CYF Blast (Page 2)

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, There are a lot of exciting things happening at Peace in the coming weeks, and we want you to be a part of them! Here’s a brief taste of what’s to come: And to make these wonderful ministries possible, we need your help! Each one needs dedicated leaders who care about our young people and their faith formation: When you serve in our Children, Youth, and Family ministries, you are making a big difference in…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, There are still a few weeks of summer left, but on Saturday my final big commitment of the season was completed when I went up to Camp Wapo for the final time. And it was a great summer! Together we enjoyed Family Camp at Wilderness Canoe Base, Vacation Bible School with Community of the Cross, the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Camp Wapo Youth Camp, and Camp Wapo Seeds. Thank you to…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit Camp Wapo, where 12 Peace students and 9 additional friends of Peace (21 total!) have been enjoying their week of Youth Camp.  As always, it was great to be at camp. It’s a place where students feel more open to being their true selves, where there’s a shared unified energy that’s centered around Jesus, and where discipleship and faith formation plant deep roots. I’m excited to return…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Pastor Joe is on vacation this week after a whirlwind week in New Orleans last week! Given all the airline troubles, we are grateful that our group returned home as planned. It’s an exciting weekend ahead! Sunday afternoon, 11 Peace youth (4th-8th Graders) will head to Camp Wapogasset’s Youth Camp in Amery, WI for the week. The Peace youth are: Ellie Anderson, Ben Budz, Trevor Budz, Emery Byers, Kiya Losinski, Myla Macejkovic, Elsie Macejkovic, Asher Rogers, Ayla Rogers, Grace Stender,…

July 18, 2024 Dear Families and Friends of Peace, We have been having a fantastic week at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Together, our group of 8 students and 3 adults have enjoyed exploring the city, boating on the bayou with the local ‘gators, and meeting 16,000 new friends from around the US. In their words, here are some of our favorite experiences from the trip so far: Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we…

Beginning on Monday, 8 students and 3 adults will venture down to New Orleans for the 2024 ELCA National Youth Gathering. While there we will gather under the theme, “Created to Be,” inspired by Psalm 134:14, which states: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” The Gathering staff explains the theme further: “We have been created to be ourselves. Created by the Holy One. Since the last time the ELCA came together for an ELCA Youth Gathering…

June 27, 2024 Dear Families and Friends of Peace, It’s been a whirlwind of a week in our CYF ministries since you received last Thursday’s edition of the Blast. Last weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, Peace families attended Family Camp at Wilderness Canoe Base up in the Boundary Waters. And from Monday through today, we have been hosting Vacation Bible School every morning this week with our friends over at Community of the Cross Lutheran Church. During both events, discussions…

June 20, 2024 Dear Families and Friends of Peace, VBS begins on Monday, and it’s going to be an incredible week as we go deep sea diving in this year’s program, SCUBA! “Scuba” is our underwater-themed curriculum that has kids dive deep into an adventure full of faith-building fun. Throughout the week, students will travel with their crews to different stations that help kids to grow personally, relationally, and spiritually.  Each of these activities will help teach us and show…

June 13, 2024 Dear Families and Friends of Peace, There are two very exciting events happening in the next two weeks.  First, next weekend (Thursday, June 20 – Sunday, June 23) Peace families will be driving up the north shore and across the Gunflint Trail to Wilderness Canoe Base, a camping ministry of Camp Wapo that resides just outside of the Boundary Waters.  The second, from Monday, June 24 – Thursday, June 27, Peace will be hosting Vacation Bible School…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, The first week of summer. For many (particularly those under 22, and especially those under 18), it’s a release of the pressure they’ve been feeling for the last nine months, an immediate release valve as their shoulders drop and their worries lighten.  For others (particularly those with children), the months out of school mean increased family time and more time off, but also the reality of needing to make plans for when you’re working…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, The end of the school year is here—congratulations all around to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and to everyone who makes learning possible for our young people!  Last night, seniors at Bloomington Jefferson High School graduated and received their diplomas—including Peace’s own Gavin Churchill, Bianca Gehant, Parker Kennedy, and Adam Rich. Ben Davis’ commencement ceremony for Richfield High School will be next week.  Also of note, today is the last day of school for all…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Yesterday, Peace’s seniors at Jefferson High School had their last day of class. For students in all other grades, they will be done one week from today on Thursday, May 30. And so, as we quickly approach the end of another school year, I offer a prayer for our students and graduates, and all of their upcoming transitions, from writer, Kayla Craig*: “O God, Creator of beginnings and endings, we pray for our students.…