Pop-up Study Café – December 2024

Students in our university town are often looking for quiet spaces to study, especially as they prepare for exams. For the third exam period in a row, St. John’s responded by hosting a Pop-up Study Café. During one week in December the café provided a much-needed respite for students by offering a warm and welcoming space to study, relax, and recharge.
 
The concept behind the Pop-Up Study Café is simple: create a comfortable, quiet environment for students to focus on their work while providing little touches that make their study sessions enjoyable. We transformed our sanctuary and meeting room into an inviting café complete with cozy seating, spaces to work individually or in groups, and free wifi. The congregation jumped in as volunteer hosts and by providing much appreciated snacks. The hot chocolate, especially on some chilly winter days, was a big hit.
 
The Pop-Up Study Café not only created a space for academic focus but also fostered a sense of community. Students were able to take a break and connect with others, exchanging tips on study habits and chatting over their warm drinks. Many words of encouragement and a conversation between volunteers and students took place over the kettle in the kitchen.
 
Students were clearly appreciative of the church's efforts as time and again, they told St. John’s volunteers staffing the café that the church really understood what they needed. It’s not just about a place to study—it’s about feeling cared for during this stressful time of the year.
 
The Pop-Up Study Café is proof that simple acts of kindness -- a little warm welcome, community, and hot chocolate -- can go a long way in creating a positive and supportive environment for university students. With the best attendance yet at this third café, it’s clear that this initiative is meeting a real need.

Read some of the thank you messages from the students:

"Thank you for hosting the pop-up study café! It was lovely to have a cozy space to study. I enjoyed the coffee and cookies too. :)"

"St John's Anglican Church, - Thank you for the delicious treats and warm drinks while we studied. We really appreciate the kindness and effort you put into this. Merry Christmas!"

"Dear Sir and Madam, - I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and ability to study here today. Thank you so much for your hospitality and greeting of warm welcome. It helped me a lot throughout this exam season. I hope you guys stay safe and have an amazing Christmas holiday. Thank you so much again."