In the bustling halls of Lawrence High, a journey of faith, friendship and unity unfolds in a science room. The Fellowship of Christian Students club has risen again after years of inactivity.
Lydia Reimers, a science teacher at Lawrence High, has always wanted to create a space for students interested in spirituality. She saw the opportunity in the summer of 2022, when activities secretary David Ruis sent an email to staff asking whether anyone was interested in sponsoring the FCS.
“I had a burden on my heart for several years for Christian students or students who were seeking in that area of spiritual questions, and so I just immediately emailed back,” Reimers said.
After getting approval, Reimers set up a booth at the club fair where two people signed up.
“I emailed them when it was close to the first meeting and nobody showed up,” Reimers said.
She put information about the club in school announcements for weeks, but her efforts went for naught.
Finally, senior Sophia Lang, who is now the president of the club, stopped by Reimers’ room in October, expressing her interest. After a discussion with Reimers, Lang was ready to get things rolling.
“Sophia and a friend of hers started coming, and then then another,” Reimers said.
Once they were in full swing, Lang and the others began to claim leadership roles in the club.
“On Mondays, we do a little Bible study. On Fridays, we pray. So one of us will have minutes, one of us will lead the Bible discussion, one of us will lead the prayer and one of us will bring snacks and we rotate that out each week,” Lang said. “So what makes me president is just that I’m dealing with the higher-up people.”
Over the past two years, additional members have joined the club, bringing the total to eight to twelve people at each meeting, depending on the week. Solveigh Lang, a sophomore on the club’s executive council, attributes the club’s growth to advertising and meeting times.
“I think the main reason it has grown is simply because we have invited people and have tried to spread the word about our club,” Lang said. “We meet in the morning, so no one has to worry about the club interfering with other plans, like sports.”
Reimers wants everyone to know that the FCS’s purpose is to help students build caring friendships and strengthen their faith. With the club growing strong, the members hope to see more growth next year.
“As Christians, we want to reach out and welcome everyone with love and build those relationships, help people discover who they are,” Reimers said. “Find meaning in their life, a connection with God, to serve others and to pray for each other and for our school.”
