Pastor Julie Kelly recently began serving at Syracuse University, where she is navigating the complex landscape of ministry in a deeply diverse and evolving educational environment. Her work bridges multiple cultural worlds, bringing together students from across the globe within the context of Lutheran campus ministry.
Before attending one of LuMin’s midwinter gatherings in January, Julie was wrestling with significant challenges. The Lutheran Church’s predominantly white historical context stood in stark contrast to her ministry’s vibrant ethnic diversity. “I recognize that the Lutheran Church is significantly white, and the ministry at Syracuse is significantly ethnically diverse,” she reflected. “That is an honor to be a part of and exciting, and also disturbing and disrupting.” She is particularly concerned about creating appropriate resources for her students, noting, “We don’t even have enough Spanish resources, let alone other languages.”
At the gathering, on a day of exploring the history of African American churches in Philadelphia, Julie experienced an insightful moment of reflection. Standing in the basement museum of Mother Bethel AME, the first African Methodist Episcopal Congregation, she witnessed a powerful shared experience that resonated deeply. “We were watching the church disintegrate and reintegrate into new ways of being,” she described, “while also facing matters of human justice that are pressing.” The experience of being in that space became an image of ongoing church transformation—simultaneously breaking down and rebuilding.
A pivotal moment came when she learned something new about the Underground Railroad, despite considering herself knowledgeable on the topic. “To learn something new in an area I was well versed in was a beautiful reminder that no matter how much I know, there will always be something new to learn,” she explained. This revelation became a broader metaphor for her ministry: “If we come at ministry with humility and curiosity, new ideas won’t be a strike to the ego but rather equipping for the heart and the spirit.” The gathering reinforced her hope for a campus ministry culture that can pivot sensitively, make accommodations without shame, and continuously grow with compassion and openness.
In 2025, 47 campus ministry staff attended a Midwinter Gathering organized by LuMin in four different parts of the country. Because of your support, LuMin is able to facilitate meaningful conversations and build up campus ministry practitioners. Thank you for being a part of this ministry we share.
Credit to: Lutheran Campus Ministry Syracuse. Lutheran Campus Ministry Syracuse is one of 176 ministries affiliated with LuMin, the network of ELCA Campus Ministries.
