St. Peter's, Kerrville Starts NEW Ministry to Schreiner University

St. Peter’s is excited to announce the launch of a new outreach initiative aimed at supporting students at Schreiner University. This new ministry is part of our ongoing commitment to connect with and serve the broader community, starting with the young adults at our neighboring university.

Jenny Ligon, our Family Minister, has been working closely with the College and Young Adult Ministries Director, Tami Woods, developing initiatives to encourage our relationship with the college students living in Kerrville.

In early May, Jenny, along with Lauren Vereen, our Communications Coordinator, made a special visit to Schreiner University during the students' finals week. They brought along snack packs filled with treats to help the students power through their studies. The visit allowed them to explore the campus, including the library and the popular student hangout, the "Lion's Den," where they met several groups of students.

Lauren shared her thoughts on the visit: “We learned a lot on this trip. For one, Friday morning might be a little too early to find studying students. When we returned on a Tuesday afternoon, we found a much busier campus. To support Schreiner Students Everyone was super friendly and receptive to receiving the snack bags.” Jenny Ligon added, “I think some students were surprised to see us, or wondered if accepting a bag meant we expected something from them. But once they realized it was just a pick-me-up with no strings attached, you could tell it really made their day!”

Finals week, or really any week in university life, can be incredibly stressful. For many students, moving to a new place and navigating newfound independence can be challenging. Our hope is that these snack packs reminded students that the community is thinking of them, and that St. Peter's is a friendly place, willing to support them.

To build on this successful visit and further develop our relationship with the university, Jenny Ligon is launching several new initiatives:

Move-In Day Assistance: We will organize volunteers to help students move into their dormitories at the beginning of the school year.

Taco Tuesdays: We plan to brighten their week by handing out free breakfast tacos on campus every Tuesday morning.

Cram Bags: During finals week, we will distribute bags filled with snacks, gum, and coffee to help students stay focused and energized.

These activities are designed to meet the students where they are, offering practical help and a friendly face during challenging times. We are calling for volunteers from our church to join us in these initiatives. Whether you can spare a few hours on a Tuesday morning, help out during move-in day, or you have some ideas to share, your participation will be crucial in making this ministry a success.

More recently, Jenny and Lauren attended the Check-in Fair for incoming freshmen on move-in day. Fr. Bert Baetz even made a surprise visit! Handing out cookies and swag, many students stopped by our booth to pick up information, and we now have the contact information for 10 students. Jenny’s next steps are to coordinate a program where St. Peter’s families can “adopt a student.”

By engaging directly with students and meeting their practical needs, we aim to build a supportive community that not only enriches their university experience but also connects them to St. Peter’s Church in lasting and meaningful ways. If you are interested in volunteering or want to learn more about this ministry, please contact Jenny Ligon. Let's make a positive impact together!