Alberta Lutheran spring youth retreat

LEDUC, Alta. – A question on Facebook looking for help restarting the Calgary Fall Youth Retreat brought together a group of six people. At the first meeting, the need for fellowship amongst youth was emphasized, with the goal of bringing together more youth by moving the retreat to a more centralized location and scheduling it in the spring to avoid inclement weather. Those decisions led to the creation of the Alberta Lutheran Spring Youth Retreat. 

The first retreat was held April 19-21, 2024, in Leduc, with around 70 people from Lethbridge in the south to Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie in the north. The theme of the retreat was “Vocation: to Love and Serve,” with 1 Peter 4:10 serving as the theme verse: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

The topic of vocation was introduced through a series of videos in large group sessions, which were then discussed further in small group Bible studies. The retreat was also filled with opportunity for singing, including the theme hymn “Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings” (LSB 782), chapel services, a servant event, pool time, a photo scavenger hunt, delicious food, games, and free time. 

For the servant event, youth and congregations were asked to collect donations for the Leduc & District Food Bank prior to the retreat. During the retreat, they brought their donations to the warehouse, received a tour, and learned more about the work the food bank does. The group collected a total of 696 lbs of goods, which the food bank estimates to cost about $3.50/lb, for a total of $2,436.

The committee is grateful for many partners that helped make this retreat possible: Lutheran Women’s Missionary League – Canada, for supporting the retreat through a Mission Opportunity Grant to keep the cost affordable; Concordia Lutheran Seminary for being present and providing chapel leaders, Seminarian Ben Rast and Rev. Dr. Jim Gimbel, as well as Rev. Dr. Joel Heck for preaching at the Sunday morning worship service; Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada for being present, coordinating the servant event, and sharing about the Intergenerational Mentorship Project; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for hosting; the youth who attended with their leaders; those who volunteered at the retreat; congregations who sent youth; and all those who supported and prayed for the retreat. 

To learn more about future retreats and to stay connected visit lutheranyouthretreat.ca or follow

@lutheranyouthretreat on Instagram.

Samantha Neeb on behalf of the Organizing Committee 

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