Two Quick Trips

August 21st I was at The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (another ELCA seminary) as part of a resource fair in conjunction with the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (www.elca.org/globalserve/youngadults) training event.

Young Adults in Global Mission is a year-long opportunity for individuals ages 18-30 to do ministry in international settings in areas such as youth work, ESL instruction and social work. Before leaving the country they are involved in an intense two-week period of training on the campus of the seminary in Chicago. During their training they are invited to a resource fair highlighting a number of church-related ministries which they could consider upon returning from their year in service.

A number of my colleagues from the other seven seminaries were also on hand for conversation and information regarding seminary study. It is amazing to meet these young adults and marvel at their commitment to serving others in the name of Christ and at the sacrifices they are willing to make for a year in order to do so.

My next quick trip was to Camp Emmaus near Menahga, MN (South of Park Rapids). Here I met with the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO: www.elca.org/lyo) board for the Northwest Minnesota Synod to discuss their 2007 Sr. High Youth Gathering, and the Western Mission Cluster (WMC) seminaries' involvement.

The Western Mission Cluster (WMC) seminaries (Luther Seminary, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA) received grant money to offer educational events for high school age individuals on the topics of discernment, vocation and church professions. These educational events will be held in conjunction with already established high school events happening within a synod, region or area, and are targeted toward high schoolers who have been identified as showing promise for a vocation in church service.

The LYO board agreed to allow the WMC seminaries to host such an event at Luther Seminary in conjunction with their senior high youth gathering in March 2007 in St. Paul. Targeted students will come to Luther Seminary to: participate in classes taught by professors; learn about vocation and how best to discern their vocations; meet, participate and learn about church professions; worship, and enjoy a meal. I am so pleased the LYO board agreed to allow the WMC to be a part of their event. It's going to be a great opportunity for all involved.

From Lakes to Mountains, August 15-17, 2006

My last Bible camp stop for the summer was Rainbow Trail in Hillside, CO (south of Colorado Springs).

It was the last camp week for the season, and the place was buzzing with activity, both physically and emotionally. Physically, campers and staff were busy with the regular activities of Bible camp—Bible study, worship, games, meals, activities, etc. Other staff members were helping to clean up and close buildings, taking inventories of materials, stuffing envelopes for a mailing (I got to help with that), and basically bringing things back to order after the chaos of a successful camping season. And most of the staff were putting final touches on end-of-the-year staff gifts and mementos.

Emotionally, both campers and staff were preparing to return to school. Some campers were even missing the first few days of school to be at camp. As with all endings, emotions were running both bitter and sweet. The bitterness of leaving behind friends and fun times at camp, and the sweetness of soon seeing old friends again and beginning a new chapter in life. It was quite the time to be at Rainbow Trail.

In and amongst all of this I was able to have a number of good conversations with staff members considering seminary study. A few were looking to start their study after a few years in the "real" world, as they put it. Some were not quite sure whether God was calling them in this direction or not, and others were quite sure this was where the Holy Spirit was leading and wanted as much information as I could give them.

My thanks to Dave Jarvis for the invitation to come to Rainbow Trail and for their gracious hospitality; I appreciated it greatly. My thanks also to Greg, Audrey, John and the summer staff for allowing me to be an intrusion during this busy time. I admire all the hard work and dedication you put into the ministry of that place.

One side note: If anyone is looking for a Lutheran Bible camp that serves excellent food, Rainbow Trail is it! They have an exceptional camping program, of course, BUT THE FOOD! Thanks, kitchen staff!

Wilderness Canoe Base, Northern Minnesota

I just returned from a wonderful visit to Wilderness Canoe Base—a Bible Camp located on two islands of pristine forest in Northern Minnesota bordering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. GORGEOUS!



I had a chance to hang out with the staff (see photos--their serious side & their wild side) for the weekend and made myself available for conversation about seminary study. The questions I was asked most throughout my time were about discernment. These individuals had been affirmed by others as having the gifts for church leadership and were now discerning, within themselves, if this indeed was where the Sprit was calling them. In conversations like these I often like to share what was told to me when I was discerning my call to be a pastor. I asked a pastor from the church I was attending in college how he knew and he said, “I knew when I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.” At that time, those were the words I needed to hear. I hope they can be helpful words for others as well.



My thanks to Jedidiah (camp director and Luther alumna) and Andrea (his wife) Scharmer and the entire staff for their hospitality; it was a delight to be among you. I pray God’s continued blessings on the unique ministry Wilderness has to offer and that more and more people get a chance to experience God in that place.

As an aside, many of you in Minnesota probably heard about the fires in the Boundary Waters Area. Approximately 39 square miles of forest burned. A lightning strike on July 14 started the fire in dead trees blown down in 1999. No lives were lost or property damaged. The fire did come within miles of the camp and all precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the staff, guests and buildings. Many thanks to the US Forestry Service, fire fighters and all who helped keep the blaze within proper boundaries; your knowledge and tireless efforts were greatly appreciated. It will be amazing to see new life rise out of the ashes.