Bagels & Bible Study is a club formed this year by juniors Alexa Carlson and Eleonor Garcia. The group is advised by Mrs. Hausch, an IHHS math teacher and volunteer for Vacation Bible School, and Sara Christie, the Director of Family Ministry at the Wyckoff Reformed Church. The group meets monthly on Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. in Senior Commons. The club’s first meeting received an attendance of 25 students. At this time, the club is classified as a volunteer club, meaning that the club does not receive financial backing from the BOE and the advisors are unpaid.
The club aims to connect Christian students and provide a safe space for morning prayer. “We were both underclassmen when we recognized the absence of a Christian presence in our school. We wanted to create a safe, accepting place for people to gather weekly and share in fellowship,” Carlson and Garcia shared, “Our goal is to deepen the faith in Christ within students at our school. We hope that through the club, students will not only be able to grow in their faith but also create friendships with others who are on the same faith journey, as it can be difficult to do in such a secular environment.” Students of all denominations of Christianity are welcome at the club.
Religious youth groups can play an integral role in teens’ lives, being a source of spiritual and emotional fulfillment. “When I was growing up, I was part of a youth group, actually the same one that Alexa is part of, because we used to go to the same church,” Mrs. Hausch explained. “Youth groups play an important role in students’ lives because it creates a safe space where students can come and interact with [other] students they don’t necessarily see every single day at school with a common purpose in mind. No one judges anyone, and it is a chance to hang out and connect.” This Bible study group being held in school provides a unique opportunity for students to connect with their peers who may belong to different churches.
The meetings rotate between being student-led and directed by Christie. Individuals in the club have the opportunity to steer discussion topics. “Every month we will pick a new topic for discussion to which any high school student can relate. We will read scripture each week pertaining to the topic, and dissect it, and reflect on it as a group,” Carlson and Garcia elaborated. “However, as this is a brand-new club, we are open to going in whatever direction the members want. There is potential that we make it more mission-based and create designated roles within the club that will work to benefit the community and the world.”
This is not the first club of its kind to be at Indian Hills. “Many years ago Mr. Knauss, a history teacher who retired, was an advisor for a similar club that would meet in the morning before school,” Mrs. Hausch detailed. At this time, Bagels & Bible Study is one of two religious clubs active at Indian Hills.
Bagels & Bible Study is one of the very few student groups that meet before school. Christie encourages student attendance, saying “Who doesn’t love a free breakfast? ” Carlson and Garcia added, “Everybody is welcome; as long as you have an interest in learning about Christ, we would love to have you!” Keep an eye out for the club’s Schoology posts for meeting updates.
