Dear Friends:

I invite you to join me at this year’s Bishop’s Confirmation Retreat on Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29, 2020 at Lazy W Ranch. The overall theme for the weekend will be “Relate.” I know that you can relate to your earliest years in the church and the decisions you made to join and truly participate. This year’s retreat is that moment for our youth. They are being called into the church at this liminal time, yet they will inevitably become the answers we seek. As we stand at the cusp of an unknown future for the church, it is imperative that we are present to support and encourage our young people to recognize and understand their own calling.

On Friday evening, everyone will arrive and prepare for the weekend. Saturday morning, we will discuss in groups what it means to be Methodist with an understanding of our rich history, traditions, and doctrine, and our Methodist connection at home and globally. In the afternoon, we will discuss what it means to make the decision to join the United Methodist Church. What we renounce, accept, and confess as we enter into our vows. That evening, there will be a campfire with communion service and a time of response and commitment. On Sunday morning, we will conclude with a closing worship service and send our young people back into their church communities with a clearer and more faithful understanding of what it means to be a Methodist and how to be a disciple for the church and for Jesus Christ.

This event is offered every two years for youth (grades 6 – 12) whether or not they are to be confirmed this year. I know that they won’t want to miss it! I hope you will send one or many from your church to experience this powerful time of relationship building within our Connection. You can register online here or via the button below.

This will be an opportune time to meet our young leaders. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. David Berkey (dberkey@calpacumc.org or 626.568.7335), Cal-Pac Camp, Retreat and Discipleship Ministries Director.

Be the Hope,

Bishop Grant J. Hagiya
Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop