University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

Page 27 text:

Musin said there are approximately 20-25 Jewish students who go to the temple on holidays. There may be more though, he said, who may not attend because they arc agnostic. Musin occasionally misses classes so he can attend services. He said most professors understand, but there arc those who cannot comprehend it. Scheduling can be difficult at these times, he said. Musin isn't the only student who's had to make adjustments. For Kris Albrecht. UWEC is the first public school she has ever attended. Her first semester was rough, she said, but she settled down second semester. She realized just because I was on a secular campus, not part of a gospel group, that the Lord was still alive. It's surprising how you meet Christians. They pop up when you need them. Like many students, Albrecht has joined a local church. I love my church. Albrecht said, because the congregation made me feel part of the family. They really accepted me. Albrecht taught Sunday School at the beginning of the year, but stopped because of time conflicts. I wanted to teach. she said, because I had something to offer them, and they had something to offer me. Albrecht plans to become a medical missionary in South America. The Lord has given me so many things.” she “Up here, it’s my decision to make.” said. “I want to give Him my life professionally. Once u week. Albrecht and four to six other girls got together for Bible study. In addition she set aside time for daily devotions. Some students' religious values do not lie with an organized church body. Karen Yurkowitz considers religion a private matter, between God and me. In the four years Yurkowitz has been in school, she has gone to one church service. The occasion was to hear a friend sing.

Page 26 text:

Religious re-sometimes a “By Unsie Zuege Tho college experience is a passage from dependence to independence, and to Iho student the world has become one of choices. Religion is one of many attitudes to be re-evaluated and re-defined when the student comes to college. Family influence is no longer as strong or as significant as it was once. Students must express the beliefs he or she perceives to be right. Rev. Robert Cook, of the Ecumenical Religious Center. (ERC) said 18 to 23 year-olds are extremely religious, not in the formal sense, but in their strong religious beliefs. Students arc coming to grips with religion and their values arc changing because they are exposed to a new set of relationships. Cook said. Young people use the faith to demonstrate celebration. Cook said. Symbols, banners, contemporary music, singing und art work are important to them, for they represent the joy. The intimacy of the service also helps. Cook said. Cook said community involvement is another manifestation of religious discovery. Students visit the aging, help in hunger programs and organize Christian action days where volunteers go into the community and perform services. Cook noted a growing interest and participation in Bible studies, three Bible study groups, Lutheran. Catholic and ecumenical, meet in the ERC. Counseling is another function of ERC. Cook said. 'There is a transcendent spirit in every age group und disappointment, Cook said. There arc a lot of aching people. We have to identify them, listen to them and overcome the stereotypes.” Students not only seek on-campus ministry; they also look off-campus for religious guidance. Rev. Herbert Prahl, of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, said the college experience tests a student's family religious values. Prahl said students like the family utmosphere community church offers because it keeps us in perspective. It's like worshipping at home. Prahl said. Religious outlooks aren't always expressed in certain faiths. Many students attempt to clarify religious complexity and abstraction in the classroom. evaluation rocky road Religious studies offer a broadening experience. Richard Degrood. assistant professor in philosophy and religious studies, said. By studying other religions, the students may develop tolerance and reduce prejudices which are the dangers of narrow stereotype awareness, Degrood said. I’ve been more impressed with students this year. Degrood said. I'm pleased with their interest in things outside themselves. They are not preoccupied with their own personal aims as much as their life in relationship to others. “There are a lot of aching people .. I get the feeling that they feel that religion studies here may afford them an opportunity to examine this part of their culture more objectively. It gives them a chance to decide about their beliefs more responsibly. Degrood said. Students are becoming more culturally aware. Degrood said. There is an intellectual factor in the desire to know and understand about what is. has. and will be. in religion. Attending church and classes arc public expressions of the students attitudes, and they may be more generalized. Each student has personal beliefs and values. Perhaps these personal values are most important. When Ira Musin. Governors Hall, came to school he realized there are other faiths besides (udaism and Catholicism. Once you go away to school, you question your faith, just because you're on your own. Musin said. “You become more philosophical. There are more decisions to make, like choosing whether to eat kosher food or not. and whether to go to the synagogue on Saturday night or go out with Christian friends instead. Up here, it's my decision to make. 24 Religion

Page 28 text:

 a rocky road cont. 9ANOTI1 Yurkowitz said she was raised with a religious hack ground. Her father is an Orthodox Jew and Yurkowitz and her mother are Methodist. She was active in a church youth group in junior high, she said. “It's not that I don’t believe in God. Yurkowitz said. I just don’t get into organized religion. When I am asked about religion I say that I believe in God but in my own way. I don’t set up specific times for it, it is just a part of my life. It’s a more natural, spontaneous thing. That’s the reason for me not getting into organized religion. It’s coming from my heart, it’s not something done out of habit or duty. While Yurkowitz prefers a non-structured expression of her beliefs, Mary Ellen Rozga has chosen a structured traditional religious lifestyle. Rozga. a fifth-year physical education major, plans to enter the Notre Dame order in Chippewa Falls to become a nun. following spring graduation. She will have up to 12 years to decide if she wants to take her final vows. Left Rev Herbert Pmhl conducts a service at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. lt is gratifying to sec young people grow in their religion and values. Below: Kris Albrecht, Sue Wendorff and Donna Dimoff took 15 minutes to an hour Monday nights to participate in an independent Bible study. I»wer left: Lake Street United Methodist Church bus service makes church attendance more convenient for students 26 Religion