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Shema Mukome

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We had a great turnout for the SYA fall retreat at @wesleywoodsiowa ! We focused on the topics of perfectionism, distorted self-image, social pressures, identity, & the relationship between action and rest.

Thank you to pastor @andreakraushaar1 from our partner church @wdmumc for assisting with worship & our advisory team members @kelseyrschott & Jeanie Smith for joining us too!

“Now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” 💛

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It’s here! Check out SYA’s new promo video & NOMINATE current 10th, 11th, & 12th graders for SYA today!!

@ediemusgrave @arely_brenda101 @human00202

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coast to coast 🌊🏙️

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mountains and music 🎶⛰️

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Pop-up event with new scholars! Hosted by our amazing partner congregation @walnut_hills_umc Preparing for the school year with this reminder:

“Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” (Rom. 12) 🙏🏽

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A bit of summer so far🐡

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Keeping it simple. Thank you all so much for this year you’ve given me. I really can’t express how much it means to me that all of you are here. I wouldn’t be half the person I am now if it weren’t for the gifts you all give me. I was only able to add a small amount of you but genuinely everyone that reads this, thank you❤️‍🩹

I choose you, and I’m glad you chose me too :)

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That’s a wrap on SYA summer residency 2026! We are proud and in awe of the brave and incredible work of all of the scholars. And we are excited to track with them throughout the year as we offer calls, retreats, and leadership opportunities in their communities. THANK YOU to every gifted and generous person who makes this life-changing work possible!!

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Wow. Simpson Youth Academy (SYA) was an amazing week long experience I was able to enjoy this year and I will forever be grateful for the people, churches, families, and communities that made this happen. Whether it was the amazing mentors (William and Brenda) in my covenant group, or the forever standing “Wenda” community built (Liam, Lexie, Lacey, Julie, Ruben, and I); this academy was amazing. Shoutouts as well to Rev. Dani Musselman, Rev. Eric Rucker and the adults in the community from the government, labor unions, and volunteer units, this experience helped me realize some people in this world still do rock! Dr. Angela Cowser and Shema were also amazing people, and the unnamed mentors and scholars meant just as much. SYA, thank you for your impact on me, and hopefully this community provides for others the same.

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SYA day 7! At SYA we want to equip students to push beyond surface-level interpretations of Scripture and challenge them to connect messages from the text to pressing issues in their worlds.

One way we do that is through Bibliodrama - the activity of embodying a Bible story like it’s a play. We spent two hours on day 7 reading, analyzing, and acting out Matthew chapter 1 - featuring King Herod, his soldiers, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Angels, and many more. It was chaotic, inspired, funny, catalytic, Spirit-infused. There was laughter, there were tears. They made connections to present day issues like bullying, mental health challenges, manipulative religion, social media, and much much more. Pray for these amazing young people as they enter the home stretch of the Residency!

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SYA day 6 was a big one! We walked downtown Des Moines to learn about gentrification, served at @cishelter + introduced the concept of social holiness, journeyed the prayer labyrinth with @mzlbailey and connected with scholars and supporters from a host of partner congregations including @immanueldsm + Grinnell + Episcopal bishop @betseymonnot Also, the alumni track has begun!

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SYA day 4! We spent the day exploring how people of faith can respond to climate change & ecological degradation, with a visit to @coyoterunfarm & great conversation with farmers from the @iowafarmersunion

We also enjoyed some yoga with the fabulous folks from @thehavenindianola including @notjustyourpastorswife

These scholars are doing great!

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