Demands

This fall, Ethan is gearing up for his senior year studying aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado. He loves planes and spacecraft, and is working toward his first pilot’s license. 

Ethan stumbled across Bread+Belonging at the beginning of last year when he was looking for a community to connect with on campus. The simple invitation to gather, share a meal, and be in conversation with other students seemed like just the right group for him. The demands of school are often high, and Ethan was looking for a community where he could relax and recharge. 

He found that community  at Bread+Belonging Tuesday night dinners, especially the warm welcome he felt from the first time he came. “There is the feeling in the air,” he smiles and says, “[that] people want you to be there.” Gathering with the Bread+Belonging community each week has given Ethan the space to recharge that he was looking for. “I just feel more relaxed and more connected with myself going to school,” he reflects. “Having the release of coming and talking and having a good time makes it easier for me to face all the stress that comes with the school year. I was honestly surprised just how much more I felt centered, just because I had the space to breathe.” 

Over the course of the year, Ethan’s conversations at Bread+Belonging deepened. “Lent,” he shares, “was a very important time for me to feel like I was building my relationship with God.” Themes from the Ash Wednesday service with the St. Aidan’s community fueled conversations for him around Bread+Belonging dinner tables. Ethan is grateful for the opportunity  to reflect with others on big questions like, “Who am I right now? What do I want to see for myself? What do I want to make this season [Lent] into for myself?” 

We are grateful for your support for the Bread+Belonging community where students like Ethan can grow more connected and grounded in their relationships on campus and with their faith. Thank you for being part of sustaining a sanctuary for all CU students.