Scene Depiction Essay

I have always been curious about CSF and what they are all about. I had heard of some of my friends going to many different groups or events that they would host different nights, but I was usually busy with my school work or had to work the nights that they were going on. So when I heard that we were going to complete a scene depiction essay and we would have to choose a group or club that was of interest to us, I considered CSF. I just wanted to see if it was a right fit for me. It gave me a reason to look more into CSF and the different groups that they offer various nights. The group that I decided to do my scene depiction on was SHIFT, it is every Tuesday night at 7 and it is for freshman. It worked out nicely that this was the group I was interested and it was just for freshman.

I had heard about CSF advertising various groups during K-week and when they pass out flyers on campus, so I knew that it was just something that whoever could stop by and it was open to whoever wanted to come. This made getting in touch with people and going to a meeting much easier. Being able to drop in and sit and observe at an open meeting , made it less awkward and it wasn’t like I was the odd man out just sitting in on something that everyone else was very confused as to why I was there.

As I’m walking up to the Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) building, I notice it’s a very long building and of which there is a door on the right side to which we enter. As I walk in, immediately to my right is a room of which are a few couches along the walls where people are in small groups and mingling about. I notice that everyone is just very casual and comfortably dressed, I can tell it is a very just “come as you are” type atmosphere.  To my left is a large room with a vaulted ceiling and has dark carpet that is spread throughout.  There is a stage near the front of the room with a drum set and guitars and there is music that is being played by speakers throughout. There are large round tables with chairs set up around them.  Many people are gathered around in small groups and talking amongst themselves and just waiting around till it starts. I can tell with their being tables set up it gives the more personal connection that you have with the others at your table, you not just another person in a huge crowd.  As I make my way downstairs I see they have dinner provided and most people are making their way over to the tables where they have a buffet set up. There are also many drinks available toward the back of the building in a smaller room. I decide just to hang back and just try to see what this whole “Shift” thing is all about.

 Once people have made their plates, they make their way back upstairs into the large room where the tables and chairs are. Most people continue to eat and talk amongst themselves at their table while they wait for it to start. I sit towards the back, and just observe what is happening around me. Even though I don’t come regularly like some others do, it seems they still make an effort to make everyone feel welcome and at home. Also, it seems that most everyone knows everyone else, and it also seems as though the people that come regularly love it here and want everyone else to love it just as much. 

Music starts to play and most people just continue talking, then after a few minutes I notice a woman come onstage, wearing jeans, a nice shirt and cardigan, and everyone starts to wrap up their conversations. She begins to welcome everyone and thank them for coming tonight. Then proceeds to ask everyone to stand and join in worship. After a few songs have been played and everyone has sung along, she comes back up on stage and starts to talk to the audience again. She then announces various events that are coming up and that CSF will be hosting this spring.

She introduces a man of the name, Austin Wofford, who then proceeds to take the stage.  He comes onto the stage and introduces the series that they will be talking about for the next few weeks. The name of the series is called “myths” and tonight’s message is entitled “Partying—it’s what we do in college”.  As he is giving the message, everyone seems very interested and paying close attention to what he has to say. He addresses the many sides of partying and why it is the “thing to do in college.” He then talks about how it doesn’t have to be everyone’s “thing” to do in college. Many people just assume that it is “just what you do” in college and that it’s just expected that everyone party’s in college. He then elaborates that it’s ok to be different and make you own choices, rather than just following the crowd and doing what everyone else does. As he is giving the message he makes an effort to make eye contact with everyone and make them feel as though he is talking just to them.

Later on he talks about Shift groups and mentions to everyone that if anyone is not in a group then they can still sign up for one. He explains that Shift groups are small groups that meet once a week or so and discuss a book together.  The leaders of these smaller groups are older, upper classman, which have volunteered to be leaders of the freshman groups.    As the meeting comes to a close, people are slowly getting up to leave. Some decide to leave right away, and others stick around and continue to talk and mingle around. A few are also going to sign up for shift groups and picking a time that works with their schedule. 

Courtesy of ukcsf.org

It is easy to tell this is a close nit group, by the way they continue to hang around and talk with one another. The way that the small group members talk with their leader is in a way that you can tell that the leader generally cares and they have this caring nature for everyone in the group. Many of the group leaders are mentors for the freshman, and I can tell that the freshman feel relaxed around their leaders and are comfortable enough with them to come up and talk to them about anything they need help or advice with.

                After coming to shift and experiencing more of what CSF has to offer, I understand how people like so much here and I love how the topics being discussed were very relatable. It’s not as intimidating when you understand the message that is given and you can relay it to your own personal life.