One of the ways the Christensen Center for Vocation is engaging in vocational discernment with students is through the hiring and training of college mentors as facilitators for the annual Augsburg Youth Theology Institute. Mentors spend the spring semester discerning their own God given gifts, practicing small group facilitation, digging into theological texts with curiosity for how they might give us some insight into the questions we have about how to show up as neighbors in our own neighborhoods, churches, schools, and communities.Ěý

This year’s mentors are engaged, curious, and determined to create a community of belonging for our participants. And that means focusing on their own development. They are practicing leading prayer, asking questions, developing their strengths, understanding their spiritual gifts, and digging into texts. Stay tuned for our upcoming social media introductions and highlights from the end of the month training retreat – follow up on or to learn more!Ěý

APPLY TODAY!

Do you know high school students who would benefit from an experience like this?Ěý

The CONFLUENCE is an experience that empowers young people to be curious about how their personal story, the world’s story, and God’s story flow together to create a loving and just world. In June of each year, we invite high school students to spend a week living on campus with our college mentors, building relationships and getting to know one another, exploring theology and discerning vocation through experiential learning opportunities. Our hope is for them to gain deeper insight into who they are and the life they want to live as children of God. This learning happens through many forms: academic inquiry in the classroom, community engaged learning, a variety of worship styles and spiritual practices.Ěý

College mentors play an important role as facilitator and guide for the high school participants throughout the week as everyone leans into opportunities for vocational discernment.Ěý

Applications are open until May 15th – will you JOIN US THIS SUMMER!Ěý

MEET THE 2023 MENTORS FOR THE CONFLUENCE!

Jasmyn Kendall (she/her/hers)Ěý

• First, Major/Minor: 3rd year Biochemistry major
• Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Restorative, Learner, Achiever, Significance, Futuristic

Tell a story that was influential in your faith journey

I grew up going to church every Sunday, never really understanding it, just learnt the songs. After a couple years in Minnesota a lot of things changed for my family and my interest in learning and understanding the bible was triggered. I started going back to church to understand and live the gospel.

Sarah Runck (She/Her/Hers)

• Year/Major/Minor: 3rd year Music Therapy major, Psychology and Religion minors
• Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Includer, Developer, Positivity, Maximizer, InputĚý

Tell a story that was influential in your faith journey.

Growing up, I only went to church because I had to and I never understood why my parents liked it so much. In fifth grade all that changed because we found out my dad had cancer. At the time, I didn’t really understand what was happening and all my parents would say was “Just pray. Everything will be okay”. I still did not understand. One night I started crying and just began talking to myself. It was a weird feeling but I felt a presence, like someone was there listening. A few weeks passed and 2-3 times a week I had to go to my dad’s dialysis after school. I would sit with him and we would talk. Those conversations stick with me today as they helped influence my faith because he was getting strong in his faith. After three years, my dad sadly passed away. It wasn’t until the night he passed that I truly found my faith. I cried for days and nights and got so angry at God. But as time passed I was comforted, supported, and given signs by God. Shortly after, the anger went away and the part of me that was missing was finally discovered. But it took losing something to gain something more. My life was forever changed. I was able to meet some mentors who helped me and changed my life. I started teaching religious education to children and young adults. I became actively involved in several churches and organizations. I was able to help people get through losses because I experienced it. I even had people reach out to me saying that my faith had inspired them. When I look back at my fifth grade self, never would I imagine me to be where I am right now. My faith is a big part of my everyday life and I am proud to be the person who I am today because of it.

Carson Vincent (He/Him/They/Them)Ěý

• Year/Major/Minor: 3rd year Biochemistry and Religion major
• Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Analytical, Strategic, Individualization, Connectedness, learnerĚý

Tell a story that was influential in your faith journey.

Summer of 2022 I worked on weeklong staff at a bible camp. I worked as the waterfront coordinator. The experience of working at a bible camp was very transformative for me. I grew up attending bible camp every summer as a kid. I was always my happiest and most authentic self at bible camp. This rang true as a councilor. Being a part of such a charged faith space all summer really showed me that my call is to ministry. I’m currently planning on attending seminary after graduation, and working at a bible camp really solidified my plans to go into ministry.

Ella SutherlandĚý (she/her/hers)Ěý

• First, Major/Minor: 2nd year Elementary Education major
• Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Includer, restorative, Woo, Developer, and Futuristic

Tell a story that was influential in your faith journey.

Coming to Augsburg I was very introverted and shy. I did not enjoy public speaking. However, this year I wanted to take more risks and make more connections with people. Campus Ministries always hosts a block party in September. It sounded really fun so I decided to go. I tried to reach out more and talked to the pastors and the student deacons. They were very friendly and answered any questions that I had. Everyone was so friendly, it made me want to grow in my own faith and to regularly attend church and really become more involved on campus.

Bella Wizik (She/her/hers)Ěý

• First, Major/Minor: 1st year Film, Communications, and New Media major
• Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Discipline, Includer, Responsibility, Focus, Restorative

Tell a story that was influential in your faith journey.

In middle school I used to tag along with my friend to her youth group outings. I wasn’t raised religious so each time I went it was a new and unique experience. One night after some bible study and small group discussion we went to Mcdonalds and paid for the cars order behind us. After that we went down to Canal Park which is on the edge of Lake Superior, and we handed out fresh red roses to those that were passing by. I remember seeing the smiles on peoples faces and the joy that we brought to them. Seeing this, and being a part of a group that had good intentions in our community was empowering and fulfilling. So I continued to attend youth group with her and some of my other friends, and after many more joyous experiences similar to the roses, I had no plans to stop.Ěý

The post Mentors Practice Vocational Discernment In Preparation for the Institute! appeared first on Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.

Pause. /ąčĂ´łú/

a temporary stop in action or speech.Ěý

So many times in my work as a youth director, in my job as a high school career counselor, and my life as a mama, I have found myself pushing the pause button to explain a scene in a movie, describe the steps in a college application, or decipher a lyric in a song. According to Wikipedia, the pause button was invented in the 1960s “during that decade for use on reel-to-reel audio recorder controls” and was intended as an “indicator which stops operation intermittently and keeps the equipment in operating mode”. Today, we only have to look at the little two line symbol to know that once we hit that button, it’s just a momentary pause in whatever we are doing.

This summer, the staff at the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute had to make the difficult decision to cancel our summer institute due to low enrollment. This is the first time this significant decision has been made in our history. We are grieving. And yet with the hopefulness toward the future, we have energy for listening, dreaming, and creating. In order to do that, we are choosing to see this point in time as a pause in our regular communications. This pause will allow us to lean in, stop operations intermittently, and keep our program in operating mode as we discern the next steps on our journey. We are not “out” of this pandemic yet and we are not returning to any old “normal”. Our congregations, our communities, and our young people are experiencing a shift. In response, we are choosing to accompany our congregational partners as we first listen and then learn a different way forward.Ěý

We believe wholeheartedly in the mission of the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI). To inspire emerging high school theologians to observe, interpret, and engage their world through Christ for the sake of their neighbor. Our participants learn how to reflect theologically on culture and find meaningful ways to respond to the call from God that happens in this process of reflection.Ěý

Our social media posts and stories will be on pause for the summer as we listen to all that is happening, moving, and changing around us and for the young people we serve. We will be spending our time accompanying congregational partners, learning from them about the changing landscape of the young people they serve, and discerning next steps for mutual aid in these partnerships. We will be thinking theologically about our work at the institute and discovering meaningful ways to respond to God’s call in the process of this reflection. We look forward to sharing what we have learned through this important time of intentional reflection later this fall.Ěý

How is God calling you to press pause this summer?Ěý

AYTI will see you in September!Ěý

The post The Pause Button appeared first on Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.

2022 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to Pastor John Schwehn and Pastoral Intern Tori Remer for their guidance and support as mentors prepared to write these devotions. The hours of conversation, prayer, theological reflection, and support that were given throughout the process is gratefully appreciated. We are proud of our college mentors and their work this spring.

PERMISSION

AYTI offers these themes and devotions for use by our partners. All credit should be given to the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute when using this material. Thank you.Ěý

MISSION OF AYTI

The Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI) inspires emerging high school theologians to observe, interpret, and engage their world through Christ for the sake of their neighbor. Our participants learn how to reflect theologically on culture and find meaningful ways to respond to the call from God that happens in this process of reflection.Ěý

To achieve this, we provide an intense, one-week residential experience with a new theme every year. Students read theological texts and experience a college classroom, participate in worship, explore diverse community-based learning, and have intentional small group conversations led by college mentors. Following their week on campus, students write a theological paper on the theme and their paper is published in a journal to be shared with congregations and the wider community.Ěý

MONDAY DEVOTION

Author: Blaine Schultz (they/them), 1st year Undecided major

Daily Theme: Separation

Daily Verse: Genesis 3:1-13 NIV

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Monday Questions

• Read the daily theme and the daily verse
• Can you think of a time where you might have done something different than what was asked of you?
• How did that affect you or make you feel? What about the others around you, or maybe the situation?

In these moments, we can find ourselves separated from others whether that is our own choosing or not. Even in times where we might find ourselves separated from others or from God, we can still remember that God walks through the garden to find us and be with us.

TUESDAY DEVOTIONS

Author: Carson Vincent (he/they), 2nd year Biochemistry major and Religion minor

Daily Theme: Covenant

Daily Verse: Genesis 9:8-17 NIV

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

Tuesday Questions

• Read the daily theme and the daily verse
• What are some words or ideas that stuck out to you from the bible verse?
  • Definition: A covenant is defined as an agreement between two people.Ěý
  • God made a lot of covenants in the bible and God also made a lot of promises. The difference between a covenant and a promise is two way vs one way.Ěý
• Is God’s love a covenant or a promise? In other words, do we need to do anything to receive God’s love?

WEDNESDAY DEVOTION

Author: Sarah Runck (she/her), 2nd year Music Therapy major

Daily Theme: Reunion

Daily Verse: Luke 15: 1-10 NIV

The Parable of the Lost Sheep – Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin – “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Wednesday Questions

• Read the daily theme and the daily verse
• Can you recall a story where you connected with a person you hadn’t seen in a long time and felt an instant reunion?Ěý
• We all have felt lost in our lives, but who was the person, people, or thing that made you feel found?Ěý

THURSDAY DEVOTION

Author: Aaron Puent (he/him), 3rd year Religion major w/concentration in Global Studies

Daily Theme: Breaking Bread

Daily Verse: John 6: 1-15 NRSV

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

Thursday Questions

• Read the daily theme and the daily verse
• If you were in the crowd and Jesus asked you what you wanted him to cater for this group of people, what food would you choose?
• Why do you think it’s important for people to share a meal?
  • Before the meal…Jesus gets in trouble for healing a sick man on the sabbath. Jesus says that it was the will of the Father. The people want to kill him because he claimed to be equal to God. Jesus speaks about the authority of the Son and refers to himself as such.
  • After the sermon… Begin with an argument/major claim against the understood status quo. Discuss this difficult and controversial topic over a meal. Leave as people are beginning to see Jesus for who he is.

Invitation: At the next two meals, pick a favorite Bible verse or poem or other writtenĚýwork.Ěý Read it before your next meal and then eat, then contemplate it. Then, atĚýyour next meal, eat and then read the same work. Contemplate. When did itĚýspeak to you the most?

FRIDAY DEVOTION

Author: Renee Christensen (she/her), 3rd year Theology & Public Leadership major

Friday Theme: Companionship

Friday Verse: Luke 24:13-35 Inclusive Translation

“That same day, two of the disciples were making their way to a village called Emmaus -which was several miles from Jerusalem- discussing all that had happened as they went. While they were discussing these things, Jesus approached and began to walk with them, though they were kept from recognizing Jesus, who asked them, “What are you two discussing as you go your way?” They stopped and looked sad. One of them, Cleopas by name, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened these past few days?”Ěý

Jesus said to them, “What things?” They said, “About Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet powerful in word and deed in the eyes of God and all the people– who our chief priests and leaders delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him. We were hoping that he was the One who would set Israel free. Besides all this, today– the third day since these things happened– some women of our group have just brought us some astonishing news. They were at the tomb before dawn and didn’t find the body; they returned and informed us that they had seen a vision of angels, who declared that Jesus was alive. Some of our number went to the tomb and found it to be just as the women said, but they didn’t find Jesus.”Ěý

Then Jesus said to them, “What little sense you have! How slow are you to believe all that the prophets have answered! Didn’t the Messiah have to undergo all this to enter into glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted for them every passage of scripture which referred to the Messiah. By now they were near the village they were going to, and Jesus appeared to be going further. But they said eagerly, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening– the day is practically over.” So the savior went in and stayed with them.Ěý

After sitting down with them to eat, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, then broke the bread and began to distribute it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus, who immediately vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning inside us as this one talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?” They got up immediately and returned to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven and the rest of the company assembled. They were greeted with “Christ has risen! It is true! Jesus has appeared to Simon!” Then the travelers recounted what had happened on the road, and how they had come to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread.”

Friday Questions

• Read the daily theme and the daily verse
• Think about a time where you were angry with someone or at something. How did that experience feel? Were you truly angry or were there other emotions hidden under anger?
• It says in the text, “Were not our hearts burning?”. Think about what these two disciples just went through. These are all things that can cause a lot of trauma. It’s very possible they were experiencing some feelings of anger.Ěý
  • What did these two do with all of those feelings? They did the one thing that they thought might help, walk away.Ěý
  • How do you handle situations like this?Ěý
• What are one or two things that ground you in the midst of big feelings? Maybe a walk in the woods, meditation, prayer, silence, a run, a swim, etc.Ěý
  • Take a few minutes of silence to write about those things that ground you. And you are encouraged to take some time today to practice one of them.Ěý

To stay up to date on the happenings of the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute, we invite you to follow one of our social media channels: , , and .

The post Daily Devotions: God’s People [re]connect! appeared first on Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.

We are excited to introduce to you the 2022 AYTI Mentors. They are such a fun group and we know the high school participants are going to enjoy spending the week of AYTI with them!

CARSON VINCENT (they/them)

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Carson Vincent, They/them/Theirs, 2nd year, Biochemistry Major with a minor in Religion

What should people know about Augsburg?

Augsburg is a small close knit school in the heart of Minneapolis. Because Augsburg is a smaller school it’s so much easier to form relationships with not only your peers but your professors as well. I’ve had so many professors go out of their way to ensure my personal academic success.

What excites you most about being an AYTI Mentor?

I’m most excited for the participants to be on campus this year! I’ve experienced AYTI in person as a participant, and online as a mentor. I’m excited for the participants to be able to interact and connect with each other face to face, and to be able to experience campus and the surrounding area!

How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time I like to play video games, play with my cat, and drink some tea while watching a movie.

Favorite bible story and why?

My favorite bible story is the story of Joseph (Genesis 37) because it explores many themes that many queer people can relate to.

BLAINE SCHULTZ (they/them)

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Blaine Schultz, they/them/theirs, first-year, Undecided

What should people know about Augsburg?

Everyone on campus is so friendly! It really does feel like a close-knit community even though we’re in such a big city.

What excites you most about being an AYTI Mentor?

My experience as an AYTI participant was incredibly important in shaping my decision-making process when applying for colleges. I had amazing mentors who inspired me to actively pursue the opportunities that would benefit me. To be that person for even one participant, that’s what I am most excited about.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time with friends, curling up on the couch with a good book, and listening to music.

Favorite bible story and why?

The Rainbow Promise in Genesis 9:15-17. This was my confirmation verse, and there’s a whole long story behind it, but I love it so much now because to me it symbolizes new beginnings.

SARAH RUNCK (she/her)

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Sarah Runck, She/Her/Hers, 2nd year, Music Therapy Major

What should people know about Augsburg?

I really enjoy the community at Augsburg. It is so welcoming and I feel at home here. Everyone is so nice and open and because of this there are meaningful connections and more opportunities to connect and engage with others around you.

What excites you most about being an AYTI Mentor?

I am really excited for AYTI! This is my first year being a part of AYTI and when I heard about it, I was really curious and wanted to find out more. I am excited to meet others and to learn more about AYTI as the year progresses.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to play instruments, listen to music, go on walks, watch movies, explore new places and foods and even do some embroidery.

Favorite bible story and why

One of my favorite bible stories is Genesis 17-22, ‘Abraham The Man of Faith’. I heard this story when I was younger in a bible camp and it stuck with me. I really enjoy this story because it has so much meaning about faith, being faithful and how God provides.

AARON PUENT (he/him)

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Aaron Puent, he/him/his, Junior, Religion Major w/ Concentration in Global Religions and Interfaith Studies.

What should people know about Augsburg?

Augsburg is a place to make connections and build both professional and personal relationships.Ěý The people who work here are interested in students’ success in both the classroom and beyond.

What excites you most about being an AYTI Mentor?

Learning is one of the most rewarding experiences for me, and my time as a mentor has been filled with plenty of opportunities to grow.Ěý I was never an AYTI participant, but I still find that I can learn alongside everyone, even as a mentor.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time outside, usually through running and tennis (and the occasional game of pickleball).Ěý I have recently gotten into recreational reading again, as well as drawing, so that’s how I typically spend my evenings.

Favorite bible story and why?

I always liked the stories of Abraham, especially surrounding his covenants with God.Ěý Their relationship is complex, to put it simply.Ěý I also appreciate his role as a father in faith to multiple traditions; he becomes a point of connection.

RENEE CHRISTENSEN (she/her)

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Renee Christensen, she/her, 3rd year, Theology and Public Leadership with a minor in Psychology

What should people know about Augsburg?

One thing for me that makes Augsburg stand out is the community. From professors and staff, to the people you meet in classes, the sense of community is exceptionally strong.

What excites you most about being an AYTI Mentor?

I am super excited to be in person this year! When I was a participant, one of the things I loved most about the week was being in the city, learning more about Augsburg and why so many of the mentors call Augsburg a second home!

How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time, I love to read, listen to music, take walks, and hang out with my cats!

Favorite bible story and why?

A bible story that excites and intrigues me is Acts 8:26-40 “The Ethiopian Eunuch”. I came across this story last year and anytime I reread this story, I am able to see it from a different perspective each time!

Do you know a high school student who would make a great participant at the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute? We encourage you to tell them about it and nominate them today! Check out more on our website here!

The post Mentors for the 2022 Youth Theology Institute appeared first on Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.

For years, I had wanted to nominate youth to attend the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute, but had not yet been able to have one attend. Then, finally, my own daughter was midway through high school and we were in the midst of Covid. She applied for several opportunities in the summer of 2020 when she was looking toward her junior year of high school, and AYTI was the only program that found a way to offer their summer program online. She was not certain that she was prepared for a week of theological engagement or a week that resulted in writing a paper, but she was willing to give it a try. We promised to support her.

Dinkenesh Coltvet wrote about tools for engaging racial justice as youth—the intersection of nonviolent communication and youth leading in Black Lives Matter. Her article was published in the AYTI journal was shared with friends and acquaintances far and wide. One of the most touching stories we heard afterward was told by Pastor Hans Jorgensen at the funeral of our neighbor and friend, Rose Pinomaki. Our friend, Rose, died unexpectedly last winter and on the night before her death, she was part of a Zoom book group conversation onĚýMy Grandmother’s HandsĚýby Resmaa Menakem at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church. Pastor Hans asked the group, “What is giving you hope these days?” Rose said that she had read the AYTI youth articles—one youth from their own congregation and one by our youth—and knowing these youth were rising in faith and leadership gave her hope.

It was easier to promote the AYTI weeklong experience in summer 2021 because I was able to tell youth that Dinkenesh had done it. I promoted it with two of our youth, and I was so glad that Zoe Rahberg said “yes” to the possibility.

Again, the program was offered online and after a year of online school, it felt like a lot to ask for another week of online learning, but AYTI asked participants to join “with an open mind and a hopeful heart.” I knew that Ross Murray, the institute instructor and author ofĚý, would be an incredible resource for our youth (and all ages) in our congregation where some people are open about their diverse identities and some are not yet. Zoe wrote that although her own coming out journey was to our vicar (intern) and her family who reassured her that God loved her and her family loved her, “Going to AYTI was a way to assure myself that it was okay to integrate religion and the LGBTQIA+ community.” Zoe’s article will be published in the 2021 AYTI journal.

In the AYTI program, the youth noticed places that LGBTQIA+ community are openly welcomed in congregations and places where that welcome could be more noticeable and overt. AYTI invited youth to imagine where they could be more vocal advocates themselves. Both Zoe and Dinkenesh shared their projects together on the last Sunday in September (there is strength in numbers). They provided a survey where participants responded to the question of where they are willing to give strong support to 1) creating a faithful and supportive small group for LGBTQ+ people and 2) engaging in support and advocacy opportunities for BIPOC community. In this way, our mutual love becomes more obvious and our congregation, who has long been supportive of youth and young adults leading the way, gains hope that still… youth are rising in faith and leadership today.

Blessings, Pastor Joy

~~~

Pastor Joy MacDonald Coltvet serves as lead pastor at in Saint Paul, Minnesota, “a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community centered in Christ. Christ Lutheran is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a Christian denomination of about 4 million members throughout the United States and in communion with many other church bodies throughout the world. When she’s not at church, she is probably at high school, middle school or preschool events with her children, seeking a moment’s peace with her life partner, Ben, or enjoying music and the arts.”

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The Augsburg University community is in its first few weeks of in-person classes after a year and a half of being apart from one another due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. The last two summers the participants, mentors, and staff of the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI) have gathered for our annual event virtually. This means that some people had not been able to meet each other in-person. This week however, we got to meet one another in person, some for the first time ever, and others for the first time in a long time. AYTI mentors and participants, who are current Auggies, gathered to connect as the semester begins. We ate donuts, told stories, attended chapel together, and celebrated the AYTI community.

AYTI often encourages high school students to consider attending Augsburg for their college years. Of the current students pictured here, five out of eight of them were participants at AYTI first and then came to Augsburg University in part because of their experience at AYTI. To learn more about undergraduate admissions, we invite you to sign up to visit campus and reach out to CCV staff Adrienne Kuchler Eldridge at eldridge@augsburg.edu for a personalized visit.

We are excited to celebrate that two students from the summer 2020 and summer 2021 institutes are now first year students at Augsburg University.

As we start the year together, we are also celebrating that the 2021 participants from this year’s institute “And It Was Very Good: Affirming and Advocating for Gender and Sexual Diversity in God’s Creation” have recently submitted their drafts of essays from this summer. We are excited to be editing and preparing for the journal release later this fall. In the meantime, you can read submissions from past journals on our website here.

The Augsburg Youth Theology Institute is one of the many initiatives of the Christensen Center for Vocation. AYTI inspires emerging high school theologians to observe, interpret, and engage their world through Christ for the sake of their neighbor. Our participants learn how to reflect theologically on culture and find meaningful ways to respond to the call from God that happens in this process of reflection. Following their week at the institute, students write a theological paper on the theme that is compiled into a journal and shared with congregations and the wider community.

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At the end of June we wrapped up the 2021 institute, and it was incredible! So many amazing young people were excited about our theme, And It Was Very Good: Affirming and Advocating for Gender and Sexual Diversity in God’s Creation. We welcomed instructor to guide us through a week of curriculum that focused on faithful advocacy that allows LGBTQ people to be full members of society, reading the bible through a queer lens, assessing our congregations using the Reconciling Works Building an Inclusive Church tools, and telling compelling personal stories rooted in theology. Our young people engaged in deep discussion, thoughtful reflection, and learned what it means to be a young theologian.

VIRTUAL INSTITUTE

With the uncertainties around group safety with the Covid-19 pandemic, we did not host an in-person event this year. Our participants joined us from four time zones, four states, and ten churches. Our six college mentors were able to live together in community on campus as they used their leadership skills for mentoring with our participants in small groups. We are so grateful for the college mentors for their incredible leadership. Our pastoral chaplains joined us from their offices or dining rooms, worship leaders “zoomed in” for music and worship together, and our final celebration brought together participants, mentors, staff, pastors, youth ministers, parents, guardians, and supporters of the AYTI experience. It was incredible!

STUDENT DESIGNED PROJECT AND/OR ESSAY

AYTI publishes a student journal each year and you can read essays from past participants here. High school participants spend time brainstorming topics and issues that matter to them and their congregations. Then at the end of the week, they choose one to focus on when they go back to their congregations and communities. Their nominator supports their research, development, and writing process as they implement a project and write about or if they research a topic and write about. Below are the topics for essay writing or issues that matter to these young people that may be developed into a project in their congregations.

2021 POSSIBLE ESSAYS

• A Coat or a Gown: looking at bible stories in a different way
• Gender and Sexuality Garden: A Journey through the LGBTQ+ community with flowers
• White, not Radical: An Analysis and Critique of Mainstream American Christianity and LGBTQ+ Politics
• The Trevor Project and Why It’s Important
• The Rainbow Can Mean Both; Delving into the Relationship Between Sexuality and Religion
• The reasons for having LGBTQ+ safe spaces for youth and otherwise, especially in the church.

  

2021 POSSIBLE PROJECTS

• Looking at parallels between early leaders/figures in the bible and the queer liberation movement OR fundraising for Trans people of color
• A LGBTQ support group in my church community
• Out and Ostracized: A website in the form of a public forum, for members of the LGBT+ community to share their experiences coming out in a faith community — the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.
• Connecting a Lutheran argument for having a GSA in schools to the secularized idea, with the goal of organizing one at a new high school later on.
• Something involving lgbtq+ homeless youth, and/or doing something inside my church helping lgbtq+ youth feel more welcome.

It is such an honor to work with each of these young people and we look forward to hearing how they take what they learned at AYTI and apply it to affirming and advocating for gender and sexual diversity in God’s creation. Watch for updates in the fall about our upcoming 2021 Journal.

CLOSING PRAYER

We close each week of AYTI with a worship and celebration in community with one another. This was true of our virtual institute as well when we welcomed families, pastors, church leaders, and participants together to celebrate all that we learned together in the week. And we closed with this prayer of thanksgiving for all that God made us to be and all that we are sent into the world to do and be.

We thank you, O Holy One, for the learnings, the challenges, the wonderings, and the hopes we have discovered together this week. By your Holy Spirit and through this community, you have affirmed and reaffirmed us as your beloved ones. We celebrate our bold and beautiful LGBTQ siblings who show us the wide diversity of your creation. Strengthen us in our call to be your church of welcome and inclusion for all your peoples. On this day, we rejoice in the projects that have been birthed this week in the minds and hearts of these young leaders in your church. May they be supported and received by their home faith communities as together we work toward your kin-dom here. This we pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior and our Song. Amen.

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AYTI Mentors joined Orientation Leaders, Strommen Center Peer Advisors, AugSem Leaders, and more in a semester long class for credit that served as their leadership training for their job as AYTI Mentors. In this course all students worked to develop knowledge and skills utilizing the Social Change Model of Leadership Development. This model helps students understand their individual values (consciousness of self, congruence, and commitment), the values of the group (collaboration, common purpose, and controversy with civility), and societal and community values. The class training also focused on topics such as identity, intersectionality, anti-racism and dismantling white supremacy, brave space, disability as difference, and becoming interfaith allies. All students were able to complete the Intercultural Development Inventory and reflect on the ways in which they show up as leaders in all spaces and places.

AYTI Mentors will build on this leadership training to create and lead devotions, facilitate small groups, engage in learning sessions with participants, and help lead worship with high school students as they engage in theological exploration during the 2021 institute.

We are very much looking forward to this summer’s youth theology institute and the theme, “AND IT WAS VERY GOOD: Affirming and Advocating for Sexual and Gender Diversity in God’s Creation”. You can learn about the 2021 theme on our website here. In the meantime, join us in welcoming this year’s student leaders for the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute!

CARLI VINCENT

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Carli Vincent (they/them/theirs) 1st year, Biochemistry major

What do you love about Augsburg?

The thing that I love most about Augsburg is that it is a small close-knit community in a big city. As someone who grew up in a small town, I really appreciate the smaller campus and class sizes while getting to reside in the heart of Minneapolis. Even after one year of primarily online classes I have been able to make connections with teachers and classmates. I have also been able to find a solid community of friends despite the pandemic.

Why are you excited to be an AYTI Mentor?

I am super excited to be an AYTI mentor this summer because I am so jazzed about this year’s theme as it’s near and dear to my heart. I also attended AYTI as a participant when I was in high school, and it was super formative in my faith journey.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend a lot of my free time learning random skills, playing video games, camping, and spending time with my family and friends. I like to play music on the tuba, trumpet, guitar, or ukulele.

Favorite bible verse and why?

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” This is my favorite bible verse because it’s the shortest verse in the bible and it’s one of the most powerful for me. Even though Jesus knew that Lazarus would live again he still felt the pain of losing a friend. This lets me know that even if I know something will work out, it’s okay to feel pain, anger, and or sadness in that moment.

LORPU SUMO

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

My name is Lorpu Nueka Sum (she/her/hers), I am a first year student, my major is Computer Science.

What do you love about Augsburg?

Something that I love about Augsburg is how supportive the community is. The staff and teachers are always there whenever you need them. Coming to Augsburg is one of the

few best decisions that I have ever made in my life so far.

Why are you excited to be an AYTI Mentor?

I am really excited about being an AYTI Mentor this summer. I am excited to meet new people and come together as a community to grow in our faith and build a positive bond.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Somethings that I like to do in my free time are: reading, long walks, biking, or listening to music. Sometimes I watch movies and sleep.

Favorite bible verse and why?

I honestly don’t have a favorite Bible verse, but growing up, I have always loved . I loved it because it is the longest bible verse that I can remember without opening the Bible, and it also gives me comfort when I am reading it.

BRE ROSEMAN

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Bre Roseman (she/her/hers), 3rd year Junior, Management Information Systems doubled with Economics

What do you love about Augsburg?

I love that the Augsburg community is diverse in cultures. I also liked that the school is small, so it’s easier to get to classes and that there aren’t a ton of people here and that the class sizes are super small compared to other schools.

Why are you excited to be an AYTI Mentor?

I’m excited to be a mentor this year because I want to help other individuals find where they fit in the bible and even learn to trust the church again. I want others to know that just because they had a bad experience with church doesn’t mean all churches are that way.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I like painting, drawing, reading, and singing. I also enjoy doing more spiritual things like tarot readings for my friends too.

Favorite bible verse and why?

My favorite bible verse would be because it reminds that even in the dark times when it seems like everything is against you, you can run to the Lord, for they will protect you.

AARON PUENT

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Aaron Puent (he/him/his), Sophomore, Religion major

What do you love about Augsburg?

The entire reason I came to Augsburg is because I wanted a small, close knit community.Ěý Add the big city around us, and I feel like there are no limits as to what I can do.Ěý The campus is easy to navigate, and it doesn’t take too long to get from place to place.

Why are you excited to be an AYTI Mentor?

I am excited to get to know how other people live their own faiths, especially in the different forms of worship.Ěý I also think this is an important theme for people to discuss, and working through this with fellow students should prove to add to my own theological understanding.

What do you like to do in your free time?

If it is nice outside, you can be sure to find me out running or playing tennis (but I love all racquet sports and will never turn down a challenge at ping pong).Ěý I enjoy hiking and biking as well.Ěý On a rainy day, I like to do some creative writing or crossword puzzles.

Favorite bible verse and why?

One of the most important Bible verses to me is , in which Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment: love one another.Ěý As I have loved you, so that you also should love one another.”Ěý This can be found in other places in the Bible, but I find it central to my personal theology.Ěý Jesus showed love to people regardless of their actions and personalities because they were people created in God’s image.Ěý Therefore, I should do the same.

GRACE PORTER

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Grace Porter (she/her/hers), 4th year, Theology and Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies, Minor in Music

What do you love about Augsburg?

I love so many things about Augsburg, but the main thing is that it feels like home and that everyone feels like family. I was really able to find my place doing the things that I love, and it was so amazing to find people who also loved those things! I have also created personal relationships with faculty and staff, they are people who are welcoming and loving and are wanting to know you on a personal level.

Why are you excited to be an AYTI Mentor?

I am excited to be an AYTI Mentor for my third year because I love AYTI! I love learning and growing in relationship with the many amazing young people who attend, they are so passionate and have a need for this community, just like I did. I love being apart of a program that encourages young people to follow their passions, and teaches them that they are important right now, even though they may feel insignificant.

What do you like to do in your free time?Ěý

In my free time I like to spend time outside and with the people that I love. That has been tough during COVID, so I also watched a lot of Netflix and did a lot of crafting and coloring during my time inside. I also love music, and spend a lot of time with my voice, and guitar, ukulele, or piano!

Favorite bible verse and why?

My favorite Bible verse is “God is within her, she will not fall. God will help her at the break of day.” I even have it tattooed on my arm! This verse reminds me that no matter what I am going through in my life, God is always within me, giving me strength when I feel like I have nothing left to give.

RENEE CHRISTENSEN

Name, Pronouns, Year at Augsburg, Major/Minor

Hello! My name is Renee Christensen (she/her/hers). I am finishing up my 2nd year at Augsburg, double majoring in Clinical Psychology and Theology and Public Leadership, which is a really long way of saying I’m incredibly passionate about mental illness and religion!

What do you love about Augsburg?

There are SO many things that I love about Augsburg. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I really saw and experienced how the Augsburg community came together. We found ways to connect. The professors were so lenient as we all figured out this new world that was our college experience. I mentioned this earlier, but I also LOVE the community that has been built at Augsburg. The faculty, staff, professors, and students make this community feel like home.

Why are you excited to be an AYTI Mentor?

I was a 2018 participant at AYTI and it’s actually the reason I came to Augsburg! I am SO excited to be a mentor this year because I love seeing young people grow and develop into who they are. My experience at AYTI as a participant really shaped my life and my faith. I hope that I can be a part of someone’s journey as they discover who they are.

What do you like to do in your free time?Ěý

In my free time, I love spending time outdoors, spending time with my family, reading, singing, and cuddling with my cats! When I’m not at Augsburg, you’ll most likely find me curled up with my cats and a good book!

Favorite bible verse and why?

My favorite bible verse changes day to day! However, my all time favorite would have to be “ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. The Lord, your God is with you”. I find strength in this verse because it’s a great reminder that even if you feel alone, God is walking beside you. It’s definitely not easy, at times it feels impossible, but this verse is a great reminder for me.

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This story has been written by Grace Porter, a 4th year Augsburg student studying Theology & Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies and a minor in Music. Grace will graduate in December 2021.Ěý

I had just finished my junior year in high school, and I was starting to think about my future when I discovered that my love for God and my passion for working with young people could be an actual job! My youth pastor at the time said to me, “I have a friend at Augsburg College who runs a summer theology program for high schoolers, you should check that out!” From the moment I stepped foot onto the Augsburg campus, I knew that this place was special.

So in the summer of 2016, I found myself at the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI), about to spend a week on Augsburg’s campus learning about theology with other young people who were also asking deep questions and yearning for ways to find the answers. That year the theme was “God’s Mosaic; Diversity as Good News.” Throughout the week we explored sociological theories, biblical narratives, and theological frameworks that help us see, appreciate, engage and celebrate the beauty of diversity in God’s world. I ate new foods, I worshiped in new ways, and I met people I otherwise would have never known. I even that was published in a journal about womanism – a theology that I would have never thought to explore before attending AYTI. My experience at AYTI changed my life by helping me realize that my faith is important for the world today.

Participant to Student

Through AYTI, I discovered that Augsburg would be the place to best help me continue to grow. I started as a first year student at Augsburg in fall 2018 as a Theology and Public Leadership major with a concentration in Youth Studies. Professor Jeremy Myers, a director of AYTI, quickly reached out to me to offer a friendly face in the newness of college and suggested that I should apply to work as a student assistant for AYTI during the school year. It has now been three years of working in that job, two summers (going on a 3rd) of being an AYTI mentor, and countless dad jokes from Jeremy. Yet again, my life was changed by AYTI.

Student to Mentor

Summer 2021 is about to be my 3rd summer as a mentor for AYTI. As a mentor, not only do I get to work with young people who have profound questions and thoughts, but I also get to continue to learn about theology in the world and grow in my faith. Each year dives deep into a specific theme, like creation care theology or the call for the voices of young people. This year, the theme is “And It Was Very Good: Affirming and Advocating for Gender and Sexual Diversity in God’s Creation,” where we will dig into scripture, learn about church history, and discover tools for faithful advocacy that allows LGBTQIA+ people to be full members of society.

Mentor to Faith Leader

Wow! A whole week dedicated to affirming the LGBTQIA+ community in Christ and learning how to be better advocates while also exploring the theology of God’s beautiful creation. As someone who grew up in a Lutheran community, I have always been taught the power of God’s love and how to be a loving neighbor, and yet being queer wasn’t something that my church was very open about. Once I got to Augsburg, I was once again in a loving community, but a community that celebrated every aspect of God’s creation. I realized that living authentically into my full self is the best way to share God’s love and represent Christ in all that I do. Being bisexual doesn’t define all of who I am, but hiding that part of myself away was hiding a beautiful part of myself that God had created for good.ĚýAnd now I am prepared and called to be a leader for young people as they discover who God is calling them to be.

The Institute this year offers the unique opportunity for more young people to grow into their full selves while advocating for those in the LGBTQIA+ community and build confidence in their faith at the same time. It will give them a community of other students who are learning alongside them and mentors who can help them flourish. It creates a brave space for learning and advocacy while also giving time for community and just being yourself.

AYTI changed my life – will it change yours too?

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