The Clunie House is quiet now. As the site of the San Francisco Urban Program it is normally a bustling place. I miss seeing students fly out the door running to catch a bus, the sounds of meal-making before a class or after work, and the exuberant laughter of a community that knows something special is happening in their lives.
Nineteen students from Westmont and Gordon Colleges made The Clunie House, Westmont’s 1898 Victorian beauty in San Francisco, their home for a semester this past Spring, twenty-four did so last Fall. For many, though, this is an incubator, where they take their next steps into the future.
Describing that “something special” can only be done in the students’ own words. As we wrapped up the Spring semester at our final retreat, we asked students to send themselves a postcard, an attempt to hold on to the moment as they reflected on what had been happening in their lives here at SF Urban. With their permission, here is a sample of what they will be receiving in the mail this week as we posted the cards back to them. I think you’ll agree, it’s “something special”.
Some reminded themselves to live out the new principles learned here:
“’Dear____’- Let God work in your life no matter what opposition you face. You have to be true to your heart. Don’t forget to give all people you meet a chance. Stay with them- they may change, and you may change too, to see them differently more now than you did at first. Maintain connection to the people you lived with last semester and those you bumped into according to God’s will.
“See God in everyone. You are a unique and beautiful creation. You can make a difference no matter how small. Show, don’t tell, God’s love. Be open and transparent.”
“’____’- Don’t forget the things you saw and heard here in SF. Refuse to live unaffected by it.”
“’Dear___’, Always remember the levels of learning that took place and how to meet people where they are at. This semester was a blessing in so many ways. Love reigns in this sometimes dark place.
Some wanted to hold on tight to their new experiences, and carry those with them forever:
“So much, ‘___ ‘, there’s so much you should never ever forget. Don’t forget the feelings, the people, the sights. Don’t lose the passion. Keep searching. Don’t get lazy. Be kind. Take the time to share and explain things. Remember the City- its streets, its stores and restaurants. Remember the students- making cookies, dancing in the halls. The lights, the smells, wanting to capture it all in a bottle and take it home…Can you do that?”
“At the Urban Program I lived and I loved. I soaked in a city of light and freedom. I formed relationships I now cannot live without. I saw the greatest need for Christ and the most potential to pursue that. I was empowered and I was embodied by joy, purpose and people”.
“ ‘Dear ___’, Remember the days in Room ___ with the wide open windows and charming character? Remember your excitement waking up at 3:30 AM to head off to your internship. Remember your walks through Golden Gate Park and the feelings you had when you saw the ocean? Remember riding the MUNI and watching the people get on and off the bus? Remember going to Little Italy, Chinatown, the Marina, Castro, Mission, Haight, Market, Financial and Sausilito….Remember the students in the House and how much they loved you, encouraged you and desired to be with you? Don’t lose these memories…and see where your confidence is at!”
Some wanted to focus on the people they encountered, and how they had been changed by them:
“Today is the last day, full day, of Urban. Remember the adventures you had, the food you ate, the fun you had living life, loving people, and enjoying God. Remember the hurt and pain you saw, the people on the streets, the people in jail. Remember all you learned and saw because it will affect your life and you will want it to do so. Cultivate patience and understanding for others. They deserve your time and love, no matter what. Be open to change, open to love, open to life, open to exploration and adventure…”
“As I sit in this room I look around at these beautiful faces who have truly become my family. I want to remember how this felt: to laugh, be real and open with people, to dance when I want, cry when it hurts and laugh when that is all there is left to do. I am happy- God has given me joy in the most unconventional place. He threw me everything that I fear and the outcome was an inexpressible feeling o purpose and joy. I want to freeze this moment. Freeze the tears through the laughter. I want to make cookies for my kids one more time while we sang together. I want _____(a student she worked with) to believe that he isn’t a nobody. I want the kindergartners to have a brighter future than is expected. I want to go on a night walk. I want to remember this passion. I want to be overwhelmed and scared so that I can feel the peace that comes from faith in my Savior. I am not ready for change and the tendency toward mediocrity. I want to feel alive.”
One expressed the inexpressible in poetic form…
“Of ritual awkward and forced,
Of community stark and true.
We don’t know how to spend the days.
We pray, teach us life,
Show us to walk in higher ways
In ways we know not.
We grasp hands and laugh along the way.
Will we ever learn?
You who elude us.
Oh God, in San Francisco are you closer?
There you are in secret smiles,
in tight embraces,
in emptiness and in coldness.
We pray for your ways.
We are awkward and we know not.”
…another did so by refocusing their questions; desiring to make the most of future opportunities:
“Where is your heart? You focus? Your time? Your finances? Your thoughts? What have you been reading? Studying? Researching? Who are you loving? How are you showing God’s love? How are you serving? Who are you investing your time in?”
Can you see why I miss these students? Yet I can also express my joy at seeing these deeply reflective, passionate and loving Christian students released to the next big thing God has in store for them. And I rejoice that I was counted among those blessed enough to participate in the transformation they witness to in these postings. How will we last until the next twenty-four come on August 31? Probably we’ll read these ‘postcards from the heart’ again, and be thankful!
The SF Urban Program of Westmont College invites students from every major field of study to come and engage in an intense pre-professional internship in our world class city, a city that provides multiple challenges and opportunities for those who walk with Christ. Each student learns to polish their resume, interview, ‘win’ their job and then succeed under the watchful eye of a superb supervisor. They learn to navigate their way through America’s most diverse city, and one of the more unique environments they have ever encountered. They cook their own food, study provocative issues, while always integrating their maturing faith with a real world experience, one that drives them toward powerful community building, self-confidence and life skills. And they are transformed!
Nineteen students from Westmont and Gordon Colleges made The Clunie House, Westmont’s 1898 Victorian beauty in San Francisco, their home for a semester this past Spring, twenty-four did so last Fall. For many, though, this is an incubator, where they take their next steps into the future.
Describing that “something special” can only be done in the students’ own words. As we wrapped up the Spring semester at our final retreat, we asked students to send themselves a postcard, an attempt to hold on to the moment as they reflected on what had been happening in their lives here at SF Urban. With their permission, here is a sample of what they will be receiving in the mail this week as we posted the cards back to them. I think you’ll agree, it’s “something special”.
Some reminded themselves to live out the new principles learned here:
“’Dear____’- Let God work in your life no matter what opposition you face. You have to be true to your heart. Don’t forget to give all people you meet a chance. Stay with them- they may change, and you may change too, to see them differently more now than you did at first. Maintain connection to the people you lived with last semester and those you bumped into according to God’s will.
“See God in everyone. You are a unique and beautiful creation. You can make a difference no matter how small. Show, don’t tell, God’s love. Be open and transparent.”
“’____’- Don’t forget the things you saw and heard here in SF. Refuse to live unaffected by it.”
“’Dear___’, Always remember the levels of learning that took place and how to meet people where they are at. This semester was a blessing in so many ways. Love reigns in this sometimes dark place.
Some wanted to hold on tight to their new experiences, and carry those with them forever:
“So much, ‘___ ‘, there’s so much you should never ever forget. Don’t forget the feelings, the people, the sights. Don’t lose the passion. Keep searching. Don’t get lazy. Be kind. Take the time to share and explain things. Remember the City- its streets, its stores and restaurants. Remember the students- making cookies, dancing in the halls. The lights, the smells, wanting to capture it all in a bottle and take it home…Can you do that?”
“At the Urban Program I lived and I loved. I soaked in a city of light and freedom. I formed relationships I now cannot live without. I saw the greatest need for Christ and the most potential to pursue that. I was empowered and I was embodied by joy, purpose and people”.
“ ‘Dear ___’, Remember the days in Room ___ with the wide open windows and charming character? Remember your excitement waking up at 3:30 AM to head off to your internship. Remember your walks through Golden Gate Park and the feelings you had when you saw the ocean? Remember riding the MUNI and watching the people get on and off the bus? Remember going to Little Italy, Chinatown, the Marina, Castro, Mission, Haight, Market, Financial and Sausilito….Remember the students in the House and how much they loved you, encouraged you and desired to be with you? Don’t lose these memories…and see where your confidence is at!”
Some wanted to focus on the people they encountered, and how they had been changed by them:
“Today is the last day, full day, of Urban. Remember the adventures you had, the food you ate, the fun you had living life, loving people, and enjoying God. Remember the hurt and pain you saw, the people on the streets, the people in jail. Remember all you learned and saw because it will affect your life and you will want it to do so. Cultivate patience and understanding for others. They deserve your time and love, no matter what. Be open to change, open to love, open to life, open to exploration and adventure…”
“As I sit in this room I look around at these beautiful faces who have truly become my family. I want to remember how this felt: to laugh, be real and open with people, to dance when I want, cry when it hurts and laugh when that is all there is left to do. I am happy- God has given me joy in the most unconventional place. He threw me everything that I fear and the outcome was an inexpressible feeling o purpose and joy. I want to freeze this moment. Freeze the tears through the laughter. I want to make cookies for my kids one more time while we sang together. I want _____(a student she worked with) to believe that he isn’t a nobody. I want the kindergartners to have a brighter future than is expected. I want to go on a night walk. I want to remember this passion. I want to be overwhelmed and scared so that I can feel the peace that comes from faith in my Savior. I am not ready for change and the tendency toward mediocrity. I want to feel alive.”
One expressed the inexpressible in poetic form…
“Of ritual awkward and forced,
Of community stark and true.
We don’t know how to spend the days.
We pray, teach us life,
Show us to walk in higher ways
In ways we know not.
We grasp hands and laugh along the way.
Will we ever learn?
You who elude us.
Oh God, in San Francisco are you closer?
There you are in secret smiles,
in tight embraces,
in emptiness and in coldness.
We pray for your ways.
We are awkward and we know not.”
…another did so by refocusing their questions; desiring to make the most of future opportunities:
“Where is your heart? You focus? Your time? Your finances? Your thoughts? What have you been reading? Studying? Researching? Who are you loving? How are you showing God’s love? How are you serving? Who are you investing your time in?”
Can you see why I miss these students? Yet I can also express my joy at seeing these deeply reflective, passionate and loving Christian students released to the next big thing God has in store for them. And I rejoice that I was counted among those blessed enough to participate in the transformation they witness to in these postings. How will we last until the next twenty-four come on August 31? Probably we’ll read these ‘postcards from the heart’ again, and be thankful!
The SF Urban Program of Westmont College invites students from every major field of study to come and engage in an intense pre-professional internship in our world class city, a city that provides multiple challenges and opportunities for those who walk with Christ. Each student learns to polish their resume, interview, ‘win’ their job and then succeed under the watchful eye of a superb supervisor. They learn to navigate their way through America’s most diverse city, and one of the more unique environments they have ever encountered. They cook their own food, study provocative issues, while always integrating their maturing faith with a real world experience, one that drives them toward powerful community building, self-confidence and life skills. And they are transformed!
