March 2018
Ashes and Prayer, Student Video Story, Reflections of a QC Alum, Trivia Night and More!
NYU Student, Anna Mortiz, helps share ashes and prayer with a fellow student on Ash Wednesday on Broadway near NYU.
Dear Friends of Campus Ministry,
Greetings to you in this holy season of Lent. Although winter temperatures and snowy days persist, we are seeing new life quicken and blossom among our campus ministry communities in this spring semester. I hope you'll take the time to read the articles below, as they highlight so much that God has done and is doing through our students. You'll learn about the amazing impact of campus ministry on the life of one of our alums from the 1950s, hear the story of a current Columbia undergraduate, witness our students hitting the streets to share God's love on Ash Wednesday, and see congregations from across our area coming together to support The Vine campus ministry network. There is so much to be grateful for in these lengthening days. I hope that our gifted, growing students inspire as much confidence in you as they do in me for the future of the Church. Already, they are transforming it with their young leadership and passion for living out the Gospel. Thanks be to God! And, as always, thank you for your prayers and your support. Your accompaniment makes this ministry with students possible and I am grateful.
Lenten Blessings,
The Rev. Becca Seely
Executive Director
Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education of NYC
Greetings to you in this holy season of Lent. Although winter temperatures and snowy days persist, we are seeing new life quicken and blossom among our campus ministry communities in this spring semester. I hope you'll take the time to read the articles below, as they highlight so much that God has done and is doing through our students. You'll learn about the amazing impact of campus ministry on the life of one of our alums from the 1950s, hear the story of a current Columbia undergraduate, witness our students hitting the streets to share God's love on Ash Wednesday, and see congregations from across our area coming together to support The Vine campus ministry network. There is so much to be grateful for in these lengthening days. I hope that our gifted, growing students inspire as much confidence in you as they do in me for the future of the Church. Already, they are transforming it with their young leadership and passion for living out the Gospel. Thanks be to God! And, as always, thank you for your prayers and your support. Your accompaniment makes this ministry with students possible and I am grateful.
Lenten Blessings,
The Rev. Becca Seely
Executive Director
Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education of NYC
'You are Mortal. You are Loved.':
Vine Students Share Ashes and Prayer Across Manhattan
LaMP Co-Pastor, Rev. Vicki Flippin, imposes ashes on Columbia student, Sedalia Mahlum, on Ash Wednesday.
Pastor Mark Erson and students Lina Lanstroem (New School) and Anna Mortiz (NYU) in Washington Square Park on Ash Wednesday.
"Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." These words, both heavy and freeing, came again and again to the lips of campus ministry students this past Ash Wednesday as they shared in prayer with and gave ashes to passersby on the streets of NYC. Students from The Vine's ministry branches in upper and lower Manhattan participated in Ashes & Prayer this year, sending out teams to well-trafficked areas near college campuses to invite people into Lent and bear witness to God's love. This year, Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine's Day and students discovered in the coincidence a new way to think about love, in terms not of greeting cards and flowers but of God's unconditional love and radical invitation to us, particularly in the season of Lent.
Union Seminary student, Jane Ulring, imposes ashes near Columbia University.
Students and pastors from The Vine's new ecumenical student ministry branch downtown gathered in Washington Square Park. Uptown, a group from the LaMP student ministry branch set up on 116th and Broadway. Dozens of people who were simply walking down the street, including many fellow students, accepted the invitation and shared deeply personal concerns with our prayer teams. Relying on the Holy Spirit, students found the words to pray for and with their neighbors in these intimate moments. "It was so humbling and powerful to pray with people I didn't know -- to remind them of their mortality and to remind them also that they are loved," shared New School Senior, Lina Landstroem, who distributed ashes downtown.
For campus ministry students, Ash Wednesday is an invitation not just into a holy Lent, but into engaging Christian identity in a more public way. Lina reflected, "I go to a really secular school and last year, I waited until the evening to go to church so that I didn't have to go to school with ashes. This year, I received ashes in the morning and my call to keep Lent persuaded me not to wash mine off before class. I was nervous but as I walked into school, one student said, 'Oh! I have to go to church today!,' another said, 'Oh! Today's Ash Wednesday!' and a third asked, 'Wait -- Today's Wednesday??'" The reaction made Lina feel better about owning her faith in public and helped her realize that it can be a conversation starter that helps her connect with others. Ashes and Prayer was a powerful and blessing-filled beginning to the Lenten journey with students this year. May your Lent be filled with powerful blessings as well!
For campus ministry students, Ash Wednesday is an invitation not just into a holy Lent, but into engaging Christian identity in a more public way. Lina reflected, "I go to a really secular school and last year, I waited until the evening to go to church so that I didn't have to go to school with ashes. This year, I received ashes in the morning and my call to keep Lent persuaded me not to wash mine off before class. I was nervous but as I walked into school, one student said, 'Oh! I have to go to church today!,' another said, 'Oh! Today's Ash Wednesday!' and a third asked, 'Wait -- Today's Wednesday??'" The reaction made Lina feel better about owning her faith in public and helped her realize that it can be a conversation starter that helps her connect with others. Ashes and Prayer was a powerful and blessing-filled beginning to the Lenten journey with students this year. May your Lent be filled with powerful blessings as well!
Faces of Campus Ministry: Meet Aurora Celestin!
Attending this secular institution at Columbia University, you’re not always going to have experiences where someone will come up to you and say they are thinking of you and praying for you and your concerns but here at LaMP, that’s something we very much do – embracing each other and each other’s concerns and needs. - Aurora Celestin, Columbia U. '20
Watch the video above to hear more from Columbia University undergraduate student, Aurora Celestin. This video is part of the Faces of Campus Ministry series that is posted regularly on The Vine NYC's Facebook Page. Like and follow The Vine on Facebook to meet a new student, alum, staff member, volunteer or supporter every two weeks!
More about Aurora:
Aurora is active in LaMP, The Vine's ecumenical branch in Morningside Heights, where she is a staple at LaMP's weekly dinner worship on Monday evenings. Aurora is a sophomore at Columbia, where she recently declared a double major in Creative Writing and Religion. She is also pursuing pre-law coursework. Among her many gifts, Aurora is also a talented musician. Having grown up on Manhattan's Upper West Side, she considers herself lucky to get to see her parents and siblings regularly throughout the school year. Aurora was raised as a member of The Church of Saint Paul and Saint Andrew United Methodist, one of LMHE's partner congregations supporting LaMP.
Thank you for being part of our community, Aurora, and blessings to you on the rest of the semester!
Watch the video above to hear more from Columbia University undergraduate student, Aurora Celestin. This video is part of the Faces of Campus Ministry series that is posted regularly on The Vine NYC's Facebook Page. Like and follow The Vine on Facebook to meet a new student, alum, staff member, volunteer or supporter every two weeks!
More about Aurora:
Aurora is active in LaMP, The Vine's ecumenical branch in Morningside Heights, where she is a staple at LaMP's weekly dinner worship on Monday evenings. Aurora is a sophomore at Columbia, where she recently declared a double major in Creative Writing and Religion. She is also pursuing pre-law coursework. Among her many gifts, Aurora is also a talented musician. Having grown up on Manhattan's Upper West Side, she considers herself lucky to get to see her parents and siblings regularly throughout the school year. Aurora was raised as a member of The Church of Saint Paul and Saint Andrew United Methodist, one of LMHE's partner congregations supporting LaMP.
Thank you for being part of our community, Aurora, and blessings to you on the rest of the semester!
"God Blessed Me All The Way":
How Campus Ministry Shaped Alum Bob Riekert, Queens College '54
LSF Alumni Retreat in 1957 with Bob Riekert at far right and Pr. Klann at far left.
Bob Riekert will never forget the first day he walked into a Lutheran Club meeting at Queens College in 1950. He was a self-described nerdy, nervous freshman who had heard about the campus ministry from the pastor of his home church in St. Albans. He walked into the meeting and was flummoxed to find himself surrounded by nine young women. Despite his hesitation at joining an all female group, the young Lutheran ladies welcomed him very warmly and once he was in the door, even invited him to take on the role of club president. Reluctantly, Bob said yes and it was a yes that has gone on to shape his entire life.
“It was the best decision of my life! I was very shy and never dated anyone before. It helped me get out of my shell,” he remembers, “For some reason, the club expanded it's membership exponentially, and was thriving when I graduated.” Bob spent much of his time outside the classroom with the Lutheran Club, which was part of the Lutheran Student Foundation (LSF), the organization that eventually became the current Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education. He participated in bible studies, social activities and organized service projects to benefit the community. Bob credits his time in campus ministry with teaching him about the Bible, Christian faith and the importance of serving his neighbors. He fondly remembers Pastor Klann, the Lutheran chaplain at Queens College, who was his pastor, friend and mentor. “He had a great sense of humor, so it was fun to get him laughing with his deep roaring laughter. He introduced me to the many theological concepts which I still hold dear, and lean on today.”
After Bob graduated, he served two years in the army but never lost touch with Pastor Klann or his campus ministry friends at Queens College. When he returned to Queens in 1956, he worked with Pr. Klann to start an alumni group. This group of alums got together regularly with current students for service projects and fellowship outings.
“It was the best decision of my life! I was very shy and never dated anyone before. It helped me get out of my shell,” he remembers, “For some reason, the club expanded it's membership exponentially, and was thriving when I graduated.” Bob spent much of his time outside the classroom with the Lutheran Club, which was part of the Lutheran Student Foundation (LSF), the organization that eventually became the current Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education. He participated in bible studies, social activities and organized service projects to benefit the community. Bob credits his time in campus ministry with teaching him about the Bible, Christian faith and the importance of serving his neighbors. He fondly remembers Pastor Klann, the Lutheran chaplain at Queens College, who was his pastor, friend and mentor. “He had a great sense of humor, so it was fun to get him laughing with his deep roaring laughter. He introduced me to the many theological concepts which I still hold dear, and lean on today.”
After Bob graduated, he served two years in the army but never lost touch with Pastor Klann or his campus ministry friends at Queens College. When he returned to Queens in 1956, he worked with Pr. Klann to start an alumni group. This group of alums got together regularly with current students for service projects and fellowship outings.
Pr. Klann (far left) and members of the Lutheran Club on campus, 1955.
Perhaps the greatest gift Bob received through campus ministry was that of meeting Nancy Pearse ’61, an undergraduate French major from Queens Village who would eventually become his wife. They had known each other for a few years through LSF before Bob learned that she had broken up with her boyfriend and decided to ask her out. “It was incredible,” he remembers, “I had no intention of falling in love but it was her smile. It just was like it was meant to be. I never looked back.” Bob and Nancy were married in April 1962.
In large part because of their experiences at Queens College, Bob and Nancy were inspired throughout their adulthood to lead lives of service in the church and community. When the couple moved to Westchester County, Bob served on church council in their congregation. He worked on the committee that started Martin Luther High School in Maspeth, where Nancy also taught for a number of years. Bob led bible studies at church and Nancy organized a long-running craft fair to raise money for ministries. The couple was sure to take their five children to church every Sunday. “We had devotions at home and all that stuff too,” Bob shared, “Because of our commitment to the church through the LSF, we really carried on our faith and until Nancy died [in 2012], we were still praying together.” Today, Bob continues to serve as an active member and leader at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Croton-on-Hudson.
In large part because of their experiences at Queens College, Bob and Nancy were inspired throughout their adulthood to lead lives of service in the church and community. When the couple moved to Westchester County, Bob served on church council in their congregation. He worked on the committee that started Martin Luther High School in Maspeth, where Nancy also taught for a number of years. Bob led bible studies at church and Nancy organized a long-running craft fair to raise money for ministries. The couple was sure to take their five children to church every Sunday. “We had devotions at home and all that stuff too,” Bob shared, “Because of our commitment to the church through the LSF, we really carried on our faith and until Nancy died [in 2012], we were still praying together.” Today, Bob continues to serve as an active member and leader at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Croton-on-Hudson.
Today, Bob is active at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Croton-on-Hudson.
Bob and Nancy’s commitment to service didn’t end at the church doors. Nancy served as director of the Girl Scouts in Ossining for 27 years. As for Bob, after retiring from a wonderful career at IBM Research Group, he took his computer skills to the non-profit world, helping build databases for an organization providing low-income housing in the community. “I like to help people – it’s in my genes –and I like helping people who help people so it was the perfect job for me,” he says.
Bob credits his time with campus ministry at Queens College for shaping his life in so many ways. From his formation in faith to making close friends to a wonderful marriage and family, to a life of service, campus ministry helped make him the man he is. He reflects, “It has been an awesome life. I’ve been so blessed having the opportunities I’ve had and just falling into them. Not by my own reason or strength by the way. God blessed me all the way.”
Thank you, Bob, for sharing your powerful story and for supporting campus ministry with students today!
Bob credits his time with campus ministry at Queens College for shaping his life in so many ways. From his formation in faith to making close friends to a wonderful marriage and family, to a life of service, campus ministry helped make him the man he is. He reflects, “It has been an awesome life. I’ve been so blessed having the opportunities I’ve had and just falling into them. Not by my own reason or strength by the way. God blessed me all the way.”
Thank you, Bob, for sharing your powerful story and for supporting campus ministry with students today!
An Out of This World Evening:
Trivia Night Fundraiser Brings Together Congregations Across New York Area to Support Vine Campus Ministry Network
MC and LMHE Board President, Rev. Emily Trubey-Weller (left) and Pastor Becca Seely run an exciting raffle game.
For the past three years, the dreary dregs of winter have been cheered up by Trivia Night, LMHE's annual fundraiser for The Vine NYC. At the event, teams of supporters participate in a pub trivia style competition, answering general knowledge questions in hopes of winning the coveted championship trophy. Win or lose, competitors are assured that their presence and donations will help support The Vine network's ministries with college and graduate students. Trivia Night always has a theme and this year it was Cosmic Quiz Bowl. Volunteers and competitors alike got into the outer space spirit, donning glowsticks and martian headbands and making the event into an out of this world evening of fun and philanthropy. LMHE Board President, The Rev. Emily Trubey-Weller, was in full astronaut regalia as she emceed the game!
Trinity Lower East Side's team poses at the outer space photo booth.
Trivia Night 2018 took place on February 23 at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, a partner congregation that generously agreed to host for the third year running. The evening's competition was attended by nearly one hundred supporters and raised over $3000. "One of the best things about Trivia Night is how it brings together diverse congregations from across the area not for 'church business,' but for fellowship, fun, giving and thanksgiving," remarked Rev. Trubey-Weller. This year, teams hailed from nine congregations, including Advent (Manhattan), Christ (Manhattan), Gustavus Adolphus (Manhattan), Immanuel (Whitestone), Our Saviour (Jamaica), Our Saviour's Atonement (Manhattan), St. John's (Manhattan), St. Stephen's (Hicksville) and Trinity Lower East Side (Manhattan). The 2018 championship team, the cleverly named Houston, We Have A Problem, included members from St. Paul's in Rye Brook, and St. John's and Gustavus Adolphus in Manhattan. They won in a three-way tiebreaker with only moments left in the evening, making for an exciting end to a festive evening. Congratulations to our winning team!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support campus ministry at Trivia Night! We hope to see you next year!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support campus ministry at Trivia Night! We hope to see you next year!
The winning team shows off their championship trophy.
The Vine NYC is a network of big-hearted, open-minded campus ministries serving college and graduate students across New York City. The Vine connects students with peer faith communities, local congregations and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Vine is a ministry of Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education in partnership with local congregations.