Youth and OWLs

by Marlee Robertson

In the past few months, some of our confirmation kids have been corresponding with a few of our folks “of a certain age.” My friend Jana calls them OWLs - Older, Wiser Lutherans.

I have not seen the letters the kids have written, but I have been fortunate to be the middle-man for a few of the letters from OWLs responding to the kids. It has been a joy. They talk about family, what it was like for them growing up, trials and loss they endured, and God’s presence in it, what they enjoyed “back then” and what they look forward to “these days.” The everydayness of life then and now. Personal and honest.

Several years ago I had an encounter with God that led me to adopt Psalm 145:4 as my “life verse” if you will.

One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.

I wonder if what is being shared between our OWLs and confirmation kids might be what this Psalm is pointing to. “One generation...” indicates it is a mutual relationship, not just older to younger as we often think. Our younger generation can “laud” to the OWLs while our seasoned Christ-followers share hope that our kids need for the journey ahead of them. Isn’t this a beautiful snapshot of the church? Groups of people who would not naturally be together, helping each other notice God’s loving presence in and through their days. Glory to God!

As we come to the end of Lent, do you sense God nudging you to reach out to someone? Does someone need the hope you have as a follower of Christ? Good news, (pun intended) it does not require a PhD in theology. It does require that you give time and attention and be honest about how you notice God in your life. How about you? Do you need some hope today? Don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help. This is what church is. 

Peace,

Marlee Robertson
Christian Education Director

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Ephesians 2:19-22

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