Dear Friends,

Summer Institute 2026 was amazing! For those who were there, we hope you are still carrying a little SI magic with you…and for those of you who didn’t get to attend this year, we hope you felt our love for you from afar!

At SI, some volunteered to attend one of six optional afternoon workshops reflecting together on what makes Summer Institute so special. Again and again, people spoke of belonging, intergenerational community, laughter, music, meaningful conversations, shared meals, learning, service, and the countless acts of kindness that weave us together.

The beautiful truth is that SI magic doesn’t simply happen. It is created by people who show up with love, imagination, commitment, and a willingness to serve.

Now is your opportunity to help shape that future.

The Summer Institute Committee on Ministry (SICOM) invites you to nominate yourself or someone else for leadership. We are seeking people with many different gifts. Some delight in planning, organization, and making all the pieces fit together through the Planning Committee. Others enjoy thinking about the big picture, the keeping of covenant, and the development of leadership at Summer Institute through the work of the Committee on Ministry and related leadership opportunities.

Who do you know who welcomes others with warmth? Who quietly gets things done? Who asks thoughtful questions? Who sees possibilities? Who helps build beloved community?

Perhaps that person is you.

Leadership at SI takes many forms, and some of our strongest leaders are those who never imagined themselves serving in these roles until someone encouraged them.

Please take a few moments to reflect on who might be called to share their gifts with our community. Your nomination is more than suggesting a name. It is an invitation to participate in the shared ministry of creating the Summer Institute we hope future generations will experience.

Nominations close August 10th.

Please nominate someone (or yourself!) today.

In faith and with love,
Kim Diana