During what would have been Concordia University Wisconsin's fifth annual Week of Service April 20-24, students in The Christian Citizen class had to quickly change gears because of the COVID-19 pandemic encompassing the world.


As in previous years, students in that class co-taught by Director of Christian Service Dr. Randall Ferguson and education professor Dr. Val Keiper had devised a number of service projects including a campus blood drive and making sandwiches for area food pantries. When classes went to an online delivery format and group projects were prohibited, they were asked to research five ways to individually reach out to members of their local community.

“In an instant, God was surpassing our small, week-long event to create a season of service,” said Ferguson, who’s hopeful a mentality of year-round service changes people’s lives forever as they live a you first life in a me first world.  cuw.edu/brand-promise

“One of my students has a close friend who recently underwent an organ transplant,” noted Ferguson, “and she texts her regularly and drops off blank canvases on her front porch so she can continue to showcase her artistic abilities.”

Another student in the class donated blood, one worked at a drive-through food pantry at her church, while another prepared and delivered a complete Easter dinner for an elderly couple in her neighborhood.

A faculty member and his entire family wrote letters to residents of a Milwaukee nursing home, while a human resources staff member crafted personal letters of thanks to area businesses that have remained open during the pandemic.

In past years, Week of Service events included:

  • A campus-wide food drive
  • An indoor soccer tournament to raise money for an area shelter
  • A “Jeans at Work” campaign by Human Resources that raised funds for The Guest House
  • Events at every CUW Adult Accelerated Center around the state for area shelters and food pantries

Despite an inability to come together in group projects, Concordia’s community has risen to the occasion during Week of Service and shown a true service mentality as they “Live An Uncommon Life.” 

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