Confusing?
Messed up?
Scary?
How about the word, extraordinary? Would you use that word to describe the reality that we are in right now? We find ourselves isolated and quarantined while we see life as we once knew it morphing in front of our very eyes. Our world is changing or, at least, it’s different in this season—introverts are flourishing in isolation, while extroverts are struggling; people are reconnecting with long lost friends virtually, while we are separated from our … friends. And I don’t know about you, but I’ve stopped watching the nightly news program because I don’t want to hear these words again — “Another record-breaking number of deaths in the last 24 hours…” But that’s the reality that we are living in currently.
— Romans 8:22-27
Greetings from Cambridge!
At a time when our individual and collective fate could not be more uncertain, our good instinct is to pray, but this is only half of the battle. What should we even pray for? Most of us have more questions than we have answers. When a pea soup fog descends, even familiar streets may fail us. Enter the eighth chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans. The verses quoted above are stunning. If the best prayer we can muster in our weakness is a groan of anguish, we might be content simply knowing that God hears us. But these verses say so much more. God not only hears our cries but he enters into our grief. No wonder Paul tells us in chapter 12 to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn”, thereby mirroring the Spirit’s response to us! Our faith-filled groan—akin to “Thy will be done”—is being answered accordingly because the Holy Spirit is already interceding on our behalf.
In this midst of this difficult time, thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. We are thankful that we stand together as brothers and sisters in Christ, even as we face many challenges as a country and as a ministry. Our ministry in Princeton continues to be greatly affected by the novel coronavirus. The coronavirus has hit home most profoundly for us with two students having already lost family members to the virus. We are grieving with these students. Beyond these tragic loses, all our students are still adjusting to the new realities and seeking to show resilient faith during this time. For some, the transition home has been especially difficult as they have been put back into difficult home and living situations.
5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord
(1 Corinthians 1:4-9).
In our Vocational Preparation Bible course with seniors (which continues to meet over Zoom as students are dispersed across the country), we were recently discussing how to steward our talents for Christ. When we become members of the body of Christ, the talents God has given us take on new significance. The Holy Spirit “breathes” on them, as it were, to hone, develop, and deploy those talents for the advancement of Jesus Christ’s wonderful purposes. Our talents are like puzzle pieces that—however impressive (or unimpressive) on their own—become increasingly beautiful as the Holy Spirit fits them into the glorious story of God in Christ.
Dear Prayer Partners,
Blessings on each of you.
I’ve personally felt grief from not being able to meet “in the flesh” with students since before spring break. We miss the joy of having coffee, sharing meals, and seeing them in the ministry center or around campus. We miss the joy of in-person conversation, encouragement, and prayer. But, the Lord reminded me recently that much of the New Testament was also a product of “distance ministry”. The Apostle Paul wrote letters to instruct, teach, bless, and train other individuals and churches that he loved and wanted to be with, but the circumstances just didn’t allow it. Several letters were even written when he was in house arrest in Rome. In spite of the circumstances, though, Paul maintained incredible joy and hope, and the letters that he penned still nourish our souls today. Our God is surely never wasting and always working.
As you remember our ministry at Yale, please pray that:
1) Our ministry would thrive, even while scattered abroad. With the help of technology, we have still been gathering for Bible Courses, prayer, discipleship, leadership coaching, and more. Pray for the Holy Spirit to FILL our Zoom meetings!
2) God’s Kingdom come & will be done at Yale. May the Holy Spirit prepare our hearts and Yale’s grounds for a greater, fuller work of the Lord once we return to campus. We’re depending upon Him!
3) God would raise up a new wave of “Cornerstone Partners” to support us through prayer and giving. Our team at Yale and on every campus will be reaching out broadly to share more about our current need in light of COVID-19, what God has been doing, and ways to partner with us in the work. We’ll need grace and favor in these conversations.
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf!
Don’t be anxious & keep rejoicing,
Clay Cromer
Ministry Director
Christian Union Lux
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work at Yale, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
New York, as is true of much of the country, remains in lockdown for the 200th week - or so it feels. Days seem to run together and Zoom calls have long since lost their allure. Yet I find myself feeling a little fresher each morning as I spend some less hurried time in the Word reading familiar passages again and finding new nuggets all over. Whether I find myself in Ezekiel, or the Psalms, or the Epistles I am reminded that a) God and his promises are unchanging even though our world is, b) our calling to live faithfully, righteously and courageously remains the same regardless of my circumstances, and c) the world will be different because of his Spirit (mostly) and our efforts for his kingdom. All of these reminders renew my hope each day.
May 23, 2020
Thanks for joining Christian Union Gloria (Harvard College) at 2:00 PM EST for a virtual reunion.
Christian Union Gloria invited participants from all classes, all denominations, and all Christian ministries to this annual event. We enjoyed connecting with other Christian alumni, current students, and the Christian Union ministry faculty and staff.
Learn More
For questions about the Christian Union Gloria alumni opportunities, contact Christian Union's VP of Alumni Engagement Christine Foster: christine.foster@christianunion.org.
May 30, 2020
Christian Union Gloria Law (Harvard Law), Christian Union's ministry at Harvard Law School hosted a virtual reunion on May 30, 2020 at 12:00 PM EST.
Christian Union Gloria Law invited participants from all classes, all denominations, and all Christian ministries to this annual event. We loved the opportunity to connect with other Christian alumni, current students, and meet the Christian Union ministry faculty and staff. Thanks for joining us!
Get Involved
For questions about how to get involved with Christian Union Gloria Law on campus or as an alumni, contact Christian Union's VP of Alumni Engagement Christine Foster:christine.foster@christianunion.org.
As I write this, our students have wrapped up Winter Quarter finals, and are enjoying their spring break in locations around the globe. Well, that was the plan at least. As we all are now living with the reality of this global pandemic, we are facing the new reality of change, disappointment, and anxiety. Life interrupted.
— James 4:13-15
Greetings from Cambridge!
Having logged some serious miles in life, my appreciation for James’s rather harsh warning has increased at a pace commensurate with the erosion of any illusion I have ever had of earthly security and self-sufficiency. When the calendar turns at the first of the year I no longer ask, “what do I need to work on?”—as if the question of resolutions doesn’t always haunt my life(!)— but instead I wonder, “what in the world will 2020 bring?” Then and now I am praying that we will be faithful, faith-filled and take Jesus up on his invitation to pray (John 15:7-11).
As you are well aware, I am writing you during an unprecedented time in our country and the world where many unknowns lie ahead of us. The COVID-19 virus has impacted each and every one of us in some way. Our students are no exception to this. As you likely know, Princeton students received word to return home and to complete their classes online through the remainder of the semester. These changes have affected students’ lives profoundly—it has upended their lives, causing confusion and anxiety for many. International students, as well as seniors—who have had their final semester come to a rapid halt—have likely seen the greatest effect.
Dear Prayer Partners,
We are especially grateful for your prayers during these unprecedented times. There is a strange comfort and sense of brotherhood found in Scripture as we consider others who remained faithful in their own strange times. I came across the remarkable account of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, this week. When faced with annihilation by a superior army, he let his fear take him straight to God instead of into rash action or fruitless worry. In humility, he boldly called upon the One who is sovereign, claiming the promises of God, and drawing the whole nation – men, women, and children into fasting and expectant prayer as well. "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!" he cried out. The anguished place of uncertainty was given to the Lord who responded with His Spirit through a prophet, "Do not be afraid or dismayed…for the battle belongs to the Lord". The king responded with confidence and enjoined the people as they marched out in obedience to "Believe in the Lord God, believe His prophets!" Instead of fear, or rage, the people march out against the enemy with song and praise on their lips and find that the battle was indeed already fought and won by the invisible, almighty God. This is the God we serve! He delights to respond to the earnest prayers, the desperate fasting, and the songs and praises of His people! Let us draw strength and faith for this unique time in our history to believe God, to seek him whole-heartedly on behalf of the world, our nation, and all the people we can reach in our spheres.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.
-- Philippians 4:6
As chaotic a time as this, we are reminded to anchor ourselves to the hope of our faith - to rely not on our own devices, but dependent on the love and care of our Heavenly Father. Romans 5 and James 1 reveal to us that God consents to trials in our lives in part because of the fruits of patience, endurance, hope and faith that will spring from them. As a community we are intentionally holding fast to God’s promises through this time, choosing faith over fear.
CU New York has begun to participate in a 40 day fast with the Christian Union Day & Night team. As an organization we feel called to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting throughout this time. We desire His will to be done in our lives, our city, and our nation. We trust in His healing power and redemptive hand, that He is moving in this situation, ultimately bringing good from evil, and revealing His Glory through it all.
We have had a CU New York Forum planned for March 27 with Dr. Margaret Yoon on “Mental Health and the Holy Spirit”. While it is clear we cannot meet in the typical format of these events, we are working to move this to a virtual forum. This will still enable us to listen to and interact with Dr. Yoon on these important questions of how we, as Christians, wrestle with issues of burnout, anxiety, and depression at this time and in this busy city. More information on this will be sent separately, or you can check on our website.
For the financial services industry there are a few resources you might find helpful as you navigate this time both professionally and personally. The Ron Blue organization has developed Fearless: Market Turmoil and a Biblical Response, which has spiritual perspective, insights from industry leaders, and messaging points to help guide client conversations during this uncertain season. Please check it out if you’re looking for ideas.
We invite you to join us as we pray and fast in this season. Use this link to receive daily devotionals, and to participate in the CU Day & Night 40 day fast: (https://www.dayandnight.org/fast). We are praying for God’s protection, healing, mercy, peace, and authority to reign over our city and world. We invite His kingdom to come and His will to be done, in each of our lives. We submit our desires to control and to rely on our own understanding, but instead we will choose to submit to His authority, His wisdom as we trust in his peace.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
- Col 3:15
Scott Crosby
Ministry Director
&
Amanda Curtis
Administrative Assistant
Christian Union New York
Christian Union DC
For more information on New York City Christian Union Bible Courses and activities, or resources available to you please contact Scott Crosby.
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates, via email, on how to pray for City Christian Union, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
As we close out Week 7 of the Winter Term, here are a few prayer needs from Dartmouth.
Midterms have begun, student schedules are packed and it’s still winter, but there is an excitement in the air with what God is doing at Columbia University through Christian Union Lumine. We are seeing higher turnout for our Leadership Lecture Series nights, impromptu prayer gatherings among the students and a feeling of community and togetherness even in the midst of all the transitions. Thank you for your continued prayers for the work on this campus. Here are ways you can be praying for us this month:
—Romans 5:1
Greetings from cold Cambridge!
We are about a third of the way through the semester and our students are looking forward to Spring break, which is just a couple of weeks away. This week in our Romans study with the Juniors and Sophomores we were in chapter 5. What a wonderful reminder to all of us of the reality of our new standing before God. We have been justified by faith. We were made right with God by trusting in Jesus. And as a result, we can now have peace with God. A peace that cannot be quenched or conquered by anything life throws our way.
