The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
January 2007

Lumen Wraps Up Fall Semester

By Joel Lau

The students of Lumen, the Episcopal/Lutheran campus ministry at Salt Lake Campuses (U of U, Westminster College and Salt Lake Community College) are taking a well-deserved break after a busy fall term.

Not only did they have their normal course load to manage, but they have outdone themselves providing leadership for their campus ministry. Thanks to their efforts, our attendance has grown as well as the number of our offerings to the campus community. As with everything we do, our events seek to engage students in their faith as they grow in understanding of their baptismal and professional vocations.

Here are just some of the highlights of last semester:

• Persistent "tabling" on campus, complete with choice candy and refrigerator poetry magnets!
• Engaging worship at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday Nights, complete with meal and fellowship following the worship
• Movie nights at the Sugar House 10, followed by coffee and conversation at a local cafe
• "Evolve!": An extensive outreach campaign highlighting the compatability of faith and science, and focusing on the welcoming nature of the church. "Faith is a Journey, Not a Guilt Trip" was the universal favorite and most effective slogan in our campus advertisments
• Holiday Gift Drive and Party for the underserved children of Edison Elementary School, in partnership with Lutheran Social Services
• Tailgate party at St. Paul's for the U of U vs. CSU game – complete with a Utes victory!
• Engage! Group: "Jesus and Nonviolence" topic study on Thursday nights during the first half of the semeste
• The formation of an Interfaith Ministry Council at the University of Utah, sponsored by the university administration under the Vice President for Student Affairs
• World AIDS Day rally leadership and participation
• Participation in parish special worship services: Readings and Carols at St. Paul's and Los Posadas at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
• For students recovering from final exams: a therapeutic night of games, movies, and food in "lock in" style

And one dissapointment: our Habitat for Humanity work day was canceled due to poor weather conditions. We will try again next semester, however!

Lumen is wrapping up the semester with a trip to New Orleans for Celebrate at the River, the national ecumenical college student gathering.

Eight students from Lumen will spend Dec. 28-Jan. 1 making friends with fellow Christians around the country by serving, worshiping, and learning in small groups.

Celebrate is a fitting way to end an active semester, as we prepare for an even more engaging spring term. If you are interested in becoming a part of Lumen, please visit our website, www.lumenmin.org, or send an email to Chaplain Joel at jnau@episcopal-ut.org. We'd love to meet you!

Rev. Joel Nau is chaplain for Lumen.

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