Fall 2024 Outlook

Fall 2024 Vol 37, Issue 2 News for the Friends of Lutherans Outdoors in SD

Thank you, for a great summer!

Your continued support of Lutherans Outdoors makes it possible for all ages to encounter Christ through faith-filled summer adventures. Here is a glimpse into the impact of your abundant generosity through the eyes of summer 2024 campers.

“I LOVE CAMP!”

"Leading campfire worship was my favorite part of camp this week. It was a beautiful night, everyone knew the songs already, and my counselor was awesome for letting us do our skit!"

“WE EXPERIENCED GOD IN THE PEOPLE AND THE FACES OF OUR CHILDREN. WE COULD FEEL GOD AT WORK AMONG US ALL.”

“I felt so peaceful; I didn't feel like I had a million things to do! Which made me present to spend quality time with my family! I loved how Dr. Michael Chan’s Bible study put a "positive" on the rest of my day....I loved how there was time set aside for worship, family and just personal time as well...Just an absolutely wonderful week!”

Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota welcomes all to explore and experience Christ’s love in community and creation. ~ Mission Statement

From the Director’s Desk “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” Psalm 139:14

This past summer, through the ministry of Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota, people of all ages were reminded that all are Created to Be…Grace-filled, Authentic, Brave, Connected, and Disruptive, empowering us to live our faith boldly.

While I am new to this role as Interim Executive Director, I have witnessed how LO lives out its mission where “all are welcomed to explore and experience Christ’s love in community and creation.” The people, the community, truly bring this mission to life.

Whether drinking cowboy coffee on a Breakfast Trail ride with my family at Outlaw Ranch, seeing young people saddling up their horses for a ride at Klein Ranch, or worshiping together by the water at NeSoDak, it's the Spirit that makes Christ’s presence and love known in these sacred places.

In this time of transition, we are reminded that we are CREATED TO BE brave. Lutherans Outdoors is faithfully moving forward, guided by the Holy Spirit, trusting in God’s promises of love and mercy for all. We encounter one another in the body of Christ at our camps, in our congregations, and in the world. I invite you to send a gift to continue this ministry to bring children and families to camp. An envelope is enclosed. Thank you.

I look forward to building upon the relationships and community that are the foundation of this ministry. Thank you for your continued support and care for Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota. We are created to be in community, and we will continue to grow this community guided by the love of Christ.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor David B. Zellmer Interim Executive Director

UPCOMING EVENTS & RETREATS MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS OUTDOORS October 18-20 CREATIVE SOULS & PASSIONATE QUILTERS November Weekends SCANDINAVIAN DINNERS AT NESODAK November 1 & 3rd ADULT TRAVEL Christmas in Branson - Nov. 18-22nd

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TIE-DYE and Tuxedo Gala November 8th For a full listing of fall events, visit losd.org/events-retreats.

CREATED TO BE A LEADER

By Mary Kettl For many people, a week at camp can be an extraordinary experience. For the young people who work at camps, a summer on staff can be life-changing. And often those experiences can nudge a person toward a life of service to the Church as a pastor, deacon, or youth minister.

Juliana Jimenez (Juli) has felt herself nudged a few times in that direction over her five years on staff at Outlaw Ranch. This fall, Juliana will enter Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

Juli began working for Outlaw Ranch starting in 2017 when she was 19. Through Pastor Natanael Lizarazo at the Emmaus Road Foundation in Colombia (Pastor Natanael and his wife, Pastor Barbara Wangsness, have served congregations in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Texas) Juli was connected to then Outlaw Ranch assistant director Mary Stutz. Juli found inspiration in her friendship with Mary Stutz at Outlaw. “For me, she was an inspiration. She always practiced so much welcome and hospitality.” Juli says, “I used to watch her and think, man, I’m young and I’M tired–I don’t know how that woman does it.”

Juli loved camp from the start. “There are too many favorite parts,” she says. “In ten weeks, you get to be a family. You have a supportive family that will open your mind and change your perspective.” Even if you don’t like it, she says, “you will learn something and be recharged.”

Juli said she worried her first summer “that I was not enough,” but remembers another staff person sitting with her one night at staff training when she was in tears. “She didn’t say anything,” Juli says. “She just sat there and was with me”-- and it was enough. The bond with staff and camp that began in 2017 has been a powerful force in her life. This summer was especially joyful, Juli said. “I had campers from 2017 and 2018 who are now my co-workers!”

The journey toward seminary began at Outlaw. In 2022, “A few counselors started asking about if I was thinking about going to seminary,” Juli says. “I thought I was not good enough, that I didn’t have what it takes.” The next year, musical resource people Joel and Aimee Pakan, both ELCA pastors, asked her again about seminary. “At that point, I said, ‘Let’s talk about it.’” Juli talked with another staff member, Haley Moe, who was in seminary herself, and asked, “How did you know that you wanted to be a pastor?” Haley told her, “Well, if you’re thinking about being a pastor, then you should pay attention, because nobody normal thinks about being a pastor!”

Custer Lutheran Fellowship is sponsoring Juli at seminary. She says she chose Wartburg “because of its sense of community,” though she worries about winters in Dubuque. Juli plans to take her first call in South Dakota “to return everything I’ve received in South Dakota,” but knows that as a bi-lingual pastor she will have many opportunities to serve. “Not that I don’t love my country, but I know I can do more”--for herself and for Colombia–”by working in the US.” Outlaw will miss Juli, her steadfast presence, her quiet determination, that twinkling laugh– and we send her off with love.

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Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota 2001 S. Summit Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57197-0001 info@losd.org

Help us save a tree - if you get multiple copies, share with a friend then call 605-274-5326 to let us know. Thanks!

Outlaw Ranch

12703 Outlaw Ranch Rd. Custer, SD 57730 605-673-4040 outlaw@losd.org

Klein Ranch

NeSoDak

11921 SD Highway 65 Isabel, SD 57633 605-273-4441 kleinranch@losd.org

3285 Camp Dakota Drive Waubay, SD 57273 605-947-4440 nesodak@losd.org

LUTHERANS OUTDOORS IN SOUTH DAKOTA In the Hills, On the Prairie, At the Water REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 18TH, 2024

NESODAK

OUTLAW RANCH

KLEIN RANCH

THANK YOU, SUMMER STAFF!

Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota welcomes all to explore and experience Christ’s love in community and creation. ~ Mission Statement