Students return to church for Dedication Sabbath

Campion Church welcomed back the student body for the first Sabbath of the school year after an absence of nearly five months. “I love our church community, but our full community includes Campion Students,” commented Pastor Micheal Goetz. “It’s only been half of us for the last four or five months.  It felt whole again.  And you could tell the energy and enthusiasm was different.”

The church is now hosting two services to accommodate both students and community members. To keep doors open, the church can only hold 50% of its normal capacity in order to effectively maintain social distancing guidelines. “The two services are fun because there are less people in each; I get to look into more eyes when there are less people each service,” Pastor Goetz continued. “But it’s sad at times when I’m in a service and I wish that those in second [service] could hear the singing in first, or that the students in first could meet and connect with some of the great people in second. I want everyone to experience it all.”

Students attended the first service and were spaced apart so that they nearly filled the main sanctuary. “Church was definitely different because of Coronavirus, but it was enjoyable,” said Haley Beckermeyer, sophomore. “Being able to use our Bibles interactively and play games at Sabbath School was also really fun!”

After only having church online and outdoor vespers during the quarantine, the church officially invited members back to the building the last weekend of May. Last Sabbath was also the first time the church was able to use the new addition for the children’s Sabbath School classes. 

On the first Sabbath of every new school year, Campion holds a special campus dedication, and this year it was spread out over the two services. Students were involved with music and children’s story, new faculty members were introduced, and the Rocky Mountain Conference Vice President of Education Lonnie Hetterle led a prayer over the students and staff. 

Erin Johnson, a teacher at Campion, said, “I really enjoyed the service because it reminded us why we are here. While we are doing God’s work, we need a lot of prayer.” 

Sami Hodges