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Dear Saints of the Living Lord,

The beginning of June often feels a bit like Transfiguration Sunday to me because it marks a seasonal shift in the life of our congregation. Much like the movement from Epiphany into Lent, our ministry focus turns toward the discipleship and faith formation of our youth during the summer months.
 
This Sunday, my family and I will watch our oldest daughter pull out of the driveway and head north to Iowa for Camp Ewalu, where she will serve as a second-year counselor-in-training. It will be a bittersweet moment for me—joyful because she is serving in such an important ministry role, yet emotional because she is spreading her wings as she enters her senior year of high school. Thankfully, there will be a joyful reunion when many from our congregation travel to Family Camp in July.
 
At the same time, we are preparing for another exciting week of Vacation Bible School at Living Lord. This year, we will welcome one of the largest groups of children we have seen since the COVID pandemic. VBS has become one of our showcase ministries, and it takes an incredible amount of planning, preparation, and volunteer support to make it happen. Our leadership team begins planning for VBS as early as January, and many faithful hands help bring this ministry to life.
 
Next Monday morning, Chad and I will head out with the largest group of confirmation students we have taken to camp in years. Crossways Confirmation Camp, held on the campus of Augustana College, has been a valued partner in our youth ministry for many years. I am looking forward to serving as an adult leader, building relationships, and sharing a meaningful week of faith and fun with our students.
 
Then later in July, Leadership Lab will once again gather hundreds of youth from across the country for a week of Christian leadership development. For Living Lord, Leadership Lab has been an important extension of our youth and young adult ministry for decades because of the life-changing discipleship experiences that take place there each summer.
 
At Living Lord, we pride ourselves on building family, and we invite you to be part of this ministry through your prayers and support for our youth, volunteers, and leaders. On behalf of our staff, ministry leaders, and congregation, thank you for the tremendous encouragement and support you continue to show our young people. It truly matters as we invest in the next generation and continue building upon the foundation of Christ and His Church.
 
Grace and peace,
Pastor Steve
 
P.S. - In addition to our youth ministries, our Central States Synod will gather on Saturday for a virtual synod assembly. Please lift in prayer the work of our synod assembly and for our Bishop, Rev. Dr. Donna Simon as she leads her first synod assembly as our bishop.