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 Spring 2005
Highlights

Shay McNeil Elected to MALSM Board

WVU grad student Shay McNeil has been elected to the Mid-Atlantic Lutheran Student Movement board as the representative of the Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia district.  McNeil is in her first year of grad studies at WVU, having earned her bachelor's degree from Bridgewater College where she was active in the local LSM chapter and the Blue Ridge LSM region.

WVU Students Attend LSM National Convention

Shay McNeil and Alanna Hoyer-Leitzel attended the National Convention of the Lutheran Student Movement in Houston, TX, over the Christmas recess.  This was the first time that LSM@WVU was represented since the 1980s.  Both participants received financial assistance from the LCM@WVU to assist with travel and other expences.

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity Underway

Campus ministries made some ecumenical strides during the 2004 Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25).  Several events were held during that time, involving the Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal campus minsitries at WVU.  The week kicked off with a panel discussion at Newman Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 18.  Wednesday night, Trinity Episcopal Church, hosted "The Gospel according to U2: Part 1" with Mike Iafrate of St. John's (Roman Catholic) University Parish.  Thursday night, the Lutheran Campus Chapel hosted compline at 9:45 PM.

Lutheran Student Movement Discusses ELCA Report on Homosexualty

The Lutheran Student Movement (LSM) of WVU met on Thursday (Jan 20), in the wake of the release of the ELCA's Report on Homosexuality.  The LSM reviewed the findings of the report.  The report can be found on the web at http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/

Buddhist Scholar Visits

Visiting fullbright scholar Tibor Porcia, of the University of Seged, Hungary, spent Wednesday evening, February 16, at the Lutheran Campus Center, answering questions about Buddhism and enjoying the fellowship of gathered students and faculty.  Porcia, whose expertise is Buddhist texts, was brought to campus as part of a growing relationship between WVU and the University of Seged.  The Rev. Dr. Briane Turley of the WVU Geography Department facilitated.  "That was really interesting," said one student.  "I didn't know anything about Buddhism before coming tonight.  I'm glad we do things like this."

Fastnachts 2005Fastnachts and Pancakes

Drizzle and damp could not stop the Frying Dutchman and his fastnachts, the traditional Penn Dutch Shrove Tuesday treat.  The little lumps of dough fried in hot lard throughout the day as participants in the campus ministry enjoyed conversation and general frivolity.  "What are they?" passers-by would ask when offered the treat.  The bravest would try them and exclaim, "Hey, these are good!"  Of course, they are good.  Unfortunately, not many are brave.  Their loss.

That evening, St. Paul Lutheran Church (Evansdale) held a pancake dinner.  Several students attended the evening event.  Some of the fastnachts also attended.

Chaplain Trades Clerics for Combat Gear

Usually he is the man in black.  Thursday, March 3, however, Chaplain Riegel traded in his clerics for the Great War kahki of the Canadian soldier.  Invited to guest lecture to the militrary history class of the Army ROTC, Riegel decided to do more than just talk about W.W.I.  He wore his full combat kit, including trousers, tunic, helmet, webbing, putees and pack.  He also carried his entrenching tool, bayonet, cup discharger, and Lee Enfield.  "I've done Great War reenacting with the 27th Bttn., C.E.F., since Fall 1989.  It's great to share what I've learned with the cadets in a classroom setting."  Riegel answered questions about weapons and tools, trench life, and basic tactics.

Holy Week & Easter

A column of smoke rises into the dimly lit void above as a lone voice chants, "Let my prayer rise before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."  Other voices join in.  Flickering candlelight illumines faces.  Time is given to the contemplation of holy things.  This is not some long forgotten monastery.  It is WVU.

Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday (the first weekdays of Holy Week) don't usually get much attention in the local parish, but, at the Chapel of Christ the King, they are days of prayer.  Each evening, solemn vespers was prayed.  A small ad hoc schola assisted with the music which featured the chanting of multiple psalms with antiphons, the Holy Week responsory, and the Litany of the Passion in addition to the standard liturgical music.

Sext was prayed each of those days as well, and Maunday Thursday featured mass at the Health Sciences Center.  Triduum observances were conducted in conjunction with St. Paul Lutheran Church with Chaplain Riegel preaching at the Easter Vigil.  Easter evening featured Second Vespers of the Resurrection at the Chapel of Christ the King complete with extended lucernarium.

Quadrennial Review

Every four years, campus ministries receiving $5000 or more dollars from the ELCA are reviewed.  The Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU underwent review March 31 and April 1.  For two days, a team of three reviewers conducted eighteen interviews with students, faculty, and administrators, as well as local clergy and parishioners.  Meetings with the chaplain and the Foundation Board were also part of the review.  A very positive final report was delivered.  In short, the review team commended the LCM at WVU, saying, "Carry on."  Among the recommendations was encouragement to pursue the reestablishment of conciliar structures, the first step being the creation of a committee related to worship.  Should you have any questions, contact the chaplain.

John Donne Wine & Cheese

Thursday, March 31, was the anniversary of John Donne's death.  Donne, one of the great Metaphysical poets, is probably best known for the line "No man is an island."  His religious poetry is absolutely fabulous.  His "irreligious" poetry is a great deal of fun and somewhat bawdy.   The Lutheran Campus Ministry held a Wine & Cheese at 8:00 PM that evening.  Students, faculty, and members of the Quadrennial Review Team all attended, enjoying an evening of poetry and conversation.  For an outstanding site, featuring nearly everything Donne, click on http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/index.html.  From there, you will find sites for the other Metaphysicals.

Seminary on Wheels

Three professors from Gettysburg Seminary were in Morgantown to offer a day of lectures on Saturday, April 2, in the Seminary on Wheels program.  Dr. Eric Crump lectured on Sexuality in the Large Catechism.  The Rev. Dr. Nelson Strobert lectured on children and catechesis.  The Rev. Dr. Richard Carlson delivered a keynote on spirituality.

Take Back the Night

FEM (Female Equality Movement) held its annual "Take Back the Night" at the Lutheran Campus Chapel, Thursday, April 7.  The event included a march, rally, and candlelight vigil.  Upon learning that event orgnizers were having difficulty securing adequate facilities from the university, the Lutheran Campus Ministry offered the use of the chapel.  FEM is an official student organization at the university.  "Take Back the Night" is an annual event dedicated at raising awareness and changing attitudes related to the safety of women in our society.

Tulips & Daffodils 2005New Blooms for the Spring

The flower bed burst into color this spring as the tulips and daffodils pushed their way up from beneath the ground.  Jesse Kalvitis, a grad student in Women's Studies, volunteered as gardener.  Her green thumb has been much appreciated.  The initial landscaping, which consisted of shrubbery removal and installation of the terraces, was the handiwork of student Jarrod Sekoski and a crew of friends.  While the terraces were in themselves a major improvement, the flowers were desperately needed.  Many passers-by have stopped to admire the new blooms and have commented on the improvements.  The terracing was made possible through a gift from a regular donor to the campus ministry.  If you would like to help with beautification of the Lutheran Campus Center through wither a donation or volunteer labor, click here.

Chaplain Gives Invocation for Medical School Investiture

Several hundred attended the investiture ceremony of the WVU School of Medicine at the end of Spring 2005 at which those graduating students received their doctoral hoods. Both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees were awarded as part of the ceremony.  For the M.D. recipients, residency is the next step in their studies.  Chaplain Riegel was invited to give the invocation, one which required great tact given the religiously diverse assembly.  "A great many of the med students are Muslim and Hindu.  It's no longer a case of serving in a society which can be described as 'Catholic, Protestant, and Jew.'  It's not not even solely monotheistic.  There is simply no way to pray publicly and not offend someone." explains Riegel.  "Even attempts to be as inclusive as possible are doomed to failure because the stricter factions of each religious system have issues with the generic."

End of Term Activities

With the help of students, faculty, and friends of the campus ministry, the last two weeks of the term were a time of prayer, fellowship, and food.  Compline and sext were prayed each weekday of the final fortnight.  About half the time, liturgical leadership was in the hands of people other than the chaplain, a good sign that the prayer offices are being reclaimed by the laity.  Each weeknight, Ten-Chow, a time of food and fellowship, was held.  Again, students and friends of the campus ministry pitched by preparing the food and taking care of clean-up.  Of course, the PS2 was in use more than one evening, as students found a few minutes of respite from the books.

Chaplain Gives Invocations for ROTCs

The young men and women of the Mountaineer Battalion marched into the Gluck Theater to the music of the local Army Band.  In a few minutes, they would become 2nd Lts. in the United States Army, but not before all things were done in proper order.  Part of that order was the invocation given by Chaplain Matthew Riegel of the Lutheran Campus Ministry.  After beginning with a moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen and deployed, Riegel prayed that those "to whom God has entrusted the sword" might do so with "honor, courage, prudence, and justice."  Among those receiving their gold bars were Sam Chamberlain, a resident of the Luther House, and Mike Jensen, a participant in the worship life of the campus ministry.  Also among the newly commissioned officers was Stephen Smay, the husband of Lt. Nicole (Cramer) Smay, an alumna of the campus ministry.

Riegel had been called upon by the ROTCs twice before in the semester.  He gave the invocation and benediction for the ROTCs' scholarship luncheon and for the joint military ball.

Commencement Compline

Graduating students, parents, and friends gathered in the Chapel of Christ the King for the last prayer service of the academic year on eve of Sunday's commencement exercises.  "Compline just leaves me with a sense of peace," said one student.  A parent asked, "Why don't we do this at our church?"  Good question.  The Lutheran Campus Ministry prays compline twice weekly throughout the academic year except for the last two weeks of the term when it is prayed nightly.

The Term Has Ended!

Another academic year has passed, and we bid farewell to 2004/5.  We also bid farewell for the last time to some of our students.  Military commissioning is in the future for some.  Another heads off to work at a camp and possibly a missionary tour with Mercy Ships after that.  Others will be looking for teaching jobs or work in the commercial sector.  Sadly, one students has chosen to transfer to St. Olaf.  A good move for her, but a real loss to us.  One, despite graduation, will not be leaving Morgantown, opting to work with the campus ministry for the summer as an intern.  This also becomes a time for other major life changes.  Three weddings will be held in the next four months for folks related to the campus ministry.  For others, the summer will be a time of continued study.  Of course, there will be plenty enjoying a respite from the books as they work summer jobs and travel.

God's blessings on all!
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