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CMC provides a wealth of opportunities for students to grow in their faith. When I came to CMC, I was not expecting to find a group of caring and loving students who would help me grow in my Christian faith, but I did.
CMC's InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group is a great asset for the college. The group meets once a week as a large group in McAlister Center, the home for religious meetings at the 5C's. The large group meets every Thursday night at 8:30. A typical night includes announcements about upcoming events, followed by a few praise songs led by a small band and a speaker who delivers a message relevant to college students. After the meeting, we have snacks and catch up with each other. There are typically around 30 people at each of the large group meetings, but that varies depending on the week and the speaker.
InterVarsity also holds small group Bible studies every week. There are Bible studies in each quad, but you can join whichever group you feel most comfortable with or whichever group meets at the time most convenient for you. The studies are on Tuesday and Wednesday night at 8:30 pm. The size of the group depends on the quad and usually ranges from about 5 to 15 students. The Bible studies are student-led and analyze a different passage each week.
InterVarsity sponsors other fun activities throughout the year. This year, we went to the beach, had a funky bowling night, traveled to beautiful Catalina Island for a fall conference, and held a sleepover for all of the girls that rekindled my nostalgia for junior high. The week after finals, we are having a summer conference at Catalina, which will be a time for relaxation and studying scripture without having to stress over classes.
In addition to InterVarsity, McAlister Center holds weekly worship services for Protestant and Catholic students, as well as for students of other faiths. Many InterVarsity students choose to go to church or mass off-campus, so we usually organize carpools to help with transportation.
But the best part about Christian Fellowship for me has not been the group meetings or the fun outings on the weekends (all of which are great), but rather the friendships I have made with other students that have been vital in balancing my Christian faith with the stress and pressures of college life.
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