Confirmation Retreat

Let justice flow! Amos 5:24

October 29 - 31, 2021

Registration:

• Confirmation Students (Grades 7 - 9)
• Student Leaders (Grades 10 - 12)
• Confirmation Guides

Introducing our retreat guest: Agape* (Dave Scherer)

Combining rapping, dancing, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish, AGAPE* connects with his listeners in a way that they really "get it". His energy is contagious, and his stories of faith transcend differences. Even those who do not normally enjoy hip-hop, find themselves dancing to his music and captivated by his unique presentation of the Gospel. AGAPE* brings an authentic approach by translating the theological depth of his seminary training into simple songs and stories that can be understood by every listener. His passion is to bring together people of all backgrounds and let them know about God's love for the whole world. This is "AGAPE*"!  Learn more...

In Greek, the word used to describe God's unconditional love is "Agape" (“For God so loved the world."-John 3:16). This message of God’s love without boundaries is the foundation of AGAPE* Dave's ministry. It's the love that persists in spite of hatred, ignorance and sin. It's the love that conquers death by pouring itself out for the sake of an enemy. AGAPE* has come up with an acronym to explain this name even further: The ‘A’ at the beginning stands for African American/Asian American/Arab American. The ‘E’ at the end represents the European American, and the ‘GAP’ represents the expansive space that currently exists between us in our society. Not just confined to cultural barriers, we also are divided along lines of economics, ideology, politics, etc. The only way to truly bridge this divide is through God's compassionate and boundless love, known as "Agape". 

"An overflowing love, which seeks nothing in return, AGAPE* is the love of God operating in the human heart." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Retreat Schedule

Friday, Oct. 29

4pm - Student Leaders arrive and meet

5pm - Grades 7 - 9 arrive

5:30pm - Opening mixers with Student Leaders

6:15pm - Supper

7pm - The Spirit Hovered Over the Waters*

8pm - Snack & Stretch

8:15pm - Splashed by Grace*

9:30pm - Campfire and closing devotions

Saturday, Oct. 30

8:15am - Stretch and Connect

8:30am - From Power Over to Power With*

9:30am - Snack and stretch

9:45am - Let Justice Flow*

11am - From Paternalism to Accompaniment*

11:30am - Lunch

12:15pm - Transport to Workshop #1

12:45pm - Justice Workshop #1

• 8th Grade: Affordable Housing.  Kim Rathjen faciliates activities for students to learn about Immanuel's justice ministries that work to provide affordable housing: Onward Eden Prairie, Habitat for Humanity, Simpson Shelter, and Families Moving Forward.
• 7th Grade: Food Insecurity. Pastor Mary Brown, PROP's Development Director, will provide a tour of PROP and faciliate a food insecurity simulation activity.
• 9th Grade: Redeemer & RCFL. Stacey Jones, the Chief Youth Development Officer for RCFL, will lead a Prayer walk around Redeemer Lutheran Church and Redeemer Center for Life ministries.  Stacey is an author, community activist, minister, and Hip-Hop artist.

2pm - Transportation to Workshop #2

2:30pm - Justice Workshop #2

• 7th Grade: Affordable Housing.  Kim Rathjen faciliates activities for students to learn about Immanuel's justice ministries that work to provide affordable housing: Onward Eden Prairie, Habitat for Humanity, Simpson Shelter, and Families Moving Forward.
• 9th Grade: Food Insecurity. Pastor Mary Brown, PROP's Development Director, will provide a tour of PROP and faciliate a food insecurity simulation activity.
• 8th Grade: Redeemer & RCFL. Stacey Jones, the Chief Youth Development Officer for RCFL, will lead a Prayer walk around Redeemer Lutheran Church and Redeemer Center for Life ministries.  Stacey is an author, community activist, minister, and Hip-Hop artist.

3:45pm - Snack & Stretch

4pm - Transport to Feed My Starving Children, Chanhassen

4:30 pm - 6:15pm - Feed My Starving Children food packing

6:30pm - Pizza Supper at Immanuel

7pm - Reflecting on the day*

7:30pm - How is God's Justice Calling Me?*

9pm - Night Games

10pm - Closing Devotions

10:30pm - Home

Sunday, Oct. 31

10:30am - Hip Hop Reformation Sunday Worship with Agape*

*This will be livestreamed

The schedule is very close to being final, but some minor changes may occur.  We are actively working on details and will update this page accorindgly.