And It Was Very Good:
Affirming and Advocating for Gender and Sexual Diversity in God’s Creation
Sunday, June 20th - Friday, June 25th, 2021
This summer participants will dig into scripture, learn about church history, and discover tools for faithful advocacy that allows LGBTQ people to be full members of society. We will use a theological lens to look at the events in recent history, wonder what God is doing and where we are called to be, and discover where our discernment can lead us. Join us this summer - apply for AYTI today!
The Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI) is an annual summer program for high school students. AYTI offers young people a chance to connect with others as they practice place-based vocational discernment connected to a specific theme.
As we learn, listen, pray, and play on the Augsburg campus, in the neighborhood and the city, we will wonder together about how God is calling us into the world for the common good.
Student Journals
Following every Youth Theology Institute, students share about their experience through essays they construct related to the particular theme. The essays are compiled into journals to be resources for the wider community.
"Church is not a simple place of religion and redemption to me, but a place and sense of community, to come together in our differences and diversity to become one in God's eyes."
-Peter Mckenzie
"Though it may not be an obvious commonality, queer people, Jesus, and communion are all connected by the notion of hybridity and the idea that hybridity applies to each of them."
-Kye Hobart
Children, Youth, and Family Ministers
We want to work together with you in order to support you as you build up leaders in your communities.
"It gave me hope in the next generation of Christians. You hear all the time about how God hates, but at the camp I was just surrounded by people ready to debunk that and love everyone. Overall, the experience was something I wish everyone could experience."
Lois Campbell
2017 Participant
"I loved meeting new people, trying new foods, and learning about new theologies and ways of thinking/viewing the world. Those new experiences meant a lot to me, and getting to do it with a great group of people was even better!"
Ollie Kalthoff
2017 Participant