CASSOC: The Catholic Students Society

Interviewee: Chris Harrison
Position: Co-President
Subject: History & Philosophy
Meetings: Thursdays 8pm in More House
Society Email: socs532[at]york.ac.uk
Website: www.yusu.org/cassoc

Tell us about yourself: Hi, I'm a third year, and, umm, I'm co-president of Cassoc, you know?

And about your society? Cassoc is the Catholic Students Society, but you don't have to be a Catholic to join. Cassoc offers a chance to learn more about our faith, ourselves and our lives in a comfortable and uplifting environment.

What made you decide to join? The welcome I received when I first arrived and the welcome we receive when we walk into More House today! Cassoc has lots of amazing members. Everyone is eager to share the personality and love their faith has given them.

What's been your favourite moment in Cassoc? There are loads! We've made people smile in so many ways!Our fundraising stands out. We've done allsorts from busking, sports coaching, even campus-wide events. We set ourselves goals and all chip in!

What exciting events do you have planned for the start of term? Freshers can be hectic, our terms plans aim to help you settle in. There is always a friendly face in More House. Cassoc will have its "Chilli Night" welcome in week 1; week 2 we'll be acclimatising you to York with "Picture Trail"; week 3 is our "Away From Home" - Sharing our experiences of University life.

Finally, describe God in three words: Never too distant.

And what's the one piece of advice you wish you'd been given in Freshers week? Approach life with a smile! Nothing beats a smile!

Speak!

Interviewee: Anna Cocks
Position: Chair
Subject: Social Policy & Social Work
Meetings: TBC
Society Email: amc504[at]york.ac.uk
Website: www.speak.org.uk

Tell us about yourself: I'm Anna. I'm not a hippy but I am a vegetarian!

And about your society? York SPEAK group is part of a network of students and young adults who campaign about justice issues. We aim to create a community where we can grow together and support each other in creatively engaging with God and His heart for our world; addressing issues of injustice with prayer and action environment.

What made you decide to join? I wanted to be involved in a campaigning group and I realised the importance of combining prayer with action, so decided to join SPEAK.

What's been your favourite moment in Speak? I won't pick a particular moment, but meeting with like-minded people has been such a blessing to me. Oh but a great moment was enjoying the indoor swing on our weekend away!

What exciting events do you have planned for the start of term? Umm, can I get back to you on that one? People can email me if they want to know, or catch us at Freshers fair.

Finally, describe God in three words: God is God.

And what's the one piece of advice you wish you'd been given in Freshers week? Get a tattoo across your forehead saying what your name is, where you'refrom and what subject your doing so you don't have to repeat it 10 million times!

Christian Focus

Interviewee: Peter Davis
Position: El Presidente
Subject: Physics
Meetings: Monday, 8:15 (or 7:30 for a bible study) - location TBC
Society Email: christianfocus[at]yusu.org
Website: cf.brandaris.org.uk

Tell us about yourself: Hi, I'm Peter, a third year (of four) physics student. I have been involved with Christian Focus since my first weeks at York. I spent my first year on Bottom A Vanbrugh and subsequently have ended up living in Fulford

And about your society? Christian Focus is basically a group of people who come together to discuss Christian topics, we have weekly meetings on Monday Nights at 8:15. These are preceded by Bible study from 7:30. Added to this we have termly worship events, End of Term meals, annual weekends away and try to have a lot of good fun getting to know each other in a warm and friendly environment. We also have a social action aspect with a charity we support each year.

What made you decide to join? I joined Christian Focus because of the warm people and a sense of belonging. They were also some of the first people I met at university.

What's been your favourite moment in Speak? I think one of my favourite moments was being bet that I couldn't drink a jug full of water one night on the weekend away in my first year. Or getting slightly inebriated and agreeing to change my name by deed poll to incorporate the name of the our charity for that year. (Err...yes, Peter - ed.)

What exciting events do you have planned for the start of term? We will be holding a walk round the city walls together on the first Sunday of term after the big meal in Heslington Church, which may be good to get you orientated in York. Also Monday Week 2 we have our first meeting of the term at 7:30pm with a speaker and a getting-to-know-you session and Friday Week 2 we will be having a Pizza Party at Heslington Church.

Finally, describe God in three words: Love, hope, humour.

And what's the one piece of advice you wish you'd been given in Freshers week? Be yourself and you will find where you fit in.

Christian Union

Interviewee: Maria Leach
Position: Co-President
Subject: Music
Meetings: Saturdays 7:00pm in More House, plus college meetings throughout the week.
Society Email: socs25[at]york.ac.uk
Website: www.uycu.org.uk

Tell us about yourself: My name is Maria Leach, and I'm one of the presidents of the Christian Union. I'm just starting my final year as a music student

And about your society? The aim of the CU is to tell other students in York the amazing news about Jesus Christ, and to support each other as we do this and grow in our own faith in Him.

What made you decide to join? I became a Christian when I was a teenager, so when I came to York I was on the look out for people who believed the same things that I did. I met some amazing people from the CU in freshers week, and it kind of went on from there.

What's been your favourite moment in CU? The autumn houseparties - we go away together and hire a big old house in Northumberland, Scotland...this year we'll be in the Lake District.

What exciting events do you have planned for the start of term? We have a 1960s red double-decker bus on campus all through freshers week! There'll be lots of different things going on there all week - and some tours of York on it!

Finally, describe God in three words: Loving, everlasting, compassionate.

And what's the one piece of advice you wish you'd been given in Freshers week? You can't do everything - there are only 24 hours in a day! It's all about prioritising.

Christis

Interviewee: Greg Melia
Position: Beanbag
Subject: Electronics
Meetings: Wednesdays 1:15pm in L/049
Society Email: christis[at]yusu.org
Website: www.christis.org.uk

Tell us about yourself: I'm a fourth year Electronics student, but for a long time I've been interested in writing and journalism, and that's how I got involved in Christis. When I'm not doing my degree you can find me riding round the Dales on my bike, or in Heslington Church on Sundays.

And about your society? Christis is York's free, student-run Christian magazine. We publish articles, stories, poems, artwork/cartoons/photographs, and are always on the lookoout (and can provide training) for people to put the whole thing together. Christis is a great way of spreading Christian thinking all the way round campus, and producing a magazine is great fun in its own right.

What made you decide to join? A friend got me involved, but I'd been on the team for my school magazine so it was an easy choice.

What's been your favourite moment in Christis? My interview with John Sentamu this summer is narrowly beaten in to second place by the time we fitted a whole production (Issue 92) into one marathon session. Things got rather surreal towards the end.

What exciting events do you have planned for the start of term? On Wednesday evening in Week 2 we're running a game of Radio 4's 'Just A Minute': you have to speak on topics we give you for 60 seconds without hesitation, deviation or repetition. Then on Saturday Week 2 we're holding a writing competition; the winner gets their piece printed in Christis. Both events are in L/049, 7pm on Weds and 2pm on Sat.

Finally, describe God in three words: Crucified, Risen, Glorious.

And what's the one piece of advice you wish you'd been given in Freshers week? Am I allowed to say, "Join Christis"? Oh well then, find people who give you free food. The chaplains are usually a good bet.

Revelation

Interviewee: Miriam Jenkin
Position: President
Subject: English Literature
Meetings: Tuesdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in Heslington Church
Society Email: revelation[at]yusu.org
Website: www.rev.org.uk

Tell us about yourself: I'm Miriam, studying English and going into my third year.

And about your society? Revelation Rock-Gospel Choir is a Christian based society that sing a whole lot of different music! Practices are fun and relaxed and are about much more than the singing, we want everyone to feel included and valued, whatever their role in the group.

What made you decide to join? My sister had been a member in Hull Rev - they are several choirs around the country - and she'd told me it was a great place to start making friends, especially at the beginning of uni when it can all be a bit overwhelming.

What's been your favourite moment in Rev? My first ever Christmas concert was fab, our first performance as a new group and the audience loved it! And also at WIM, the national Revelation event - I've never met so many cool people in so short a time.

What exciting events do you have planned for the start of term? Come to Hes Church on Tuesday to find out!

Finally, describe God in three words: Here for EVERYONE!

And what's the one piece of advice you wish you'd been given in Freshers week? Some friendships take more time than one week, and it might not be that your closest friends are living next door to you, but you'll find them soon.