May 2026 Update

Arvin Pirness  |  The Voice of Zion May 2026 - News & Notes --

In May we observe Mother’s Day, a special occasion to serve and remember our mothers. We wish all mothers God’s rich and bountiful blessings.

May also marks the beginning of graduation season. Congratulations to all 2026 graduates. May you serve God and your neighbor with the gifts and abilities He has given you to use in your life’s calling.

Camp activities increase in May. Consider serving your brothers and sisters in faith by signing up for a camp shift or kitchen work at: llchurch.org > Events > Camps & Courses. There you will find these links: Campwork Application and Kitchen Volunteers.

The notice and agenda for the 2026 LLC Annual Meeting, to be held at the Rockford Laestadian Lutheran Church, have been sent to all member congregations. The packet includes the 2027 LLC Operating Plan, titled “Ye are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14), presented both in print and as a PDF.

We encourage congregations to schedule time to review the agenda and Operating Plan. This will help prepare delegates to serve their congregation and the Zion in North America at the annual meeting. May God bless these preparations.

Updates on LLC Activities

Publications

• In collaboration with the Learning Materials and Education Team (LMET), the LLC has published a new Bible lessons book, Friend of Children: Illustrated Bible Lessons. While it was developed to support global mission work, many have shared that it will also serve well in local congregations.

• The aforementioned book, Friend of Children, Volume I is now available as a digital download through the LLC online store (www.llchurch.org/shop). Printing specifications are included with the purchase. Work is ongoing on Volumes II and III.

• LLC Music continues a busy season of album production. During LLC Winter Services, the album Lift Up Your Eyes was released. A recording of 2025 SHZ Supplement songs will soon be available under the title A New Hymn. Additional albums, Hear Us, Almighty, recorded in Minnesota, and In Zion’s Midst, recorded in Longview, will also be available soon.

• Two new Easter songs have been added to Hearken: “At Dawn on Easter Morning,” written by Aaron Wuollet, and “Look Upon Me with Eyes of Compassion,” with lyrics by Janelle Huhta and music by Ben Huhta.

• Improvements to Hearken are ongoing. App analytics have now been developed, and office staff are monitoring which content is accessed most often. These insights help guide content planning and support reliability.

• During March, a number of new Songbird videos were added to Hearken – be sure to check them out.

• Are you moving? Submit change-of-address requests by mid-month to ensure uninterrupted delivery to your new address. You can find a link to a Change of Address form on our website, under Resources.

Pastoral

• The 2026 Ministers Camp was held at Stony Lake Camp April 10–12. We thank our heavenly Father for the opportunity to gather and discuss this mutual calling. Many of this year’s camp discussion topics centered around support and materials for the continual study of God’s Word, “So that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17, NIV).

• David and Beth Ojala will travel and serve at the 2026 SFC (Sweden) Summer Services, which will be held May 15–17. Each year, the LLC sends a North American minister to serve at these services. We wish to remember them as they travel to serve the believers in Sweden at this festive service occasion.

• The Sexuality Materials Workgroup arranged by the LLC Home & Family committee has continued to actively work on this project. The group has openly discussed this request, recognizing the sensitivity around these topics; and have felt the Spirit has continued to guide in the work. An article about this work will be included in the June/July Voice of Zion.

Global Mission Work

• The Learning Materials & Education Team considers materials that support Christian Education in the global mission work. An example of this work is the recently published Friend of Children: Illustrated Bible Lessons.

• The team’s work also includes materials to support workshops for those who are asked to serve in teaching roles in their home countries and congregations. They are currently working on reviewing the Confirmation school curriculum and program for Global Mission Work. This year, Confirmation schools are planned for Guinea-Bisseau, Togo, Sierra Leone and Kenya.

Facilities and Events

• Camp facilities are opening for the 2026 camp season. Stony Lake Camp opened in April, with several camps already completed. Hasscib Lake will have an opening work weekend May 15–17, and Kamp Kipa will have an opening work week beginning May 11. If you’re interested in helping, contact the camp caretakers.

• This year, the LLC Language Camp will be held at Kamp Kipa July 7–13. Youth ages 15 and older are invited to attend. Participants will spend a week at camp with believing youth from Finland while learning some Finnish and building friendships. Sign up on the LLC website.