By Pastor Jen Collins
“Where you go, I will go.” – Ruth 1:16
Every generation faces pivotal moments—times when crossing boundaries and forging new relationships are essential for hope and renewed vision. In August 2026, ten young adults from the Minneapolis Area Synod (MAS) and ten peers from the Leipzig District of the Lutheran Church in Saxony, Germany, will embark on a pilgrimage that promises both profound challenge and deep connection. Together, they will journey from Leipzig, the cradle of peaceful revolution, to the contemplative embrace of the Taizé community in France, weaving new patterns of faith, friendship, and shared purpose.
Pilgrimage with Purpose: Why Now?
With Ruth and Naomi as Biblical guides, we can be inspired, seeing how they exemplify connecting across borders through their profound loyalty, starting a journey from their homeland to Bethlehem. By choosing to embrace a new culture and faith, Ruth transcended rigid national barriers.
As churches in the U.S. strive to continue cultivating vibrant relationships beyond their borders in a polarized and increasingly uncertain environment, this pilgrimage offers an extraordinary opportunity. The initiative focuses on building authentic connections across religious, cultural, and global lines, inviting young adults (ages 18 – 26) to learn, worship, and reflect together. Against a backdrop of rising nationalism and shifting cultural currents, participants will explore how the legacies of the past illuminate our present struggles and hopes.
Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig: Walking in the Footsteps of Revolution
Leipzig, renowned as the epicenter of the Peaceful Revolution, will serve as the group’s home base. From August 10 to 18, the group will immerse themselves in Germany’s complex political and church history—a living mirror for contemporary challenges in Europe and the United States. Visits will include historical landmarks, meaningful conversations with local leaders, and a somber journey to a concentration camp, providing space for deep reflection on the forces of nationalism, authoritarianism, and the role of faith in public life.
Taizé: Unity and Contemplation
Taizé Community in Burgundy, France
On August 18, the group will travel to Taizé, a unique ecumenical monastic community in France founded in the aftermath of WWII. Here, from August 18 – 22, young adults will join others from around the world for a week of sung prayer, silent contemplation, and shared dialogue. Taizé’s rhythms of worship and communal living will invite the group to step away from the noise, listen for the Spirit, and discover the unity that transcends differences. Each moment is designed to nurture trust, hope, and courage for the journey ahead.
Prayers and support
This journey is an invitation not just for this group of young adults, but for our Minneapolis neighbors too. We encourage you to pray for them and learn from them upon their return. Hold this group in your hearts and pray for us on this pilgrimage. At Synod Assembly on Saturday, May 2, we will bless and send our Young Adults to journey across borders. We look forward to the ways their experiences might bear witness to others.
Lastly, we ask for your financial support. If you and your congregation would like to sponsor a Young Adult traveler, we are seeking to raise $6,000 to help keep cost low and equitable for our young adults. A sponsorship gift will provide pathways for new perspectives, lifelong friendships, and a renewed sense of what it means to be a peacemaker and bridge-builder in our world. Any sponsorship gift can be mailed directly to the synod office with memo “YA Germany Trip” or contact Pastor Jen Collins, Assistant to the Bishop for more ways to support and get connected.