In June, Kelly and I visited with Deloris Wedul, matriarch of the Lutheran Campus Center. She and her daughter, Sylvia, welcomed us into her home where we shared Kelly’s homemade cookies and coffee from Mugby (the coffeehouse to which we rent space). We talked about life in Winona long ago while Sylvia prompted her mom’s memories —memories of baking birthday cakes for students, enjoying picnics by the lake, and welcoming students into their home for years. We left blessed, not only by the afternoon visit, but by years of faithful ministry to and with young adults in Winona. Young adults who found a place…like Scott, Steph, Olivia…
Just days before our visit with Deloris one of our current students, Scott, came to the LCC to say, “I realized recently that this is my place. When something happens in my life, good or bad, I want to come here and share it with the people here.”
A few weeks later an alumna, Steph, came to the LCC on her day off. She drove forty minutes to simply “be” in the space, do wedding planning, and rest in a place that is sanctuary for her.
A month after that a new student, Olivia, told us that the LCC is what she’s been looking for in college, and she didn’t even know that until she started talking with one of our students over the summer. She jumped in, decorating our chalkboard wall in order to welcome students—new and current—to the LCC.
Two weeks after that, Kelly and I sat beneath a large tent outside the LCC on “move-in day” for new Winona State University students, equipped with tootsie rolls, tissues, water, mints and helpful hints to start the year. We spoke with a handful of parents and students, inviting them into a legacy left by our centenarian, Deloris, and into a place where they can be found, known, challenged, and loved.
Thanks be to God for Deloris, for this ministry, and for you! You are the ones carrying this ministry into the future, and we are eternally grateful for that.
With joy,
Pastor Corrine
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