On April 20, four upper elementary-aged youth and three adults traveled to Burke, Virginia for a synod youth event called Shema. Shema means “to hear” in Hebrew. On that rainy Sunday afternoon, we were all reminded of what it means to live our lives as baptized children of God.

Throughout the afternoon, youth and adults rotated around to four stations that related to the Walking Wet theme. They were theatre, games, crafts, and service. At the theatre station, youth learned sign language and a song as they talked about the Great Commission.

During games, we learned facts about how much water the United States uses in relation to the rest of the world. We learned that we use more water to flush our toilets for a day than one family has in Africa for a day. Also, during games, the youth had to dress in scuba gear for a relay. It was fun to watch them walk around in scuba masks!

Each youth made a rain stick at the event. The rain stick was made with a paper towel cardboard tube, foil, rice, and lentils. It was great way for youth to remember their afternoon for weeks and months to come.

Finally, youth did a service project for Lutheran Social Services. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans paid for supplies for 100 disaster relief kits to be put together for a future emergency response. The youth put first aid kits, nail clippers, pens, candles, matches, playing cards, towels, and other items into these kits. They also wrote a personal note to the individual or family who will receive the kit they put together.

Our youth had an opportunity to explore what it means to live their lives a baptized children of God. Throughout the event I couldn’t help but smile at all of the youth gathered for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and conversation about what it means to be in relationship with God and others.

We all are Walking Wet. We are baptized children of God, called to do God’s work in the world. Enjoy the journey!

Pastor Wendy