Mark your calendars for
VBS!This year, we are collaborating
with Trinity Lutheran and Peace UCC (at Trinity).All are welcome!For more information, contact Tanner Hall,
Sherry Dalager, or Patti Maguire.
YOUTH GROUP The
Youth program constantly evolves according to the needs and direction
of the Youth and their world at a given time. Please call the church
office (722-3381) for specific details and schedules of Youth programs
and events.
WHAT IS OASIS?
"Oasis" is the Middle School / Senior High ministry cooperatively sponsored by Gloria Dei and Trinity Lutheran congregations. Oasis involves 6th to 12th grade youth in Wednesday mid-week programming and monthly special events. This ministry strives to provide space and relationships in which youth can learn about and experience God's love known through Jesus Christ. An Oasis is "a fertile place in the desert, resulting in the presence of water." Jesus said, "I am the water of life, whoever drinks of me shall never thirst again." Oasis ministry aims to provide a "fertile place" for growing in Christ, equipping youth to recognize and share the water of life in the "desert" places of life. Oasis meets each Wednesday evening 6:00-8:00 p.m., beginning with supper. We usually meet at Trinity (11th Ave. E. and 8th St.). Hope to see you there!
Go
to "CONTACT US" webpage and scan down to read Tanner's monthly message about what the
Gloria Dei youth group is up to. Please read below about summer youth
activities. If you need more information call the church office at
722-3381.
Confirmation
class meets Wednesday evenings during the school year. Please contact
the Pastor Dave (at pastor@gloriadeiduluth.org or 722-3381) if you would like more information regarding the
confirmation process.
Please join us on Sunday mornings... all are welcome!
STUDENT EDUCATION CLASSES are held on Sunday mornings from 8:45-9:30 a.m. during the months September through May.
Experienced and caring congregational members teach classes. We offer
classes for children pre-school through High School.
All children are welcome.
MYSTERY TRIP - Submitted by Andy S. What time are we leaving? Where are we going? What are we going to do? These are all the questions I asked myself before we went on the mystery trip in July. Four people from our church went on this trip, Ellie M., Chuck R., youth director Tanner Hall and I. We also went with the youth group from Trinity Lutheran Church. No one knew what we would be doing the whole trip. The mystery trip started in the morning of July 20th. We were told we were going to be picked up some time Friday morning but no one knew the exact time. Around 5:30 a.m. Tanner busted in my bedroom door, yelling and screaming. What a way to wake up in the morning. Once everyone was picked up, we met at Perkins for breakfast. The first day we went to The Damiano Center and CHUM. Instead of touring the places, we tried to experience what it was like being homeless. We had a guide that told us what a normal day was like for a homeless person and what they did. Instead of helping out in a soup kitchen like most church groups do, we actually stood in line and were served food. We sat by other people and had lunch together. It was a good experience because we realized how we take for granted the meals we have each day. I learned many things this trip, especially that it is harder for a man than a woman to find clothing at The Damiano Clothing Exchange. Personally, I would have thought the total opposite. Men usually wear out their clothes more than women do, so by the time they donate their clothes, they are more worn out than women’s. There is a greater need for men’s clothing than women’s. We helped clean up a house that was going to be used for homeless people. It was hard work but very rewarding. We all had a fun time doing it. After that, we went to the YMCA to shower and swim. We went to Trinity that night to watch a movie called “The Pursuit Of Happiness” and then headed to bed. The second day we went to the Apostle Islands and went kayaking through sea caves. That night we slept on the beach. We woke up the third day and went to Valleyfair. Afterwards, we went to a church service that was very alive. There was a guest speaker who told us about how God does so much for us. He ended the sermon with “and all he asks of us is to believe in Him”. It was a very good message. It really made me think. We ended up getting home a lot later then we expected. I had a great time on the mystery trip. It was fun going out on the weekend with your friends and not knowing what you were going to do. I learned so much. The one thing that stuck with me was that we take so much for granted. We always have the newest and coolest clothes and the people that visit the Damiano end up wearing our old clothes. The next time you donate to The Damiano, ask yourself, “Am I giving them nice stuff or am I giving them the junk I don’t want to wear anymore?”
"Empowered by Christ's love, Gloria Dei reaches out as an inclusive, welcoming church through worship and social action."
