Hannah studies ecological engineering at Oregon State University. As a third year student, Hannah is thoughtful and observant. She is steady in her faith and grounded in the Episcopal tradition. Since coming to Oregon State University, though, Hannah found some challenges in the “one way” others prescribe a practice of faith.
Hannah first noticed the Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry of Luther House during the student welcome fair. Luther House stood out to her because the campus ministry was proudly flying a pride flag. Hannah wasn’t necessarily looking for a community of faith, but she liked the sense of community and the safe place for all people. “If I need anything, good or bad, I can find support here; I can be myself and be proud of that.”
Hannah joined the Luther House fall retreat, taking time to step away from school and expectations and spend a weekend in the mountains. At the end of the retreat, Hannah handed her campus pastor a note: “I had a really rough week with a lot of doubt. Not about God, but rather if I’m doing enough or being ‘Godly’ or ‘Christian’ enough… This retreat helped me so much. The talks, time, and prayers reaffirmed my beliefs, even justifying my faith. I truly did feel like God was giving me a hug, telling me that everything was okay and that I was/was doing enough.”
For Hannah, Luther House is a community where she is affirmed, accepted, and reassured of a loving God. Thank you for supporting campus ministry that reassures students they are enough. Thank you for helping us see God at work in spirit-full and encouraging ways in students like Hannah.
Madeleine grew up in Presbyterian tradition. In her teen years, she traveled with peers on three mission trips- twice to Spokane to work with a youth homeless shelter, and once to Puerto Rico. Early in college, she took a baccalaureate core class in world religions and it made her reconsider her own religious experiences and knowledge of religion. She wanted to learn more deep and meaningful theology.
During her first year at Oregon State University, Madeleine saw posters in her dorm for Luther House dinner, but she was too intimidated to go by herself. Madeleine had been attending Grace Lutheran with her friends. One Sunday, she heard the Luther House campus pastor announce that there would be waffles for dinner. “Free waffles led to a much more meaningful experience in community with Christ.” The first night Madeleine arrived, she noticed that everyone knew one another. “It was like walking in on family dinner. I thought, “I’m new, am I intruding? But it was an experience of being part of a strong community that is close and known.”
The promise of not having to cook dinner drew Madeleine back. “We’re so overwhelmed, so busy, but we have to eat.” It was easier to return the first time, build relationships, and want to see friends. Because of Luther House, Madeleine is more grounded in her community. “Once I took the little step of going to Luther House, I should also volunteer at the animal shelter, and volunteer at the theater.” Luther House helps keep Christianity at the forefront of her life, especially when campus life moves from homework to midterms to finals. “Luther House is a safe faith space for learning, growing, discerning belief in faith- in living into what faith means.”
Thank you for supporting the faith community, which feels open and welcoming to students like Madeleine. “No one is going to be critical or judgmental of your questions or how much you know.”
Ceara loves getting out into nature. She is a birder and photographer, and loves the outdoors. When she is inside, Ceara loves to get creative by oil painting, crocheting, and sewing.
Ceara grew up with Catholic parents who encouraged her to discover her own faith journey and meaning within her own life. With friends, she attended church in Corvallis, but it was intimidating for Ceara to try out religious communities on her own. “I tagged along with a friend and joined Luther House for waffles for dinner,” she shared. At Luther House, Ceara discovered a welcoming, nonjudgmental, open community. With her best friend by her side, Ceara grew more comfortable coming back to Sunday dinner, again and again.
At the beginning of winter term, Ceara took a risk and joined Luther House for a retreat at the Oregon Coast. While she had attended dinners regularly fall term, she didn’t know anyone well- yet. Late-night games of Ticket to Ride helped her to get to know other students more individually. The retreat also helped Ceara disconnect from regular life, turn inward, and reflect. “The retreat happened at the right time for me; I thought about what in life I should be focusing on.” Ceara credits the retreat for her focus and practice of “calling attention to the goodness of life.”
Because of Luther House, Ceara is able to explore the meaning of faith in her life and practice gratitude in her daily life. “The people are what make this space so great, learning from people of different backgrounds and majors… hearing all different experiences and different topics.” She is most thankful for the people, the sense of the community, and the opportunity to be herself in community as she grows in her journey of faith.
Thank you for supporting spacious retreats at the coast that give time for students to reflect to build relationships. Thank you for supporting students like Ceara as they grow in faith and community.
As the academic year comes to a close, we are so grateful for your support of the Lutheran- Episcopal campus ministry at Oregon State. We celebrate our graduating students and we look forward to inviting our returning students back in the fall- and welcoming new students. Your generosity during the end of the school year will launch us into a strong start in the fall- supporting students like Zach as they grow in faith, community, and purpose.
Zach is a writer, poet, and on occasion, a composer. Zach adores his family, especially his twin sister. He is passionate about religious topics- particularly those he can deeply explore and study. Shortly after the election, Zach shared his grief and uncertainty about the state of the world with his favorite religion professor. It was difficult for students like Zach to live life as normal, living under the stress and awareness of a rapidly changing world. His professor invited him to a Bonhoeffer reading group through Luther House, where he could focus his grief into something deeper.
Each week, Zach joined other students, professors, and the campus pastor to share concerns and reflections. The book group quickly became a touchstone of community for Zach. “I was looking mainly for community. I have this policy for myself: if I ever get involved in something I want to say yes to as many things as possible. We’re given so few opportunities in other parts of life to be gifted connection like this.” In a world full of turmoil and anger, the reading group gave Zach a space to feel rooted, relaxed and at peace every week.
Zach not only found companions on the way as he read Bonhoeffer’s writings and adventured to Holden Village with Luther House students, but also discovered how to express his unique gifts in community. “I realize I’m capable of more than I thought I was- not only when it comes to walking in snow [at Holden Village] but being there for people, and being supported- an open ear for people’s concerns and experiences… it is really empowering.” Zach recently graduated. As he prepares to walk this spring, Zach is remembering his dad, who passed away in 2018. “I am indebted to him for sharing his own spiritual journey… I’m carrying his life, step by step.” Gratitude flows out from Zach in the gift of his life, education, and community.
Emma is a dedicated, disciplined student- perhaps not surprising as someone who grew up in a military family. As an accounting major, Emma also finds time to write books and large volumes of fan fiction.Emma is meticulous with her time as a commuter student at OSU in the honors college, usually focused on the practicalities of her academic education.
Most of her days are either spent at school in classes and doing homework, or at home with family. Emma is active in her home congregation, serving on her church council. But Emma still felt disconnected from her congregation. “I missed having other religious people around my age.” She had bursts of interest in faith, but it wasn’t a constant in her life. “I took [my faith] out on Sundays but didn’t think about it otherwise.”Emma’s parents encouraged her to check out the Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry.
One rainy day during finals, she wandered into Luther House where she discovered a cozy home, welcoming staff, and hot chocolate. At pub theology nights, Emma found connection with other students. “I can express my faith and what is important to me.” She remembers the conversations about faith backgrounds and faith journeys “eased me in, emotionally.”Pub theology continues to be a place Emma feels comfortable sharing her journey of faith, including frustrations about church, the importance of her family in her faith, and the joy of an inclusive and affirming faith community of young adults.Emma feels a connection with her faith and her whole life. “My faith is not quarantined from the rest of my life.”
Emma seeks out podcasts from progressive Christian content creators online who share affirming values. She reads more, listens more, and is confident to share more openly and more often about her faith with her peers.
Thank you for supporting the important work of campus ministry that allows students like Emma to dive into interesting conversations about faith, and form immediate connections and relationships with other young adults.
Nate likes clothing, and he is proud to be from Corvallis (“the best Pac 12 town in the country”). As a student at Oregon State University, Nate found home in the apparel design department.
Nate grew up at Grace Lutheran in Corvallis, and to him, Luther House always felt like another possible home. Growing up, Nate found himself solo in the church’s youth ministry cohort and one of the few young adults in his home congregation. “As much as my own faith was molded and shaped in times before Luther House, I still was incredibly isolated; I knew a [faith community] was out there.”
“I came to Luther House looking for the God that loves His community as they come.” As one of a handful of students in a fallow period of Luther House, Nate has been a part of building a community where students know they are loved and they belong. “I heard the yearning for the table, and felt it in myself and grew into that with a community of young adults.” There has been a lot of growth and change happening at Luther House-, not only for the student community, but for Nate as well.
At Luther House, Nate does church things he always wanted to do, like preach, teach, and set the table for communion. Luther House has deep roots for Nate in his story of faith; he is connected to the people who have come before him in faith around the table. The campus ministry offers Nate many opportunities to lead and learn, particularly organizing with his community around climate resilience in the practice of loving his neighbors, preaching at local congregations, and writing liturgy.
Nate continues to grow into a life engaged in faith and justice because of the Eucharistic table. Thanks to Luther House, Nate is confident in the integrity of his life of faith to meet Christ in everyone along the journey.
Thank you for supporting our pastoral accompaniment of students like Nate in their baptismal vocations to live as children of God, proud OSU students, and future fashion designers.
Hopeful expectations. You don’t hear that much these days. There is so much fear and division dominating the stories and narratives shared in our news outlets that any sense of hope and burgeoning growth is hard to come by. It can be hard to feel rooted into any real sense of purpose or vision.
But not for Eric. “We are going to show up, because we know our why. Our why is to do acts of compassion. Our why is a binding together instead of loosening.” This was how former board chair and champion Luther House supporter described the mission and direction of the student ministry here at Oregon State.
Eric went on to say that churches and ministries cannot stay the same. Already so much has changed, but that change can actually be a catalyst for dreams and reimagining! Eric understands the transformative power of embracing and living into change, “We are ready for change. The great victory of realizing that we can change! Demonstrate a pathway forward, with new measurements for success….actually a moment of great hope.”
We know Eric is always up for an adventure and challenge of change- he has been a pilot since 15 and even hiked to the basecamp of Everest!
We are so thankful that Eric continues to show up and support Luther House as a foundation where students and the community can ask questions, live and experiment with the changing political and religious landscape, and be bound closer together.
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