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 fresher wanting to get involved this year, Forum is the place for you!

Forum looks a bit different this year – rather than camping, we’ll all be watching from the comfort of our own homes. But there will still be so much to enjoy!

With only a week to go, here are my seven top tips to help you make the most of Forum 2020:

1.Check out the timetable before next week

There’s a lot on offer! So, check out the timetable before Forum begins and make sure you don’t miss out on what’s available.

2.Camping!

Go all out with re-creating the Forum vibe and just camp in your back garden! Why not plan some socially-distanced camping with others in your CU? Get yourself a tent, a sleeping bag, the obligatory fairy lights, and you’re basically living the Forum life.

For true authenticity, sleep on a lilo that has a hole in it and wake up on the floor every morning.

3.Be in community

Where possible, try to meet up in person and/or hold a zoom call for your CU so you can connect and tune into sessions together. Here are some tips:

• CU leaders, why not assign someone to be your Forum ‘tour guide’ for the week? They can create a whatsapp group with everyone attending Forum, set up the zoom calls each day, make sure everyone knows the plan for the day and what sessions are available in the afternoon!
• Can you organise some games or a quiz on zoom? They’re a great way to get to know new people in the group and welcome them into the CU’s community.

4.Take time to discuss the content

It’s hard to process everything you’ve heard if you don’t have someone to talk to! Use your zoom calls after the main session to discuss what you’ve just been listening to and ask each other questions. Bigger CUs can use breakout rooms to do this more effectively.

5.Lunchtime specials

How about a jacket potato, or soup? As well as sorting your lunch, why not tune into our Lunchtime Specials at 1pm! On Tuesday we’ll even have a lunchtime concert.

6.Food

One of the plus points of being online is that you don’t have to worry about insert cu member’s name here cooking dinner, which normally results in a trip down to the pizza van. So why not plan to eat your meals together over zoom? Food always builds community, and it can still work online! Just make sure your mic is off while you’re chewing…

7.#Forum20 #Forumlife

Make sure you’re following UCCF social media and sharing what you’re up to throughout the week with the hashtag #Forum2020. Start each day at 9.30am with ‘Good Morning Forum’ – UCCF’s Breakfast Club on Instagram Live. Staff Worker Helen Richardson will be interviewing some students about their lockdown confessions, and there might even be some giveaways if you’re lucky… you’ll have to tune in to find out!

We will eventually meet all together in person, but for this year’s Forum we’re super excited that you can join us online.

Forum has never been more accessible for CU students, and you’re invited!

Sign up to Forum here. See you there!

Naomi is a staff worker for Herts and Brunel. She studied Acting at the University of Northampton and is passionate about creative evangelism.