Wesley PSU
Wesley Foundation is an official student organization at Penn State; we are also connected with St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. We are a community made up of undergraduate + graduate students (led by Pastor Sarah Voigt) who gather weekly to eat together + share life, which is a sacred and holy act!
We are interested in growing in faith through questions and practices. We believe that all are welcome at the table, wherever you are in your journey. We look for ways to volunteer in & serve our community, locally and and in other places.
Come and join us for a meal on Wednesdays at 6pm during regular semesters. We’d love to have you!
Wesley Foundation at Penn State is a Reconciling Campus Ministry with the Reconciling Ministries Network of the United Methodist Church. Below is our Statement of Inclusion:
Wesley Foundation at Penn State and the Abba Java community offer Penn State students and their families, visiting scholars, and others engaging in higher education a space to be fed, known, and loved. We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.
Our Staff
Rev. Sarah Voigt
Campus Minister & Director of the Wesley FoundationWe are SO excited to have you back in our space, to be able once again to share cups of coffee and meals around the table. This is my 6th year at the Wesley Foundation at Penn State. You will probably quickly learn that I love books, beauty in the world around us, a good cup of tea or coffee, and any conversation about what you are loving. If you need someone to talk to or someone to listen, I’m here. Please reach out! We are here for you.
814-238-6739 x. 139
Abba Java Coffeehouse ManagerEmmet Marsh
Karen grew up in State College and has attended St. Paul’s United Methodist Church & Wesley Foundation her entire life. She graduated from Penn State in 2004 with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. Karen’s family includes her husband, Steve, and two boys, James and Zachary.
814-238-6739 x.153
The “Wesley Fellows” program will hire (up to) 4 Penn State undergraduate students to explore their vocation with relationship to an area of service and ministry. Areas of service can include: mission and justice, spiritual formation, coffeehouse administration/hospitality management, volunteer management, coffeehouse events, and/or food insecurity.
The internships include a $1000 stipend/semester and are under the direction of the Director of Campus Ministry.
The following internship experiences are available in 2026-2027 :
Abba Java Coffeehouse (volunteer management, events, training)
Spiritual Formation (plan/promote studies and conversation topics, spiritual formation activities, serve on Wesley Foundation board)
Community Service (organize & promote service events, oversee Wesley's Closet: a student and community coat closet)
Abba Java/Wesley Social Media
Abba Java Food Rescue Partnerships (contact person for food deliveries, liaise with other food rescue organizations, AJ garden, facilitate student meal opportunities)
Wesley Fellows Intern Program
Qualifications
A student who supports the mission of St. Paul's UMC, Wesley PSU, and Abba Java Coffeehouse
A current undergrad Penn State Student who has completed at least one school year by Fall 2026
Strong organizational & communication skills
Ability to think creatively!
Comfortable working with a diverse group of peers and community members
Able to work approximately 3-5 hours a week, flexible hours
Ability to complete St Paul's UMC Safe Sanctuary training and background clearances before beginning work
Other General Internship Experiences and Expectations:
Willing to work for the betterment of the Abba Java/Wesley community, actively engage with the mission of Abba Java and Wesley Foundation to "feed, know, love, and welcome students"
Engage monthly with a mentor from St. Paul's UMC congregation
Be willing to engage in regular reflection on your own personal vocational journey
Attend Bi-Monthly Intern Meetings
Attend 1 retreat per semester
Apply for this opportunity here!
“Our intern retreat helped to provide clarity as we asked questions: “what”, “why”, and “how” for our rule of life. These times of reflection helped me to discern what I truly wanted.”
Rebekah Lundy, Abba Java Intern 2022-23