Orientation Week
Fri, Aug 25
|Carnegie Mellon University
We'll be creating space for first-year students to make connections and feel belonging at Carnegie Mellon University.
Time & Location
Aug 25, 2023, 7:00 PM – Aug 27, 2023, 7:00 PM
Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
About the Event
Worship Gathering
Wednesday, August 23 from 7-8pm
Bellefield Towers, 100 N. Bellefied Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
The Commonwealth of Oakland is a progressive, Jesus-centered community of faith where students, Oakland residents, and neighbors experiencing homelessness work together to create a place of peace. It’s a church where the spiritual gifts of LGBTQIA+ people are celebrated. When we gather for worship, we ground ourselves with meditation, pray about our struggles and celebrations, talk together about scripture and spiritual things, and share in communion. We bring our full selves to the table - it’s a safe space for questions, doubts, and disbelief.
Lawn Games
Friday, August 25 from 2:30-5:30pm
The Mall
Stop by for a pick-up round of Kan Jam, Spikeball, or Cornhole. No experience necessary - we’ll show you the ropes. Bring a team or join one.
So Make the Friendship Bracelets
Saturday, August 26 from 2-4pm
Legacy Plaza
“You’ve got no reason to be afraid” at this bead-working station! We’ve got all the beads, string, and tools you need to create a bracelet to wear or trade with new friends on campus. Combine a variety of colors, shapes, designs, and letters to communicate song lyrics, slogans, intentions, prayers, your name, your gender/sexual identity, or anything else you want people to know about you. You belong here. And you’ll never be on your own.
So Make the Friendship Bracelets
Sunday, August 27 from 12:30-2:30pm
Merson Courtyard
“You’ve got no reason to be afraid” at this bead-working station! We’ve got all the beads, string, and tools you need to create a bracelet to wear or trade with new friends on campus. Combine a variety of colors, shapes, designs, and letters to communicate song lyrics, slogans, intentions, prayers, your name, your gender/sexual identity, or anything else you want people to know about you. You belong here. And you’ll never be on your own.
Forest Church
Sunday, August 27 from 4-5pm
Schenley Park Visitors Center, 3827, 101 Panther Hollow Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Forest Church is an outdoor, contemplative worship gathering that is hosted by The Commonwealth of Oakland. We gather in Schenley Park, spend twenty minutes silently contemplating nature, then re-gather to talk about what we felt, what we thought about, and what it might mean to us. This experience is stripped down and simple, centers the tactile, and encourages contemplation - it’s perfect for those with church trauma or who just can't find God in a pew. Forest Church is open rain or shine. Remember to dress for the weather! The Commonwealth of Oakland is a progressive, Jesus-centered community of faith where students, Oakland residents, and neighbors experiencing homelessness work together to create a place of peace. It’s a church where the spiritual gifts of LGBTQIA+ people are celebrated.