Randolph-Macon College hosted a unique event for high-school students July 22-23, 2016.

2 Days 2 Serve, sponsored by the Virginia Conference United Methodist Church, engaged 11 Virginia high-school students in four intense hands-on mission activities in less than 36 hours. The event encouraged them to go beyond the act of serving and to reflect on the needs of the world and their personal gifts for serving others.

2 Days 2 Serve was coordinated by RMC Chaplain Kendra Grimes and Rev. Jason Stanley ’04, a deacon who most recently served as minister of youth and education at Peakland United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“This event was formerly only for young people considering a possible call to ministry,” says Grimes.  “But we want to encourage all youth to ask, ‘Where is God calling me?’ It is a different question than, ‘How can I be successful or make a lot of money?’ Young people clearly want to make a difference and live meaningful lives. Our RMC students were eager to get to know the high-school participants and share in these acts of service and the reflection that followed.”

RMC students Sarah Rochte ’18, Connor Maenz ’18, and Ryan Duncan ’17 served as mentors to the high-school students. Rochte is an English and religious studies major and music minor who plans to attend seminary. She is also a leader in Student Fellowship, RMC’s Methodist and Episcopal student group, which is spearheaded by Grimes. Maenz is a religious studies and music major, a Bailey Scholar, and serves as a youth minister at Ashland Christian Church. RMC’s A. Purnell Bailey Pre-Ministerial program offers encouragement through a vocational discernment group, internships and financial support. Duncan, a music major and education minor, is also a Bailey Scholar and is currently doing an internship at Kenwood United Methodist Church in Ashland, Virginia.

Collaborations
One of the projects took place at the Ashland Heart Havens home, a United Methodist Church ministry for adults with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. 2 Days 2 Serve participants were paired with Heart Havens residents, and each pairing collaborated to create a painting together. There was also an outdoor chalk art project, and an indoor music project.

Rochte says, “It was great seeing the different forms ministry can take. For me, being able to help lead music and see the joy and excitement on the faces of Heart Havens residents and the youth was such a rewarding experience.” James, a youth from Richmond, had the same observation after leaving Heart Havens.”I was so glad to see all the excitement on their faces,” he says.

The high-school students lodged overnight in RMC’s Olin Residence Hall, ate meals in Brock Commons, and kept a journal of their experiences. They watched a movie about children living in motels, gathered throughout the event to reflect on their 2 Days 2 Serve experiences, and met with guest speaker Sarah Wilkinson, communications and volunteer manager at Heart Havens. Wilkinson encouraged them to be advocates for others and to imagine what life is like from another person’s perspective. Heart Havens was not the only focus.

“We also created activity bags for at-risk children living in Ashland,” says Grimes. “The bags included healthy snacks, simple games, and educational toys. In addition, the students wrote personal notes to each child who received a bag.”   

Participants also participated in several other projects: They held a worship service/conversation circle at Cedarfield, a United Methodist community for older adults in Richmond; served with Hanover Christian Firewood Ministry, where they cut, split, stacked, and delivered wood for area residents who cannot afford electric heat in the winter; and assisted with the Community Garden at Ginter Park United Methodist Church.

“It was a powerful weekend to watch these young people give so freely of themselves,” says Grimes.  “They never hesitated, and I believe they learned a lot about their own gifts and graces as they witnessed and addressed many needs in our community.”

Community Service at RMC
Randolph-Macon College has a long tradition of giving back. Student organizations regularly perform community service, often partnering with neighboring communities as they help others.

In 2015-16, RMC students collectively amassed more than 27,400 volunteer hours and donated $49,897.71 to various causes. Students in Fraternity and Sorority Life contributed more than 13,600 hours of collective service to the community and donated $1737.73 to various organizations and philanthropies. In addition, $21,000 was raised and donated to the American Cancer Society from the annual Relay for Life. Over 200 students participated RMC’s first Big Event, a day of service to give thanks to the Ashland community. The Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Experiences (SERVE) program, in the Office of Student Life, is an integral part of Randolph-Macon College.