Dear Manna Alumni,
Whether you graduated a few months ago or several years ago, we are very excited to invite you to a new special weekend event called Manna Connect, October 19-21. The purpose of the event is to bring together alumni and undergraduates for vocational development and spiritual encouragement. As you may recall from your own experience, undergraduates are eager to receive professional and life guidance from those who understand their particular interests and concerns. As an alumnus/alumna, you have the opportunity to contribute powerfully to a current student’s personal and professional development. You will also have the chance to receive encouragement and perspective from other alumni. We are especially excited for the Commissioning Service on Saturday night as we celebrate the past, present, and future of Manna. These are exciting times for Manna, and we look forward to seeing you soon at this special inaugural event (please register here)!
Blessings,
 David H. Kim |
 Samuel Chez |
To find out more about this weekend and see David give a brief introduction to Sam Chez, watch this short video:
Weekend Schedule
| 8:00pm – 11:00pm | Screening of “La Source” documentary film, followed by general discussion. | |
| (Friend Center 004) | ||
| Manna Connect opens on Friday night with a screening of “La Source”, a documentary film that follows the efforts of Josue Lajeunesse, a custodian at Princeton University, to provide his hometown of La Source, Haiti with a sustainable clean water source. Upon learning about Josue’s mission, Manna students sponsored a benefit concert in April 2010 as part of Manna’s annual Seek Justice campaign, successfully raising $10,000 to support this initiative through a non-profit organization named Generosity Water. These proceeds directly funded the construction of clean water infrastructure for the villagers, who previously endured long and treacherous daily treks to access potable water. Come and join us for a screening of this award-nominated documentary, narrated by Don Cheadle, which will be followed by a general discussion. Open to both Manna alumni and undergraduates. | ||
| 10:00am – 12:00pm | Worship | |
| Talk #1: David Kim, “Where We’ve Been” | ||
| Board presentation | ||
| (Princeton Theological Seminary, MacKay Campus Center, Main Lounge) | ||
| 12:30pm – 1:30pm | Lunch with mixed alumni groups (Nassau Street restaurants) | |
| 2:00pm – 5:00pm | Alternative Career Fair (Computer Science Building and Friend Center) | |
| 5:30pm – 7:00pm | Dinner with mixed undergrad/ alumni groups (On-campus locations: eating clubs & dining halls) | |
| 7:30pm – 9:00pm | Commissioning Service, with reception to follow. (University Chapel, reception in Chancellor Green Cafe) |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21:
| 10:00am - 12:00pm | Worship | |
| Talk #2: Sam Chez, "Where We're Going" | ||
| Campus Ministry Update | ||
| Development Presentation | ||
| (Princeton Theological Seminary, MacKay Campus Center, Main Lounge) | ||
| 12:00pm | Dismissal / Free time |
Registration
Cost: $30 per person
Accommodations
Option #1: Friday night and/or Saturday night
- Free shuttle service provided by the hotel to and from Princeton available by request from 7:30am to 9:15pm. (You must request 1.5 hours in advance)
- Andy’s Taxi and Limo: 609-462-6963. Cost estimate = $16-20
Option #2: Saturday only
Erdman Center, Princeton Theological Seminary (8-min. walk from Palmer Square)To Reserve for Either Option:
FAQ
What is the purpose of Manna Connect?
Manna undergraduates are eager to receive professional and life guidance from alumni who understand their particular interests and concerns. Manna has matured enough as an organization that many alumni now have the vocational and life experience to give back meaningfully to current undergraduates as well as younger alumni. Promoting such encounters will both encourage alumni and strengthen the undergraduate ministry.
Is this a new version of the alumni retreat?
Yes and no. Yes, in that Manna Connect will replace the retreat as the central annual gathering for alumni. No, in that the purpose of Manna Connect is not just to provide a reunion for alumni, which is what the retreat had started to become, but to promote meaningful interactions between alumni and undergraduates. You will still be able to see all your old college friends, but that is not the primary goal of this event.
Why should I come?
Discerning vocational direction after college is a difficult challenge, and many of us would have benefited from the counsel of those who came before us. As an alumnus/alumna, you have the opportunity to contribute powerfully to a current student’s personal and professional development. You also have the chance to glean from the unique perspectives of other alumni. No group is better suited to serve our current students and alumni community than other alumni who have gone through similar experiences.
Shouldn’t alumni focus primarily on their local church?
Certainly. Manna Connect is not meant to detract from alumni participation in their local communities, and it would be a failure if the only result were heightened alumni dependence on Manna. That said, this kind of annual event can provide a jolt of energy and encouragement for alumni as they return to their local church settings, and it can especially function as a source of stability for alumni in the years immediately after college when many struggle to establish roots in any one location.
What if I am not sure about my own career or life?
Manna Connect will minister to alumni as well as undergraduates. Coming back to Manna creates space for alumni to reflect upon their own situations and to advise themselves as they advise others. Catching up with old friends and interacting with new alumni from different classes and fields also provides encouragement and fresh perspective. You don’t need to know all the answers to your own questions. God is present and at work in ways we don’t always understand, and forums like these are one way he speaks to us. And, if nothing else, those of us who do not feel entirely certain or content with our own decisions can forewarn undergraduates of the challenges or pitfalls of various paths we have taken.
I feel too old to come back to Manna.
The draw to Manna Connect is not just nostalgia or sentimentality — though we suspect, deep down, you still sort of miss Manna. :) It is an opportunity to give back to a ministry that would benefit from the wisdom and perspective of those who are a few years ahead. Manna needs its alumni to give back to the undergraduates, and not just for financial support. Please consider sharing your own story with a student who can learn from your experiences.
P.S. You probably won’t be the oldest one anyway, and you’ll end up enjoying it once you’re actually here — we promise!
How can I help?
Lots of ways! All alumni will have the opportunity to participate in the Alternative Career Fair. You can also volunteer to lead a group discussion with undergraduates and other alumni about your particular field. Finally, you have the option of participating in mixed meals of undergraduates and alumni where you can continue your conversations in greater depth. You can indicate your interest in any of these opportunities on the registration page, and the Alumni Steering Committee will follow up with you.
