It is a joy and privilege to serve as Campus Minister among so many wonderful students! I look forward to this new year with returning students as well as the opportunity to welcome new students into our programs, activities and worship services. I hope you will join us in our journey to grow our faith in God and discover how we can serve others. Check out our activities and come join us in the area where you feel a tug at your heart! Author Sue Monk Kidd writes, "To grow older physically and not spiritually suddenly seemed a ridiculous waste!" Here at The Crossing we believe this and offer opportunities for students to grow spiritually during their university career. We welcome questions, doubts, insights, and affirmations of faith. We welcome open dialogue with open hearts and minds. We also offer our support to students when it is needed." This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

"Hello all! I just graduated with a Master's degree in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development. While the administrator job is not related directly to environmental issues, lots of "good stuff" happens here. I am looking forward to helping make that "good stuff" happen for all of you. I coordinate the building use, take care of what needs taking care of, and help keep everything on an even keel. If you need something, let me know.

On another note, I have been one of the vespers music leaders for the past year and am continuing in the post. I am looking forward to making joyful noise with you all. I might even break out the guitar this year since I'm no longer swamped with schoolwork and I'll have time to practice!" This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cecil Findley is a retired United Methodist minister, having served as a pastor, missionary, campus minister, and college professor of religion. He comes out of an evangelical background, and has expanded his horizons with reading and study, without abandoning his roots. He is accustomed to and comfortable with dealing with a wide variety of viewpoints, and feels that discussion of contrasting views is one of our best opportunities for spiritual growth.

Cecil was instrumental in bringing author, Marcus Borg, to Madison on April 26th. Students are invited to Borg's presentation and a special luncheon with the author. Cecil led a book study using Borg's "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time" this past fall and offers the following about Borg's writing and the opportunity to join in discussion about his books.

"Marcus Borg is a very clear and challenging writer. What he does for us is to enable us to use the full range of modern knowledge, which will help us both to raise our questions about the Bible and to read it more intelligently, and thus with stronger passion. Our reactions to Borg may range all over the map, from great relief at the liberation he offers, to anger that he dashes the preconceptions we have grown up with. I would add that there is a great and growing ‘cloud of witnesses’ who feel that he has given them a new lease on their Christian life, a faith that that they can hold to passionately and with integrity. (I confess up front that I am among those who share in this positive affirmation of what Borg has done.) None the less, however you initially come down on this, our discussion will try to help us deal with this range of emotions, and to emerge as stronger people of faith better able to make sense of these ancient manuscripts in a modern world." This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"I'm a songwriter and yoga teacher, drawn to the ecumenical nature of The Crossing and to our faith-based work for peace, social justice and the environment. In working with this year's music team, I'm looking forward to singing with you in various languages; learning about the songs that move your soul; and using music to explore our spiritual and social diversity, and to strengthen our sense of community with each other and with God. There are no auditions . . . if you love music and want to make some with us, please contact me."

"I'm the dance instructor for The Crossing and am looking forward to sharing my love of dancing with anybody who's interested in learning. I started dancing in January of 1997 and have been dancing socially ever since. In that time, I've studied a number of dances including the ballroom smooth and latin dances, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, and Lindy Hop. I've done a little competitive dancing and through that process found I enjoy social dancing much more. The two social dances which I'm currently studying in depth are Argentine Tango and Lindy Hop.

Spring 2008, I'll be offering a Beginner Social Dancing class from 6:00 - 7:00 pm on Thursday nights. These classes will focus on dances such as Merengue, Rhumba, Salsa, and East Coast Swing. These classes will be a great place to come and learn the basic steps in a fun environment. In addition to the classes, I'll be hosting monthly dances for The Crossing. I'm confident that between the classes and dances people can very quickly have a lot of fun on the dance floor. No partner will be required for either the classes or dances.

As a teacher, my aim is to help people connect in their dancing so that they can have fun quickly. I also teach to principles. When the principles are understood, people can find the moves for themselves. I'm also teaching an Argentine Tango classes on Thursday night with Fundamentals from 7:00 - 8:00 pm and Vocabulary from 8:00 - 9:00 pm. Please stop on down if you're interested in checking out the dance. No partner is required and we're a friendly group.

Again, I look forward to sharing my love of dancing with The Crossing and look forward to meeting you soon."

  "Meow.. meoww.. meoowww.."

"After two years of involvement at The Crossing, I still look forward to every worship service, choir rehearsal, game night, and every service activity and I leave feeling refreshed and renewed. As President of SALT (the Student Activities Leadership Team), Choir Director, and pianist at Vespers, I share experiences with many people at The Crossing. Each person I've met has taught me something and helped me grow and challenge myself. To me, The Crossing has become a place I go where I know I will be accepted among a group of very diverse individuals. As members of the Leadership Team, we work to provide opportunities for college students to meet new people, serve the community and world, and have fun in a safe environment. In the hectic life of a college student at a big university, I welcome the simplicity and inspiration I get from the services and people of The Crossing. Please feel free to email me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you have any questions about choir, SALT, or The Crossing in general."

"The Crossing has opened up so many opportunities for me as a student, and I'm grateful that I decided to walk into one of the Vespers services several years ago. The people I've met and the trips I've been on through the Crossing have helped me explore and develop a passion for service, faith, and environmental awareness. The Crossing helps to make a big university feel welcoming. This semester I am co-leading a spring break trip to Biloxi, Mississippi through the Back Bay Mission. We will be doing housing restoration work for Hurricane Katrina victims. The trip will be affordable, rewarding, and fun! We still need participants so email me if you are interested or have any questions: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it "

"I have found The Crossing to be the perfect place for me to grow in my faith as a student at UW-Madison. Since the first week I arrived on campus as a freshmen, I have felt at home at The Crossing. The wonderful people I've met and the great experiences we've shared together have been amazing. It is hard to imagine who I'd be today if I had not traveled to Florida with Habitat for Humanity and to Costa Rica with Quest in 2006. I feel truly blessed for the memories I have and I look forward to creating more as a member of the worship team and a co-leader of the January Florida Blitzbuild as well as Co-Leader for the Quest trip to Biloxi, Mississippi in spring 2008!" This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

"When it comes to The Crossing, it is more than just attending. The Crossing is about participating and learning and experiencing in a comfortable, welcoming and accepting environment. The Crossing has been a major part of my college experience here at UW. I've met so many new, wonderful people and done things that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. Students are blessed to have such an amazing place of worship right on campus."

"I came to the crossing as a freshman looking for a loving community. The crossing has allowed me this opportunity by creating an opening, love-based atmosphere for all who come. I really appreciate the fact that the students, the ministers karla and doug, and the other staff members of the Crossing invite everyone with open arms and without questions. I am part of the worship team, also, which has allowed me to make new friends and have great spiritual conversation! The Crossing is definitely a place where one can obtain refreshment, peace, and a better understanding of who God is."

"My first experience with the Crossing was when I was walking home down University Ave one day. I saw a sign advertising a trip to Northern Ireland, a destination that I had been contemplating. I applied and was accepted, and next thing I knew I was helping to plan a trip that would teach me more in two weeks than I thought was possible in a lifetime. Since the first Northern Ireland trip, I have been attending services at the Crossing, and I truly feel that this is a wonderful spiritual home for students. As I begin my graduate studies, I am delighted to be co-leading the 2008 trip to Northern Ireland with Emily. I can't wait to get back there to strengthen the concept of forgiveness!  For more information about Quest Northern Ireland 2008, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"In March 2007, I had the privilege of joining some of my fellow UW students on a trip that would change most of our lives. That experience was the Quest trip to Costa Rica. Since that trip, I have found a new determination to use my God given talents to help others. That determination has led me to co-lead Quest Northern Ireland 2007-2008. I am very excited to be a part of this journey! If you are interested in learning more about this Quest experience, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ."

My faith is a large part of my life and it is wonderful to have found so many great people at the crossing with whom I can share my faith through conversation, social activities, volunteering, and worship.  I've only been a part of the community for a short time and already I've met lots of amazing people and look forward to all of the outings and activities which I participate in.  I've taken on a leadership role in the sustainability dinners because I think that sustainability is an important issue which needs to be dealt with and I think that a key part of the process is gathering and talking with others about the issues and possible actions I can take.  I also love to eat and the meals are always delicious!  Stop by, with or without a dish to pass, and see what it's all about (if you decide to come regularly we can hook you up with other people to share cooking responsibilities so you don't have to make something every week), or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it !

"I came to the Crossing as a freshman looking for a welcoming spiritual community that performed service projects for our city and world, and I found just what I was looking for. Now as a sophomore, I'm involved as the Crossing Treasurer and as a member of the Worship Team. Sunday night vespers services at the Crossing allows me a time of reflection, worship, quiet peace, and fellowship amid an otherwise busy and sometimes stressful university life. I've also enjoyed participating in local service projects that have a meaningful impact on our community. The lasting friendships and welcoming atmosphere of the Crossing have been an important part of my life here in Madison." This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

2007

"The Crossing has been a wonderful outlet for me in my college years as a place to reflect spiritually on what is going on in my life and the world around me. I have found the community at The Crossing to be open-minded, adventurous, social justice oriented and environmentally aware combined with the Christian values I have been seeking to explore and deepen in my life. "

"I came to the Crossing at the recommendation of my house fellow. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was really glad to have a friend there with me. However, I was immediately welcomed as a student, a visitor and as an old friend. I've meet fascinating people not only from Wisconsin and the US, but from other countries. I've participated in moving worship services, worthwhile community projects and entertaining and comfortable small group activity nights. I'm excited to see what this next year will bring."

"The Crossing is known as "where faith meets life". To me, this means that it is a place where I connect my faith, values system, spirit, and Christian tradition with the way that I live my life. The people at The Crossing have helpd me to think about social, political, and environmental issues in a whole new light. They also allow me to explore the roots, traditions, and meaning of my faith as I continue to redefine what my spiritual place is in the world. In the last four years, The Crossing has brought me a host of new friends, new opportunities, and new perspectives. Most importantly, perhaps, is the way that coming to The Crossing reminds me of my need for quiet, spiritual, time in a busy, sometimes confused, often exciting life as a student here in Madison. "

"The Crossing has been a home for me where I can always feel welcomed, a place to run into friends, and a community that challenges the way I think about the world. I'm so thankful for the people I've met there and the people that I get to know this next year!"

"The welcoming community experience that envelops me each and every time that I step foot into The Crossing helps me to temporarily escape the chaos of academics. The Crossing has created an avenue for me to explore different foundations of faith, utilize my passion for social justice, and find a niche at this large university."

"The Crossing offers countless opportunities for service and community involvement, and there is something for everyone. I know that as I go through college, I'll be able to turn to the people at The Crossing to
support me. Some of the things I've participated in are the Quest trip to Northern Ireland, directing The Crossing Choir, and being a part of the music team at Vespers. The Crossing has a great mix of diverse, open-minded, and talented students, and a great sense of unity is formed through service together."

"I came to The Crossing after attending the Florida Habitat trip, and signing up for the Questa Rica trip. Both experiences were amazing, and I quickly found a place to get away from the academic part of UW-Madison. Everyone is very welcoming, and I am very happy with how my spirituality has developed since joining The Crossing."

"I can't imagine what my UW-Madison experience would be without The Crossing. After the first Vespers service I attended as a freshman, The Crossing became a home. The people I have met and the ways my faith has grown are unforgettable. I truly look forward to creating and sharing new meaningful experiences with all the great people at The Crossing!"

"I came to know (and love!) The Crossing during my life-changing journey to Israel-Palestine with Quest in May 2006. I was then a lost freshman, unsure of where her faith was going to take her. Now I have found a home at The Crossing."

"The Crossing has been a guiding light for me in a tunnel of intimidating classes, difficult tests, and a large, diverse student body here in Madison. It is my main extra curricular activity. I have enthusiastically expended energy to encourage growth and participation in our worship services and other activities."

"So what makes The Crossing unique among campus ministries? Well, over the years I have consistently found the staff and students to honor all our differences and approach them with sensitivity and understanding. This is a place where you can explore the range of Christian expression and interfaith issues AND not have to give up being you! Two years ago I was fortunate to travel to Israel/Palestine to talk with Palestinian Christians, Muslims and Israeli Jews about the conflict in the Holy Land. During that experience I learned that most people are just trying to understand their place and purpose in the world and to live together peacefully - and that is exactly what The Crossing helps students with at the University of Wisconsin . Stop in and say hello! We're here for you!"

"The Crossing has been the most important part of my non-academic life during my years in Madison, supporting me and helping me grow as a person in countless ways. I cannot imagine my university experience without it."

Church Meal Ministry

Meals in the past have been graciously cooked and served by the following local churches and organizations - to whom we say a huge THANK YOU:

• Brodhead United Church of Christ
• Crossroads United Methodist Church, Waunakee
• Dale Heights Presbyterian, Madison
• Ecumenical Housing Association, Madison
• First Baptist Church, Madison
• First Congregational United Church of Christ, Madison
• First Methodist Church, Madison
• Lake Edge United Church of Christ, Madison
• Middleton United Church of Christ
• Monona United Methodist Church
• Monticello Zwingli United Church of Christ
• Mt Vernon Zwingli United Church of Christ
• Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, Madison
• Salem United Church of Christ, Verona
• Sauk City United Church of Christ
• St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe
• University United Methodist Church, Madison
• Westminster Presbyterian Church, Madison
• Windsor United Church of Christ

If you know of any organization or church which would like to cook a meal for our students,
please contact Karla Schmidt.