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Fall 2005
Highlights thus far

Campus Ministry Greets New Year

The start of a new academic year is always a little hectic.  Gridlock grips the campus.  New students try their hands at land navigation.  Trash litters the sidewalk following weekend parties.

On the more positive side, the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU opens its doors and meets people on the streets, welcoming students, faculty, and staff for another year.  Here's a synopsis.

Worship:  Total attendance for the first week of worship was 38, and the celebration mass for the new year had 36 present, an excellent beginning of the second week.  Pr. Brian Bennett presided at the "festive mass" and assisted in the Rite of Blessing for Members of the Academic Community.

Lemonade:  Cooler weather put a crimp in the Lemonade action this year.  Only 270 cups were distributed compared to last year's 960.  Still, we got to meet some new folks and get reconnected with some of the veterans.

LSM held its first meeting on Thursday night, enjoying Jason Felici's acclaimed grilled cheese and tomato soup.  The first decision of the LSM was to change the day and time to better suit the schedules of several members.  For the rest of the semester, meetings will be held a the Lutheran Campus Center, Wednesdays, at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM).  In other business, it was reported that the paperwork for certification as an official student organization has been submitted to the Office of Student Organizations.

St. Paul held its congregational picnic on the church lawn, welcoming visiting students to join in the bounty.

Theology on Tap reconvened on Monday night, August 29, at the Blue Moose Cafe.  Discussion centered on an ethical problem posed by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Students meet to discuss disaster response

Seven students met on Thursday night, September 8, to discuss disaster response.  Chaplain Riegel explained plans for the creation of a standing disaster response team, a proposal developed last year in response to Thrivent's Youth Leadership Initiative.  Unfortunately, the grant proposal for $24,500 was rejected at that time.  Nevertheless, the students indicated their eagerness to continue with the project without Thrivent's aid if necessary.

More immediate needs related to Hurricane Katrina were also discussed.  Several of the students have volunteered to assist with collection of materials at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the days ahead.  Initial conversation has begun on the assembly of work crews for Hurricane Katrina with one anticipated over spring recess and the possibility of one over Thanksgiving break.

Rest in Peace

A Requiem Mass for the Dead of 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina was held at the Lutheran Campus Chapel on Sunday, September 11, at 7:00 PM.  Using LBW Setting 3 as the base for the ordinary of the mass, propers were incorporated from the greater Western tradition of the church to form a Lutheran Requiem.  This included reintroduction of the introit and use of LBW #321 as a paraphrase of the Dies Irae.  One student commented after the service, "It's too bad we don't do this liturgy more often."  Chaplain Riegel reminded him, "We want to do this liturgy as rarely as possible.  In fact, the Lutheran Campus Ministry does the requiem whenever mass is held on All Souls' Day and on the occasion and first anniversaries of student deaths.  Requiems can also be requested for alumni and others associated with the Lutheran Campus Ministry.

Road Trip Pilgrimage to Pitt

Nine pilgrims made their way to Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 18, continuing a semi-annual tradition which began in Fall 2000.  The highlight of the evening was Compline at Heinz Chapel on the Pitt campus at 8:30 PM.  Of course, such a pious goal did not prevent the band from stopping by the Penn Brewery to partake of Oktoberfest food, drink, and music.  With some extra time on their hands between dinner and the service, some adjourned to Schenley Park to play the professional grade disc golf course, while others explored the Cathedral of Learning.

Not "Buddy Jesus"Icon in Procession

The serene face of our Lord Jesus now looks down upon the sanctuary of the Chapel of Christ the King (a.k.a., the Lutheran Campus Chapel), but many might be a little surprised by it.  A generous gift from the family of The Rev. Ed Vogelsong, one of the original five vicars at the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU, the 5' tall icon titled, "Christ the King," was dedicated and  installed at the 7:00 PM mass, on Sunday, September 25.  The icon depicts Jesus as an enthroned Byzantine Emperor complete with scepter, orb, and crown.  In 1968, the chapel was dedicated as "The Chapel of Christ the King," but no sign or art ever made that obvious.  This icon becomes a visual reminder of that dedication.  More importantly, it reasserts the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty in the midst of a culture that seems to be suffering from selective theological amnesia.  Mounted on the long access of the sanctuary above and behind the altar, it is in a direct sight line from the sidewalk in front of the chapel.  The next phase includes installation of lighting so that the icon will be illuminated, making it clearly visible through the glass front doors of the building.

A crowd of 46 participated in the mass of dedication.  Special music was provided by the St. Paul Lutheran Church Choir in conjunction with our resident organist, Martha Meyer, and the Phi Mu Alpha Brass Quartet, all under the direction of Robert Zay.  Liturgical music was provided by an ad hoc men's schola, singing selections of music from the Eastern Orthodox tradition.  Pr. Brian Bennett of St. Paul Lutheran Church assisted Chaplain Riegel with dedication rite which included copious frankincense and the dramatic, if not a little frightening, lifting of the icon into position.  The support structure for the icon was constructed by student Matt McPherson.

One worshiper did ask why the dedication did not occur on the Feast of Christ the King.  Unfortunately, Christ the King falls on Thanksgiving Recess this year.  September 25 was the Commemoration of Sergius of Radonezh.

If you would like to see more pictures of the icon and the dedication celebration, click here.

Kyrie Eleison: Schola Cantorum Debuts

It wasn't planned to happen for another week, but practice went so well there seemed little reason to wait.  Gathered worshipers at the October 2 mass were the first to hear the Schola Cantorum, the Lutheran Campus Ministry's early music ensemble.  The Schola sang the Kyrie from the Orbis factor mass, even breaking into organum at times.  In addition to the Kyrie, the Schola sang several other parts of the mass, leading the congregation in the "Third Setting" of the Lutheran Book of Worship, a setting which is largely copied from the Swedish Mass which was itself based upon the Latin mass.

Recruitment continues for Schola.  Under the direction of DMA candidate Jonathan Neiderhiser, the Schola will specialize in early music, beginning with Gregorian chant, specifically the psalm tones and the propers of the Orbis factor.  Practices are held at the Lutheran Campus Chapel, Sundays, at 5:45 PM.  If interested, write to mailto:Schola@LutheranMountaineer.org.

TorokBrot und Bier: Torok on New Religious Movements

Dr. Peter Torok, of the University of Szeged in Hungary, visited the Lutheran Campus Ministry on October 20, at 8:00 PM.  Dr. Torok gave a short presentation on the topic of new religious movements in Central and Eastern Europe, followed by open discussion on the topic.  He explored the similarities and differences between Western groups, which a commonly referred to as cults an their Eastern counterparts and chapters.  Of particular interest to observers is the legacy of Communism and its effects upon such movements.  A diverse gathering of students, faculty, and friends enjoyed the evening, which included German refreshments.

Reformation Daze! 2005

The 5th Annual Reformation Daze! was held in usual festive fashion with a Civil War era American liturgy, Theology on Tap with Pr. Bennett, All Saints' Mass at the Trinity Episcopal Church, All Souls' Day Visitation of the Graves, The Wurst Dinner on Campus, the usual pray offices, compline with Kappa Phi, and a guest preacher for All Saints' Sunday.  The next few articles cover the highlights.

Reformation Mass Remembers Civil War Era

Linton & Riegel in CW attire

 Riegel preaching in CW attire
One would expect Luther's Deutsche Mass.  Instead, it was Samuel Simon Schmucker's 1864 Proposed Liturgy for the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.  In celebration of Reformation Sunday, the Lutheran Campus Ministry continued its commitment to the historic liturgies of the movement by using an American worship form.  "We've used Muhlenberg's Late Colonial liturgy," explains Riegel.  "Now it's time to take a look at another period in American Lutheran history."  Schmucker was not a fan of liturgical form.  He admired elements of Primitivism and argued that denominational liturgical forms divided the church.  The General Synod of the Lutheran Church, however, pressured Schmucker to produce a liturgy to meet the needs of the time.  In the end, the General Synod did not adopt the liturgy, but elements of it did find their way into future liturgies.

"Semper ecclesia reformanda!" shouts Riegel, "the church must always be reformed.  Remembering Schmucker's contribution, even though he has been vilified by most American Lutherans, is a salutary practice.  It helps us reclaim the Reformation as an on-going Movement and our part in it today.

Chaplain Riegel and Dr. Garry Linton both dressed in period attire, Linton as a Virginian enlisted man and Riegel in civilian dress.

HSC Dead Visited

Have you ever wondered what happens to the cadavers after Gross Anatomy?  Following cremation, human remains are returned to the families.  Should the family not want the remains, they are interred at the HSC.  Chaplain Riegel and student Matt McPherson visited those remains on Wednesday, November 2, in observance of All Souls' Day.  Respects were paid using the Rite for Visitation of a Cemetery.

The Wurst Dinner on Campus

Firmly rooted as an annual event, The Wurst Dinner on Campus was held on Thursday night, November 3, in the Undercroft of the Lutheran Campus Center.  A clerical error with the food delivery company resulted in no knockwurst, but there was plenty of bratwurst to go around.  The mashed potatoes received special compliments this year.  The highest accolades, however, go to guests who brought their own specialties.
  • For best cabbage dish: Jenny Bangsund and her Rotkraut
  • For best pickled dish: Robert Zay and his Gurkesalat

Kappa Phi Meets at Lutheran Campus Center

The WVU chapter of Kappa Phi, a national Christian sorority of the Methodist tradition, held a lock-in at the Lutheran Campus Center the first weekend of November.  In addition to the fun normally associated with such events, compline was prayed with Chaplain Riegel leading and some of the residents of the Luther House joining in.  For most of the young women, it was a first time with the prayer office.

Chaplain Speaks on Christianity and Warfare...Twice

The WVU Chapter of the Scabbard and Blade Society, invited Chaplain Riegel to give a public presentation on November 14, which he titled, "Just Warrior, Crusader, or Pacifist?: The Christian Conscience in Military Service."  The Scabbard and Blade Society is a military fraternity with membership from both Army and Air Force ROTC units at WVU.  Several cadets from both services attended as well as some campus ministry folk.

Three days later, Riegel was reprising the topic in somewhat modified form for WVU's IV chapter.  Their scheduled speaker canceled, and on Wednesday, Riegel was asked to fill in.  Having the topic in hand, there seemed no reason not to get double duty out of it.  Besides, the topic is a timely on.

For both presentations, Riegel recounted the history of Christian thought about warfare and military service, explaining, "You can't say, 'This is the Christian position.'  There are many different Christian positions, and the best way to examine them is to look at the historical developments."

Lessons & Carols

A Service of Lessons & Carols was held at the Lutheran Campus Chapel on Sunday, December 11, at 7:00 PM.  The service began with the Schola cantorum processing in candlelight while chanting the Veni Emmanuel.  In addition to many well loved hymns sung by the entire assembly, there were a few special Schola pieces, including the Latin Conditor alme siderum and the Middle English Nova!  Nova!  The service ended with the Schola recessing to the Verbum caro factum est.

Following the service, all gathered in the Undercroft for a Gaudete Party.

Daily Prayer Offered at End of Term

The Lutheran Campus Center was in high gear the final fortnight of the term.  Offering twice daily prayer offices, Monday through Friday, sext at 12:30 PM and compline at 9:45 PM, the Chapel ministered to the weary, stressed, anxious, despairing, and devout.  Ten-Chow, a time of fellowship and food was held immediately following compline each night.

During this time, the Undercroft was offered as a quiet, hospitable, and safe place for students to study and relax.  To ensure the reasonable enjoyment of all, some principals, rules, and commentaries related to facility use were posted.  Hospitality Stewards were employed with good results.

Thrivent Awards LCM@WVU $24,500 Grant


Thrivent Check Presentation $24,500!  Hard to believe, but the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU has been awarded a big grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans under the Youth Leadership Initiative.  Thrivent's YLI program helps Lutheran organizations develop young leaders through service learning. Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that challenges young people, ages 14 to 24, to go beyond their normal volunteer or community service projects by identifying a need in society, formulating a plan to address it, executing the plan, reflecting on the experience and then celebrating the results.  The LCM@WVU applied to support a project titled, "Lutheran Disaster Response--Collegiate Corps: A Pilot Project."  The grant will be used to train, equip, and deploy a standing disaster response team of collegians to serve primarily central Appalachia.

Chaplain Riegel Prays for Three New First Lieutenants

The US Army ROTC Mountaineer Battalion commissioned three of their own as First Lieutenants on Tuesday, December 20.  Chaplain Matthew Riegel provided the invocation.

Board of Directors Reorganized

The first meeting of the reorganized Board of Directors of the Lutheran Campus Foundation at WVU was held on Monday, December 19, at the Lutheran Campus Center.  The Foundation is the governing entity which oversees and supports the operations of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU.  The reorganization was the product of a rewrite of the bylaws.  The Most Rev. Dr. Ralph Dunkin, Bishop Loci, had requested a revision of the bylaws over five years ago because the governing documents predated the formation of the ELCA in 1987, an interesting problem as many of the electoral structures require by the bylaws had vanished at that time.  As work began on the bylaws revisions, it became obvious that this was more than a simple updating in language.  Taking the opportunity, the previous board decided to make greater changes to the end of creating a stronger board.

The Board of Directors has been expanded from six to nine regular members.  The chaplain has been made an ex-officio member of the board and additional advisory members have been added to give voice to various constituencies.  In addition, term length and limit have been increased to a max of three consecutive three year terms.  Board members, while still appointed by the WV-WMD Synod Council, may now be members of other supporting judicatories.

With all the changes, the previous board was dissolved and all positions reappointed by the WV-WMD Synod Council.  Regular members serving on the reorganized board are William Agee, Russel Dean, Mike Propst, Sue Derk, Carol Henry, Dinah Courrier, Sarah Lee Faulkner, Jerry Kliner, and David Rockwood.
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