Lynn Miller, a member of First Presbyterian Church, St. Cloud, MN, recently wrote about Synod School in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. She and her daughter, Amanda, have been consistent attendees of Synod School for the past four years.

Writing in the April edition of “The Valley Bridge,” the newsletter of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys, Miller noted, “Intellectual family church camp – that was how a friend described Synod School to me the first year that my daughter and I ventured to Storm Lake, IA, to find out what Synod School was all about. That was four years ago and we haven’t missed it since.”

Synod School 2010, with the theme, “Grace Notes,” runs July 25-30 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Detailed information about Synod School, including catalog and registration materials, can be found on the synod’s Web site.

“Synod School certainly isn’t restricted to the Synod of Lakes and Prairies,” said Duane Sweep, the synod’s associate for communications. “Every year Synod School has participants from across the country.”

Sweep said, “We describe Synod School as week-long learning and personal enrichment experience for people of all ages, and it truly is. There’s a community experience in worship, learning and dining – well, throughout the whole experience. About 600 people of a variety of faith backgrounds make Synod School an experience that can’t be found anywhere else.”

Miller’s story continued: “Synod School has become very important to us and those dates go on our summer calendar before anything else.

“Synod School has been a wonderful experience for us. It’s a place for faith, fellowship, and fun. We get excited in March when the registration materials are released. It’s a challenge to choose only four classes from among the wide variety of choices.

“First of all, the children and youth are well taken care of in their age-specific groups. Amanda first went to Synod School as a high school freshman and bonded quickly with the senior high group – and this considering that some of these young people had been attending Synod School together since they were toddlers.

“We have enjoyed scheduling at least one afternoon adult class together, whether it’s ringing handbells or trying our hands at basket weaving. Last year, in addition to teaching a knitting class, I attended Bible for Dummies. That’s one I’d probably like to repeat.

“I checked the Synod website and saw a sampling of this year’s classes. Here are a few course titles: God at the Box Office, Silk Screening, The Emerging Church, Biblical Poetry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Introduction to Microsoft Publisher, Spirituality and Spiritual Formation, Stained Glass, Technology for Worship, Basket Weaving – and the list goes on. You are sure to find something that interests you, or it may be a chance to try something you’ve never considered before.

“The morning and evening worship experiences are inspirational, motivating, and thought-provoking. We have listened to some wonderful convocation speakers who have challenged us to go deeper into our faith. The worship music is always my favorite – it has been different every year we’ve been to Synod School. You might be surprised at the spirit and energy that emanates from a chapel full of Presbyterians sharing music that knows no boundaries.

“We’ve heard everything from contemplative Taizé selections to African songs to jazz to praise music —and everything in between. I’ve loved it all.

“And you can’t leave Synod School without your own tie-dyed t-shirt—and you have to shop at the Cokesbury bookstore and Ten Thousand Villages—and you have to eat soft-serve ice cream at every mea—and you have to watch a movie every night—and you have to play games on the lawn.  “The dorms are comfortable, and air-conditioned.  Meals are delicious. Wireless internet is available for those of us who don’t know how to be unwired for a week. And best of all, you meet some of the nicest people on earth at Synod School.

“What’s not to like? Give Synod School a try. Scholarships for first-timers are available through our presbytery and the synod. If you want to hear more, feel free to e-mail me at lynn@klaam.com and I’ll gladly share my experiences with you.”

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