Dear Partners in Mission:

We are fully into the season of marking time through special events. First Communions, Confirmations, Graduations, all coming together to celebrate. With that comes then the transition into summer events. Events in ways that we hope can mirror previous years before we ever heard of Covid-19. Although traditional summer camp weeks are not being offered at Briarwood, your congregation’s group (of any age, how about a multi-generational group!) is welcome to come and make use of the facilities. With the cancellation of the ELCA Youth Gathering, we also invite your high school age (leaving 8th-12) youth to participate in our NT-NL gathering July 7-10th. We will build on the theme Boundless and enjoy time together.

For congregations with a youth group that is majority youth of color, we also will offer the MYJ2 Event July 21-23. This event will utilize technology to link us to groups around the country including nationally known speakers and worship leaders. It will be a great time in which the voices and experiences of youth of color in our church will be centered and allowed space to share and connect.

As we transition in this time to summer activities, I pray for all a safe, healthy, and faith-filled summer. Summer is a great time for families to share their faith, particularly on summer trips. Take time for bible story telling, worship together, and talk about how your relationship with God has transformed you. For individuals traveling without family, or with, I encourage you to attend another congregation for worship. Experience a different style of liturgy or size of congregation. Explore your faith and engage new people.

Whatever you do this summer, I pray it will be a time when you again recognize the wonder of what God has done for us in Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit upon us in Pentecost, and the call that is then placed on all of us to share the good news.

In Christ,

Bishop Gronberg