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The Bonner Connection
Basic Information
Inspired by the challenge of Scripture in Micah 6, the goal
of the Bonner Foundation’s Micah 6 Connection is to give
support and guidance to colleges for developing partnerships
with local congregations, which engage students in social
justice, service, and spiritual enrichment. Special Features
for 2001-02:
- Micah 6 Study and Planning Workshop: Representatives from
each Micah 6 Connection will be asked to attend a training
session on Saturday, June 16, 2001, at the Lawrenceville
School, near Princeton, NJ.
- Servant Leader Retreat for Staff and Advisors: Those serving
as administrator/advisor or facilitator for spiritual enrichment
will be invited to a retreat for servant leadership and
spiritual enrichment next fall.
- June '02 Micah 6 Bonner Celebration: Micah 6 Connections
join together to share, evaluate and celebrate their experiences,
as part of the Bonner Summit in June '02.
Challenges for a Micah 6 Bonner Connection
- A team of students and advisors work in partnership with
a local congregation, to plan and implement a one-year pilot
program for service and social justice in the community.
- Students and advisors in the Micah 6 Connection participate
in a program of spiritual reflection on their call and commitment
to service and social justice.
Partnerships in 2001-02
The Bonner Foundation's Crisis Ministry program awarded its
first seven Micah 6 Bonner Connection grants to the following
college-congregation partnerships, committed to "doing
justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with your God..."
- Berea College, with Union Church (UCC) of Berea, KY
- DePauw University and Jacer Inn, with a cluster of congregations
in the area of Greencastle, IN
- Emory and Henry College, with Emory United Methodist Church
of Emory, VA
- Mars Hill College, with Mars Hill Baptist Church, NC
- Rhodes College, with First Baptist Church of Memphis and
Evergreen Presbyterian Church
- West Virginia Wesleyan College, with First United Methodist
of Buckhannon, WV
- Wofford College, with Gravely United Methodist Church
in Spartanburg, SC
Some of the creative Micah 6 ministries taking root in college-congregation
partnerships are:
- An afterschool program for tutoring and mentoring in a
rural church
- A student operated "help-line" for local ministries
and social services to assist newly arriving refugees and
immigrants
- A local-global partnership for mutual ministry and discernment
of social justice issues among Cuban and American Baptists
- Community meals, literacy education and enrichment programs
to help a local churches better connect with their changing
neighborhoods
- Earth-home building project and development of a retreat
center for inner city youth
- An intentional living community for servant leader interns
and urban ministry
- Nonviolence education with children in transitional public
housing
- Visitation and companionship with children in long term
treatment for cancer, AIDS, and other illnesses
For more information on Micah 6: The Bonner Connection, contact
Billy Newton at Rhodes College:
newton@rhodes.edu
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