“When faculty and staff feel appreciated and valued, they pay dividends in how they work with others,” says Dave Glenn-Burns, campus minister at ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries.
Random Acts of Kindness Week, which takes place internationally from Feb. 9 to Feb. 15 this year, provides an opportunity for Threehouse to host its annual cookie handout. The event, in collaboration with other campus ministries within the Spiritual Leaders Association, involves delivering cookies to various departments at the University of Northern Iowa.
The idea for the event originated from Threehouse’s staff appreciation lunch, traditionally held in the spring. Due to weather conditions, it was moved to the fall. “We still wanted to do something in the spring to affirm and support faculty,” Glenn-Burns says. This way, they have something each semester to feel appreciated for.”
Acts of Kindness began during the pandemic when Threehouse recognized the increased need for appreciation. “We noticed and felt strongly that it’s been difficult,” Glenn-Burns says. “There’s been a lot of stress. As educators are stressed, this can get passed down to students, so why not add some positive affirming? It’s a good time for that.”.
A faculty member at UNI bakes the cookies. Sue Hill, department head and professor of religion at UNI, owns Sue’s Goodies. Her cookies can often be found at the local coffee shop, Cup of Joe, and she also takes special orders for such events. Glenn-Burns highlights the importance of shopping local while supporting a respected UNI professor.
Threehouse’s three core values are radical hospitality, learning and growing together, and intellectual reflection and exploration. “What brings me joy is to find all of the different ways that I can help people realize they are a beloved child of God,” says Glenn-Burns.
The ministry at Threehouse focuses on inclusivity, emphasizing that all are welcome and loved. “People get the idea that if you’re Christian, it has to be this way,” Glenn-Burns says. “You have to agree with this political party or this experience, and it’s not.”
Threehouse aims to support both the campus and surrounding communities. The goal is to spread God’s love in diverse ways, without trying to tell others what to do or what to believe.
“We’re appreciating you. We’re not asking for anything in return. We’re not evangelizing. I’m really just happy to take cookies to faculty or staff of no particular faith experience and appreciate them. That’s what we’re really trying to do,” says Glenn-Burns.
He adds, “It’s a small project, but hopefully, it has dividends in helping people working in challenging times. Everybody is trying to do the best they can, and many crossroads make doing what everybody likes to do more difficult.”
