 |
Earlier this year, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, New Ulm, Minn., held its sixth annual Amazing Race event. Just like the television show, the event had teams compete to get to the end of the race first, with fun clues and challenges along the way.
However, this race had a new twist to it. In order to give back to those who have already given so much, the event featured a service stop where participants made care packages for WELS members in the military.
Each team had three military-related tasks to complete at the New Ulm Armory. The first task sent teams to search for items around the Armory, put the items together in care packages, and have their packages pass inspection. Some items in the care packages were Bible verses and notes of encouragement written by students from St. Paul’s Lutheran School.
Sarah Zahrt, one of the event coordinators, says, “To be able to give back to the military personnel who are also connected to us in our faith and WELS synod as a whole made the event extra special. It was such a joy to let them know that people back in little New Ulm, Minnesota, were praying for them.”
The care packages were later sent to WELS military personnel who are currently deployed. A number of recipients sent thankful replies. Ami, Aaron, Linka, and Wynn Park wrote back this thank you: “We want to thank you so much for thinking of us. We now live (for the first time in over 23 years) in a non-military location, and it’s nice to be reminded that we served and are appreciated. Good luck to the Amazing Race contestants and God bless!”
Learn more about how your congregation can support members in the military with this resource from WELS Special Ministries: How to minister to those who serve.
Author: Nicole Tessmer
Volume: 109, Number 11
Issue: November 2022
