Sowing Small Seeds

Beloved in Christ,

Before becoming bishop, one of my roles was serving as the chaplain of a small school in Omaha. I loved everything about it. Teachers and administrators in schools of all kinds work harder than just about anyone realizes, and their work is truly holy. 

My role was relatively small; I led three chapel services every Tuesday morning. The students would process in, we'd share twenty-five minutes or so together, and they would process out again. I delivered a short little message each week, and I never really knew whether anything I offered was interesting or useful. 

One day, as the students were processing out, one stepped out of the line and said, "I just want you to know how much I appreciate you, and how much this time every week means to me." I almost fell over from shock. Most of the time, the students seemed mildly interested at best, and usually just bored and fidgety. Over the time I served as chaplain, this happened several times with both students and faculty, and it was a powerful and humbling lesson for me about how we never know who we are going to impact. Our job is to notice, love, and be present, whether it seems productive and useful or not. As Jesus has it in the parable of the sower, we never know what the longterm outcome will be of the small seeds of love and presence each of us sows every day.

Ministry with young people, like ministry with all people, is about showing up, attending to what is right in front of us, and bringing as much love as we have to bear to it. We sometimes see the impact and the outcome, but usually we do not. 

Youth ministers, paid and volunteer, lay and ordained, all over the diocese, do this with our young people week in and week out. They often do so quietly, with very few resources, and it is some of the holiest and most important ministry we do together. Our summer camp program, which was forced to lie fallow for a few years during the height of the pandemic, is a critical way that we show up, help our young people know they are seen and cherished, and form them to be lifelong disciples of Jesus. You can find more information about registering for this summer here.

Everything we do, every moment of our days, leaves a trace on those among whom we live and move. My time as chaplain reminded me to be mindful about each conversation, and each interaction, and to see it as a seed that God might add to God's glorious coming harvest of love, justice, and joy. 

Grace and Peace,

The Right Reverend Craig Loya