Dear Friends, A favorite gift for new graduates is Dr. Suess’s Oh! The Places You’ll Go! It highlights the excitement of “the-sky’s-the-limit” thinking during this special time in one’s life, coupled with the reality that there are surprises along the way. I feel like we’re in the midst of an “Oh! The Places We’ll Go!” …
The Gospel of Mark was likely the first gospel to be written. Unlike Luke and Matthew, Mark forgoes any stories of Jesus’ birth and instead starts with the story of his baptism. After forty days of testing in the wilderness, Jesus arrives in Galilee with some really good news. Soon he’s inviting ordinary people – …
Have you ever thought about joining one of Zumbro’s musical groups? A 2019 study by Chorus America sheds new light on the positive impact of singing in choirs. Nearly three-quarters of singers (73%) say that choral singing helps them feel less isolated or lonely. Choral singers credit singing in a chorus with making them more …
Left to Right: Paul Julsrud, Jennie Wilson, Pat Julsrud, Tim Melin, Pastor Vern Christopherson, Sharryn Melin The Zumbro team has finished their week and work at Rocky Boy. Some are now off hiking in the mountains while others have returned safely home. Enjoy the following reflection from Zumbro member Sharryn Melin. Thank you, Team Zumbro, …
We decided to take a break this year from doing a middle school mission trip to help kids grow their faith through the physical challenge of adventure camp. Kids need different experiences to help them form faith. This week, our young people are being stretched to put their faith into action as they work together …
We’ve been warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic staff here at Crosswoods. We’re having a lot of first time experiences as we settle in to camp life. Our youth have been learning new songs, getting to know the staff and our group, and testing their skills at archery tag and the low ropes course. It’s a …
This week we have been thinking about how we pay attention to God and the work of the Spirit in our midst. Every night through scripture, conversation, and music we named and claimed God’s work and grace among us. It was holy and beautiful and sometimes messy as we wrestled with huge and complex challenges …
Earlier this week, Sarah (Steinbruck Center Director), led our group and a youth group from North Carolina in a poverty simulation exercise. Our groups were mixed for this; youth and adults were equal participants. We were divided into “families” of different sizes and ages. Each family was given descriptions of their assets and challenges, like …
We started Friday at 6am for an early journey to serve breakfast at a wonderful organization called SOME (So Others Might Eat). We gathered in a small conference room as usual for our orientation. This included a video history of SOME, which we discovered was started by a priest who saw a need in his …
We hear it’s hot back home … and, wow, is it hot in DC! Yesterday Bob, Sue, and Ann left bright and early to meet Senator Amy Klobuchar in her office for her Thursday breakfast with visiting Minnesotans. Jen and I left with the rest of the crew toward the White House. We spent the …