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This next week I have the good fortune of attending one of my favorite niece’s (okay all of my nieces are my favorite) graduation from high school

As long as I can remember, every time we are together, my niece Cassidy and I go for a walk. Through the years we have had some incredible conversations.  She is a bright, articulate, open, loving person. It has truly been a blessing to literally and figuratively walk with her and my hope is that I will be able to continue to do so in the next chapters of her life.

Alison Feigh, who gave our Episcopal Story Project talk a couple weeks ago, is the program coordinator for the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center.  She talked about how important it is that every young person have five adults besides their parents in their life. If you have not watched it I would really encourage you to do so, especially if you have children at home. (Watch this video now.)

As a person who has worked with young people, and for me personally,  I know how critical it is for all of us to to have mentors to walk with us.

We all need help of companions to be a part of our journeys. If you’ve not volunteered to help with your faith community’s youth ministry program, been a confirmation companion, or volunteered at a local school, please consider doing so.  Your life will be changed and the young person you walk with will undoubtedly benefit from your love and support

As I came around the corner my attention was immediately drawn to the front  lawn of St. Mark’s Cathedral. On this beautiful spring Saturday the place was filled with those who had come to affirm their faith and those who would loudly proclaim “we will” in supporting them in this affirmation.

Walking through the gathered crowd both inside and outside of St. Mark’s, my own enthusiasm was exponentially magnified by excitement and anticipation for that which was about to take place.

Photo taken after more than 70 were confirmed at St. Mark’s Cathedral

One by one faith communities from throughout the metro and beyond came forward to lay hands and pray with me that the Holy Spirit would strengthen and empower those they have walked with in their faith journey. (Listen to the audio from my sermon.)

Within the next couple of weeks I will have prayed that prayer well over 100 times in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota! Each, a uniquely created and gifted child of God, is a privilege and humbling honor for me to participate as their Bishop in this moment of affirmation.

I am also always  acutely aware that leading up to this moment there have been a significant number of people who have walked with them on this journey. Parents, other family members, clergy, youth ministers, mentors, shepherds, companions, peers and friends have all played a role.

Three and a half hours later as I am driving away from this Spirit-filled event I find myself,  as I often do after such an occasion, still praying for those who have gathered…prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of hopefulness,  prayers that WE WILL do all in our power to support each other in our life in Christ.

This last Saturday I had the privilege of being the guest preacher at the Southeast ELCA Assembly.  The invitation to do so, I am certain, was due to Roger Claxton,  our Lutheran colleague  who serves at Grace Episcopal Church, Wabasha. Roger has not only served both the Episcopal and Lutheran churches but has been a model of what it means to be in partnership with others in engaging God’s mission.

On Sunday morning I was blessed to preside at the diaconal  ordination of  Brenda Ziebell as well as have confirmation and receptions at Emmanuel, Rushford.  It was a packed house for this great occasion and a significant number of those gathered were not Episcopalians. In fact, I understand the pastor who read the Gospel serves at both the local Lutheran and Presbyterian churches.

Dashing out the back door immediately after the service I quickly made my way to Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.  It was another packed house with phenomenal music from St Olaf’s as we gathered to install Ann Svennungsen as the bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod. It was a Spirit-filled occasion and I felt very honored to be the Episcopal Bishop representing the Episcopal Church in the laying on of hands.

In a few short weeks Lutheran pastor and long-time colleague in the northern reservations of Minnesota, Mark Olson, will begin to serve at St. John’s, Onigum. Mark will work with Robert Two-Bulls, our Missioner for DIW and Multicultural Ministry, as an Area Missioner.  Mark’s history and spirit of collaboration makes him a real asset.  Mark joins Roger along with Jackie Ziemer, who serves at St. Martin’s, Fairmont, as gifted Lutheran clergy who are serving in the Episcopal faith communities.

Folks often say that Minnesota is the land of Lutherans. While demographically that may be true, I would suggest that Minnesota is the land of mission and God is calling us as the Episcopal Church in Minnesota to partner with whomever we can  in engaging God’s mission!