Be Community on Give to the Max Day

We sure are getting excited for one of the largest online giving events of the year, Give to the Max Day on Thurs., Nov. 14! To look forward to this day full of generosity and giving, hear from a few of our students and friends of LCM-TC on what makes this such a special and needed community on campus and how your support makes this ministry happen. Early giving has already begun! Visit our Give to the Max Day profile to give from now through Thurs., Nov. 14.

Grace is a junior LCM student leader studying Microbiology and Public Health and hopes to get her PhD in infectious disease microbiology. She works in a lab on the St. Paul campus and enjoys exploring events in the Twin Cities, working, and hanging out with friends.

“I remember being scared to go to my first LCM event on my own, with people I didn’t really know. But, the moment I arrived, I suddenly understood what it meant to be in community. I was welcomed in with open arms and met people that would quickly become some of my best friends. I had never felt that I was allowed to be my authentic self with people before that day. I felt like I was home the moment I arrived. I think it was then that I knew LCM was different. That people in this group truly cared for each other in a way only those engaging in true Christian community could. I felt God’s love that day through my interactions in community, something I never understood before college.” -Grace Richmond

Meet Mara, a senior majoring in Elementary Education and LCM student leader, who is happiest when she is spending time with friends and family, enjoying the outdoors, and playing or listening to music. In addition to being a student, Mara is also a Community Advisor in the Residential Halls and a TA! She loves to cook and try new foods, but her weakness is always ice cream.

“The earnestness with which people enter our community is what gives life to LCM. Everyone brings their full selves, their doubts, and their questions. Each person brings their own quirks too, their passions for science or ballroom dance – all of these things have room within our community. Every person bringing their full selves – joys, sorrows, frustrations, jokes and all, and it helps to create the beauty that is LCM. When we come together in pause each week it’s like new life is breathed into our community.

Without LCM I’m not sure where else I would gain this really unique spiritual starting place of worship, interfaith relationships, theology, service work, and ultimately the community that encompasses all of these things. LCM is really unique to this campus – without this community, my campus life would lack a fullness to it.” -Mara Bowman

Tim served as an LCM-TC intern while in seminary, is currently on the development committee, and is a local Lutheran pastor in Coon Rapids, MN. He is also bi-vocationally working at Luther Seminary as an Admissions Counselor and recruiter.

“For me, Lutheran Campus Ministry-Twin Cities has always been about an open welcome to join in community, to be free to ask deep questions, and live out our Christian faiths in very specific ways. I loved that pause worship allowed us to take a break from busy-ness, to breathe and be grounded in the love of God, and I also loved having students to work with in their leadership development. I support LCM because it is a unique ministry that is making a difference in young adults lives. Where else can you find 60 young adults gathered for worship on a weekly basis?” -Pastor Tim Schroeder