So I'm feeling kinda old this week.  You might think it's because I am staring down the last birthday of the fifth decade of my life, or that I'm drinking Kale shakes for breakfast, or that my right knee is acting up again (an old softball injury), or that as of this week, a surgery has been scheduled for next month that will hopefully improve a loss of hearing in my left ear.  You might think.  But it's actually a couple of gatherings I'm attending this week that are reminding me how old I am.  

The first is a gathering I attended called "40 under 40" - a gathering where 40 people from a variety of fields were recognized for their innovative work in marketing strategies.  Our son, Justin, was one of the honorees.  He is the Global Marketing Manager for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.  Debbi and I are, as you might expect, very proud of all four of our children.  So it was fun to see Justin's abilities in marketing, search engine optimizing  (I didn't know there was such a thing a few years ago), and social media being recognized.  One thing I was very aware of at that gathering -- I was by far (nearly 20 years) the oldest person in the room that night.  If it wouldn't have been a source of embarrassment for my son, I would have introduced myself as being a part of the "65 over 50" gathering, referring to the Conference of Bishops.  

The second gathering I will be attending this week (where I suspect I will again be one of the oldest in attendance) is in Detroit - in fact it will be in full swing by the time you are reading this.  Nearly 30,000 Lutheran youth and adults will be gathering for the National Lutheran Youth Gathering under the theme of "Rise Up Together!"  In fact, this Sunday, July 19th, we will form the largest worshipping Christian congregation in the United States!  In a time when I hear many leaders in our congregations expressing concern about the lack of youth and young adults in our churches, it will be heartening to see so many young adults gathered in one place!  I expect, watching these youth of our Church serving in a variety of capacities in and around Detroit, zipping along zip lines, and enjoying music and worship that speaks to an entirely different generation than my own, I will again be feeling conspicuously old.  And maybe a little younger, too.    

Because I expect their faith, passion, fervor, zeal, energy, and music will be invigorating and perhaps will draw me back to 1973, when I attended my first All Lutheran Youth Gathering in Houston.  There we heard music and testimonies from Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Mary Travers, American Lutheran Church President Kent Knutson, and many others (I can't remember them all), and experienced opportunities to stretch our understandings of how our faith could lead us to serve and reflect Christ through our lives.  I don't think I'm alone in remembering National Lutheran Youth Gatherings as being formative in my life of faith.  Who knows?  Perhaps I'll be feeling a bit younger by the time we are leaving Detroit.  I suspect so.

Please offer prayers for all who will be gathered this week in Detroit, and for the lives of faith that will no doubt be changed during our time together.  Thanks for whatever part you have played in supporting the youth of our congregations in attending this Gathering.  Now get ready, because these "changed" young adults will be returning to our congregations next week with the bold idea that not only has this gathering changed them, but raised their hopes that our churches will be places that change others.  They will have been encouraged to imagine how God calls us to "Rise Up Together" to take our faith for a walk.  Listen to them.  Encourage them.  Empower them.  Be changed by their testimonies.  Be open to where the Holy Spirit might lead all of us.  And be prepared to feel a little younger as you get caught up in their enthusiasm, hope and renewed faith.

Peace,
Bp. Mark