From Greater Worcester Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministries (GWUUCM)

GWUUCM Frequently Asked Questions

Who is GWUUCM?

• Greater Worcester Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministries is a outreach community ministry project.

Who is in charge of GWUUCM?

• Created by the Rev. Cheryl Leshay in 2004, GWUUCM is a community based ministry. With the assistance of the GWUUCM steering committee and the generous support of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, Rev. Cheryl Leshay is currently GWUUCM’s only employee. The steering committee is comprised of volunteers from Worcester Area UU congregations. The committees members are faculty, staff, parents of students and students of area campuses.

What does GWUUCM do?

• We help students organize, promote and maintain a liberal religious voice where they are through UU clubs.
• We help students open doors within their administration, find local academic advisors and train student leadership.
• We supply educational resources, start-up support, on campus worship and pastoral counseling.
• We encourage connection to area UU events through our E-newsletter and website.

Who does GWUUCM serve?

• Our congregation is the UU students, staff and faculty on area campuses. Each campus has their own independent campus community. Each campus group also has its own personality and runs it’s own programming. We serve as continuity, resource and support for these groups.

Will GWUUCM help existing student run campus UU groups?

• Our primary mission is to support, promote and facilitate viable, sustainable and vibrant campus based UU communities on Greater Worcester area campuses. Because there were no such groups meeting when we began our focus has been to establish new groups but we are also happy to provide local support to existing student run groups who do not yet have an anchor congregation to fulfill that role.

Does GWUUCM just come in and run a campus group?

• No. We are supporting STUDENT run groups. We will help students in whatever way we can to help them succeed in creating and running their own on campus UU community. We also have our minister who is available to them in a professional capacity as resource, pastoral counselor, and advocate.

Will organizing a campus group near our congregation bring students into our congregation Sunday morning?

• Maybe. The point of campus ministry is to be on campus. We reach out to the students who want an on campus community. Sometimes students also want to go to church on Sunday. We try keep students informed about what is happening in all the area churches and will work to coordinate rides when possible.

To whom is GWUUCM accountable?

• GWUUCM is accountable to the students and sponsoring congregations through the steering committee.

How can you get GWUUCM’s help for your campus?

• Ask.

How is GWUUCM funded?

• Pledges from local congregations
• Pledges from UU alums
• Pledges from sending congregations (a student’s home congregation)
• Donations from individuals
• Parents
• The students
• The GWUUCM Road Show (A pulpit supply replete with passionate persuasion – an evangelical UU Campus Ministry delight)

How can you help?

• We need help connecting with the students.
• Get the word out!
• Tell your Worcester College based UU students about us.
• Sign them up for the GWUUCM E-newsletter.
• Help us Network.
• Pledge $$$ to the cause
• Sign up on the alumni network @ UU YA-CM
• Offer some of your own time and talent to our project