Interfaith at Luther
The Office for College Ministries is available to students of all faith traditions for support, programming, and conversation.
Multifaith Spaces
The Center for Faith and Life houses two multifaith spaces for student and campus use.
The Melanchthon Interfaith Room (CFL 205) is a multi-use classroom space for informal faith gatherings, meetings, and discussion. This room has a piano, tables, and lounge furniture. Contact Campus Programming to schedule this room for a meeting or event.
The Multifaith Meditation Room (back corner of the CFL, across from Valders) is a dedicated space for prayer and reflection. This room can be accessed from within the CFL during building hours, or from a 24/7 outside door. The Multifaith Meditation Room was intentionally refreshed in 2023, and contains books, art supplies, and other resources for personal prayer and meditation. Signs in the Multifaith Meditation Room welcome visitors and guide them through the resources available.
Council for Faith and Life (CFAL)
CFAL is a student advisory council that works with the Office for College Ministries to oversee the role of faith in campus life and to build/maintain collaborative relationships across departments, faith traditions, and the wider community. CFAL is open to students of all faith traditions, backgrounds, and commitments. Interfaith work is a priority of this council.
CFAL was instrumental in the refreshing and dedication of the Multifaith Meditation Room. They are also the hosts for the “Rooted and Open” podcast that gets curious about the spiritual stories we have to tell. CFAL is looking for new members to join this fall! Fill out this interest form if you’re interested. For more information, contact ministry@luther.edu.
Interfaith Calendar
The Office for College Ministries has been working on a comprehensive Interfaith Calendar. If you would like to be more aware of the diverse faith-based holidays that students and staff on campus may be observing, you can subscribe here. Major holidays and possible accommodations are shared with the campus community at the start of each semester.
Observing Ramadan on Campus
During the month of Ramadan, practicing Muslim students fast from dawn until dusk. They wake before sunrise to eat breakfast (suhur), and do not partake of a dinner meal (iftar) until sunset. Ramadan meal accommodations will coordinated through Dining Services, and students should connect with that office for more information. Additionally, the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support has helped coordinate rides for Muslim students to attend Jum’ah (Friday prayer) in Postville over the noon hour, and the Office for College Ministries has hosted an Eid celebration to mark the end of Ramadan.
Specific plans for Ramadan in 2025 will be posted as they become available.
Silent Meditation in the Zen Buddhist Tradition
Silent Meditation takes place each Tuesday of the academic year at 5:00 p.m. in the Melanchthon Interfaith Room (CFL-205). Sittings are led by Professors Scott Hurley and Gereon Kopf.
Campus Partnerships
College Ministries collaborates with a variety of partners on campus to support and provide interfaith and multifaith programming. Campus partners include the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success, the Office of Student Engagement, the International Students and Allies Association, the Asian Students and Allies Association, Latines Unides, Beta Theta Omega, Black Student Union, Muslim Students Association, Council for Equity and Inclusion, and Student Senate.
We affirm what is stated in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment:
Religious diversity, when accompanied by mutual understanding and cooperation, enriches the whole. Through inter-religious relationships, we receive the gifts of our neighbors and experience more fully the exquisite realization that all are made in the image of God. A deep appreciation of the similarities and differences among religions and worldviews enhances working together for the common good.
Read this and other inter-religious declarations of the ELCA: