In Duluth, we sure love summer…but we love each other more. The last few months provided great opportunity for fellowship. On Sundays we’ve been learning about the building of the church in the book of Acts, and it’s given many parallels to the growth of our rag-tag group. Keep scrolling for just a few examples of what we’re thankful for lately.

Young Adult Hike

In early June our young adult group hiked ten miles that concluded in Jay Cooke State Park. It built comradery and character, similar to adventures written by Tolkein himself. We didn’t get lost, thanks to the trusty map, and all of us were still smiling at the end.

Park Point Rummage Sale

Duluth’s Park Point neighborhood hosts a two-day, miles-long rummage sale event at the beginning of each summer. We brought the coffee trailer for both days, met the community, and fueled them for bargain shopping. This opportunity accomplishes so much in a short amount of time: we get to work shoulder-to-shoulder, meet new people, and raise money for missions. No wonder why we look forward to it every year.

Annual All-Church Bike Ride

In July, we took our annual bike ride. We began in West Duluth at the church and rode all the way to Lester Park on the east side of town, a little over 20 miles roundtrip. There were a few scrapes, a flat tire, and a little bit of rain, but they did not detract from a great time.

Walking + Working

We took advantage of the beautiful weather as often as we could. This included fireworks, walking for ice cream, and a handful of Sunday evenings at Gordy’s restaurant in Cloquet. As we moved into August, we started working on our ‘back-to-school’ plans at the local college campuses. There is a lot in store, and we are looking forward to welcoming new and returning students.

All-Church Campout

The end of the summer concluded with the infamous all-church campout where we joined the Menomonie and River Falls groups for a family reunion of sorts. We are blessed beyond measure to spend time with them camping, laughing, and eating…lots of eating…oh and walking, too. After a weekend like this, we are ready to hit the ground running in our local community.

We are excited for what God has in store for us, knowing there are both ups and downs to navigate. We have a lot to be thankful for and, boy, does it show.