What About Clubs? Share your faith with CYM and unwind with CUNE’s swing dancing club

CYM members attend a group retreat at Camp Okoboji in Iowa during the spring 2024 semester.

Photo credit: Jack Hagan

By Mi-Ree Zwick

Concordia Nebraska has many student clubs, reflecting the different interests of a diverse campus. This is the fifth in a series of articles highlighting different clubs, their mission and their plans. This article is featured in the March print edition of the Sower newspaper.

Concordia Youth Ministries, better known as CYM, helps people connect on campus and provides an opportunity for students to share and grow in their faith while helping church youth grow in their faith as well. CYM meets on campus weekly to play games, have a devotion and discuss plans.

Megan Tiedje, one of the four CYM leaders, called the club a “college youth group” that helps people learn and interact with the youth. One misconception is that students must be in church work to be a part of CYM. The group is not exclusive to Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

“We may focus a little bit more on Lutheran doctrine specifically, but we have members of various different faiths also in our group,” said Jack Hagan, another club leader.

“We have a lot of people who aren’t church workers,” added fellow club leader Rileigh Watts. “It’s really for anyone because spreading the gospel is not just for church workers.”

CYM hosts regular mini church lock-ins, which are typically overnight events for a church youth group. Participants stay at the church for a predetermined amount of time and enjoy activities, games and food. Andrew Castens said the club is always busy with activities during the second semester as churches want to spice up their youth nights.

“While there is an event nearly every weekend during the spring semester, CYM encourages members to only attend events that they think they can attend,” Castens said.

There are multiple ways to contact the club. CYM has slides up on the screens at both chapel and Praise. Professor Amy Hubach, the club’s adviser, is accessible through the staff directory. Club leaders also encourage any interested students to contact them any time in person or by email.

Let’s CU Swing: This club hosts casual weekly swing dance gatherings for Concordia students who need a distraction from the everyday stresses of student life. President Patrick Mars and Vice President Landrey Walter make it a priority to make the environment welcoming for newcomers, even those who have never danced in their life.

“A lot of people tell me that it’s their favorite night,” said Mars. “It’s just a very fun night to go out with friends.”

Students swing dance on the plaza in front of the Janzow Campus Center. Photo: Patrick Mars.

Walter said that people come mostly to get away from studying, work, stress and more.

Let’s CU Swing is a Christ-centered club. Mars, an exercise science major, also said there are many health benefits to exercising regardless of the type.

“It’s great for your body, your mind,” he said.

Mars and Walter make sure that everyone gets opportunities to learn different dances or try out new things.

“You’re not expected to come in knowing anything,” Walters said. “We will teach you.”

Mars said swing dancing is not difficult and very forgiving.

“Even if you make a mistake, you can switch it around so much so that it looks like you meant to do what you did,” he said.

In the winter or when the weather is bad, the club meets in the Cattle Conference room at 9:30 p.m. on Mondays. When the weather is nice, they dance outside in the plaza. To end the night, the club line dances. Even then, no one expects people to come in already knowing dances.

Let’s CU Swing has an email list where members get information on themed events for Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other holidays. Contact one of the officers for more information.