Lutheran Campus Ministry (ECLA) at Northern Michigan University
We’re six weeks into the semester. Students are still making decisions on what classes to drop, faculty are locked into salary negotiations and, against the smoke and mirrors of this fall’s expectations,
“real life” is crashing in. On top of it all, we shouldn’t forget the financial stress that comes with school loans. But let’s face it, that’s the way it’s supposed to be: Intense, scary, exciting.
A few days ago I sat with a small group of students and tossed out the perception that we live in “multiple realities.” There were puzzled looks. I reminded them that this is what faith communities like ours are actually all about: Helping each other sort through the false promises of university life and cheap religious sensibilities, to develop deeper levels of self-awareness, insight, compassion and a feel for what really is important and lasting. In other words, to grow in wisdom, clarity about our lives, and courage.
As young adults, most of you have already discovered we live in a harsh, competitive culture. Not long ago one experienced leader confessed to me with a cynical smile that when it comes to chasing after grants and donations, the majority of nonprofit organizations can talk about collaboration all they want. The bottom line is that most agencies are caught up in a “scorched earth” approach, scrambling after power, status, and money.
In the midst of this, friends and members of this small ministry pledge to do something different: To walk alongside each other with the conviction that each of our lives are sacred journeys, remarkable and beautiful apart from grade-point averages, conventional standards of physical beauty or worldly achievement. Once we know that—the universe is open—we are free.
Our community, perched both on the edge and at the heart of the university, invites you, wherever you are in your journey, to take a chance and come explore and dance with us into what we believe is a whole new powerful way of being and living.
Weekly Rhythms
THE GATHERING
Prayer Service & Eucharist, 8 p.m.
NMU, University Center, Marquette
Wednesdays from 8 to 8:45 p.m. at NMU’s University Center, Pioneer Room A (2nd floor); watch for the LCM banner.
Our mid-week prayer service and Eucharist is the heart-beat of this ministry and also serves as a worship point for our wider community. Our’s is a brief informal service based on a format from Holden Vespers.
Special thanks to Emmanuel Shayo who each week opens our time together with drumming and prayers from Tanzania.
A special welcome to all.
GAUDEAMUS Latin for Joy-filled
Sunday Evening Student Suppers, 6 p.m.
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
1318 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette
Each week from 6 to 7 p.m. there is a shared meal provided by members of St. Mark and Messiah, our Covenant congregations.
Come join us for real food and a chance to meet old and new students and friends. Special thanks to John and Linda Carlson for coordinating this series.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Lacey Heinzelman • Emmanuel Shayo • Erika Niebler
Lacey is from Marquette and is a senior at NMU studying psychology. She just got back from a semester in Colorado, is a member of St. Mark’s and has worked many summers at Fortune Lake.
Emmanuel comes to us from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He’s in a graduate program for a Master of Public Administration and hopes to pursue a career with the United Nations.
Erika is from Elk River, Minnesota. She will graduate in May, 2010 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
We also welcome Lindsey Sandberg, NMU student and Secondary Education Major, who joins us as part of Lothlorien’s housekeeping team this fall.
SHARING CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCES
During the months of July–September, the campus pastor preached at Messiah and St. Mark’s Lutheran Churches, Prince of Peace and Grace Episcopal Church in Ishpeming. He also continued work as a clergy representative for the Lake Superior Binational (Canada and US) Forum meeting in Grand Marias, Michigan and provided mediation services for a regional environmental alliance. Students affiliated with this ministry are involved in teaching children’s educational programs at St. Mark’s and also serve as volunteers for Room at the Inn, an interfaith homeless shelter program in the city of Marquette.
Our guest room at Lothlorien is now available, once again this fall and winter, for clergy and church workers when visiting the Marquette area. There is no cost involved. We offer this service as a gift to the wider church’s mission. To make a reservation, please call (906)228-8033 or contact us via e-mail at lcmnmu7@charter.net
CARING FOR CREATION
This year NMU student Amanda Emerson is providing leadership for the University’s student chapter of the interfaith Earthkeeping Initiative. In 2004 Bishops and faith leaders from ten traditions representing 250 congregations across the Upper Peninsula joined together with a public commitment to deepen understanding of environmental challenges and work together to help protect and heal our waters, our forests and our air.
Since that time, churches have led the way with numerous projects including collecting over 320 tons of electronic waste, 47 tons of household toxic materials and planting 12,000 trees. Our NMU student leaders over these years have included Jennifer Simula, Ashley Ormson, Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.
This year Amanda will be working closely with the interfaith vision team to make plans for “greening” church communities to raise standards of conservation and good stewardship.
EARTHKEEPING 2009-2010
She will also be working with Earthkeeper Coordinator Kyra Fillmore (from the Roman Catholic Diocese) to design and help promote interfaith gardens in all fifteen counties in the Upper Peninsula. The Great Lakes US Environmental Protection Agency continues to give special recognition for the Earthkeeper’s ongoing work.
ON OCTOBER 24, NMU EARTHKEEPING STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WILL BE LEADING A CLEAN-UP OF THE DEAD RIVER.
The event will be followed by a BBQ to be held at the campus pastor’s camp on Granite Point along the shores of Lake Superior. For more information contact Amanda at amemerso@nmu.edu
ON THE HORIZON
STUDENT BIBLE STUDY
From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“The College Christian”
Fireside Series
Monday evenings - November 9, 23, and 30 at Messiah Lutheran Church
Sunday Evenings - November 22 and 29 at Lothlorien (701 W College)
Our campus ministry welcomes Gisele Duehring from Prince of Peace who, along with Lacey Heinzelman and Erika Niebler, will be leading an informal exploration of faith and life during young adulthood years. The study will be based on Biblical insights comparing claims from various Christian groups, secular movements, and perspectives from our Lutheran tradition.
LIVING BUDDHA, LIVING CHRIST
November 21 and 28, 2009
Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Lothlorien, 701 W. College Avenue
November 9, 23 and 30, 2009
Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Messiah Lutheran, 305 W College Avenue
A series of dialogues with Paul Lehmberg, leader of the Lake Superior Zendo (Zen Buddhist) on the provocative writings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a world renown Vietnamese scholar and thinker who explores the spiritual crossroads where the tradition of Buddhism and Christianity meet.
Facilitated by Jon Magnuson and NMU student Zack Bennett. Watch for more information from our Covenant Congregations and Parish Partners.
ON THE HORIZON
SEMINARY ROAD TRIP
November, 2009
Soren Schmidt, Chaplain at Finlandia University, is working with Lothlorien, Michigan Tech, Bay College and Lake Superior State to organize a four-day “blitz” through four states to visit three seminaries: The Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, Wartburg and Luther.
There will be spaces for five students. All expenses are covered. Check out what theological education is about in three different settings.
For more information contact Soren, Chaplain at Finlandia University, at soren.schmidt@findlandia.edu or talk to the campus Pastor at NMU, Jon Magnuson.
This is an opportunity you do not want to pass by. You’ll experience classes, meet with students and faculty and have a chance to travel the upper Midwest.
Our church is in need of creative, strong leaders. This will be a chance to get a feel for what graduate education for ministry is really about.
FIRE, EARTH AND SPIRIT
January 31-February 2, 2010
Biblical Perspectives on the Environmental Challenge with Dr. Audrey West, Phd
We welcome one of the ELCA’s finest theological thinkers who travel from Pennsylvania to join us for a series of workshops and presentations at NMU, Messiah & St. Mark’s in Marquette and Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.
During her time with us, Audrey, a New Testament Scholar, will also be leading a workshop on the Lectionary for Lent, specifically oriented for clergy and teachers in our faith communities.
THE PAMPERED CHEF!
October 24, 2009
Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m.
Lothlorien, 701 W. College Avenue
Lacey and Erika, two of our student leaders, will be helping host an afternoon of hospitality and healthy dining with local community folk to help us replenish our kitchen supplies. Watch for further information.
FACING THE FUTURE:
A MOMENT OF CRISIS AND CHALLENGE
Our National church, the ELCA, has been in the news recently. If you haven’t noticed, elected representatives of all 65 Synods of our 3.6 million member church, the 4th largest denomination in the USA took bold, prophetic action at their August Assembly. Along with a strong commitment to help relieve world hunger, they voted that the ELCA be an inclusive community by welcoming people of all sexual orientations who live in responsible relationships to serve as leaders for the churches who wish to call them as their pastor(s).
After twenty years, searching for identity following a merger of various ethnic churches, the ELCA has now made a public move that will label us, depending on your perspective, either a heretical church or a grace-filled, justice-oriented leader of the wider Christian community in North America.
Historically speaking, Lutheran campus ministries have always been in the center of debate of such reforms within our wider church (i.e. civil rights, the environmental crisis, war and peace).
We have articulated issues and probed theological frontiers that many church leaders
have avoided. We have also paid a price. Twenty years ago one of our predecessor Lutheran Campus pastors here at NMU was labeled by members of the highest profile campus religious group at NMU as the “Anti-Christ” because of a position he took on behalf of gay rights.
Division on this issue is deep-felt by those who disagree. Since August, individuals and families have left congregations over the ELCA Assembly action. It’s important to remember this decision took seven years of study among congregations and the vote passed by 2/3 of Assembly delegates. During debate on this Resolution, the Assembly led by the Bishop stopped every twenty minutes, intentionally, for prayer.
Here’s the scoop. Campus ministries like this one now need your strong, straightforward support. Our program budget is a lean and meager one ($30,000) but we frequently come under siege because we decry the idolatry of the “numbers” game, refuse to pander to fear-based approaches to mission and continue to lift up the importance [..]
FINANCES AND MISSION
[..] of partnership with interfaith colleagues. Contrary to perceptions that our purpose is merely perpetuating a youth group, our staff and Board see ourselves as servants of the church, engaged in helping young adults (and others who choose to join us) grow into a deep, mature faith with capacity to engage in real moral deliberation when working through tough issues in their lives.
In 2001, we were the only religious group at NMU to hold a campus-wide discussion of the nature of the “Just War” theory on the eve of the invasion of Iraq. Because we restrain from offering any form of spiritual “baby food” as part of religious life at Lothlorien, our approach, though respectful, is often threatening to some who see the role of faith differently.
This fall we invite you to be generous with your financial donations to our work. If you have not been a supporter (individual), now is the time. Over the last five years we’ve sent young people to work as volunteers in the roughest neighborhoods of London, serve as Peace Corps Volunteers in the Ukraine, work as pastors in small towns in Wisconsin, travel into Central America with Lutheran World Relief teams and help plant thousands of trees here in Michigan to heal the environment.
Right now our small ministry is (as most years at this time) under financial stress. (Currently $6,500 in outstanding bills). We’ll let you know how we’re doing next month. Pray for us.
Back to the ELCA Assembly action. We are proud of the majority of our church leaders who have acted positively on the Sexuality Resolution. While respecting those who differ on this matter, we lift up ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson for his strong, clear, courageous leadership on this issue. As a former Bishop of the ELCA (H. George Anderson) liked to say, “These are troubled times. And a no better time to be the church!” We invite you in weeks ahead to help us with an outpouring of financial gifts and help prove he was right.
—Pastor Jon Magnuson, Campus Pastor
—Pastor Warren Geier, NMU/LCM Board Chair
COMMUNITY NOTES
Welcome to NMU students Sean Besemer (Major: Computer Science) and Jacob Nicodemus (Major: Art and Design) who are Lothlorien’s new student tenants for the 2009-10 academic year.
Congratulations to former NMU student leader Ivy Lang (NMU ’00), now an attorney working with ex-offenders in Washington. D.C., on her June wedding to Dan Finkenstadt. Ivy continues to serve as a leader with her faith community (Reformation Lutheran) not far from the nation’s capitol.
Emmanuel Shayo, a member of our student leadership team and an international student from Tanzania, is also a drummer with the local band Terracotta Half-Life. You can hear Emmanuel each Wednesday evening at the University Center softly playing a Nepalese drum before our mid-week Gathering at 8 p.m.
A special tribute to good friend Charlie West, United Methodist Pastor who retired this past June from active ministry at Grace United Methodist Church. Charlie served as a key leader in the interfaith Earthkeeper Initiative five years and remains a voice calling for unity and collaboration among our area’s clergy.
Special kudos to NMU’s Ben Scheelk who will be traveling with the Campus Pastor in November to a Benedictine Monastery near Santa Fe for a continuing education retreat on spirituality, ethics and the challenge of nuclear energy. Bob Kraus, Director of Research at Los Alamos Laboratory and a former leader with the student faith community at Oregon State University, will be serving as one of two key coordinators and presenters.
Our daily prayers are lifted for Carolyn Jean, our Ministry Associate, who has returned to her work at Lothlorien after recovering from surgery. Carolyn continues to quietly serve our ministry, behind the scenes, in extraordinary ways both administratively and pastorally.
A shout of celebration for Seth Tuuri (NMU ’05) and Kerri Luchs who were married by the campus pastor on the edge of Lake Superior in July. Their daughter Katja was also baptized into the Christian community at Messiah Lutheran Church that weekend. Seth is currently a fire fighter in Northern California.
We lift up our best wishes and prayers to NMU’s Sarah Swanson, former student leader at Lothlorien, who recently announced her engagement to Walter Hanson. Sarah served as a distinguished LCM student leader and NMU Earthkeeper Project Director over the last four years. She will be graduating in December!
INTERESTED IN A HOUSE (APARTMENT) BLESSING?
In December of 07, Pauline and John Kiltinen invited representatives from Lothlorien to lead a house blessing for their new home. Following an ancient tradition in the Christian church, we came with robes, bells, hymns and candles. The service took 15 minutes as we prayed that their new living space might be one of warmth, safety, and good vibrations. Friends of the hosts were invited. A party ensued!
We would be glad to help plan and help lead such an event for your dorm room, apartment or home! These are festive and fun events.
Give us a call at (906)228-8033 or e-mail us at lcmnmu7@charter.net
THE SAMUEL PROJECT: PASTOR IN RESIDENCE
Clergy from our NGL Synod and Region are invited to contact us if they have interest in serving for three days as a “pastor in residence” at Lothlorien. Our ministry provides lodging at our campus ministry center and takes care of hospitality for your stay with us.
Last April, Scott Ehle, former NMU student leader (NMU ’03) now a pastor in Fairwater, Wisconsin, launched what we plan to be an ongoing feature of our ministry each fall and spring. Pastors are offered respite from their normal responsibilities and stay with us as special guests. During their days with us, we’ll be inviting them to share insights, relate informally to students, spend time in coffee shops, take naps, use our library and roam our community as a “field theologian.” This fall our guest pastor (the 2nd of this series) will be Stephen Gauger from Cavalry Lutheran Church in Rapid River, Michigan. Pastor Gauger will be joining us from November 8 through 11. Welcome Steve!
Campus Ministry Staff & Volunteers
Lutheran Campus Ministry (ECLA)
A Ministry of the Northern Great Lakes Synod & Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
"Don not hurry. Bow before many things."
—Mary Oliver
Jon Magnuson, Campus Pastor
Carolyn Jean, Ministry Associate
Student Leadership Team
Erika Niebler
Lacey Heinzelman
Emmanuel Shayo
Board of Directors
Pastor Warren Geier, Chair
Peter Claybaker, Treasurer
Jackie Greising, Secretary
Dulcey Heinzelman
Pastor Steve Solberg
Helen Koski
Pastor Tim Bernard
Pastor Virginia Eggert
Jill Krah, Financial Secretary
Covenant Congregations: St. Mark's and Messiah
Lothlorien “Where Time Passes Differently”
Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA)
701 W. College Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
(906)228-8033
www.nmulutherans.org
lcmnmu7@charter.net
