Town offers religious options
When students enter college life, they may be displaced not only from their families but their churches as well. Franklin College has a nondenominational worship service offered to students, but the community offers a variety of churches and denominations off campus. "I believe most students worship on campus or at home on weekends," said pastor Amy Bailey of First Baptist Church. Bailey said the college-student attendance at First Baptist is meager, but their work with the college has gotten great response from students. Their joint work mission trips have taken students to volunteer in the Hurricane Katrina relief in 2007 and in Virginia in 2008. She said she enjoys her work with the college, including the invitation to preach in the chapel service. Student Minister Kevin Allen of Franklin Memorial Christian Church said that though his church doesn’t have any college specific groups, there are several adult groups for men and women at the church. They also plan on attending a Passion Conference in Atlanta, Ga., and Allen said that all are welcome. Another church that is increasingly involved with the college is Grace United Methodist Church. They don’t offer college specific groups, but co-pastor Bob Coleman said there is a group that meets every week for what are called Wonderful Wednesdays. These meetings offer a free meal, bible study and book discussions; their current publication is Dr. Herb Castle’s "Yes Lord I’ve Sinned But I Have Several Excellent Excuses," and guest speakers include Franklin religious studies professor David Carlson. "Anyone can come," Coleman said, "even if it’s just for the meal." Campus Minister David Weatherspoon is also the head of the Religious Life Team on campus, a group of 18 students devoted to improving the spiritual side of campus life. "A lot of [the Religious Life Team members] lead the Bible studies. A lot of them lead the prayer and meditation time," Weatherspoon said. "We do mission trips, Bible studies, Religious Emphasis Week and a variety of planning. " The college holds a weekly service at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and weekly Bible studies on Thursdays at 9 p.m. "We usually pick a verse or a chapter from the Bible and break it down," said senior Shawn Hines, a member of the Religious Life Team. "We talk about it and try to interpret what the passage means." Though Weatherspoon is open to anyone being a member of the team, there is one key requirement: commitment. "We’re trying to make sure that people are not only aware of their faith and ownership of their faith, but putting it into action," Weatherspoon said. "Hopefully, they discover their own gifts and abilities and find where they can make a difference."
