so we're easily recognisable.

We would really value prays for next year that: We will be able to organise all our plans needed in time for Freshers week We receive the financial support we need to make the ideas become reality. There will be Christian Freshers who are interested in helping and getting a CU set up. AND most importantly, that we rely completely on God and let Him use us for his glory!

Over the past couple of months it has become more noticeable that there is a lack of Mens Ministry within our CU. We wanted something that was focussed on the Bible, and a place where as Men we can discuss challenges we may face, encourage one another and to build fellowship between us, hence Man Up! We started off with a meal so that people could talk with one another and hopefully build fellowship. Like the girls we too looked at 1 Peter 3:1-7, we then tried to understand the text, address any challenges and examine our roles as men in society. The event was a real success, and will be something that we carry on next year. Next year we will continue to run these sessions and hopefully go on a back-tobasics style camping trip. This is the start of something big watch this space!

Woman in the Kitchen was an event that was aimed at being a Bible study that uses passages from the Bible to spark discussions about issues that us, as woman are facing in our lives. We were then to use those passages and help guide woman to live Jesus-like lives. In this specific Bible study we looked at 1 Peter 3:1-7 , discussing how a woman looks like in the context of relationships with men, according to the Bible. I found it really interesting, seeing the girls split up into small groups with people they didn't necessarily know and share experiences, advice and questions. I felt I learnt, and was challenged in several different areas, whilst having a really good time getting to know more people and having a bit of a giggle. I believe this kind of Bible study could not only help bring up mature women of God but help create unity and a support network within the woman in the Christian Union. I was really excited by it, and from some of the feedback it seems others were too. Youve got to love the CU ladies!

On Tuesday 31 April we had our last CU meeting of this academic year. This was a time to celebrate the fantastic things that God has done this year and a chance to send off our third year off in style! Molloy was transformed from a lecture hall into an Oscar style auditorium. Outside there was a red-carpet, where you were welcomed in and would then have a photo taken of you. You would then enter in and take a seat before the meeting took place. Matt Waldock and Thom Yates from UCCF came and presented all our third years with an envelope. Inside were words of encouragement from other members within the CU.

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Owen Edwards came and delivered a message to us all, and the meeting went really well. HOWEVER, that was not all. Following our meeting we then headed off to Fiesta Havanas on Watergate Street. A fantastic time was had by all enjoying the buffet that had been put on, having a boogy on the dancefloor and enjoying one anothers company. The evening was a fantastic tribute to our CU and what a year we have had. Please remember the third years in your prayers as they look for jobs, places to live and come to terms with no longer being a student,

May we also take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to our Chaplaincy at the University Ian Arch, who after 7 years is moving on. Above is a painting that was awarded to him at the celebration as a thank you for his hard work and support over his time here. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

In late September Chester will have a mass influx of new students ready to begin there University life. This is a massive time for us as a CU because we have such a great opportunity to reach out to so many new people. As a result this is something that we take very seriously and have put extensive planning into. We have already filmed a video which will be a guide to Freshers about the CU, the things we do, and what people think of it. Once this is finished you will be able to find it at www.chestersu.com and search for the Christian Union under clubs and societies, or alternatively find it on our Facebook page - Chester University Christian Union. So you may be thinking what have we got planned well here you go: Feed-a-Fresher, Walk the Walls, BBQ, Football Tournament, Guys & Girls Social, Night at Havanas, Late Night Worship, Church Breakfast, CU Main Meetings, Sweet shower at Warrington AND Helping the Freshers Move in! As you can see this will be an action packed two weeks! Please remember Freshers in your prayers and they await their results. Also that the events can run smoothly and we can make it a fantastic two weeks!

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 We hope this newsletter has showed you a glimpse of Gods faithfulness to our CU in the last academic year. By the grace of God since we came in as a committee we have been able to see Gods kingdom come on our campus. One of the things which were evident in last months of term is that the CU is growing from a community to a unified body, active in mission. Thats the reason I think we have been successful with our events because the bible says when two or three agree on a common purpose nothing is impossible. Most of our events have been accessible to non-Christians and we believe God of the harvest has used it to plant some seeds. Also for the first time ever, CUs from Liverpool Hope, Liverpool JMU, Manchester Met and others came to help us in some of our events. We believe this relationships and association have the potential of creating a dynamic Force, which can impact the lives of many students so we are asking you add this to your prayers. I want to take this opportunity to thank the old committee headed by Joey Williams for creating a foundation of a God centred CU and also for their advice, insight and encouragement. Its a great blessing that God is doing bigger and greater thing from generation to generation and we are blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for blessing us with prayers, advice, financial aids, equipment, speakers and the list goes on. They are well received and much appreciated. We acknowledge we are a privileged CU and so thank you for being a blessing. Next year we are trusting God for a greater experience in his presence. Please keep us in your prayers and pray that God will give us wisdom, understanding and insight to lead people and enter everything he has ordained for us.

If you want any more information about CU, with what we are up to or how to get involved more with what we are doing please contact Sarah Mayers on 1008578@chester.ac.uk who will be more than happy to help you out.