Bringing the comforts of home to campus

“Family Weekend? What’s that?” “What’s there to do?” “You mean I have to hang out with my parents for a whole weekend?”

Family Weekend is a time where friends and family are invited to Luther to visit students and experience the Luther community. This year’s Family Weekend will take place from Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 20 with numerous activities each day for both students and guests to enjoy.

Enjoy listening to music? Various Luther College music ensembles will perform throughout the weekend, beginning with a performance of the Luther College Concert Band Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life.

Another popular attraction will be the concert Saturday at 7 p.m. in the CFL. The Family Weekend Concert will feature the Collegiate Chorale, Cathedral Choir, Aurora, Norsemen, Cantorei, Wind and Percussion Ensemble and the Varsity Band.

“Each ensemble presents two selections,” said Professor of Music Timothy Peter. “We will combine the choirs with the Wind and Percussion Ensemble, closing with the College Hymn.”

If music is not your thing, some sporting events are also scheduled for the weekend.

The women’s tennis team will start out the weekend’s sporting events with a match against the University of Dubuque on Saturday at 10 a.m. and another match at 4 p.m. against Carthage College, Wis.

The Luther College men’s soccer team will also have two home matches over Family Weekend, one at 3 p.m. Saturday against Bethel University, Minn. and another Sunday at 2 p.m. against Carleton College, Minn.

There is also a picnic on the library lawn on Saturday. It is a great way to have fun spending time with families, friends and guests.

Expected to be very popular this weekend is the SAC Hop Soda Shoppe, starting at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the dining hall.

“There will be an ice cream sundae bar and live music performed by the Luther Jazz Band,” said Rachel Loeffler-Kemp, SAC co-chair (‘11). “We had an amazing turnout last year and are really excited for this year’s event as well.”

On Sunday evening, there will be a Salute to Our Troops benefit concert in Marty’s, sponsored by Chi Theta Rho. The concert will include talent from students, staff and faculty in order to raise money for care packages to soldiers from the Decorah area.

“We expect no controversy because this event is not about supporting the war itself,” said XOP member Kya Anderson (‘09). “We want to take care of our friends and family that are over there.”

For those interested in attending a worship service, Luther College will hold a Catholic Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday in the CFL Recital Hall. Also, the Luther Congregation invites everyone to attend the Family Weekend Eucharist Sunday at 10 a.m. in the CFL.

The weekend will include many interesting events, so don’t miss out. Take advantage of the many activity opportunities Luther has to offer your family and friends.