.Ut - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 3, 1997 ANN ARBOR Religious groups, worship promote spiritual interests By Jason Stoffer Daily Staff Reporter This month, parents will send incoming University stu- dents away to face wild parties, stressful all-nighters and the challenge of finding a new circle of friends. Gary Hardin, pastor of Packard Road Baptist Church, emphasized that religion can help to ease this difficult transitional period. "It is real important to connect with others of faith," Hardin said. "Finding friends with a common faith in God will give (new students) stability along with providing a support system." However, during their time at the University, many stu- dents realize that their religious principles differ from those of their parents, observed Pastor Ed Kraus of University Lutheran Chapel. "Students are apt to leave behind things imposed by family and community," Kraus said. "College is a time of _ _ expression of freedom where stu-, dent must find their own spiritu- Studen ality - this spiritual search pro- to leave b vides an important part of per- sonality and character." N. Students are not alone in this. search, said Len Scott, a University liaison for ethics and religion. "Students should not be bash- ful," Scott said. "There are lots of religious and spiritual opportuni- ties on campus." If students or parents have personal concerns or prob- lems regarding spiritual matters, Scott, who also serves as a psychological and religious counselor at the University, is available for free counseling. Many of the University's religious opportunities are based in houses of worship near campus. Hillel is a valuable resource for Jewish students on cam- pus. It houses 25 student groups and is designed to be not just a synagogue, but a Jewish cultural center, says Rabbi Rich Kirschen, Hillel's assistant director. Muslim students at the University often use the Islamic Center of Ann Arbor as a gathering place. The mosque offers the five daily prayers, small study circles on topics selected by the Imam and monthly potluck dinners. Grace Girvin, business manager of St. Mary's Catholic Church, stressed that St. Mary's primary missioji is to reach out to Catholic students on campus. Eighty-five percent of its parishioners are students, and 2,000-2,500 people attend mass each weekend, Girvin m rti ly Vi said. For gay and lesbian Christians on campus, Firs Presbyterian Church offers Beacon, a Wednesday evert* ecumenical program. However, not all religious activities on campus are based in houses of worship. Joining religion-based student groups is another way for students to seek a spiritual con- nection, Kraus said. He urged new students to "fird a group that can give encouragement, support and mertor- ship." The groups on campus run the gamut from the Afr can Christian Fellowship to Campus Crusade for Christ to the Zoroastrian Students Association. At Festifall in September, many of these organizat1 will be available for questions and membership inforn tion. Daniel Filstrup, a member of the University's Baha'i Club, says his club tries to pro- mote the principles of the Baha'i faith on campus. Last year .t S arOe a focused on promoting racial unity, along with holding a num- hiend things ber of service events. = LSA senior Mohammed rfamilyShukairy, President of the Mus N.&_ " u. Student Association, says tha:t7 rutt- Muslim Student Association - Len Scott "tries to encourage interaction yliaison among Muslim students, and with University aa big pool of different ethnicities, strengthens relationships among Muslims of different backgrounds." In spite of all the religious resources on campus, many students still remain apathetic toward religion, said Filstrup. "When people come to college, I believe one of two things happens," Filstrup said. "(Students) either beco ; more involved or drift further from their religion." Religion on campus is like a "double-edged swrd," Shukairy added. "The college atmosphere provides great opportunities to explore and learn about religion," Shukairy said. "However, morality tends to decline significantly because people feel it's a time of exploration and freeing them- selves from societal standards." "There is something for everyone at Michigan," said Rev. Matthew Lawrence of Canterbury House. He tr students not to settle for easy answers in their spirit lives. "Experiment, play and struggle with the tough qu s- tions," Lawrence said, saying this will "help you appredi- ate the many ways in which God can be discovered." AJA DEKIEVA COHEN/Daily LSA first-year student Andrea Morrow receives ashes on her forehead during an Ash Wednesday service on February 12 at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Thompson Street. ------------------ --------------- - ----------- ------- ---------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I ~