7. Interview with Sigrid

11:30-12:30
11/18, Library
Hal led, Amy took notes

From ND small town, brother at Luther Seminary, sister at UND
Both parents went to Christus Rex, dad sang in the folk choir
Sigrid is a senior going to grad school in psychology, but will stay here for another year as a deacon etc. before that

FF: What's the value of Christus Rex?

To me - my whole college experience and life has been immense, it's the basis for my college life. The things we do here I look forward to, the people I run to see between classes are here. I choose to come here on my own, not like home. Choose to come to events and worship here. The choice makes your faith stronger. Social connections. Deacon group I've developed so many friends out of that group, lot of students that go to church here that come through and that's the favorite part of the day to come and see who'd hanging out. Also always something to do here - help with an event, find a group that fits your needs, a Bible study, anything…

Deacon group:
Main purpose is worship leadership, twice a year help with communion and leadership. Meet as a group every Wednesday for the first part Tim and Kathy plan the agendas. 2nd half the deacons plan the agendas and present - so do some research etc. Content for reflection. Has been as big as 35 people.
Deacon retreat every fall is at different places. New deacons and all the previous get to do group building.
New deacons: Tim and Kathy notice who has gifts and who would be good at that sort of thing, might have something to offer and ask them about participating. Also ask if we know anyone we would like to see involved. Some people come in and say I want to be a deacon!
Starts right away in the fall. Self-defining, retreat, these are this year's deacons.
Program: worship leadership, some training for that on Wed meetings
Retreat
Installation
Has become a core group for events around here, deacons are reliable help, will volunteer to do sat service work.
Do some party things, Kathy's house at end of 1st sem, Tim's house for end of 2nd sem.

Internship:
Student interns different than residents (residents take care of the building , mow lawn, change sign, get communion ready, etc.)
Interns do community relations with campus. I did with another girl
"being an intern was one of the greatest things I did all year"
beginning of year, reach out to new students, plan spring break trips, service opportunities,
Can do it for academic credit for 2 semesters, and Christus Rex gives a stipend for it also. Interns get to develop how they'll do it but expected 15 hours a week. Work with somebody from college of arts & society, so the dean makes up a call number so students can get credit for an elective.

FF: What's the genius?

"Whatever you want to happen here will happen." If you suggest something, miraculously there's some way it will go on. The money gets found. As interns you have a crazy idea of something to do for a community get-together and before you know it you have food…I don't know how it happens, but a lot if it has to do with Tim and Kathy.

One of the most wonderful things about this place is how welcoming! People who don't come to worship here talk to the secretary. People all around the community know this is a welcoming place. People of all different faiths come here and feel comfortable. It has a presence around UND, of hospitality…from word of mouth, events that we do. Has a lot to do with the core of students that go here.

FF: How has your faith developed because of Christus Rex?

Since I've gotten to college pieces keep coming together, started going here then the deacon piece - felt even stronger this is where I want to be, then intern and this is where I want to be, have had a hard time relaxing from that. For my college life it's been amazing, it's what I needed to fulfill me, college faith is different from high school faith. Christus Rex is a community that a lot of us as deacons have said I don't know if I can find a place that makes me feel like this once I leave here. Strong faith, comfortable.
College students are terribly busy but that 1 ½ on Wed night is great. Sometimes you need that community, that discussion. Even the worship atmosphere is friendly, makes you feel like God is present.
Its hard to imagine finding something as fulfilling as this faith community. But invaluable, now we know what to look for or how to create it someplace else.

FF: ***** in what way is God present?

Everybody that steps into this church wants to be here. Common ground as college kids - that makes you feel God, common faith makes a big difference. Music is just incredible - some people love that. For me, seeing the people here, how they interact, how they are friendly in the worship setting, helps you to know that they are excited about God being here.

FF: What is important for people to know?

How important this experience is during these four years for the rest of your life. My dad still thinks about it a lot; I know he does. It was so impacting for him.
People come and go through here all day, have conversations in the middle of the day at the table, meet with Tim and Kathy, Bible study, so many people with great ideas and they're all getting implemented somehow.

Observations/Highlights:

• "Whatever you want to happen here will happen… I don't know how it happens, but a lot if it has to do with Tim and Kathy."
• God is present here - in the worship and the way the community cares for one another, welcomes the stranger
• Concern that she won't be able to find another community like this, "But invaluable, now we know what to look for or how to create it someplace else."
• She was deeply involved in the leadership. Check this interview for in depth about deacon and internship programs.