CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Some Lutheran college and university students expressed concern on the possibility of war between the United States and Iraq at "Celebrate IV: Weave Us Together," Albuquerque, N.M., Dec. 28-Jan.1. In a petition signed by 350 of the 1,100 students attending the event, students vowed to "advocate for politics of compassion in the United States" and work for peace in the world.
Hosted by the Council for Ecumenical Student Christian Ministry (CESCM) and the National Catholic Student Coalition, "Celebrate" is an ecumenical event designed to bring college students together to engage in social justice, political action, philosophical contemplation and more. The event takes place every four years.
CESCM is a partnership of students and higher education staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ and United Methodist Church.
Through Bible study, keynote presentations, tours, workshops and worship, students "wove together" a spiritual community that supported works of justice and gave clarity to faith and belief, said Lisa Parker, Lutheran Student Movement-USA (LSM-USA) intern, ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools (DHES).
Keynote presenters included Millard Fuller, founder and president for Habitat for Humanity International, Americus, Ga. Habitat volunteers have built homes with more than 100,000 families in need in more than 1,500 U.S. cities and 82 other countries.
Another speaker was Paula McGee, president of Paula McGee Ministries, Antioch, Tenn. -- a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people discover their calling in life, find personal peace and self-fulfillment.
Workshop topics ranged from social witness and justice to faith and spirituality. The event also featured small group reflection activities and social events. LSM-USA URGES PEACE, ELECTS LEADERS
Parker said a group of students put together a "position paper" that expressed their thoughts on war. The text of the paper served as the basis for a petition designed for students to commit to peace instead of "war against Iraq."
"As Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, Pan-Methodists, Baptists, [members of ] the World Student Christian Federation, International Movement of Catholic Students and Presbyterians, we have been raised in traditions of a loving God. We are committed to loving our neighbors as ourselves, including our brothers and sisters in Iraq, regardless of faith," the petition stated.
"We as Christian students" resolve to "beseech our leaders to act with moral responsibility and to pursue open dialogue with hopes of a diplomatic, peaceful resolution" between the United States and Iraq, the petition stated. "We urge students" on campuses across the country and around the world to "work toward peace with justice," and to "advocate for politics of compassion in the United States."
The paper was adopted by members of the ELCA who participate in the Lutheran Student Movement-USA (LSM-USA) -- a national organization of college, university and seminary students who worship in the Lutheran tradition. Participants of LSM-USA met during Celebrate's "denominational time" to conduct the business of LSM-USA. About 320 Lutherans from across the United States attended.
Shannon Savage, California Lutheran University (CLU), Thousand Oaks, Calif., was elected president of the LSM-USA council for 2003. CLU is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA. Christopher Hamon, North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., was elected secretary; and Elizabeth Froehlig, University of California, Santa Barbara, Calif., was elected secretary of international and multicultural concerns.
Parker said it is important for Christian students to have an organization like LSM-USA. "Lutheran students can often feel isolated on campus. Celebrate and LSM gatherings offer a chance for students from across the country and around the world to meet and share the joy of their common Christian ties," she said.
Parker's term as LSM-USA intern will end in May. Jenn Henefeld, Indiana, Pa., will succeed Parker in August.
Through LSM-USA, Lutheran students work to promote the active participation of students in the life and mission of the Lutheran church on their campuses, in their communities and as individuals. DHES supports LSM-USA as an active voice of students in the larger church through financial and organization support, said Parker.
LSM-USA's legislative body operates on a regional and national level. It has a national gathering every December over the New Year's holiday with opportunities for worship, fellowship, service, faith exploration and fun.
The 2003 LSM-USA gathering will take place Dec. 31-Jan. 4 in Washington, D.C. -- -- --
Information about the Lutheran Student Movement-USA and "Celebrate" is available at http://www.lsm-usa.org on the Internet.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
