Duke Lutherans: A Vibrant and Inclusive Community

First year student Camryn Johnson shared this personal reflection on October 31 at Evening Eucharist for Reformation Day 2021.

Good Evening Everyone,

My name is Camryn Johnson and I am an undergrad freshman on the pre-med track in the Trinity School of Arts & Sciences.

When I went to my first Fellowship Dinner in August, I felt really nervous!

My family had just dropped me off at college and I didn’t know many people on Duke’s campus yet.

In a time with a lot of uncertainty and anxiety, I came to the Duke Lutheran’s group looking for a community to join, but when I walked into the fellowship dinner, I was fully embraced and felt loved from the minute I introduced myself.

This vibrant and inclusive family has offered me a way to not only strengthen my connection with God and with service, but it has offered me a way to truly be myself and create meaningful relationships with newfound friends.

As a new undergrad, I really look up to everyone in the group as a friend, as a mentor, and as someone I know I can trust, and hopefully I can help support everyone too.

I have learned so much from being here & have applied so many of Pastor Amanda’s sermons to my everyday life, I especially have liked having a service that is conversational and lets us hear everyone’s beautiful singing voices!

Being a Lutheran has always been a special part of my life, but being a ~Duke~ Lutheran has been one of my most favorite & treasured memories so far.

Thank you to everyone for welcoming me with open arms and I am so lucky to share God’s gift of life with you all 🙂 Thank you.