This morning my family and I will be boarding “The Lady of the Lake” to journey up Lake Chelan to Holden Village. A former copper mining camp Holden was gifted to the Lutheran church over 50 years ago to provide a place for retreat, education, worship, and recharging. My wife, the Rev. Kendra Mohn, PhD is serving this week as part of the teaching faculty. I will be attending various lectures and learning from the many others on staff this week. Part of our expectation for all pastors is they take time each year for Continuing Education. This week will be my time for that work.

Also I will have the opportunity to connect with two former youth of my congregations. Zach Busch was a high school student at my first call at Dr. Martin Luther Church, Oconomowoc, WI. There we employed him as a musician and encouraged him to attend Luther College, Decorah, IA and later Luther Seminary where he earned his Master of Sacred Music degree. He will be on staff for the week as a musician. Emer Kate Sanders was one of my confirmation students and high school youth at Trinity, Fort Worth. She also served as a counselor at Briarwood and is a student at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN. She is on summer staff at Holden Village this year. I look forward to seeing both of these young people.

One of the features of Holden is that it has no wifi and cell service does not work there. So if you need attention from the synod staff this week please call my associate the Rev. Kris Totzke as I will be unavailable from Sunday July 21-Saturday July 27.