Minot State University
08/02/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/02/2024 09:50
Onward: An interview with Rachel Simonson
By Veronica Corey
Communications and Marketing Specialist
MINOT, N.D. - Rachel Simonson aims to make a meaningful impact on campus, helping students navigate their faith and personal growth during their college years.
The Moorhead native, with twelve years of pastoral experience, joined Minot State in January 2023 as part of the Lutheran Campus Ministry. Having settled in Minot with her family, she actively engages in initiatives like Tuesday Soup and the Food Pantry, fostering student connections and supporting their spiritual growth.
Minot State's University Communications spent some time with Simonson to learn more about her journey, her role at MSU, and her passion for supporting students' spiritual wellness.
Can you give me a little bit about your background?
RS: I've been a pastor for 12 years, having served in congregations in and around Killdeer, Surrey, Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Florence, Ore., before settling into the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Minot State. My husband, two kids (ages 8 and 11), and I have lived in Minot for the last four years and are looking forward to growing some roots here.
How long have you worked for MSU, and what brought you to Minot/Minot State University?
RS: Around a year and a half (January 2023). My in-laws live in Minot, so we came back to raise kids with family here. Then, a couple of years after we got to Minot, the position with LCM became available, and I was super excited about the opportunity. I have always wanted to get involved with a campus ministry and was really drawn to the position at MSU because I would not only be able to walk with students within the Christian faith but also tend to the broader spiritual wellness of the whole campus community.
How have you been involved on campus?
RS: Tuesday Soup and the Food Pantry are two of the big ways I have been involved on campus. I love getting a chance to see so many people on Tuesday mornings!
Can you share your journey of faith and what inspired you to become a campus pastor?
RS: I grew up going to church every Sunday, but it wasn't until I had a spiritual experience of God's peace and love when I was in high school that my faith felt more real. Since then, I have continued to learn and grow in my relationships with God and others, a process that never really stops and that we all do together. What drew me to be a pastor, in general, was a desire to walk with others in their faith journeys, helping them to know they are loved no matter what and encouraging them to live from a place of Jesus' way of love for all. I was drawn to being a campus pastor because I love that young people are in a place in life where they are in such a transition. I feel called to create a loving and supportive space where students can explore their faith and where we all can do the work of compassion and reconciliation between people.
What do you find most rewarding about working with college students?
RS: College students are in such a fantastic stage of life as they grow, struggle, and figure things out in new ways. I love accompanying students during this time, listening to them work through doubt and stress, cheering on their successes, and encouraging discovery.
What does a typical day look like for you as a campus pastor?
RS: A mix of event planning and leading, talking with folks about anything that's on their mind, Bible study and/or faith conversations, writing a sermon, discerning where the Spirit may be leading through prayer, books, podcasts, conversation, and meditation and/or yoga, working on social media ministry and other communications, building relationships with LCM's supporters, and thinking about cleaning my office but never quite getting to it.
What strategies do you use to foster a sense of community among students?
RS: My hope is that LCM (my office, small groups, and events we host) can foster a sense of community through being a space where everyone feels cared for, where they can truly be themselves, where they can talk about their hopes and fears and questions and find support, and where they can connect with others through it all. A space where they can grow in faith through the love they experience and practice.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how do you overcome them?
RS: I think the biggest challenge is how to become a spiritually meaningful space on campus for as many students, faculty, and staff as possible while not having an exact roadmap for how to accomplish this. It's exciting and full of possibilities but also a bit daunting at times. We just keep trying new things based on what we learn from experiences and talking with students.
How do you collaborate with other campus organizations and departments to support students?
RS: We work with MSU as a whole as we offer spiritual wellness for everyone on campus. This includes Tuesday Soup, the food pantry, one-on-one conversations in my office, the cold weather gear giveaway in the fall, service projects, and upcoming speaker events. The Wellness Center, in particular, is a major partner since spiritual wellness is part of the wellness wheel. We work together for things like hosting office space for conversations and for the food pantry. We also collaborate with the POWER Center for both a secondary food pantry location as well as First Fridays, where students can join me for some free coffee and conversation. We also collaborate more informally with several other groups and departments on campus as we work to care for students together. I'm so grateful for the amazing staff and faculty members that I have had a chance to work with!
What advice would you give to students who are struggling with their spiritual wellness?
RS: I would remind students that spiritual wellness is a journey and will continue to evolve, so don't give up hope on it! No matter your current spiritual struggles, the reality is that you are already loved and are a part of something bigger, with your own purpose in it. Spiritual wellness is developing the eyes to see this truth.
Like any other area of wellness, intentional effort over time makes a big difference. We (and other faith organizations on campus and around town) can offer places to connect meaningfully with other students, have one-on-one faith conversations, have small group faith conversations, get into meditation and/or yoga, or be a part of projects that offer loving kindness to others. Students have lots of resources to connect with and are invited to anything LCM offers, or I can help you find another organization that would be a better fit for you if that's the case.
How can students get more involved in campus ministry and spiritual activities?
RS: LCM and other faith groups on campus offer many chances to connect. As for LCM, pretty much everything is a drop-in event, so there's no pressure to come and check things out whenever it works for you. At the same time, there are several monthly events that, when attended regularly, can be great opportunities to really get to know other students in a meaningful way. To stay up to date on what's coming up, follow LCM on Instagram and TikTok (both are @lcm.msu) and/or sign up to receive our e-newsletter, which will be a mix of upcoming events and faith resources for personal use. (email [email protected] to be added).
Are there any new initiatives, events, or programs you are excited to introduce in the coming year?
RS: Yes! Two in particular for this fall!
First, I'm super excited about creating Listening for God groups where we'll have a free lunch together and read a Bible passage in a meditative way as we contemplate how God might be speaking to each of us through it at this time in our lives. College can be a lot, and I'm hoping that this can be a space where students can stay grounded in their faith as they develop ears to hear God speaking to them so that they will always be reminded that they are loved and have a purpose.
Second, we are hosting an event called Rachel Kurtz: Queer Christian Concert and Q&A on the last weekend of September. As LCM works to lift up those who have been marginalized and even hurt within the church, we want to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ siblings. Rachel Kurtz is a powerhouse singer and an engaging storyteller. She'll talk about her own experience as a queer Christian, sing, and connect with folks from MSU and the larger Minot area community who come. The next morning, she'll help lead worship at All Saints Episcopal Church on Main Street. This will kick off a monthly sermon series that will deconstruct the Bible verses that have been used to harm the LGBTQ+ community. The event at MSU will be on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. in Hartnett Hall. Worship the next morning will be at 10 a.m., and the sermon series will be every last Sunday of the month through December at All Saints.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you're not on campus?
RS: Spend time with my family - and the new puppy, who is a lot of work (in addition to being adorable). I'm also working on French, meditation, plant-based cooking, and being a yoga instructor. I like to write, create, and connect with friends.
Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most students might not know?
RS: When I was in college, I got the chance to live in England for a school year, and then after I graduated, I lived for a school year in France. Consider talking to the study abroad office at MSU or ask me about some cool opportunities to work abroad - it's so much fun!
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 08/02/24