Covid-19 Era Fall 2021 | We will be following Covid-19 precautions as directed by the university and the congregation

WEEKLY EVENTS

Sunday Evening Worship | Sundays 6 pm at Grace Lutheran Church (resumes September 12)

This informal-style service with music led by a team including piano, guitar and more is attended by a mix of students and community members. The service includes song, prayer, readings, and reflection, and runs about 45 minutes. Holy Communion is shared each week and all are welcome at the table.  Dinner for students is held each week. Offered by Lutheran Campus Ministry and Grace Lutheran Church.

Thursday Evening Prayer | Thursdays 8 pm at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center (resumes August 26)

Evening Prayer includes song and prayer with Holy Communion for a break in the midst of your week.  This is a place to truly find community on campus. Interactive reflection on the readings will give you something new to consider. Dinner is offered afterward and everyone is welcome.

Thursday Dinner | Thursdays 6:45 pm at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center

After in-person worship on Thursdays, stay for a meal with the community.  Dinner is a time to relax and talk together while enjoying home-cooked meals that include vegetarian options and dessert.  Plan to feed your body as well as your spirit!

Pop Up Office Hours  | Tuesdays 3 - 4 pm on campus, other times by appointment

Check in about your day, ask questions, share concerns or fears, get some advice, or ask for prayers.  In good weather, you will find Campus Minister Alicia Anderson at a spot outside on campus where you can come and talk for a while.  Check our event calendar and socials for the location each week.  If you'd like to meet another time, email Alicia to arrange a time and place that works for you!

Other Opportunities | Discussions

Thoughtful Conversations | monthly on the last Tuesday at 7 - 8:15 pm | location TBD

Learn and talk together with as we grow in our understanding of important issues that impact our world and our lives.  Each month we will look at  another topic, or a different angle on a previous topic.  We will use various resources and formats, including video and online resources, discussion and more.

• September 28 - Racial Justice
• October 26 - TBD
• November 30 - TBD

We are offering this discussion together with Lutheran Student Community, Presbyterian Student Fellowship and Wesley at PSU.  Everyone is welcome!

Questions Not Answers (QNA) | monthly on the second Sunday at 7 - 8 pm  

Questions, not Answers (QNA) is a monthly inter-generational discussion for students and community members.  We wrestle with questions that don’t have easy or clear answers, and we often leave with more questions than we came with!  Gather in the library at Grace Lutheran Church for this lively and fun group facilitated by Paula Droege from the Penn State Philosophy Department in conjunction with Alicia Anderson, campus minister.

Religious Studies Book Club | September 15th  5:30 - 7 pm

The Society for the Study of Religion (SSR) at Penn State’s new book club discussing Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson on September 15th online.    Copies of the book are available for students who are interested in participating from Alicia Anderson at ara2@psu.edu.  For more information about the book,  click here.

Dare to Hope Bible Study Series  |  dates and location TBD

Take a look at the rich stories of hope and daring in the Bible alongside students all across the country.  We will explore how people in scripture took on challenges and moved forward in faith, offering to us a model for taking on the challenges we face today.

Other Opportunities | Volunteering

Housing Insecurity Fundraiser for Out Of the Cold | September 10-11

Help support Out of the Cold which provides housing for people experiencing homelessness in our community.  Sign up to spend the night outside with other students on Friday, September 10 - Saturday, September 11.  You can invite family and friends to donate to support Out Of the Cold as they work to raise funds for their own facility.  Contact Zane Burris for more information or sign up here.

Volunteering at the Arboretum | Dates TBD

Join other volunteers at the Penn State Arboretum and help plant a Pollinator and Bird Garden, using COVID-19 safety plan and working outdoors!  Watch for sign up invitations!  You’ll get more details once you sign up, but the Arboretum is off Park Avenue, near Shortlidge. Supplies and equipment will be provided, and you will need to dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and wear a mask. If the weather cooperates, we can eat a picnic lunch together afterward!

Volunteering with the Clothing Transit | Dates TBD

In partnership with the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity volunteers help with clothing items that are available to the trans and non-binary community.  Volunteers are needed to help sort and catalog items. Sign up here.

Spanish language faith community / Outreach to Spanish speaking community

Volunteers are needed to help establish Gloria de Dios Comunidad, a new Spanish language community of faith here in Centre County.  A diverse group of volunteers are at the beginning stages of this multi-cultural outreach project, sponsored by the ELCA.  Contact Alicia Anderson for more information.

More Service Events / Projects

We have worked together on group projects like the Volunteering at the Arboretum, Virtual CROP Walk in October, Clothing Transit through the fall, online service projects, and others.   In the spring, we’ll offer at least one each month.  If you have ideas to suggest, please contact Campus Minister Alicia Anderson at ara2@psu.edu.