The Holler: Vol. 2 No. 1 (Spring 2024)

VOL. 2 NO. 1

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SPRING 2024

THE HOLLER

Your Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University

WORSHIP AT THE HEART OF CAMPUS

OR, “WHY YOUR LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY AT WVU MATTERS MORE THAN EVER” We do community differently than most at your Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University. Some campus ministries hand out $50 gift cards if you give them your email address and others draw you in with a fun trip to a tropical beach. Some focus on informing you of all the ways you fail at life, and a few will eagerly tell you how you are going to hell, unless you belong to their church. From what we hear, too many are bait-andswitching, interested in you only as a soul to save or a number for their metrics… as long as you fit into a certain box or will work to cut off any edges that don’t squeeze into that box. Honestly, with some of the stories we hear about other ministries, it is nothing short of a miracle that any students walk through the Chapel doors.

But they are here, thanks be to God! And as we’ve talked with these students who now call your Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University “home”, they share a similar sentiment for why they are here: “you’re not trying to convert us or tell us we’re wrong, you’re just worshiping together”. We never thought that gathering to worship and proclaiming the love and freedom we experience in Jesus Christ would set us apart, but it does. In a world where there is so much emphasis placed on what is wrong, what is dying, and how we are all different, “YOU’RE NOT TRYING TO CONVERT US OR your LCM@WVU shines the Light in the mountains, proclaiming that Christ has done TELL US WE’RE WRONG, YOU’RE JUST everything to unite us, with God and with one WORSHIPING TOGETHER.” another, and no matter what dies around and within us, we are promised there will be abundant new life.

And that’s why we focus on worship. Worshiping the Triune God together is where we remember who we are and whose we are. It’s where God forms and re-forms us, radically reorienting our hearts, minds, and bodies. And it’s the place where we are reminded weekly of the love and freedom we receive from Jesus Christ as we practice grace, forgiveness, and mercy in community. It’s in worship that we can be honest about our flaws and mistakes. It’s in worship where, instead of trying to showcase the best of who we are and act like we’ve got it all together, we can admit that we have more questions than answers and that God has wrapped our uncertainty and imperfection in God’s unconditional love. Worship matters, and so if you ask what your LCM@WVU and your Chaplains do, the answer is: worship. +

2023-24 IN MEMORIAM: ERIK ANDREW MECHTEL

GRADUATES Congratulations to our ten Lutheran Mountaineers who graduated during the 202324 academic year! We love y’all and are excited to see how God continues to work through you!

Zane Cogar BS in Animal and Nutritional Sciences Jayanth Dhage BS in Computer Science David Hammond BA in Game Design and Interactive Media Nathan Hunstad BS in Mechanical Engineering Dinushka Paranavitana PhD in Economics Haley Roth BS in Biochemistry Noah Sampson Dual degrees in Aerospace + Mechanical Engineering Kristian Springsteel BSBA in Marketing Kaley Sponaugle BS in Biology Masashi Rhys Takahashi Dual degrees in Chemistry + Computer Science

A note by Chaplain Ben: One of the things we appreciate about the community here at your LCM@WVU is that is made up of young adults from all over, some are students here at WVU, others are young adults who are planning to enroll, and others are students from other Erik, gathered with colleges and universities– even friends at the LCM@WVU. as far as University of Maryland.

Back row, second from That’s how we met Erik, a right (blue). student from UMD who started attending Mass and hanging out at the LCM@WVU when he was in town visiting his friends. Erik was an incredible young man-- smart, kind, funny, thoughtful, and a faithful brother in Christ. We are incredibly blessed and thankful that the Holy Spirit allowed for our paths to cross here at the Chapel.

Last December, Erik died suddenly from complications due to a motorcycle accident. To say that his death has rocked our campus ministry is an understatement, and with how painful and unexpected this was, I knew I had to reach out to our students. When I contacted Erik’s closest friend at the LCM@WVU, anxious about how they would handle the news, he told me that our students had already been talking and praying together, and making plans to attend his funeral in Baltimore. And that’s what we did– I hopped in a car with some of our students and we drove across the mountains to show up for a friend that always showed up for us.

Erik’s presence is still felt here at the LCM@WVU, especially as we celebrated our graduating seniors, whom Erik would have been among this Spring. And although we did not get to give him a pocket size ELW, which we all sign and give to our graduates, we rejoice in knowing that he is still at the Table with us, singing among the saints the same “Holy”s we have and continue to sing. Requiescat in Pace. +

For if we have been united with Christ in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

YOUR CHAPLAINS PASTORS BEN + COURTNEY ERZKUS

@LCMWVU

C H A P L A I N @ L U T H E R A N M O U N T A I N E E R .O R G

CALLING ALL

INCOMING STUDENTS!

If you know an incoming student interested in connecting with a faith community at WVU, let us know! The Chaplains are sending out welcome care packs for incoming students as a way to connect before they get to campus :)

Save the Date SUMMER WORSHIP June 11 + July 17 WELCOME WEEK Aug 15-20 FIRST MASS Aug 18 LEMONADE DAYS Aug 21 + 22

you walk through the Downtown Campus CHAPEL As you can’t miss the iconic Lutheran Campus chapel building! It’s the best location BUILDING Ministry just-off-campus for worshipping together reaching out to students, and it also UPDATE and needs a new roof! We are currently working

through quotes + grant opportunities, and hope to “officially” launch this project in the coming months. This is where we need your help: the cost to repair the roof alone will surpass our annual general operating budget, yet our dream to not only stop the leaks but also make the building safer, accessible, and more hospitable will catapult us forward with exciting opportunities to share the love of Christ as we reach out to our campus and serve our Synod. Talk with Chaplains Courtney + Ben today to learn more about how you can invest, as an individual or a congregation, in the future of Lutheran campus ministry!

BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF

THE FATHER, + THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

We celebrated God’s infinite love for our newest sister in Christ, Cassie, as she was baptized during our Sunday evening Mass on April 13th.

Cassie began attending the LCM@WVU thanks to an invitation from her friend and now baptismal sponsor, Lindsey. Cassie (front center) and Lindsey (back center) are rising sophomores. +

DONATE TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL CARE + SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ADULTS

tinyurl.com/GiveLCMWVU

FOOD FOR THE BODY AND SOUL

At your Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University students are always gathered around a table: either celebrating Holy Communion or enjoying good food + fellowship! This year we started a student-led brunch for students interested in spiritual community but not yet comfortable joining worship, and Bible study cookouts. We’ve welcomed 15-20 people at each event and look forward to hosting more this coming year! To sponsor an event either directly or through a Thrivent Action Grant, contact the Chaplains Ben + Courtney!