Mcom161 Newsletter

Serving Searching Supporting Highlights

April 2009

Go Anywhere from Here ...

Who’s Pew? 2009 Spring Break Trip Renovation Meet the Staff

Inside this Issue Greetings

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Events

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Finding Faith 2 Future Pastor 2 2009 Spring Break Trip

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Renovation

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Peer Ministers 4

Pastor Bob Cell 1404 8th St. Brookings, SD 57006 (605) 692-4880 [email protected] www.sdsulutheran.org

South Dakota State University Lutheran Center

I want to extend a warm welcome to those new to SDSU and the University Lutheran Center. Most students come with three questions they want answered by graduation: one they obsess about, one they wonder about and one few realized they even have. Most obsess about what they will do, or what God wants them to do with their lives. If this is a concern of yours be assured you stand in a long tradition of doubt and uncertainty, both at the university and in scripture. About 80%

s t n e v E

change their major at least once. On average, college students change majors three times over their college career. Most wonder who their life partner will be. Some find them and the relationship grows while in college, others survive heartbreaks as they learn who they are and what they seek in a life partner. For most, discovering who they are precedes discovering their lifemate - and for most this happens after college. Few realize the faith and values they choose

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Monthly Service Opportunities • Habitat for Humanity • SD State Penitentiary • Harvest Table • Food Drives

Worship • Wed. at 9:00 p.m. • Sun. at 11:00 a.m. • Sun. at 7:00 p.m. Book Discussions Bible Studies

while at college will shape the rest of their lives. We choose what we devote ourselves to and, in turn, our lives and relationships are shaped by these choices. The ULC is a place where these questions hold sway. We won’t tell you the answers to all the knotty problems, but you’ll find friends who will walk with you on your faith journey. Everyone needs to find a place of belonging and renewal if they want to make a successful transition from high school to college. Many find the ULC to be that place.

Who’s in the Pew?

The heart of the ULC is worship. Sunday mornings, Midweek Praise and Celebration, Holden Evening Prayer, or Christmas Candlelight, provide two and often three worships each week. We recently added another opportunity with a Sunday evening worship to accommodate working students or those traveling. In addition to Pastor Bob Chell and Katie Tvedt, the office manager, the ULC staff includes seven student peer minisers. Collin Otteson, music peer minister, is a junior music education major from Volga, SD. He

plans and coordinates ULC wor ships and special music. Amy Hansmeier is a sophomore nursing major from Bristol, SD. As peer minister of hospitality, she coordinates those helping with worship and the preparation. Krissa LeLaCheur, outreach peer minister, is a junior political science major from Rapid City, SD. She invites new individuals to gain a deeper involvment and arranges social gatherings. Keely Lawton, a junior human development and family studies major from Inwood, IA, fulfills the service peer minister position.

Finding Faith: Patricia Murrill

People come to college to learn new things, develop new relations and find themselves. Patricia Murrill, a junior, did all three after being

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invited to the ULC by a friend. She had been around churches before, but felt out of place. “I dont feel judged here. There are many places that throw stigmas and judge people too quickly, which is one reason why I didn’t go to church before.” For Murrill her pivotal point in the church was when Pastor Bob took time to answer questions that had been puzzling her for years.

She plans and organizes monthly service projects for the ULC. Cory Koster, a senior history major from Windom, MN, is the web development peer minister. His duties include updating and maintaining ULC’s technology. Claire Harstand, a junior in early childhood education from Revillo, SD is the develpment peer minister. She corresponds with all SD congregations. Emily Kuecker, a senior in speech communications from Webster, SD. She is the publicity peer minister, and informs the community of the ULC events.

After borrowing a few books from his library, she felt she was no longer a number, but an accepted loved one of the church. “All the questions that seemed dumb to even ask because I should have known them by now, were taken to heart by the people here at the ULC. This makes the ULC a great place to grow, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey towards God.”

Future Pastor: Cory Koster

Everyone is called to serve God in some form. Cory Koster, senior interdisciplinary studies major and religion emphasis, heard God’s calling and will pursue a web development degree and work at the Institute of Lutheran Technology before attending seminary. “As a pastor, I want to work with youth. Not only focusing on the youth, I also want to help

all people in their faith and their relationship with God.” To jump start his path to ministery, Cory has devoted time and effort at the ULC by becoming the peer minister of website development. He feels the ULC is extremely welcoming and provides a great environment. He wants to provide the same opportunity for others to become involved in the Christian

community and develop their relationship with God. Above all, Cory believes the ULC has helped him grown in faith and will assist him in his future.

Tijuana - Tecate, Mexico 2009 Spring Break Trip

“These trips are dangerous,” said Pastor Bob Chell. Reading this statement one might fall under the wrong impression. However, Pastor Bob really meant was people come back to SDSU with a new vision for life and faith. The 2009 service trip was to one of the poorest regions in North America: Baja, Mexico. Fifteen students traveled to Baja to do service projects such as dry walling, helping at an orphanage, and working and learning from those who live at the Tijuana dump.

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Fifteen SDSU students traveled to Tijuana Tecate, Mexico during their spring break for a service learning project.

“To consider the trip a success, Pastor Bob and Bill told me I would have more questions than answers upon returning,” said Journalism Grad Tara Buehner. The trip was not about converting people in Baja. Instead, the conversion was in how students thought about their faith and place in the world. Matt Tollefson, a junior ag education major summed up, “overall the trip changed me from the inside out. The boys’ love exhibited for each other and the Lord was truly touching.”

The ULC has a strong 16 year history of making spring break trips possible for students. In the past years, the ULC traveled across the United States, Mexico, and to Jamaica lending their hands, listening ears and compassionate heart. The students have had the opportunity to encounter different cultures, make a connection amongst themselves and above everything strengthen their faith.

2010 Spring Break Trip is ...

ULC Receives Face Lift

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Over the summer, ULC offerings of the first Sunday of each month are going towards the debt. updated the building to During the Sunday worship service, Chell make it more accessible blessed the updated center. and useable. The project included an island for the kitchen, wireless Internet, more study room and storage space and handicap-accessible bathrooms. “It is a lot warmer and more hospitable,” Pastor Bob Chell said. The remodeling was paid for by a few sources. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) supported the remodeling project by Guests enjoy a delicious meal from Backproviding $9,000. Alumni yard BBQ during the ULC dedication. and friends donated approximately $13,000. Charee and Jim Housiaux were honored Congregational gifts with gifts, as well. They oversaw the project paid the remaining and dedicate hours and effort to the updates. $13,000. The student

ULC staff reported more than 100 people attended the regular Sunday service and 94 people stayed for the meal and presentation. “It was packed,” said Peer Minister of Service Keely Lawton, a junior family and consumer science major from Inwood, Iowa. The building is often used as a meeting, class, study, and visiting space. “It is a good place to come and hang out,” said Lawton. The center is open for use from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Peer Ministers

The University Lutheran Center (ULC) at South Dakota State University installed seven peer ministers to serve during the 2008-2009 academic year. A common goal unites the peer ministers to proide a community of faith, service, support and education to the college campus and community. The ULC is a ministry of the Evangelcal Lutheran Church in America and welomes all students. Sunday worship is held at 11:00 a.m. during the acadmeic year.

Emily Kuecker Publicity

Keely Lawton Service

Cory Koster Website

Claire Harstad Development

Amy Hansmeier Hospitality

Collin Otteson Worship & Music

Krissa LeLaCheur Outreach