Four blocks from the church was the campus of the 900-student Eastman School of Music. The church started a campus ministry that now has attracted about a dozen students. The Rev. Elizabeth Banks does one church service a month on campus and the church sponsors social events off campus for students, including cross-country skiing excursions, Christmas caroling and socializing in members' homes. Banks counsels students who are lonely and homesick. Church members send them encouraging e-mail at finals time and attend their recitals.
Students come to church services and get involved in social service projects.
They really yearn for that connection with all the generations, the grandparents they left behind at home and the young children. Starting a campus ministry can be as easy as putting up flyers on campus or putting an ad in the campus newspaper. Use food to help attract college students. Organize an occasional meal and invite students or take food to them on campus. When a student leaves your congregation for college, send their address to the UU church nearest the college.