Fiona Morgan, News Editor
As the government shutdown was coming to an end, some Asbury students were seeing effects firsthand in Washington, D.C. Political science professor Dr. Stephen Clements led a group of 13 Asbury students on the annual Washington Federal Seminar trip Jan. 26-Feb. 2.
Students attended the National Association of Evangelicals’ annual Christian Student Leadership Conference with students from other Christian colleges and universities across the nation. They attended seminars and heard from and spoke with policy makers from all over the political spectrum, including Sens. Ted Cruz, Mitt Romney and Sheldon Whitehouse; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; and the Kentucky senators and U.S. House representatives.
Topics ranged from immigration, climate change and religious liberty to higher education legislation. Students also met with local Asbury alumni, including former Rep. Joe Pitts; toured the White House and the U.S. Capitol; visited various museums; and attended a Sunday morning service at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House.
Natalia Berkey, Merciful class president and a communication and intercultural studies double major, went on the trip and appreciated the opportunity to ask the speakers questions. “I think my favorite speaker was [Senate Chaplain] Barry Black for his message and urge to seek God in all policy,” she said. “However, I loved meeting with the senators and getting to see how their voices are heard on the floor.”
“We live in a time where it seems everyone is polar opposite, and this [trip] offered the opportunity to ask questions and see what it means to find common ground,” Berkey continued.
Clements was intrigued to hear from Pelosi. “She addressed a largish group of evangelical leaders, which is not her natural constituency,” said Clements. “But she did not flinch at speaking to them, and I was impressed at her ability to communicate effectively to a room full of people who likely did not share many of her political convictions.”
While the left and right seem to find it more difficult to agree than ever, Berkey said her biggest takeaway from the trip was “that change can happen” and “that common ground can be found.” She continued, “However, there is a need to start coming to the table respectfully and with a listening ear.”
Clements expressed his hope that students on the trip would one day consider jobs in the city: “I think students embraced the message that Washington, D.C., can be a great place to live and work and that young people of faith can in fact thrive in that environment as professionals.”
The trip counts as a three-credit course for PS 300, and an additional Washington, D.C., course will be offered this spring. The new trip will count toward PS 393 and will take place May 19-31. Interested students can sign up for the trip through the end of February by contacting Clements.
