04/14/2025
This Holy Week, see how The Humble Walk is fostering new life in a story from first-year student leader, Carolyn! Read to the bottom for opportunities to get involved through our high school event and celebrating graduates!
𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲
Carolyn came to UMD as a freshman with a strong desire to stay connected to her faith during college. Having attended a non-denominational church for the past few years since becoming a Christian, she was open to exploring different denominations and set out to visit various ministries on campus. She didn’t expect to end up at a Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry—but something about The Humble Walk felt right.
“I didn’t know what I was looking for in a church,” Carolyn shared, “but I just really enjoyed it. The people were easy to talk to... it just felt more comfortable.”
Although she believed in God and prioritized finding a church community, her first semester was filled with personal struggles that made it hard to feel spiritually connected. “Every time I reached out to God, I wasn't all in. I had too much guilt around what was happening in my life.” That guilt made it difficult to attend services regularly, and she felt she was slowly growing more distant.
So when Pastor Ray invited her to join the leadership team at the end of the semester, Carolyn was surprised—and deeply moved.
“It meant a lot to me that he still saw something in me. He was still willing to put his trust in me, that I would be a valuable part of the team, and that I was still considered part of the community here, even though I didn't come every Sunday. I wasn't the best at it.”
She still wrestles with guilt and grace, but Carolyn also knows the Humble Walk is a place she can wrestle with those experiences with others walking alongside her. She regularly attends Dinner and Worship, Biblelogue, and other programs to hear the affirming word of God and discuss difficult themes with other students and Humble Walk staff. “That pretty well encapsulates my experience with the people at Humble Walk,” she says. “𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱.”
Now, in her second semester, Carolyn is a member of the student leadership team. She’s helping shape a community that welcomes others the way she was welcomed: not for having it all figured out, but simply for showing up.
It is generous supporters like you that make it possible for students like Carolyn find a community where they are known, welcomed, and invited to grow in faith and leadership—just as they are. Thank you!
𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲!
High School Bridge Event | April 27 @ Hope Lutheran Church, 2:30-7pm
For high school juniors & seniors exploring life after graduation! You don't have to be planning to go to UMD or college at all! Join us to learn how young people are involved in service, justice, and faith by spending the day doing activities like a stream cleanup, volleyball, and dinner and worship in community with our students! We will gather for registration and games from 2:30-3pm with the main event starting at 3pm at Hope Lutheran Church and Student Center. This is an excellent opportunity for an upperclassmen youth group outing or a way for a solo student to connect with others! Please reach out to [email protected] to register.
Grad Gala | May 18 @ St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 3-5pm
Join with us and The Humble Walk’s graduates for light refreshments and joyful celebration of their time with this ministry! All are welcome to come and hear reflections on the impact of campus ministry on their college journey. RSVP at [email protected].
