Immanuel of Mankato, Minnesota sponsored the second CLC Youth Conference at the Shadowcliff Lodge in Grand Lake, Colorado from August 7-11. Forty-nine young people (representing fourteen different CLC congregations) supervised by a staff of twelve (representing seven different congregations) explored the theme: “Faithful Stewards of God’s Grace!”
Ten learning sessions were held during the four-day period. They focused on how we might be faithful stewards of the means of grace, our time of grace, our talents in service to one another, our decisions particularly in view of advances in medical science, the proclamation of God’s grace, our bodies, our environment, our relationships, and our hearts.
Sessions were conducted by Pastor David Povolny of Mountain View, Calif., Dr. and Mrs. James Sydow of Fridley, Minn., Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Buchanan of Tacoma, Wash., Pastor Delwyn Maas of Phoenix, Ariz., and Ms. Tina Radichel of Eau Claire, Wis. Pastor Maas and Pastor Paul D. Nolting, Mankato, Minn. conducted the morning and evening devotions.
Time was set aside each day for relaxation and fellowship. One day was spent white-water rafting on the Arkansas River, followed by an impromptu theater/talent show. The final evening included a “shout out”–a session in which both the young people and their supervisors could share with each other words of encouragement in connection with contributions each had made to the conference.
Saturday, after leaving Shadowcliff, most of the conference participants proceeded to the Denver area to help our sister congregation, St. Paul’s of Lakewood, distribute 4,500 invitations to the neighborhoods surrounding their new church building. The conference was closed with a worship service at St. Paul’s on Sunday, August 12. The sermon summarized the conference theme, and the conference choir shared two anthems with the congregation. Conference evaluations both by the students and staff were very positive, as revealed by the following comments:
“I love it so much and I really want one every year because I need this spiritually. It is the best thing I do all year.”
“This was awesome; I can’t believe how much it helped me to become comfortable with my faith.”
“What a fabulous time! I loved being around Christians my age and relating to them in ways I’d never imagined. EXCELLENT!!! I had so much fun!”
“It helped me grow and know myself. It was encouraging to know that all these young people our age have the same ideas and values in a world where we sometimes feel lost.”
A third conference is being planned for the summer of 2003.
–Pastor Paul D. Nolting, Reporter