CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND YOUTH

2022 proved to be an exciting year for Christian Ed & Youth. I think we can all agree that we are finally back to a sense of normalcy after a not so normal couple of years. 

Pastor Meggan led five online Zoom groups throughout the year for our congregation. The topics included Trinity Parents: Faithful Families, Spiritual Practices in Lent, Galatians Study, Brian McLaren’s Do I Stay Christian? Study and ELCA World Hunger. Fifteen non-Trinity members participated in one or more of these studies. Our Monday Morning Study Group read Richard Rohr’s The Universal Christ, and Diana Butler Bass’ Grateful. They also completed an in-depth Bible Study on Luke’s Gospel. The Sunday Adult Forum read Rozella H. White’s Love Big and completed a bible study on Sunday Epistle (2nd lesson) Readings

The ELCA Youth Gathering was postponed in 2021 due to COVID and then canceled in 2022, but our youth still made the trek to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota in July. Sierra, Mwajuma, Diane, Kevin, Giada, Alexa and Jason were able to partner with youth from Hope Lutheran and attend the Northeast Iowa Synod’s youth event at the University of St Thomas. The theme was “Boundless,” and highlights included worshiping with youth from other states, participating in service projects and touring the Twin Cities, just to name a few. 

We had four 9-12 graders participate in the Leader In Training program at Luther Heights Bible Camp where they went on a backpacking trip and lead Grandparents Camp. Six additional members also attended Youth Camp where they enjoyed horseback riding, archery, hiking, swimming, daily worship, meeting new friends, and the infamous camp songs.  

This fall we decided to try something new and introduced Intergenerational Sunday School to the congregation. Each Sunday, both members of all ages gathered in our Fellowship Hall to learn from one another by reading scriptures, completing craft projects, and answering questions that really made us think. This was a great way to spend time with our church members that we otherwise may not get to spend time with and view things from other perspectives. 

We ended the year with our Christmas Program. This year’s theme focused on the Christmas Story and our youth did a great job presenting it to the congregation. 

-Amanda Hanson