What an incredible Discovery Weekend!!! We’re still reflecting on all that took place just a few days ago and thanking God for such a meaningful time together. The Disco Party was groovy, the Knockerballs were dynamite, the Talent Show was far-out, and the overall vibes were simply out of this world.
But most importantly, our time in worship together was inspiring, Spirit-filled, and powerful. This retreat marked the first time the worship band was made up entirely of our own high school students, led by our Student Worship Associate, Abby Rossnagel. Each of our student speakers shared messages that were compelling and deeply personal, as their unique experiences spoke into the faith of everyone in the room, adults included! And we witnessed an especially profound extended time of worship on Saturday night. We watched students intentionally lean into God’s presence, praying over one another with sincere compassion and seeking prayer for their own lives, asking that God would move in ways only God can. It was incredible to see our young people hungry for God and open to the move of the Spirit shaping their lives and the lives of their peers. And all that said, the faithfulness of last weekend can’t be celebrated without recognizing those who helped make it happen.
Whether you helped plan parts of the weekend months in advance, organized supplies the week leading up to the retreat, served throughout the day to keep things running smoothly, stayed overnight with teenagers who weren’t exactly fans of the lights-out schedule (sacrificing some sleep), or helped feed students at each meal, THANK YOU ALL. It would probably take another email to thank everyone in detail for all the ways they helped the many moving parts come together so students could have the weekend they did. Over 50 volunteers left their fingerprint on this retreat, each contributing in meaningful ways. As was mentioned Sunday morning at the end of Modern Worship, without your first “yes” to serve and be a part of this retreat, the students would never have had the opportunity to give their own “yes” to encounter God and deepen community with one another.
Thank you for entrusting us with your students. While you are their primary spiritual guides, we take it very seriously to come alongside your families and help shape their faith with you. We are grateful for you signing them up and giving them the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful weekend! We will continue to pray with you that the experiences your students had this weekend will not stay behind, but will continue to shape who they are becoming, so they might reflect God’s image with boldness, courage, and authenticity in all the spaces their feet take them.
More than 10 other staff members (not on the Student Team) including all of the Clergy, contributed significantly in their own ways to ensure Discovery Weekend was a success. At its core, much of Discovery’s essence is about the whole church body coming around the students with love and care. Not only did we have a strong volunteer base, but the staff also stepped up with servant attitudes to help an event outside of their own department. Thank you all!