Presence and Identity - Harriet

Having grown up in Memphis, Tennessee during the “time of Elvis,” Harriet Shaffer, eventually found herself at the University of Kansas and involved in campus ministry through Immanuel Lutheran and University Lutheran churches. Today, Harriet is thankful for Westwood House as it provides a presence – and identity – for Lutheran Campus Ministry at KU. And while her involvement with Westwood House currently is more about financial support than in-person ministry, she values many things about campus ministry.

And while Westwood House is the physical home for LCM-KU and Wesley KU, Harriet emphasizes the importance of the ministry there being open to all - no matter your denomination or even having no church relationship. She believes campus ministry gives you family and connections during your time at university. Campus ministry gives opportunities to serve the community in different ways and to attend worship, if you choose.

Harriet knows her time with campus ministry helped give her a whole religious life.  She learned her faith and ministry were not contained in the four walls of a church building but were meant for the whole community of faith and others.

Harriet continues that campus ministry provides a place where you learn a greater view of the world of “church” and world religions. It is a place to discover positive ways to reach out to the world. And Harriet is also impressed that during her time with ULC and campus ministry there, at least three students felt called to ordained ministry careers.

We give thanks Westwood House remains a place of presence in the campus community as well as place to gather and be nourished with food, conversation, and activity. And always, it’s a place to explore faith. These offerings are presented because of your generosity. We give thanks for you for being an important part of our ministry. Thanks be to God!