Title: Lutheran Students Push for "Politics of Compassion"
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
January 15, 2003
LUTHERAN STUDENTS PUSH FOR "POLITICS OF COMPASSION"
03-007-MR
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Some Lutheran college and university students
expressed concern on the possibility of war between the United States
and Iraq at "Celebrate IV: Weave Us Together," Albuquerque, N.M., Dec.
28-Jan.1. In a petition signed by 350 of the 1,100 students attending
the event, students vowed to "advocate for politics of compassion in the
United States" and work for peace in the world.
Hosted by the Council for Ecumenical Student Christian Ministry
(CESCM) and the National Catholic Student Coalition, "Celebrate" is an
ecumenical event designed to bring college students together to engage
in social justice, political action, philosophical contemplation and
more. The event takes place every four years.
CESCM is a partnership of students and higher education staff of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
United Church of Christ and United Methodist Church.
Through Bible study, keynote presentations, tours, workshops and
worship, students "wove together" a spiritual community that supported
works of justice and gave clarity to faith and belief, said Lisa Parker,
Lutheran Student Movement-USA (LSM-USA) intern, ELCA Division for Higher
Education and Schools (DHES).
Keynote presenters included Millard Fuller, founder and president
for Habitat for Humanity International, Americus, Ga. Habitat
volunteers have built homes with more than 100,000 families in need in
more than 1,500 U.S. cities and 82 other countries.
Another speaker was Paula McGee, president of Paula McGee
Ministries, Antioch, Tenn. -- a nonprofit organization whose mission is
to help people discover their calling in life, find personal peace and
self-fulfillment.
Workshop topics ranged from social witness and justice to faith
and spirituality. The event also featured small group reflection
activities and social events.
LSM-USA URGES PEACE, ELECTS LEADERS
Parker said a group of students put together a "position paper"
that expressed their thoughts on war. The text of the paper served as
the basis for a petition designed for students to commit to peace
instead of "war against Iraq."
"As Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Disciples of Christ,
United Church of Christ, Pan-Methodists, Baptists, [members of ] the
World Student Christian Federation, International Movement of Catholic
Students and Presbyterians, we have been raised in traditions of a
loving God. We are committed to loving our neighbors as ourselves,
including our brothers and sisters in Iraq, regardless of faith," the
petition stated.
"We as Christian students" resolve to "beseech our leaders to act
with moral responsibility and to pursue open dialogue with hopes of a
diplomatic, peaceful resolution" between the United States and Iraq, the
petition stated. "We urge students" on campuses across the country and
around the world to "work toward peace with justice," and to "advocate
for politics of compassion in the United States."
The paper was adopted by members of the ELCA who participate in
the Lutheran Student Movement-USA (LSM-USA) -- a national organization
of college, university and seminary students who worship in the Lutheran
tradition. Participants of LSM-USA met during Celebrate's
"denominational time" to conduct the business of LSM-USA. About 320
Lutherans from across the United States attended.
Shannon Savage, California Lutheran University (CLU), Thousand
Oaks, Calif., was elected president of the LSM-USA council for 2003.
CLU is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA. Christopher
Hamon, North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., was elected
secretary; and Elizabeth Froehlig, University of California, Santa
Barbara, Calif., was elected secretary of international and
multicultural concerns.
Parker said it is important for Christian students to have an
organization like LSM-USA. "Lutheran students can often feel isolated
on campus. Celebrate and LSM gatherings offer a chance for students
from across the country and around the world to meet and share the joy
of their common Christian ties," she said.
Parker's term as LSM-USA intern will end in May. Jenn Henefeld,
Indiana, Pa., will succeed Parker in August.
Through LSM-USA, Lutheran students work to promote the active
participation of students in the life and mission of the Lutheran church
on their campuses, in their communities and as individuals. DHES
supports LSM-USA as an active voice of students in the larger church
through financial and organization support, said Parker.
LSM-USA's legislative body operates on a regional and national
level. It has a national gathering every December over the New Year's
holiday with opportunities for worship, fellowship, service, faith
exploration and fun.
The 2003 LSM-USA gathering will take place Dec. 31-Jan. 4 in
Washington, D.C.
-- -- --
Information about the Lutheran Student Movement-USA and
"Celebrate" is available at http://www.lsm-usa.org on the Internet.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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