75 years of faithful service

College students don't always need innovative methods to capture their attention -- sometimes the simplicity of tradition is all that is required to be faithful.\nBuilt in 1930, the University Lutheran Church will begin celebrating its 75th anniversary in January. Although campus churches generally attempt to achieve a hip or trendy atmosphere, University Lutheran chooses to preserve its historic, conventional practices and find success appealing to IU students. \n"Kids in college are looking for something. Here we offer tradition, and I think some college kids are looking for that," said graduate student Zack Wendling, who attends University Lutheran.\nPastor Richard Woelmer, who has preached at University Lutheran for 10 years, recognizes the competition for time from students with chaotic schedules.\n"We don't try to compete," Woelmer said. "All we can do is be faithful to who we are as a church, and people will respond to that." \nMembers of University Lutheran seem to agree the church offers more than a youth-based congregation. University Lutheran emphasizes its historic and grounded traditions in Lutheranism that young members seem to react to.\n"There is something unique about Lutheranism," Wendling said. "And that is preserved here."\nThe church's classic ambiance not only stems from the stain-glassed windows or the low entry ceiling, but the traditional liturgy adds to the church's ancestral feel.\n"We are very traditional in our worship in terms of liturgy," Woelmer said. "It gives us a vehicle for expressing our faith in the service."\nWoelmer said certain traditions, especially the liturgy, have been part of the same pattern in the church's history.\n"We confess the same faith that others have expressed for centuries before us, and will continue to express for centuries after us," Woelmer said.\nThe liturgy and other long-standing customs create a unifying factor with the University Lutheran congregation and ancient followers of Lutheranism. \nMembers of the church said they think some IU students find convention attractive.\n"I think students are interested in something historic," Woelmer said. "People appreciate something rooted and grounded in an age of uncertainty. You don't just feel like a number -- you feel a part of a body of believers."\nAlthough tradition plays a large role at University Lutheran, the church also practices many non-traditional customs. For example, students hold most of the leadership positions at the church, unlike many other campus churches.\n"It's a wonderful opportunity for them to gain experience in leadership positions," Woelmer said.\nWendling also serves as the church's financial secretary and said he has gained valuable experience on the administrative side of the organization.\n"I do feel like I play an important role in the church," Wendling said. "It is an organization where students make decisions and can learn about leadership."\nUniversity Lutheran also offers a student center where people can come and relax, finish homework or watch TV between classes. \nGraduate student and the church's Music Director, Chris Wilson, said there is a "real sense of community" at University Lutheran.\n"There are so many people at the church who are students, and there is lots of opportunity to meet people here," Wilson said.\nUniversity Lutheran averages 60 people at its Sunday worships, but Woelmer estimated about 125 people consider it their "home church." \n"You know you will be among friendly people here," Woelmer said. "And the church is a great place to be involved."\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Wall at kaawall@indiana.edu.