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Living and nurturing faith in daily life

By Lenore Franzen

A new electronic carillon on top of Christensen Center rings hymn tunes each day as a reminder of Chapel time.

Beyond directing attention to this daily activity in Hoversten Chapel, the carillon also symbolizes the presence of spiritual life campuswide - in classroom discussions of faith issues, in lunchtime conversations students have with the campus pastors, in basketball tournaments with area church groups.

David Wold, campus pastor and director of ministries, explains the role of campus ministry. "The founders believed that education should take place in a holistic environment," he said. "The spiritual piece is an important component."

Wold and Sonja Hagander, associate pastor for outreach, provide pastoral care and a supportive, advisory role to student-led programs. "We're on call to the Augsburg community constantly and get involved in the lives of hundreds of students," affirms Wold.

Core to campus ministry are the daily chapel services and the Wednesday night communion service. "They keep Augsburg students connected to word and sacrament and to the wider church," said Hagander.

Under Wold and Hagander's direction, students have initiated an impressive campus ministry program. From recreational activities to youth leadership summits to music festivals, these activities have attracted a growing number of students, community members and congregations.

Hagander came to Augsburg in 1998 to help expand campus ministry outreach and inreach activities.

"We're the only Lutheran college within a half hour of more than 300 ELCA congregations," she said. "We have an opportunity to show what life is like in a city and to be good stewards of it."

The real leaders within campus ministry, according to Wold and Hagander, are the students. Ross Murray, a senior majoring in youth and family ministry, is co-head coordinator of the Student Leadership Team. The team acts as a kind of "church council," directing and supporting campus ministry efforts.

"I like the variety campus ministry offers," Murray said. "Each time we try something different, we draw new people in. It's important for students, the community and congregations to recognize each other's presence."

For years, outreach has been a focus of campus ministry through community programs, service projects and food programs. Clowning teams go to hospitals, nursing homes, Sunday schools and congregations.

"These teams allow students to try out music they've written, leadership skills, devotional storytelling, peer ministry, even preaching," said Hagander.

Sports and recreation have also attracted a number of students. Junior Annie Osberg, a women's varsity hockey player who also plays intramural volleyball and softball, joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as a freshman.

"FCA offered me another way to grow spiritually," said Osberg, who plans to be a church youth director. "I've always been a strong Christian," she added, "but getting involved in FCA has given me a better perspective on how faith and sports relate."

An example of how campus ministry partners with athletics is the involvement of Wold as announcer and chaplain for Augsburg's men's athletics.

He also initiated a basketball league among area ELCA congregations. "Sixty-some teams and hundreds of players are involved in this evangelistic effort, and the growth potential is great," said Wold. "Augsburg is a catalyst because of its location and the talents of our students as coaches, referees and spiritual guides."

In 1999, a student experienced in outdoor activities started Faith Adventures. "Students stretch themselves physically and incorporate devotional materials into the challenge," said Hagander.

Hagander has also encouraged a number of inreach programs, which bring students, the community and congregations to Augsburg. Last fall saw the first Youth Leadership Summit, a weekend for ninth- through 12th-graders.

Another recent addition to campus ministry events is the AuggieFest, first held in May 1999. "It's a music festival with five or six Christian bands, open to the community," said Rachel Selle, a junior biology major who organized the all-day event in Murphy Park.

Hagander offered the first-ever Weekend College women's retreat in February. "We're trying to connect with women who are extremely busy," she said. The retreat included stress management techniques, music, devotions, journaling and a spa.

Campus ministry also works with other groups at Augsburg. "We partner with the music department to provide the annual Advent Vespers services at Central Lutheran Church involving hundreds of students and nearly 12,000 attendees," said Wold.

Ray Makeever, a local musician who plays with the group Bread for the Journey, assists with campus worship, especially the Wednesday night service. He has helped attract more student leaders.

"First, we need to take care of people's personal spirituality," said Wold. "Out of their faith will come the activities and outreach."

Lenore Franzen is a freelance writer who lives in St. Paul.

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