Being sheltered-in-place has thrown many of us for a loop, and left us worried we might lose our sense of community.

The college group at FPC, kick-started by the CCO’s Geraud Brumfield, has been amazing at uniting us from a distance. It has been extremely hard having to isolate from my church family, but having these screen-to-screen meetings has been a gift. Virtual game nights and bible studies have become weekly events! Holding yourself accountable to remain close to God during this time is hard, so having a support system like them is motivating.

A favorite weekly event of mine is bible study. We have recently studied the Lord’s prayer and discussed the topic of forgiveness. I love hearing other people’s insight on the passage and furthering my understanding with their help. Continuing this weekly discipline has been a way to remind myself that there is hope for a better future. Knowing I am not alone in my struggling, and maintaining a sense of normalcy has been comforting. Being able to continue fun events through video chat has cheered me up tremendously.

Our most recent, and also my favorite thus far, was a nacho cookoff! After some preparation, with the help of student leader Michaela Kimball, Geraud dropped off the ingredients for our competition. We video chatted during our preparation, shared ideas, and ate our meal together. Events like these are a good reminder that ministry has not stopped, and outreach is still important in this time, maybe even more so now.

As we further our creativity in this time, and generate interesting activities, there have been some awesome developments! Fortunately, I’ve seen a few new faces that otherwise could not have joined. By extending invites and keeping spirits high through the shelter-in-place, my excitement for the future of the college group soars. Video calls and digital communication have been a saving grace, and while I miss giving hugs in person, virtual ones are the next best.