Students in our vibrant campus community
explore their personal faith and growth.
The Gathering
The Gathering is a weekly event for college and university students at all levels: undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate. We often have a meal together, sometimes home-cooked. We share what’s going on in our lives, then have discussion on a relevant topic. The conversations are great, and the friendships we form are significant and mutually supportive. Sometimes, we just party!
The Gathering is sponsored by, and hosted at, First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor (not a Southern Baptist church, but a progressive American Baptist one); but participants are of all faiths, or of undefined faith, or of no faith. Our goal is to think honestly and openly together about important issues and concerns, and to be good friends to each other.
We meet on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 till 7:00 (but we are open to changing the times according to when most students can meet). Arriving late or leaving early is fine. Such is student life!
Our discussions during this academic year will have the theme: Getting Though the Hard Stuff. We’ll talk about, among other things: New Beginnings, Transitions, Stress, Limitations, Past Traumas, Difficult Relationships, Anxiety, Boundaries, Loneliness, Self-Doubt, Uncertainties, Death & Grief, and Longing & Hope. Suggestions for other topics are welcome.
We begin on Tuesday, September 5, with a pizza party and getting to know each other. Come give us a try!
Resident Sexton Program
Each year, we hire three or four Resident Sextons to work around the church buildings and Campus Center in return for their housing for the September – April academic year. We also need summer help from May – August. Sextons are mainly responsible for setting up rooms for meetings and activities, as well as locking and/or unlocking doors, and general light maintenance, housekeeping and security as needed. Applicants will need to be able to do some heavy lifting. Outside employment is allowed with written consent from the staff supervisor.
Currently, our Sexton dormitory is co-ed (separate, locked bedrooms). Applicants must be students at a local college or university, and will be expected to provide three letters of reference from previous employers and/or home church. While it is not a requirement to be an American Baptist, it is expected that the sextons will live and abide by the church’s Christian ethics. Sextons are invited to attend worship on Sunday mornings, as well as joining us for the Campus Fellowship night – dinner is always served!
Positions have been filled for Fall 2023/Winter 2024. We will start taking applications for Fall 2024 in December 2023. If you know of a college or university student who is interested for the summer or the following academic year, please contact Kat Becker (office@fbca2.org).
What do you get in return? Housing two blocks from U-M central campus!
Interested? Please download the Sexton Application and return to 517 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 or come by the office. Thanks!