Like many first year students exploring multiple faith groups at the beginning of their first semester, Elizabeth Thorne arrived at the opening night of Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at Northeastern University (LECM’s Open Table) not sure about what she would find. She grew up in a Baptist church in Virginia that was fairly progressive and she knew she wanted something like that in college. Her trusted pastor did some research online and pointed her in our direction.
“When I walked into Open Table for the first time, I was a freshman who never thought she’d find a faith community that welcomed her in all of her beliefs and questions. I’ve stayed at Open Table because I have not only witnessed the radical acceptance of myself in this space but also of others who, like me, struggled to find a place of belonging when life felt too overwhelming.”
As time went on, Elizabeth’s passion for theology grew and she eventually decided to major in religion. She also took advantage of a variety of things that college life offers: study abroad, internships working with at-risk kids and autistic adults, and perhaps her most favorite, the NU Shakespeare Club. No matter how far she roamed, however, Open Table provided a safe haven to call home.
Elizabeth will be graduating this spring and plans to pursue a joint graduate degree in Divinity and Social Work, beginning next fall. I can’t think of a more appropriate way for her to be living out her faith.
Your ongoing support of Lutheran Campus Ministry makes it possible for students like Elizabeth to find a community that welcomes questions, values differences, and listens well so that each person might hear what God is calling them to next.
Open Table LECM, Boston, MA is one of the 176 ministries affiliated with LuMin, the ELCA Campus Ministry Network.
