Event explores campus faiths

Religious leaders gathered in Dunn Meadow Sunday, hoping to attract new freshmen to weekly services. \nOrganized and sponsored by the Campus Religious Leaders Association, the fifth annual Fun In Dunn provided new and old students exposure to the unique and diverse religious groups on campus and in the Bloomington area.\n"Fun in Dunn remains a great way to partner students with their religion of choice, as well as to expose students who aren't as sure of their religious preference (to these organizations) in a nonthreatening way," said Ken Larson, member and association spokesman for the event.\nEvery year, the association invites all area religious groups to reach out to students of all denominations. By supplying plenty of free food, a bike giveaway and sources of information, Fun in Dunn continues to attract many students, Larson said.\nApproaching religion in a large college environment can be overwhelming, but events like "Fun in Dunn" are specially designed for students looking to find a friendly and comfortable religious environment, Larson said. \n"I'm in a Southern Baptist Church back home in Louisville, Ky., so I came here to find a church and people who have similar values," student Jeff Marcilliat said.\nChurches like the Free Methodist Church on Lincoln Street reach out to students and try to give them a home away from home, one parishioner said. \n"Just e-mail or call us," said parishioner Jan Lamm. "We'll give you a free ride to any of our services or activities."\nNondenominational and student-based groups also supplied information at the event. Though churches often have a community of Bloomington residents in addition to students among their congregation, the nondenominational groups at the event exist primarily for the benefit of students.\nGroups such as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, The Navigators, Lutheran Student Fellowship, and ConneXion hold weekly group meetings, Bible studies, community service projects and special events for students. From the 400-member IU chapter of the Campus Crusade for Christ to smaller groups such as Fellowship of Collegiate Christians, these student religious groups come in all shapes and sizes. Other groups, such as the Intervarsity Fellowship for Christians of fraternities and sororities, have unique qualities that appeal to students. \n• The IU Christian Fellowship, has four houses on Eighth Street where students of the group can live with one another and run additional activities, such as an upcoming Hawaiian-style luau Sept. 7. \n• Although many standard churches and fellowships set up shop at Fun in Dunn, students were also able to check out faiths that provide alternative religious outlets. One of the churches, the University Baptist Church on Third Street holds a weekly "international wives fellowship." This outreach program helps international students and their families make friends, practice English and adapt to their new Bloomington environment. \n• The Baha'i Faith, an Iranian religion established in 1944, promotes diversity and the elimination of prejudice. Bloomington has its own Baha'i Center, where devotions are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. \n• Soulstice, a Christian a capella group established at IU, allows students to experience religion through music. In the past few years, Soulstice has recorded several CDs with everything from church hymns to contemporary Christian music and original compositions. \n• One of the newest organizations in Bloomington is the Center for University Ministry. Nicknamed the "Left Wing Religion," this inter-denominational ministry relies on a ministry team of six to eight students to assist in planning. There are several University Ministries in Indiana, but the Rev. Rebecca J. Jimenez came to IU two years ago to establish a center in Bloomington. \n"We're big on social justice, women's issues, sweatshop issues and domestic violence," said Jimenez, a doctoral student in the Higher Education State of Affairs and an ordained American Baptist minister. "We work on putting faith into action, on faith development. This is a very inclusive ministry, and we accept many beliefs."\nStudent Dan Gelok used last year's Fun In Dunn to find his religious outlet. Gelok, now a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, found all of the sects represented at the festival helpful and is appreciative of the chance to investigate a variety of options.\n"During my freshman year, I spent two months shopping around for a group that I liked," Gelok said. "Though I decided on the church I'm in now, many other groups were very kind to me and always inviting. You just have to explore your options"