Hello everyone, Mary here! This past Monday, August 26, a group of us gathered on Wake’s campus to offer students ice cream on their first day of school. This was a gathering sponsored by the BSU group, headed up by our own Chris Towles. Emily, Kyle, Mallory Challis, Russel & Sarah Talley, Rick & Carolyn Matthews and I joined with other local Baptist churches in greeting students in front of the Deacon Shop and offering them delicious homemade ice cream (thanks to the Talleys & Matthews!). Campus was alive with students making their way to and from classes, greeting friends after a summer apart, and staging the perfect pictures for their social media platforms.
While the overall feeling was one of excitement and possibility for what the semester will hold there was also an undercurrent of anxiety. Freshmen taking in all that college life has to offer, unsure of which group they will fit in with, living away from home for the first time. Returning students nervous about choosing the “right” major, navigating relationships from last year while remaining open to the new people they’ll meet this year, unsure of what the next semester will bring. Graduate students contemplating their next steps, worrying about their course load, getting closer and closer to graduation. All of the feelings were being felt!
Given our proximity to campus, new students looking for a church to attend while in school may find their way to our community. And, of course, we welcome back those who have been away for the summer! In true First on Fifth manner I know you will heartily welcome each one of these students and provide them loving support. It’s never easy for anyone to walk into a new space, potentially full of strangers, but can be especially hard for students. We celebrate the courage of those who will find us and the beauty they will add to our family of faith!
Mary Kaylor