September 2025 Update

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion September 2025 - News & Notes Article --

September often carries with it memories of change. Where I grew up, in Saskatchewan, it meant the shift from the growing season to the harvest, and from harvest to preparing for the next season. 

In our congregations, September brings the return of Sunday School, and in many families the beginning of another school year after a summer away. As I write, the last camp bus is leaving the LLC Office for Stony Lake Camp, marking the close of another busy camp season. In this moment, my heart echoes the words of the songwriter in prayer for our children: 

“Dearest Jesus, help Thy children as Thine own e’er to remain, 

so that none would fall to journey on the broad and sinful way. 

Thou hast promised to be ever with Thy blessed children here. 

On the way to school, oh, bless us, may Thy Word to us be dear. 

Be Thou also our protection as we wander, as we play; 

bless our nights, and guide our duties ev’ry moment of the day.” – SHZ 444 

September also brings many activities: the Content Creators Workshop for publications, Ministers and Wives Camp, Fall Youth Days, and more. The life of God’s children is always one of preparation – preparation for our final departure to our Heavenly home. May God bless these moments of fellowship so that they strengthen our faith and encourage us in the endeavor. 

Updates on LLC Activities 

Pastoral 

• The 2026 Minister and Wives Camp is held at Prairie Shores Camp in Saskatchewan September 19–21. This camp gives the opportunity for servants of the Word and their wives to discuss this mutual calling as well as topics that relate to the duty that each has been called to serve in. 

• We thank the Heavenly Father for giving willing hearts to those who served at camps throughout the summer. We see how God has placed the gifts needed to fulfill the duties of camp directors, teachers and preachers at each of our camps. 

Global Mission Work 

• During the summer months, we experience the busy camp season in North America, including Confirmation schools. This summer, confirmation schools were held in Sierra Leone (June, July) and Ghana (August). Additional camps and teachers’ workshops have been held on recent trips. God has blessed these events. At a recent camp for congregation leaders in Kenya, they spoke of their joy to meet others in person. Before the camp, they had known each other only from WhatsApp communication groups. 

Facilities 

• The Silver Springs Camp Board presented a pavilion concept plan to Minnesota congregations in Fall 2024. Congregations provided feedback, which the board is now using to develop a firm proposal. Additional information will be shared at the Minnesota boards’ meeting on October 6. 

• Hasscib Lake support area congregations hosted Midsummer Services at Hasscib Lake Camp on August 15-16, 2025. Approximately 1,000 people attended this festive service weekend. 

• The 2025 camp season is winding down. Events were held at Kamp Kipa, Hasscib Lake, Silver Springs, and Stony Lake. The camp boards extend heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who made this season possible. 

• Volunteer service remains the backbone of camps and many other events. We encourage congregations to continue fostering ways for members to serve. This year, filling kitchen worker shifts was occasionally a challenge; added focus on this area would be especially helpful.

Communications 

• We’re hearing questions on many fronts about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in editing, production, and other creative work. What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts with us as we continue to thoughtfully discuss how such tools might be used in appropriate ways. 

• A new Hearken update is now available for Android users. Check the app to make sure you are using the latest version, version 2.5. The main change ensures ongoing compatibility with the Android operating system, along with a few smaller fixes. 

• Do you have ideas for Hearken content – or skills in video production or audio program creation? We’d love to hear from you as we look ahead to creating new content. Currently we are planning for Christmas programming. 

• Thanksgiving on Hearken: We’re planning a special Thanksgiving program for Hearken this November. Send us your favorite Thanksgiving recipe along with an audio recording about where it came from and the memories tied to it. Please contact Ruth at rdelacey@llchurch.org with any questions. 

• At its July 3 meeting, the LLC Board appointed Phil Jurmu as Publications Director, head of the Publications Department, effective early September. This department is currently called the Communications Department. The name change will take effect in September. Matthew Keranen, who served as Communications Director, will serve as editor and content curator. Our current editor, Sandra Pylvainen, will take on a role as project editor, focusing mainly on fiction and other book projects. 

• Our annual planning for next year’s periodicals is underway. These plans will be discussed by the staff, at Content Creators Workshops and on LLC Board committees. Your prayers and support for this work are always welcome!