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Montana Youth Trip Update

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Monday - by hallie

Today we went on the high and low ropes courses which was super fun! I got to go down on a huge zip line.

On the downside, we did have to wear pants to go on the high ropes course, so it was really hot. To cool down we got some huckleberry ice cream from the camp canteen.

I am so grateful to be able to wake up in nature, as well as seeing a beautiful lake every day. I see God in the friends that I have made and in the sunshine shining on the lake here, and I am very grateful to have this opportunity.

Tuesday - by Carly

On Tuesday we started the morning with oatmeal and many delicious toppings. After getting ready for the day we walked over to launch our canoes and kayaks. It was windy, and after about an hour of paddling, the decision was made to turn around. Many struggled, and everyone was bummed about not having the picnic and swimming on the island. But to still somewhat stick with our plan, we went to a different beach to have our picnic. It was a beautiful turn around to a rough paddle. We then had devotion, bible study, and time at the camp store for ice cream. After that, we had a choice of disc golf, art, the basketball courts, and hammocking. The wind and water had calmed down then, and we were able to swim at the beach until we left to get dinner. The pasta dinner was wonderful with a side of great conversations and dessert. We ended the night with worship, highs, lows, and our God moments of the day all by the camp fire.

Wednesday - by adia

On day 4 of our trip we did different service projects throughout the camp. I painted picnic tables under the sun with some of my favorite people.

We kept our minds busy with music, riddles, games and jokes, and the whole mood was light and cheery.

I am so thankful for the fresh air, clean water, and the warm sun, but especially thankful for the incredible experiences and friendships made. I saw God in the smiles and laughter shared with this incredible group of people.

 

For more photos of the trip, check out their photo gallery HERE.

Welcoming a family from Nicaragua

I have gotten to know a young family from Nicaragua over these past four years and have visited them three times. They were operating a bakery and worked very hard selling to the small communities in the area. Unfortunately in the last two years, due to an increasingly challenged economy in Nicaragua, the bakery has stopped. This has become a very difficult situation for my friends, living with an extended family of four generations. In January 2023, the White House announced a new program for citizens in good standing from Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Nicaragua. A vetted US citizen is able to sponsor a family, allowing them to enter the US legally, receive work permits, and stay for two years. In April my application to be a sponsor was accepted and three weeks later this young family was approved as beneficiaries. They flew into Minneapolis this Wednesday, May 17. Starting June 1 they will live in an apartment close to the church. Jobs are already being arranged. They are a Christian family with a very trusting faith, and are looking for a church home.

 

As the church of "open doors" and "open hearts", the wonderful staff at Mountt Olivet, and many other members, have gladly seen this as an opportunity for hospitality and "OPEN ARMS".  This young family came with one suitcase and two backpacks, so there is certainly a need for other things to help them make a home here. We have already received donations of beds, tables, a crib, chairs, a couch, but many other household items like pots and pans, utensil, towels, diapers, blankets, linens, pillows, etc. will be needed. I also know a tricycle will be much appreciated as their child had to say goodbye to her much loved one back home. We have a wonderful team of 10 members who are already working on all of these things. More specific information will follow. This young family doesn't speak English yet, so that will be one of their many challenges living here and getting used to living in Minnesota. But one thing I know - this is a dream come true for them!

Let us all say - Welcome!

 

Tim Strommen

Vacation Bible School 2023 theme : Compassion Camp

I am excited to announce this year’s Vacation Bible School theme, Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs. This exciting curriculum was developed by Illustrated Ministries and incorporates creativity, fun and games, music, Bible lessons, and more into an awesome week of learning about caring for the world, each other, and ourselves.

VBS at Mount Olivet is available for children ages three and above through 4th grade (5th grade through middle school kids can help be team leaders during VBS and can participate in Summer Spree in the afternoon) and runs from 9am  to 12:00 noon. VBS this year runs from August 14th through 17th.

 

From the publisher:

“As we look around the world, our deep need for compassion becomes increasingly evident with each passing day, perhaps now more than ever. Compassion Camp aims to cultivate compassion for each other, ourselves, and the world. We will examine different places in our lives where we can cultivate compassion. Using each Compassion Camp component, we’ll explore themes of compassion as they relate to each session’s scripture. Through Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs, participants will explore what all living things need to live—shelter, food, water, air, and community—and how they can have compassion for the living earth, especially in their local ecosystems. Through awareness, gratitude, wonderment, reciprocity, and kinship, participants will consider how to become co-sustainers and participants in the work of God’s creation. Using Psalm 104 as their grounding text, along with additional supporting scripture, participants will closely examine the interconnectedness of the whole earth—humans alongside the more-than-human world.”

 

We are super excited to share Compassion Camp with our community this year! Look for a volunteer sign-up to come out in the next few weeks. If you would like to help with the VBS planning team, contact me directly. If you would like to register your child for Compassion Camp VBS this year, do so by filling out this form.

I am looking forward to a great week of fun, exploration, learning, and compassion! 

Pace
Director of Children and Family Ministry

Summer Trips at Mount Olivet: Why Do They Matter?

Summer Trips at Mount Olivet: Why Do They Matter?

Each youth summer trip has these key components:

  • Summer trips nurture community with our group and others.

  • Summer trips broaden perspectives.

  • Summer trips take us out of our comfort zones and challenge us in a safe way.

  • Summer trips empower us.

  • Summer trips create holy space which sticks with us.

It is our goal at Mount Olivet that any youth that wants to go on one of these trips can, regardless of cost.  Thank you for supporting us through the youth stock and flower sale fundraisers this year.  It makes a huge difference in the lives of these youth to see how this community invests in them!

New Faith Explorers Curriculum

Beginning on April 12th for Wednesday Faith Explorers and April 16th for Sunday Family Faith Explorers, we will be learning about a very timely topic that deeply lives in the intersection of our faith and culture. The four-part lesson plan is called “Love and Justice” and will focus on how anti-racism and anti-bias training is an important part of our faith formation, and how racism, prejudice, and stereotypes go against the created diversity of God’s good creation.

What Gives You Hope? - Marlene Stimpson

What does HOPE look like for the Church, for Mount Olivet? My HOPE for the church is to continue to work by Jesus’ example. We do that by giving HOPE to others in supporting our partners in the world through ELCA, Lutheran World Relief, Global Health. We give HOPE in the community with food, clothing, shelter through PRISM, Home Free, Northport Elementary, Loaves and Fishes, our community garden, Beacon, Habitat, and volunteering just to name a few. We give HOPE with freedom of voice in advocacy through writing or speaking to our local, state and federal representatives. We give HOPE in our prayers for and encouragement to our youth. I do see HOPE in our young people today.

What Gives You Hope? - Amber Harder

Recently I was reading a book about trees with my kids and I came across something new that surprised me. I learned that trees actually form their buds at the end of summer! Even before the trees change color and drop their leaves, they are quietly getting ready behind the scenes for the year ahead. While they look as if life is over in the winter, they are in fact already equipped with all they will need to blossom when spring’s thawing temperatures return.

What Gives You Hope? - Dan Roff

So it is my focus to try each day to transform those negative thoughts, memories and pains into my fuel of Hope where God’s work is accomplished. As we begin our Advent Season, I am hopeful for all that the Spirit brings to me in my life. Yes, as Christians, we celebrate the anticipation of the Christ Child, and it is not only a truth, but a reminder given to us through the Spirit. What gives me Hope?… the Holy Spirit gives me Hope, but only if I do the work to hear and feel that subtle yet transformational feeling that shows me my best self and then share that with all who cross my path.