Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2014 Issue | Page 9

Connecting Christian Faith with Daily Life
Paula Neely

Every Sunday, as many as 200 college students attend a 5
p.m. service with Eucharist followed by free dinner at Christ
Church, Charlottesville, according to David Zahl, college and
young adult minister.

“We’re downtown, and they can get away from grounds,”
said Zahl. “It’s an old beautiful church -- very welcoming, not
terribly formal. There’s guitar, mandolin and piano music, and
bluegrass style hymns. It resonates with them.”

Most of the students are from the University of Virginia;
some are from the Piedmont Community College. The church
provides transportation.

Initiated about 10 years ago by the Rev. Paul Walker,
rector of Christ Church, the free dinners include freshly
prepared items such as meatloaf, pot roast, chili, pasta, salads
and vegetarian options. Desserts are homemade.

“What better way to make people feel welcome than to
feed them?” Zahl asked. Christ Church also offers students
lunches and coffees “on grounds” for small-group Bible studies.

Since 2010, the 30-something minister has worked
part-time at Christ Church. But part of his personal ministry
extends beyond the church walls.

In 2007, Zahl founded Mockingbird Ministries “to connect
Christian faith with the realities of daily life.” He and other
founding members had observed that many people thought
Christianity was about rules, oppression and negativity. “We
wanted to put our energy into ge