By Karen Olson, Associate Co-Pastor for Youth, McMinnville Covenant Church
Like so many other things this year, Thunder 2020 did not look the way we expected. We desperately missed getting to retreat to Cascades Camp together, and can’t wait to do that again as soon as possible. But thanks to the hard work of the PacNWC youth ministry team, Thunder-in-a-Box allowed us to retreat and connect as a middle school youth group in a new way.
We were excited to get our retreat kit in the mail and unpack the tools and treasures inside—recorded messages from PacNWC youth pastors, small group discussion guides, ideas for virtual and in-person games—even a Spotify playlist and inflatable crowns. Our Thunder box provided lots of resources to create an unconventional retreat, and the planning and care that went into each kit was evident.
We settled on a one-day retreat at church on Saturday, October 24. We’ve been meeting in person for weekly youth groups in our fellowship hall space, with physical distancing, masks, maximum air circulation, and sanitizing, so this event built on safety procedures we had already been practicing together.
The day began with the traditional Thunder countdown, thanks to the video resources in our retreat box. We planned for a morning session, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., an afternoon break at home, and an evening session, from 6 to 9 p.m. This gave us plenty of time together, while allowing for some down time for students and leaders alike.
This year’s theme, Once Upon a Thunder, focuses on the words of 2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. That’s a message all of us could relate to, as we face the fears that that surround and at times overwhelm us in a uniquely challenging year.
Through the messages from Pastors Britta, Ruby, Matt, and Mark, students were challenged to live in the power of Christ, demonstrating his self-sacrificial love for others, and seeking to partner with his mission in the world. We loved hearing from other youth pastors—it helped us feel connected to our conference family even though we couldn’t gather with them in person.
After each session, students had a chance to reflect on the message by filling out a square in their personal “coat of arms.” They could draw, write, or color something in one of the quadrants of their personal crest, to help them reflect on the messages’ themes of fear, power, love, and sound mind and the discussion questions in the small group guide.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Thunder without games. The morning included a medieval tournament, with (ping pong ball) catapult building, (foam) axe throwing, and (pool noodle) jousting. Evening activities included a LEGO castle building contest and a night game, Dragon in the Castle. And there were naturally plenty of snacks—including a lunchtime pizza feast and an evening ice cream sundae bar.
Thunder 2020 was different, to be sure. But we’ll remember the time together just as fondly as always.
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