Trinity's University Activities
QUIRKEY'S
6:00 p.m. to Midnight
Thursday
&
Friday
WHY QUIRKEY'S?
When we realized that Trinity needed to be in the business of serving the University, Pastor Alan Head picked the idea of a cyber café to be the number one priority project. The "Healthy Campus Initiative" was at a peak. We found out that most students who come to the Sunday worship services didn't go to Wesley. . . . and Pastor Alan began to preach the Wesleyan gospel that the church is a place where searching souls can belong, believe and become. Note that order of things, it's important!
Quirkey's is intended to be a place where college students can BELONG.
WHO'S IT FOR?
You don't have to be United Methodist. You don't even have to be Methodist. College students of ALL faiths, or even no faith, are welcomed here. This is a place where you can study, have fun and meet other students without the alcohol, tobacco smoke and risks of other college hangouts.
WHAT GOES ON THERE?
To be sure, some religious things happen here. The place is full of funky Christian symbols and art carefully picked out by Doris. She even created some of the art, herself. From time to time, groups of students have held Bible study in this space, although there's not one going on now. If you are interested, contact John Masingill, Quirkey's manager to see about arranging for the use of the facility when it is not scheduled for other purposes.
In previous years, students found at Quirkey's a socializing atmosphere--a place to get a smoothie, a cappuccino, a soda, or snacks, a place to search the Net, catch up on their e-mail, or print out a report, a place to watch TV or play a computer game, and, most of all, a place to meet and visit with friends. As time passed, though, wireless Internet connectivity spread so much that our free Internet access no longer was an attraction, and the price of bigger screen TVs has dropped so much that every dorm room, apartment and eatery has one or more. So, this year, we are reorganizing the service that we will provide for students who have a need for a safe Christian place to hang out.
John Masingill, Quirkey's manager, is planning activities and events for Thursday and Friday nights, 6 pm to midnight. These will be varied and will include video games like Guitar Hero or Halo, live entertainment, movie nights and whatever is popular on campus. The events will be scheduled a week or two ahead of time, so visit the Quirkey's website often to see what is going on.
RESPONSIBLE STUDENT USERS
The students literally have part ownership in this place. We listen to suggestions for programs and modifications of the facility. The manager is a student, himself, and he is not there not to be a policeman, but to help those who visit. The nominal payment for drinks and snacks is on the honor system--nobody gives you a "check." Same for paper consumption on the computer printers. Same for behavior. Everybody knows that this is a place where everybody is somebody, and boorish behavior, theft, visiting inappropriate websites and vandalism will diminish the value of their investment in this fun place to be.
INVITATION
Trinity is pleased to see Quirkey's being accepted by students and admired by all who hear about the program. We hope that more and more learn of its availability and use the facilities.
Now, go visit the Quirkey's website, and make plans to hotfoot it over to Quirkey's, itself.
Mother of Quirkey's
Doris Kispert, interior designer and member of Trinity, was tasked by Pastor Alan with the challenge to change a junk room in the basement into a place where college students would want to hang out. She poured her heart and soul into the project over the winter, spring and summer of 2002-3.
It's a gathering place for safe fun in a cabaret atmosphere filled with funky Christian symbols.
2 computer/printers, 24 internet connection ports. Of course--this is an authentic CYBERcafe.
It may have a bar, but you won't find alcohol or a smoke-filled back room! This is a safe hangout for a night out or a short break from your studies.
Trinity United Methodist Church
729 Paul W. Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: 759-4206
FAX: 759-4172
e-mail:office@trinityumc.info
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