LCM

Do you know a young adult who is ready for a transformative journey of service and fellowship? Tell them about YAGM today!

The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! The YAGM team must find the next cohort of young Christians ready to step out into the future. Do you know one?

If you know such a young adult, aged 21-35, this is the time to reach out. Applications are now accepted on a rolling basis, year-round. Those who apply by Feb. 1 will be considered for the service year beginning the following August. Priority will be given to those who apply by Jan. 15.

Talk personally to these young people about what this opportunity will mean for their faith, identity, career and understanding of God’s work in the world.

YAGM volunteers who apply by Feb. 1, 2024, will begin their service in August 2024.

Through YAGM young adults learn what it means to serve in a spirit of accompaniment as they walk alongside global church companions. They’ll become immersed in a new community and form deep relationships. And they’ll confront poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, globalization and economic disparity, all through the lens of faith. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.

Dear ULC/LCM community:

Wow! That is all I can get out a few days after my last Sunday and a day after my last Wednesday. You made me speechless and you know how rare such an occurrence is for me. I wanted a low key send off, which in many ways was just as I had hoped, but somehow you did that and kicked it up a notch without going past those boundaries. It was a very nice day for me and my family and I will never forget it.

And then came Wednesday. I have had multiple farewells before but always one after the other at consecutive worship services on the same day. But to have the “Twice Weekly Say Goodbye to Pastor Gary” was something else. Instead of maintaining the same moods, it was more “here we go again” than “keep on going.” And Wednesday was touching as well. Again, alumni, parents, members, and students. The buzz of excitement lit up the Campus Center during dinner. Decibel records may have been broken. Then worship, and finally I got to go home while students remained there for I do not know how long.

Thank you for Sunday/Wednesday. Thank you for the financial gift and for the personally created student gifts. Thank you seems so insufficient for what I felt those last days and today. I hope the work I did over the years is seen as also a work of gratitude; gratitude to God and gratitude to the people of God to whom I was fortunate to be called.

The spirit in the ULC/LCM community is good following quite a wounding during the pandemic. I have sadly seen some not yet on that road to recovery. God is at work in ULC/LCM. God seems to like what you do here. In Advent we are to keep watch. Keep watch for what God may be calling you to do. That will help you then discern who it might be to lead you in that call.

If you caught any of the Wednesday service you know I had a lovely time in the ULC/LCM neighborhood. Thank you. The gratitude is deep and will be ever-lasting. As was read in Sunday’s second lesson, “I thank my God for you.” And so I will continue to do.

Gratefully in Christ,

Gary N. McCluskey

PS Picture is of gifts given to Pastor Gary from ULC Young Adults and LCM students. The wooden board was made by architect major, Sean Meseng. Note that the base is the ULC driveway sign.

The University Lutheran Church (ULC) Young Adults and Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) students had a holiday party–and oh what fun! Cookie decorating, ornament making, karaoke, and white elephant gift exchange! Thank you to Bryan Anthony Gamelin, ULC Young Adult Coordinator, for organizing the event.