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PUC鈥檚 newly christened Community Speaker Series (familiarly called 鈥淐ommunity鈥�) held its opening convocation in the PUC Church on Thursday, Oct. 3. Previously called Colloquy, the goal of Community is indicated in its title: to build a network of close-knit relationships between students and faculty across the college鈥檚 campus. Essentially, it seeks to build 鈥淥NEPUC.鈥�

After a Community Brief video featuring athletic director Richie Sillie detailing the upcoming week鈥檚 events, President Bob Cushman took to the stage to welcome new staff, faculty, and students, as well as recognize members of this year鈥檚 graduating senior class. Each group was asked to stand for applause as he recognized their role on the PUC campus.

As the audience settled into their seats, Student Association President Megan Belz read from Matthew 22:37-39 and concluded by praying over the church family. With the message of love at the forefront, a video of chaplain Kent Rufo played in which he reminded the campus that they are all members of one body that is committed to each other as the PUC family.

President Cushman then returned to the stage with a short, but impactful message that spoke to the heart of PUC鈥檚 goals as it looks towards a new academic year. He maintained humanitarian issues sit at the forefront of the college鈥檚 concerns, and PUC has a specific place in today鈥檚 time and culture.

He affirmed there is, indeed, a place for 鈥渆veryday superheroes,鈥� saying, 鈥淟ove is a superpower we need in our world today 鈥� We can serve as guardians and stewards of love.鈥�

鈥淲ho is our neighbor today? Who do we need to take care of?鈥� he asked. 鈥淛esus is calling us to love without respect to our differences 鈥� Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything in return.鈥� concluded Cushman.

He closed by recounting the various ways in which staff, faculty and students have found recent opportunities to serve their community members, and invited contemporary Christian performing artist Elias Dummer to the stage for a final song, which he performed accompanied by members of PUC鈥檚 Vox Pro Musica.

Students were then invited to gather on the expansive lawn in front of the church to form the letters of PUC, and an aerial photograph was taken by an overhead drone. As the school year unfolds, there is no doubt students and staff will remain committed to building a stronger community throughout all their campus relationships.