In early November, two youth and their youth director from Prince of Peace, Roseville, attended the ELCA’s 2023 Youth Leadership Summit in Chicago. Bishop Lull selected them as our synod’s representatives after reviewing their application video. The summit brought together youth from more than 30 synods around the theme, “Called on the Way,” focusing on the unique journeys individuals take in response to their calling and how those journeys shape their leadership abilities. Here are the three’s reflections on their experience:

Youth | Teruni Sandanayake (photo right):

During the youth leadership summit, I learned more about advocacy and how to better advocate for others, specifically how to advocate for others through the church. Hearing other people’s stories and struggles in the church showed me that Prince of Peace isn’t the only church struggling with progress. The summit taught me ways to advocate for the youth to move the church forward.

Youth | Sofie Sethi (photo left):

The summit was a unique experience where we gathered with other teens from across the country to learn about how our similarities and differences can bring us together. We learned about racial justice issues and how to better advocate for our neighbors, especially the neighbors we don’t always think about who live right next door to us. We also had worship and played many games which helped us get to know one another better. I hope to take what I learned from this weekend and bring the advocacy lessons into my home congregation so that more youth voices are heard.

Youth Director | Julene Hannesh (photo center):

Thank you, Saint Paul Area Synod, for the opportunity to spend the weekend traveling with two awesome youth leaders from Prince of Peace Lutheran. In my first two years of youth ministry, I have not had many opportunities to gather with other youth leaders and this weekend allowed me to be around such awesome people helping to make the church a better place for everyone, especially youth. I got to celebrate the many things going right in my youth ministry as we emerge from the pandemic and I also got to find support for those things that still have room for improvement.

We also learned how God is calling each one of us into action, in a time where the world desperately needs action. To love our neighbors, especially those right here in our communities that it would be easy to overlook. Sofie and Teruni have such deep hearts and compassion for justice and for them to be surrounded by other youth that are exploring their callings was so cool. From traveling together, to worship, to games, to advocacy break-outs, it was a fantastic weekend that reminded us of our calling to love God and take care of one another, our neighbors, and the planet. Again, thank you so much for the opportunity. I am so excited to see what the church becomes in the hands of these energetic young people.