Unearthing My Identity: Alberta Youth Retreat

PIGEON LAKE, Alta. – The second Alberta Lutheran Spring Youth Retreat was held May 2-4, 2025, at Camp Bar-V-Nok on the north side of Pigeon Lake. Around 60 people attended, with youth groups from seven different congregations participating. It was great to see many people returning from the previous year, as well as new people joining this year. 

The theme of the retreat was “Unearthing My Identity,” with 1 John 3:1 serving as the theme verse: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” The topic of identity was unearthed through a series of small group Bible studies and chapel services. The retreat was also filled with the opportunity for singing, with favourite hymns being requested, including the longest hymns in the hymnal. The group enjoyed a Bible verse scavenger hunt, delicious food, games, and free time in a beautiful camp setting. The weekend also included a servant event that gave youth the opportunity to make care packages for some church workers in the region.

The committee is grateful for the many partners they had in order to make this retreat possible: the West Region Mission and Ministry Council for supporting the retreat with a grant in order to keep the cost affordable; Concordia Lutheran Seminary for being present throughout the weekend and providing chapel leaders, seminary students Ben Rast and Kristian Berg, Interim President Joel Heck, and the crowd favourite giveaway, lightsabers; Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada for being present throughout the weekend, coordinating the servant event and keeping youth encouraged throughout the weekend with the clothespin activity; Rev. Don Hennig for leading Saturday morning’s chapel service; and the youth who attended with their leaders, for those who volunteered, the congregations who sent youth, and all those who supported and prayed for the retreat. 

The committee is already looking forward to next year’s 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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