Luther House Campus Ministry

06/04/2026

[P A S S I O N]

Carmen (she/her) loves soil—"It deeply connects to who I am, my faith, and I am very passionate about it," she says - so it might not be surprising to learn that she studies soil science here at Oregon State University. Even with her schedule filled with marching band and band fraternity commitments, it was important to Carmen to find a faith community in Corvallis, so she started attending Grace Lutheran Church and learned about the Lutheran Episcopal campus ministry. "I started going to events when I could—I went to a couple of weekday events during fall 2024 and the fall retreat".

Before she was part of the campus ministry community, Carmen had never been part of a faith community of people her age, and she wrestled with finding places where her expressions of faith and her personal beliefs could coexist. "Before I became more involved," she shares, "a lot of the conversations I would have about my faith were internal". Connecting faith with "my beliefs about social justice, that immigrants should be welcome, that q***r people deserve to exist—I love that it is affirmed in our campus ministry, so I feel a lot more comfortable talking about it—and I get to talk about my faith more now too."

Attending the winter retreat last year, in the terrible January weather, is what solidified Carmen's place in the community. "We did reflections and discussions about creation and our connection to nature, which is something I really care about, and standing there on the coast, with the wind just attacking you, being able to have those conversations, where I didn't need answers—I could just share my feelings, I felt vulnerable but also protected." Through both lighthearted and meaningful moments, Carmen found a sense of belonging. "I knew this was a space I could come back to, that I have this connection with my friends who I'm going to talk to no matter what."

Now, Carmen has a strong community where she can share her passion for active faith and soil science. "Everything we are is connected to the Earth, no matter what form of creation you believe, we are all made of the same things, we are all connected through elements, we are all star stuff, we are all soil," she says. "I love that, and I think it is so beautiful. Everything in the soil God put there for a reason. We are part of it, and that is so important to me.”

Your support makes it possible to provide retreats for students. Thank you for making good soil for students to grow in passion and love.

05/28/2026

As the days grow longer, the buds on the trees are blooming, and the afternoon sunshine feels warmer and warmer, I am reminded that spring is a time of great transition. A season where we cross the threshold of winter into a new chapter. New seasons can be exciting- in spring we see the green of the world bursting forth! But the changing of the year can also take some time getting used to the new rhythms.

And spring is also a time of big transition for the lives of our students here at the Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry at OSU. Through finals and essays, classes come to an end. Some in our community will graduate and figure out where their vocation calls them next. It can be both a moment of exploration and of uncertainty.

But the students do not venture forth alone into this new season. They are supported and buoyed by their community here at the campus ministry. The touchpoints they relied upon the whole semester going with them into the next steps. From the tables bursting with food and conversation on Sunday evenings, to the laughter and joy found in community building, and even in the thoughtful silence during difficult conversations. These are the guiding lights that moor the ministry and students during transition and uncertainty.

I am so thankful that I can be a part of the supportive community that helps foster these touchpoints throughout the year. And your generosity can continue to provide a place where the uneasiness of springtime transitions is against the backdrop of a loving and caring environment found at Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry at OSU.

We read in Psalm 119:105 “ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” We feel God’s presence guiding our path through this sunny springtime. May we live out our lives as disciples fully into that comforting light.

Blessings and thank you,
Deacon Andrew Larsen
Vice-Chair, Luther House Board

05/07/2026

[ E C O S Y S T E M ]

Ellrya, a third year pre-vet biology student at Oregon State University, is an artist and scientist.

Growing up on the Oregon coast, Ellrya blended her love of science and art to paint public murals that painted a story of ecological restoration. With particular attention to the relationship of birds, sea urchins, and kelp, the murals picture the possibility of rebalancing ecosystems with keystone species.

Although she attended a Mormon youth group as a child, Ellrya stepped away in high school and didn’t expect to find home in another faith community in college. That changed when she began attending the neighboring campus ministry, West M, and soon learned about the Lutheran Epsicopal campus ministry next door. “Pr. Rob made a post about the Luther House Tuesday dinner and craft night. I like free dinner, and like crafts, and if Pr. Rob recommends it, it’s a safe place to go.”

At the Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry, she found free dinner, art, and so much more. “It was nice to sit down and draw a physical piece of media and draw, and fun to do little random things like rock painting and sewing.” Before long, she became a regular at the Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry. “I enjoyed having things to do and get out more. I like having a schedule, instead of sitting in my room.”

More than a craft night, Ellrya realized how invested she was in the Lutheran-Episcopal ministry when the campus pastor shared that she was pregnant. “I had no idea… zero hint until then. It struck me that as I had been milling about that I am actually invested in everyone else’s lives now.” Now, Ellyra says the craft night space “fills the art club shaped hole in my heart.” Ellrya regularly invites her friends to join, and the craft night continues to grow. The friendships continue to deepen, too. One new friend recently crocheted two floral headbands for Ellrya, and she gifted an octopus necklace in return.

Your support makes it possible to provide a second free meal for students. With gratitude, thank you for also making creativity, friendship, and balance in the ecosystem of campus life possible for students like Ellrya.

04/22/2026

Father David serving looks and the Eucharist 💁✝️

04/02/2026

[ C O N N E C T I O N ]

Julia (she/they) dreams of becoming a book editor. As an English major at Oregon State University, she also finds joy in playing the clarinet and crocheting.

Growing up in Episcopal tradition, Julia instantly found a church connection in Corvallis by attending services with her grandparents, who are longtime members of the local Episcopal church. Both her grandparents and the Episcopal priest repeatedly encouraged her to explore the Lutheran–Episcopal campus ministry. Her grandma was especially persistent, and Julia smiled, saying, “she was asking me every time I saw her, “have you gone yet? Are you still going?”

Eventually, Julia gathered the courage to attend one Sunday dinner. “I don’t know that I would have actively sought it out on my own. I might have later,” she shared. “The main thing I was nervous about was whether people would be nice.” Her first impressions were simple but meaningful: the food was good, and the people were kind. She found a warm and inviting space with lots of plants, banned books on the shelves, and a pride flag on the wall- all sorts of things that made her feel comfortable. “Even on the first day,” Julia said, “it didn’t feel like I was an outsider coming in. I felt like I was part of it immediately.”

For Julia, the campus ministry has become a place of connection. “It helped me feel like I was having more social time with people, more connected to different people,” she reflected. “Now I know people from all around and in different grades.” More than that, the community helped Julia feel at home at OSU. “It made me feel like I belong here, that I’m not just taking classes.”

In the week to week of academic life, Julia looks forward to craft nights, yummy food, and staying to talk to people. “It’s nice,” she said, “that if I have a bad day, there’s something to look forward to on Sunday and Tuesday, even just chicken nuggets. They’re a wonderful comfort food.”

Thank you for supporting a campus ministry that offers connection and comfort to students like Julia, one meal and one moment at a time.

04/02/2026

While the students were away for Spring Break, we scrubbed, organized and decluttered Luther House! With the help of students we have made a list of needed supplies that will help keep our kitchen clean and usable — not only for Sunday Night Dinners but also for everyday student cooking and baking.

You can access our wish list at the link below or by scanning the QR code on the flyer in the comment section.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2GF0W6VBA9182?ref_=wl_share

Thank you so much for providing us the tools we need to continue having the Lutheran Episcopalian Campus Ministry be a welcoming and nourishing place!

If you need support or have questions, contact intern Julia!

04/01/2026

🌷 Spring into community at Luther House this April!

🪻 Community dinners, craft nights and radical love and hospitality

🌼 All are Welcome and All Belong

03/24/2026

03/05/2026

[ B L E S S I N G ]

Brooke (she/her) is a natural leader, with deep leadership roots shaped by 13 years as a Girl Scout in Western Washington. Before coming to Oregon State University , she was also honored to serve as her hometown’s Daffodil Princess (an experience that further nurtured her sense of service and community).

When she started her first year at OSU, Brooke wanted to explore different faith communities and churches. Thinking back to her first visit to the local Episcopal Church in Corvallis, Brooke shared “I just showed up at this random church, and was invited to sit down by an older woman named Phyllis.”

What began as a simple visit turned into a six-hour stay for the service, coffee hour, and adult faith formation. On her way out the door, the Episcopal priest invited her to the campus ministry. He said, “Oh my gosh, you’re a college student? You have to go to this campus ministry tonight. It’s pretty awesome.” Brooke laughed as she said, “and he was right.”

Her first impression of the campus ministry was overwhelmingly positive. “I thought it had really good chill vibes, and it wasn't extremist and aggressive; I always felt so welcomed, and it was fun.”

The ministry quickly became something more than an extracurricular activity; it became a space where Brooke could decompress during the week and connect authentically with others. In contrast to other Christian campus ministries that sometimes drive an agenda with students, Brooke found the Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry community genuine. She was drawn to its inclusivity, as “somewhere that really preached love and acceptance,” and its commitment to supporting the broader community.

Now, Brooke rarely misses a Sunday dinner or Tuesday night Maker’s Space in the campus ministry. Brooke also loves going to church on Sunday morning at the local Episcopal Church. “I just find traditional services hold so much beauty; there’s something about seeing the stained glass and Stations of the Cross that has so much emotion. It is so calming… I feel so moved in my heart, in my bones, in my body.”

Brooke’s favorite part of church is the blessing; she adores carrying the words God’s blessing into her everyday life.

In the same spirit, thank you for supporting our campus ministry that leads with inclusion, celebration, and God’s beloved blessing of each and every student.

03/05/2026

Hello, March!