Guilds and Organizations...


Families of Episcopalians Nurturing within the College Environment
F.E.N.C.E. is an acronym for Families of Episcopalians Nurturing within the College Environment. It is an initiative that is being established by the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (AECST) to keep its college students involved in the life of the Episcopal Church within the communities where they are attending college.

The participation of families from the students' college town Episcopal parishes is an integral part of F.E.N.C.E. Each student is matched with a family. (The manner in which this match is made will be determined by consensus of the participating students and their parents during formulation of the program guidelines.)  It is proposed that the families serve as surrogates for our college students - providing them with access to Sunday services, and any other church-sponsored programs of interest to the students. It is hoped that a relationship between each student and his/her surrogate family can be nurtured to the extent that the student becomes involved in other activities with the family, (e.g., home-cooked meals, down-time spent at the family's house, family outings, college sports, etc.)

Another proposed aspect of F.E.N.C.E. is the provision of a bridge for communication between the student and AECST. Program coordinators will ensure that each student receives communication from AECST.  A newsletter will either be mailed, or if operational, e-mailed to each student.  F.E.N.C.E. coordinators will also ensure that each student receives the quarterly Spearhead. Birthdays will be acknowledged.  As cost permits, surprises may be an element of the program.

Two-way communication is important.  First, students and parents should make F.E.N.C.E coordinators aware of any changes to contact information (i.e., snail mail and e-mail addresses, land line telephone and cell phone numbers). It is hoped that each student will advise coordinators of important events in his/her life, as they arise. When appropriate, F.E.N.C.E. will publically acknowledge individual achievement of participating students. Another dimension of two way communication is the receipt of periodic feedback from parcipating students, parents, college town families and parish priests.  Feedback will be the basis on which to assess that goals and expectations of the program are being met a very important aspect for the success of F.E.N.C.E.