by Joyce DeGreeff
Like many first-year students exploring multiple faith groups at the beginning of their first semester, Elizabeth Thorne arrived at the opening night of Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at Northeastern University (LECM’s Open Table) not sure about what she would find. She grew up in a Baptist church in Virginia that was fairly progressive, and she knew she wanted something like that in college. Her trusted pastor did some research online and pointed her in our direction.
“When I walked into Open Table for the first time,” Elizabeth recalled, “I was a freshman who never thought
she’d find a faith community that welcomed her in all of her beliefs and questions. I stayed active in Open Table because I not only witnessed the radical acceptance of myself in this space but also of others who, like me, struggled to find a place of belonging when life felt too overwhelming.”
As time went on, Elizabeth’s passion for theology grew, and she eventually decided to major in religion. She also took advantage of a variety of things that college life offers: study abroad, internships working with at-risk kids and autistic adults, and the NU Shakespeare Club. No matter how far she roamed, however, Open Table always provided a safe haven to call home.
Elizabeth graduated from NU last spring and is now at Yale Divinity School, pursuing a joint Master of Divinity and Social Work degree.