Listen Here
Multiple Findlay students take the opportunity to share their talents with others at the Revive Coffee Shoppe
By Mason Alberts
albertsm@findlay.edu
Students participated in the Coffee Shoppe hosted by Campus Ministries in the Alumni Memorial Union at the University of Findlay, Thursday Sept. 21.
Every year at UF, Campus Ministries sponsors an event titled “Coffee Shoppe” in the Multipurpose room inside the AMU. This year 12 acts performed which included singing and poetry reading. Josiah Parkhurst, assistant director of Christian Ministries department, oversees hosting the event and recruiting students around campus to participate.
“I recruit students to play at the Coffee Shoppe, organize the schedule for the evening, and coordinate with the revive student leaders about the different acts,” Parkhurst said.
Coffee Shoppe is an event that has been around for three years and was inspired by the thought of students being able to share music they enjoy with others. Campus Ministries service, “Revive”, is usually held at 9 p.m. in Winebrenner every Thursday. However, Coffee Shoppe happens once every year during the Fall semester in place of Revive to change the music from sacred to secular. Students who are interested in participating have a multitude of options to choose from and perform.
“Students could share a dramatic monologue or a skit, or share a poetry reading or a short story, or play an instrumental solo, or get a band together for it. For students looking to collaborate, our student leaders will help find the other students interested in playing,” said Parkhurst. For example, if a student is looking to sing, but needs an accompaniment, we will help them find an instrumentalist who can play the song with them.”
Nathan Smith, a participant in this year’s Coffee Shoppe, enjoys attending the event and participated this year.
“I come to Coffee Shoppe because I like music and it’s a fun environment,” Smith said.
Smith loved it so much in previous years that he was interested in singing at Coffee Shoppe. When asked by a friend to sing with her, he didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“Then Taylor Lee asked me to sing, so I am this year,” Smith said.
Even though Revive sponsors the event, it is not about praise and worship, but a time to share and enjoy different forms of music and art. It is also a time to hang out with others and enjoy some time out of the house or dorm.
“We offer tables setup so that students can do homework and chat during the acts. We provide Coffee, Hot Chocolate and donuts,” said Parkhurst. “Between acts each year we have run trivia as activity for you to participate in, even if you are just there to watch.”
“All music and talent is welcome,” Smith said. “Just don’t be mean or discouraging with it!”
