SHINE Spotlights Service

What do you get when you combine a heart for service, strong leadership, and a cool name? SHINE, the newest Campus Ministry student group formed for women by women.

Junior Jessica Beaver is the president of the ministry whose focus is serving the community together. She shared with us a little bit about the new group and how interested Camel-ettes can get involved.

Junior Jessica Beaver,
President of SHINE

What inspired you to start a SHINE chapter here?

I was asked by the director of Women's Missionary Union of North Carolina (WMUNC) to start a SHINE group. I also wanted to see a place on campus for women to come together in service and fellowship.

Where did SHINE come from?

There isn’t a long history to SHINE. It was an idea thought up about five years ago by a group in the WMU. They came up with the name and what SHINE would look like. Our name means Serving God, Helping others, Inspiring believers, Networking community, and Experiencing God. We are the first campus to have a SHINE group, so we are making history as we go. It’s really exciting to be part of something that is ‘history in the making’.

What is SHINE's mission?

The mission statement of SHINE at Campbell is “A Voice for the Voiceless.” Through SHINE, God is giving a voice to those who are hurting, searching, praying, growing, learning, and serving. We strive to work as a body of Christ, uplifting, enlightening, and encouraging one another as sisters in Christ. Basically, we are a missions-minded group. We focus on different mission opportunities, which range from getting involved in events on campus, helping in the community and supporting missionaries around the world.

What does SHINE want to do on campus?

We want to build a community of women that have a passion for serving God and worshiping together. God has already done amazing things on this campus and we are excited to see what God will do through SHINE.

Why are you excited about SHINE?

There are so many things I’m excited about! I am really excited that we are a new group and God is creating this amazing ministry through everyone who comes to SHINE.

Interested in SHINE? Here's the skinny:

• Meetings take place every Monday at 8 p.m. in the Memorial House.
• The atmosphere is casual, like a coffee house.
• The women do a service project once or twice a month.
• E-mail Jessica with questions or for more information.

Interfaith Service Potluck

Campbell is continuing its participation in the President's Interfaith & Community Service Campus Challenge with a third Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogue on February 22, this time as a potluck that will feature a service project and a display on the role of religion and faith in Black History by the Multicultural Council. 

When it comes to appreciating other cultures through faith and friendship, sophomore French major Taylor Smith is a pro. As a student leader in the Challenge, Taylor's input and passion has been instrumental. Check out what Taylor has to say about the intersection of faith and community service. Keep on reading to learn more about the potluck.

Sophomore Taylor Smith

S@C: What drew you to the interfaith service challenge?
Taylor: I was drawn to the Interfaith & Community Service Campus Challenge when i heard it presented in CUW. It sounded like a wonderful opportunity to be involved in service and learning opportunities with people from all different backgrounds of faiths.

S@C: Can you explain the interfaith concept in your own words and why it's important?
Taylor: I believe that the concept of interfaith is focused on learning, growing, and kindness. We learn about the faiths of others in order to be more aware and accepting of the world around us, which in turn helps us to grow in our faith, and to be more compassionate to others. It's important in that it not only helps us connect with other people, but it also helps all people to pull together to participate in acts of service, charity, and the bettering of the world we live in.

S@C: Do you see a connection between faith and service?
Taylor: There is absolutely a connection between faith and service. Every religious doctrine contains multiple instances of the importance of service and helping others. By uniting different faiths, a great deal of service can be accomplished. Generosity and kindness are blind to faith affiliation and are appreciated by everyone.

S@C: What aspect of the next interfaith dinner are you looking forward to the most?
Taylor: I am really looking forward to the potluck element of the dinner and seeing what various students bring in that represents them. Breaking bread with someone helps you lear more about their faith tradition. I'm also looking forward to meeting new students who are new to the interfaith dinners!

Potluck Sneak Peek
If Taylor's excitement has inspired you to attend the potluck but you're still uneasy, have no fear. Below are sample questions from the pile of dialogue cards that will be on your table. Keep in mind that the dinner program is a dialogue and not a conversation, meaning that each participant will respond without a reaction (positive or negative) from any table members.

When have you found it difficult to connect to God, or Source or a higher inspiration? What was the circumstance? How did you break through?

Have you ever been asked to do or say something that went against your faith or belief system? How did you respond?

Faith often changes as we grow older. Are you the same spiritual or religious person you were as a child? How have your beliefs changed?

Have you experienced unconditional love – either from you to others, or from others to you? What was the situation? How did it impact your life?

If you have kitchen facilities and like to cook, please bring a dish of food that represents your culture. To sign up for the dinner, click here.

For more information on the interfaith service potluck, e-mail Tyler Ward or Sara Acosta.