The Peer Ministers.
Welcome Back Picnic.
Waiting for worship.
Worshiping at St. Paul's Chapel.
ISM Picnic at City Park in Iowa City.
ISM Picnic.
ISM Picnic.
Awesome August at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel
Term papers. Exams. Group projects. All nighters. None of that mattered opening weekend, as parents and students unloaded cars, vans, and U-Hauls in the heat of mid-August. The excitement of a new school year, the joy of seeing old friends, and the happiness of making new ones infected all of the University of Iowa campus.
The students and congregation of St. Paul’s Chapel were right in the middle of all the hoopla. Welcome week was packed with events designed to reach both American and International students.
The week began with the Welcome Dinner for international students and volunteers at City Park on Friday, August 22. Even the weather, which had threatened rain, cooperated. The crowd feasted on a fried chicken dinner in the cool evening hours. Deaconess Intern Angie helped everyone to mix and mingle, and many people lingered until well after 8:00 in the evening, telling stories and forming friendships. Many families learned about the opportunities offered to internationals through our ISM program at St. Paul’s.
Welcome week continued on Saturday, as chapelites delivered goodie baskets to incoming LCMS freshmen around campus. The newcomers were greeted by upper classmen, who answered questions about the campus and the Chapel. The new students were handed baskets, with treats and information designed to help them survive the first few days of dorm life.
Sunday was the busiest day of the Welcome Week for both students and permanent congregation at St. Paul’s. The Divine Service at 10:30 was followed by an information fair in the fellowship hall during coffee hour. Students learned about all the different activities at the Chapel and were able to sign up for everything from teaching Sunday school to singing in the choir to helping with international student ministry.
The Welcome Weekend concluded with a huge Sunday evening picnic on the front lawn of the Chapel. Pastor Mons fired up the grill. New students, returning students, and members of the permanent congregation enjoyed the relaxed and casual supper. A Frisbee and football each made an appearance. All too soon the sun set, and it was time to head home to get ready for the first day of classes.
Welcoming new students is not just a weeklong event at St. Paul’s. It is the lifestyle of campus ministry. Visitation teams will be making calls all semester. Events and activities to welcome and include students are ongoing. New conversation groups and classes are being formed for international students and families.
As chapel students and congregation catch their breath after the flurry of Welcome Week activities, we realized what a privilege it is to be a part of LCMS campus ministry. To see young people, away from mom and dad for the first time, deciding to make the church a priority is exciting. It certainly has been an awesome August, and we are looking forward to a spectacular September.
