Building on Strength

+ Personal Volunteerism
+ Congregational Volunteerism
+ Auxiliary Volunteerism
Volunteerism

Unlike a congregation, we don't have a membership.  Students, faculty, and staff generously give of their time and talents, but we are not blessed with those pillars of congregational life whose special charism it is to daily care for and improve the physical property.  Imagine your congregation without a plumber, electrician, carpenter, secretary...the list goes on and on.  We have been blessed from time to time with those generous individuals able to gift their time and talents, and we'd love to have you join their ranks.
+ $25
If you participate in  Thrivent's Giving Plus® program, your 1:2 gift match can get a boost of $25.  To be eligible for the additional $25, you need only volunteer 25 hours over the course of the calendar year in support of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU.  See our financial support area for more information.

Personal Volunteerism

Individual volunteers can do a great deal to support the "Building on Strength" capital campaign.  Reflect upon you talents and your time.  What can you bring to the task?
  • Construction -- This is a building project.  There are lots of things which are well beyond the limited talents of our chaplain.  Are you able to assist in the construction elements of "Building on Strength?"  In particular, do you have expertise in
    • Architecture
    • Structural or civil engineering
    • General Contracting
    • Excavation
    • Masonry
    • Glazing
    • Electrical
    • Plumbing
    • Paving
    • Flooring
    • Painting
    • Cabinet making
    • Carpentry
  • Development -- If we're going to build it, we need to pay for it.  Development work involves a wide range of activities.  Would you be interested in
    • Development advising -- provide that sage advice.
    • Congregational / Area Advocacy -- work with your congregation (and/or other congregations in your area).
    • Alumni/ae Advocacy -- reach out to your fellow alumni/ae.
    • Development support -- the less than glamorous but all important clerical work that's part of raising support.
    • Talent based fund raising -- can you cook, sing, dance, sculpt etc.?  Turn your talent and time into treasure.
Contact us if anything here strikes your fancy.  If there is something we haven't mentioned, talk with us about it.  Creativity is a good thing.


Thrivent offers some great ways to leverage your gift of time and talent.  If you are a Thrivent member (or if you know of Thrivent members in your community or congregation), you'll want to check out the following.
If you would like to discuss these options in greater detail, please contact us or your local Thrivent officers or agent.

Congregational & Auxiliary Volunteerism

Congregations and auxiliaries (e.g., Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, Lutheran Youth Organization, etc.) can be important partners in "Building on Strength."  Indeed, when we come together, our corporate strength and potential for good is greater than that of the sum of the individuals involved.  Can you envision your congregation or auxiliary doing the following?
  • Fund raisers:  In one case, a supporting congregation held a spaghetti dinner and donated the proceeds to the LCM@WVU.
  • Work parties:  When the time comes, can you help us with the construction and finishing of the renovated and expanded chapel and Luther House?
  • Help us find our lost sheep alumni/ae:  Many more students have passed through WVU and the Lutheran Campus Ministry than we have names for.  Can you help us find them.
Contact us if anything here strikes your fancy.  If there is something we haven't mentioned, talk with us about it.  Creativity is a good thing.

Other things to consider:

  • Don't forget Thrivent.  If Thrivent provides matching grants for your congregational activities, check into matching your donation to the LCM@WVU.  Visit Thrivent on the web.
  • Not ELCA?  We welcome support from non-ELCA congregations.  LCMS, WELS, and other Lutherans may have a particular interest in supporting our work; we are the only campus ministry at WVU teaching according to the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.  Non-Lutheran congregations may also find that our work is consistent with their own vision for campus ministry at WVU.

How do I work with my congregation or auxiliary to this end?

Different congregations have different structures and processes, but they all have one thing in common: unless someone makes the suggestion, nothing happens.  That means you need to become an advocate for campus ministry.  Figure out where decisions are made regarding the type of support that interests you.  Is it a council?  A committee?  A board?  An officer?  Approach the appropriate authority with your idea.  Explain why you think it is important that your congregation support LCM@WVU.  Share information from the website.  Don't be surprised if you get rebuffed at first.  Try again.  Perhaps, it is just a matter of "mission interpretation."  If you or your council (etc.) needs more information, ask us.  We want to work with you.
[ Return to "Building on Strength" Home ]

Financial Support Volunteer In kind