NUrturing Faith

Sharing Stories from LCMNU

Spring 2026

Not Defined: Lois Peterson

Lois Rock Peterson is a familiar face to many of the students at LCMNU who attend Wednesday Supper Worship. She regularly volunteers with cleanup after meals, and has since her earliest interactions with LCMNU.

Lois is from Ohio and grew up going to church, though, during her undergraduate and graduate studies, she was not a part of any campus ministry or religious groups. She got involved with the church again and met her husband in her 30’s in Houston, before moving to Chicagoland.

Lois first learned about LCMNU several years ago when students and Pastor Deanna led a retreat for her congregation. The strong community of deep discussion and leadership at LCMNU struck her immediately. “It was an ok place to have doubts, and I hadn’t seen that [for young adults].” Lois was impressed by how articulately students spoke about the importance of their faith and how involved they were in the local community.

Lois started volunteering at LCMNU, helping to clean up after Supper Worship and eventually joining the Board of Directors and serving as Hospitality Chair. As she was more closely involved with LCMNU, she saw more of what makes it such a unique community. She noted that students formed close bonds with each other, yet welcomed new people readily into their midst. She was particularly inspired by students advocating for Margarita Inn, a shelter in Evanston, and exercising a habit of activism and volunteering that she sees continued in students’ lives post-graduation. She also saw value in the leadership that students practice in their faith formation–with many graduating students having preached a sermon during their time at LCMNU or spoken at the Showcase.

Lois noted that the faith community at LCMNU provides a structure that feeds–sometimes literally–students at NU, and she saw the value of that community as something she would have benefitted from during her time at university. While volunteering at LCMNU, Lois found a deeper understanding of hospitality and the importance of being fully present to intentionally create a space of calm and fellowship for students, separate from the stress and competitive rigor of classes. “It’s a way to have a spiritual life that’s not defined by the larger world.”

Students at Northwestern find a deep community at LCMNU that supports them, informs their vocation, and grows their faith. Thank you for helping to sustain this community.