What do you look forward to in the summer? The warm weather? More opportunities to go outside? Do you like to take vacations during the summer months? Do you plan family activities? Do you simply find more time for rest and relaxation? The summer has a reputation as a time of R&R. It begins in many ways with the celebrations that happen on Memorial day, it’s punctuated with the festivities of the 4th of July and it ends with one final celebration of Veterans. I often find myself with the expectation of finding more time to relax during the summer but I never seem to. The reason for that is that a funny thing has happened in the world of the Church which is that it has become a time for the most faith development among our youth. The two main reasons for that are the national youth gathering and Lutheran outdoor ministries (LOM).
Every three years the youth from Lutheran churches across the world gather together, this year it was in New Orleans. Almost 20,000 youth joined together in worship, service, and hanging out just being kids together. In all of that they grew in their relationship with and understanding of God. By all accounts it was an amazing experience that lasted just about a week but will be remembered for a lifetime.
Lutheran outdoor ministries is the collection of Camps and retreat centers that are a part of the Lutheran Church. It includes 118 outdoor ministry sites,88 outdoor ministry organizations, 675 full time staff 4,000 summer staff 2,000 year round volunteers 30,000 acres of land 150,000 summer campers 275,000 fall/winter/spring campers and retreat guests. Here in western New York LCLC is our LOM camp and retreat center. It truly is staggering how many youth (and adults) spend a week immersed in camp and living out their faith.
Sometimes we may wonder “where are the youth”, we often don't see them engaging in the Church, in worship life the way we grown ups usually do. The reality is that they are with us, they are part of the church, they are growing in their faith. They are simply doing so in a way that we might not notice, that we might not be tuned into. So I always think I’ll find some time to relax but instead I find myself running, joking, praying, playing and worshiping with our youth as they grow in their faith.
I think it can be a reminder for all of us that the summer is also a time where we can grow in our faith too. By exploring God’s creation, by having time to rest and listen for the still small voice of God and by being able to truly remember the sabbath and keep it holy. As it says in 1st Thessalonians
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
May the Summer be an opportunity to do just that.
Peace, Pastor Jamie
Every three years the youth from Lutheran churches across the world gather together, this year it was in New Orleans. Almost 20,000 youth joined together in worship, service, and hanging out just being kids together. In all of that they grew in their relationship with and understanding of God. By all accounts it was an amazing experience that lasted just about a week but will be remembered for a lifetime.
Lutheran outdoor ministries is the collection of Camps and retreat centers that are a part of the Lutheran Church. It includes 118 outdoor ministry sites,88 outdoor ministry organizations, 675 full time staff 4,000 summer staff 2,000 year round volunteers 30,000 acres of land 150,000 summer campers 275,000 fall/winter/spring campers and retreat guests. Here in western New York LCLC is our LOM camp and retreat center. It truly is staggering how many youth (and adults) spend a week immersed in camp and living out their faith.
Sometimes we may wonder “where are the youth”, we often don't see them engaging in the Church, in worship life the way we grown ups usually do. The reality is that they are with us, they are part of the church, they are growing in their faith. They are simply doing so in a way that we might not notice, that we might not be tuned into. So I always think I’ll find some time to relax but instead I find myself running, joking, praying, playing and worshiping with our youth as they grow in their faith.
I think it can be a reminder for all of us that the summer is also a time where we can grow in our faith too. By exploring God’s creation, by having time to rest and listen for the still small voice of God and by being able to truly remember the sabbath and keep it holy. As it says in 1st Thessalonians
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
May the Summer be an opportunity to do just that.
Peace, Pastor Jamie
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