Welcome Students!

20 August, the year of our Lord 2008

To all of the new and returning students of University City,

Whether you are a student at Penn, Drexel, or one of the many other colleges in the area, I would like to welcome you to University City and Philadelphia! My name is Jay Wiesner and I am the pastor of University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, or UniLu for short. Whether you are Lutheran or not, I hope you consider coming to UniLu, whether it be for community, service, or worship. You are welcome here.

UniLu is not your typical church. This is most certainly true.

You will notice it right away when you read our welcome statement. Instead of simply saying, "all are welcome," this statement lists what this exactly means. Whoever you are, wherever you find yourself in your faith life, however you define yourself politically, you are welcome here. What is even more amazing is that this welcome statement is lived out every day at UniLu. Diversity is not some politically correct mantra here; it is simply something that is lived out as fully as possible.

You will notice it right away when you see the service opportunities. UniLu feeds roughly 100 people a week who are homeless or living with HIV/AIDS through a program called Feast Incarnate, which has been running for 20 years. Every Tuesday, the group gathers for Bible study at 4:00pm, enjoys a meal at 5:00pm, and closes with worship around 6:00pm. Besides Feast Incarnate, UniLu continues to find many ways to work and serve in the neighborhood and community.

You will notice it right away when you see the way that we worship. UniLu is an "ancient/future" church that tries to find ways in worship to connect the old with the new. It sounds strange, I know, but you'll understand it when you get here. Sunday morning worship is at 10:30am. We also offer a mid-week Eucharist every Thursday at 12:10pm. Remember, you don't have to be Lutheran to worship here.

You will notice it right away when you see the way that we study. Yes, I brought up the "s" word! Even though you will have your fill of reading and thought, UniLu offers a number of different educational opportunities. This is a church where you can actually ask the big questions and I can safely say you will never get a canned answer.

You can find us on the corner of 37th and Chestnut. UniLu is the red brick building with the doves on it that doesn't quite look like your typical church. Bookmark us on the web at www.uniluphila.org. Check the campus ministry page on our website regularly for updates. You can also find us on Facebook. Please know that you are welcome to join us in any activity at the church. Come to serve. Come to study. Come to sing. Come to worship.

Blessings & Peace on your journey,

The Rev. Jay A. Wiesner, Pastor

Sunday Student Suppers

Join us for a home-cooked meal at 6:00pm, served off-campus.  The dates this semester:

• September 7
• October 31 (progressive Halloween dinner)
• November 9

Hangin' in the Hood

Join us as we check out local entertainment venues.  The time is 7:00pm and the dates this semester are:

• September 19
• October 19
• November 21

The Christian Association at the University of Pennsylvania

UniLu is a covenant congregation supporter of The Christian Association, located on the west side of 37th Street just down from Chestnut Street, whose "mission is to advocate for peace and justice and educate for faith development of the Penn Community."  Check out the CA's Faithful Philly Forum blog.

At the CA House

09-02-08 (Tue) 01:00PM-03:00PM
Proseminar: "Sex, Alcohol, and Ethics"

09-02-08 (Tue) 03:00PM-05:00PM
Proseminar: Spiritual Care for "Over-Achievers"

09-02-08 (Tue) 04:00PM-06:00PM
Proseminar: "Diverse in Faith, United in Purpose"

Visit the website for past reflections by Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale, General Minister and President
For audio reflections (Pod Gospels)
For written reflections (Rev-ELATIONS)

The Brick Testament

Can the stories in the Bible be illustrated with LEGO blocks?  Of course!  The only question is why no one thought of this before.

Check out The Brick Testament--as reviewed in Rolling Stone.  All stories are helpfully rated for nudity, sexual content, violence, and cursing.

Our Purpose: "LECM is an inclusive, supportive, and safe Christian community at Temple University. We seek to continue Christ's ministry by being socially-engaged, thinking, and missional in the world." - LECM Student Leaders, November 2004

Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry is a religious group at Temple University. Students meet on Sunday Nights in SAC 220 for a 7:00-9:00 PM fellowship discussion about Christian faith and spirituality. It's a laid back discussion which attracts students from a variety of religious backgrounds. You don't have to be Lutheran or Episcopal to come--just bring an open mind and a willingness to think about Christian faith. Did we mention free pizza is included? At 8:00 PM, we close the day with a quiet evening service.

The ministry is more than what happens on Sunday nights. It is student driven. Many students have become close friends through the ministry. Over the course of the semester we do a variety of social events and events on campus. We also take road trips--going on retreats and to local and national conferences designed just for Lutheran and Episcopal college students. In addition, the chaplain is always available to talk for a variety of pastoral concerns (from stress to faith struggles). E-mail him at revgregwilson@verizon.net with any questions.

Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry is a religious group funded by the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod. The Rev. Gregory M. Wilson is an Episcopal priest who serves on staff at the Episcopal Diocese.

"If you are not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there."--Martin Luther