Blog
Making the most of every opportunity
What did the CUs get up to this Christmas? Normally, the Christian Unions witness something unusual and exciting in December – they see hundreds of unbelieving students eagerly walk into churches, read passages from the Bible, and persistently ask about the next CU event. Why? Because it's …
Read more…Where do we find new beginnings?
For many people, the New Year holds significance as a way to welcome in a better year with the people who matter. There’s no overnight magic from the 31st to the 1st (and this year may already feel the same as last year!), but we all hope for change. Perhaps now more than ever. And we don’t only …
Read more…What the nativity tells us about...
So far this year, life at university has been tough. It's been tough being apart from families, tough to make those 'lifelong friendships' and tough to plan for life after graduation. Our hope for the future, sense of security, happiness and even self-confidence have all been called into question. …
Read more…How to answer questions about Christmas
Christmas is a hot topic of conversation at the moment. The government are resolute that ‘Christmas is not cancelled’, the adverts are asking us to buy into it and we’re all asking each other ‘what do you think you’ll do for Christmas this year?’. As these conversations bubble away, we can pray …
Read more…Alternative Christmas mission ideas
With no Christmas parties, no dinners with friends and maybe even no carol service, it may be tempting to just skip Christmas this year. But now more than ever, our friends need hope. Rather than a vaccine, rules or government, they need hope in something certain – and that’s what we have to offer. …
Read more…Three prayers for the CUs this Christmas
‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear’ Over many years, Buddy the Elf’s tactics have been widely employed by CUs around the country at Christmas time; organising carol services and mince pie deliveries across the universities. This year will be significantly …
Read more…The impact of Impact Groups
Determined to make Jesus known but unable to run campus events, hold physical gatherings or even hand out flyers, the Christian Unions have been getting creative this year. Quirky and unusual outreach – such as dropping cake off outside halls of residence! – has emerged, but the main change for …
Read more…Make your online carol service one to remember
The carol service has always been a part of the CU calendar. I know when I was a student it was by far the easiest thing to invite my unbelieving friends to, and they absolutely loved it. But, why bother this year? We can’t pack our friends into churches or even football stadiums and can’t belt our …
Read more…Hope in the new normal
A series of four blogs on Romans 8 A new academic year, a very odd context. The effects of the pandemic continue to be seen around us as we continually adapt to new restrictions. It's now normal to say ‘social distancing’, ‘isolating’ and ‘the rule of six’. Yet, for all of the talk about this ‘new …
Read more…An unusual start to the term
Last week, I walked through the precinct of one of the universities near to me. It happened to be Tuesday of freshers’ week. Normally the campus would have been bustling with people; a whirlwind of activity. This year, stewards wearing visors and hi-vis jackets outnumbered new students. Signs …
Read more…Five reasons to pray for the CUs
With lockdowns on university campuses across the country, many students, including freshers, are currently experiencing an isolating start to the term. As missional communities on campus living and speaking for Jesus, Christian Unions are doing all they can to adapt to this new unusual context – …
Read more…Forum 2020 - what happened?
In August, around 2,500 students from Great Britain and across the globe tuned into Forum, UCCF’s annual training conference. This year, rather than taking place in a marquee in North Wales, the conference moved online due to concerns around Covid-19. So, while in previous years students would roll …
Read more…Seven ways to make the most of Forum 2020
One of my favourite parts of being a Staff Worker is going to Forum. It’s a time for great teaching, really getting to know each other as you co-exist in a tiny tent, and having lots of fun. But it also equips, excites, and energises us all for a year of CU mission. If you’re part of the CU or a …
Read more…Safe in His hands
No one started off the last academic year expecting to receive grades that were estimated not earned, adjusted and not achieved. But here we are. Results day 2020 saw social media blow up with frustration, anger and worry. News headlines were taken over by people analysing algorithms, league tables …
Read more…God has marked out your place
I remember my Results day. I remember feeling like a dam was about to burst. I knew that logging in and looking at those three letters could either bring waves of disappointment and worry, or floods of joy. But since then, I’ve realised that whatever feeling waterfalls over us in times like these, …
Read more…What's a CU to do?
Are you planning for a socially-distanced events and looking for inspiration? Or perhaps you’re wondering how best to reach your university online? If that sounds like you, read on! We’ve had a look back at all the ‘virtual’ CU activities since March and we’ve chosen some of their best light-bulb …
Read more…Welcoming New Staff
A community of Christian students Uni life is more than just getting a degree. Today’s students are exploring perspectives that will shape their worldview forever. The student world presents an incredible opportunity to reach whole generations with the good news of the gospel, and Christian Unions …
Read more…Colour-blindness is a deficiency to be acknowledged not a virtue to be celebrated
The human eye that does not recognise the individual colours of the rainbow is failing to perceive the varying wavelengths of light. Physical colour blindness is, of course, a defect of vision – an inability to differentiate and enjoy colours. The Apostle John’s great vision of the universal church …
Read more…It begins with conversation: Striving for inter-ethnic unity in the CU context
The events surrounding George Floyd’s violent death have placed ethnicity and race relations back in the public eye, not only in the United States but around the world. People of a whole range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds have been prompted to re-examine their own views and practice when it …
Read more…Life together: pursuing community in ethnic diversity
Meditating on the hope of the gospel recently left me longing for the new creation, when our sin-sick world, the petri dish for racism and every shade of ethnic conflict, will finally be wiped clean. Be assured: perfect justice will be served by the perfect judge when the perfect comes. I believe …
Read more…Carrying the gospel baton
At one of my last Christian Union meetings as a student, I heard a talk on 2 Timothy, where Paul passes on his final messages to the younger Timothy. The pastor paused in the middle of the meeting to ask us, ‘What will you pass on to the younger years when you graduate and leave them?’ That is …
Read more…A long way from home
The Covid-19 outbreak has had an impact on lots of us. For international students, it’s been tricky in entirely different ways. Here, Chichester CU student Sian explores how the book of Esther can be an encouragement to those far from home during this time. The last few weeks have been challenging …
Read more…Virtually an events week?
At the end of May, supported by UCCF Relay Workers and Associate Staff Workers, the CUs in Scotland joined together to run an online events week called Hope . Bekah, vice president of Dundee CU, reflects here on what happened. We first saw lockdown as a disaster. It was ruining plans and bringing …
Read more…Relay blog: adapting to change
This years' cohort of Relay Workers have had a surprising end to their year. Both the way they support the CUs, and the way they themselves are supported, has changed significantly. Here, Georgia from Leeds reflects on what lockdown life is like on the Relay programme. Hello and a very good …
Read more…The latest on CU mission and Covid-19
Thank you for your prayers for us over these past couple of months. We were successful in our application to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and have received the rebate for April salaries, as per the terms of the scheme. We are grateful to the Lord for this provision and …
Read more…Reading the Bible online
It can be tricky to work out how to read the Bible with a friend when you're not with them in person. Here, Bath CU student Evie reflects on her experiences... I began reading the Bible with Sarah (name changed) back in December. At the time she was just a friend of a friend who I got along well …
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