PALM Youth Retreat in Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries, also known as PALM, is hosting a youth retreat on October 2nd and 3rd at First Trinity Evangelical-Lutheran Church, 535 N. Neville Street, Pittsburgh, PA. This retreat is intended for catechumens and communicants, giving Lutheran youth a meaningful opportunity to gather around God’s Word, Christian fellowship, and the gifts of Christ. Families and students connected to Lutheran churches in Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania, and surrounding communities are encouraged to mark their calendars and consider attending.
The theme for the retreat is “Daily Pasture and Sustenance: The Lord’s Supper.” This focus is especially fitting for catechumens and communicants who are learning, confessing, and growing in the Christian faith. The Lord’s Supper is not merely a symbol or a religious custom, but Christ’s own gift to His Church, where He gives His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, strengthening faith and sustaining His people in the life of repentance and trust.
A Retreat for Catechumens and Communicants
Youth retreats are valuable because they give young Christians time away from ordinary schedules to listen, learn, ask questions, pray, and build friendships with others in the Church. For catechumens preparing to receive instruction in the faith, and for communicants who already receive the Lord’s Supper, this retreat offers a focused opportunity to consider the Sacrament more deeply. It is a chance to see that the Christian faith is not isolated or private, but lived together in the communion of the Church.
The retreat will include teaching, fellowship, and time for youth to reflect on how Christ continues to care for His people through Word and Sacrament. In a culture that often leaves young people spiritually hungry, confused, and anxious, the Church points them to a better and lasting gift. Jesus feeds His people with His promises, forgives sins, and sustains faith through the means He has appointed.
Plenary Speaker and Retreat Location
The plenary speaker for the retreat is The Rev. Dr. James Ambrose Lee, Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia University Chicago. The retreat will be held at First Trinity Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, PA. First Trinity has deep historical roots in Pittsburgh, and public historical sources note that the congregation’s records date from 1837 and that its 1840 church building was the first Evangelical-Lutheran church building erected in Pittsburgh.
Registration Information
Regular registration for the PALM Youth Retreat ends on Tuesday, September 15th and is $50 per attendee. Registrations received after September 15th cost $60 and will not receive a T-shirt. A poster with retreat information is available in the undercroft and by the back entrance, and families should contact the church if they are interested or have questions.
A Warm Invitation to Lutheran Youth
This PALM youth retreat is a wonderful opportunity for Lutheran (LCMS) students to grow in faith, deepen their understanding of the Lord’s Supper, and share time with other catechumens and communicants. If you are looking for Lutheran youth ministry in Pittsburgh, a confessional Lutheran retreat in Western Pennsylvania, or a faithful opportunity for all, this retreat is worth considering. Please contact the church for more information and to express interest in attending.
