Boundary Waters Trip and 5 Questions with Mike Lucas
A week up north
Another drive north, with a pit stop in Grand Marais, a hard turn up the Gunflint Trail, and a familiar arrival at the cove, the mainland piece of property owned by Wilderness Canoe Base on Seagull Lake just outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness took place in mid-July.
This trip with both middle and high school students, along with myself, offered another opportunity not only to venture north, but to venture out into the lakes formed through the creation story. After a brief stay on Fish Hook Island, one of two islands owned by WCB, three canoes filled with personal packs and food and fishing gear and everything we needed departed and began a three-night, four-day journey. What was planned as a meandering, slow, " let’s take our time” trip quickly turned into a “I think we should go further,” and our original lazy paddle evolved rapidly into what would become a plan for 40+ miles of paddling and portaging.
It was hot, so we swam. We got tired, so we slept. We had to walk through mud and over rocks, so we worked together.
This canoe trip, like so many, had the expected challenges and successes. It had opportunities to grow in our friendships with each other and our faith as we found ourselves immersed in the creation story we so often only read about. This trip also concluded as it was planned, coming off trail late one afternoon, not knowing what was happening in the greater wilderness area around us.
As our trip was coming to a close, so many other groups were on base getting ready to venture out into the places that we had just navigated…dare I say conquered.
However, as we unpacked and cleaned up from our trip - and after one night in camp - it became clear that everything had shifted outside of our small, contained experience.
Wildfire and lightning, no rain in the forecast, and challenging winds had not only forced the evacuation of some groups that were just behind us, but they had also stopped, in their tracks, all of the groups that were just ready to head out.
We feel extraordinarily blessed and lucky to have been able to have this experience without it being edited or canceled, while understanding that others did not get that same privilege; there’s a little bit of Lutheran guilt, but there’s no way to talk us out of that.
As we meandered back down the Gunflint Trail, Hwy 61, and the other roads that brought us back, reluctantly, to civilization we left huge parts of our hearts at Wilderness Canoe Base, and carried home a fair amount of worry and concerned for not just that area but the staff that was still on base preparing the camp for the unknown while getting people safely out of harms way.
Two of those individuals, Lucy Jacobson and Claire Fairbanks, remained at camp the entire time and became our lifeline to how that area was doing, helping us feel connected to the work they continued to do and the place that we care so much about. A well-timed care package of candy may have helped.
At the time of writing this, the permits are still on hold; no one is allowed in the BWCA. WCB and other organizations on and near the Gunflint Trail remain in the “set” stage… Not knowing if they will be downgraded to “ready”… Or given the “go” order, which means just that: leave now.
Wilderness Canoe Base, for over 70 years, has done an amazing job of helping students and people of all ages experience the beauty, power, majesty, and uncertainty of those northern Minnesota waters and woods. However the rest of the summer unfolds, we know that WCB will continue to do that, and if the opportunity arises for us to support any rebuilding efforts or find a time to be on site in the months ahead, this congregation will be made aware.
Thank you for holding these students and me in your prayers, for the many, many text messages we came off trail to, hoping for our safety and wanting to know that we were, in fact, in the clear.
Fire is a part of how creation works, so are massive rain storms. Let’s pray for the rain inside of the equation to make an appearance.
Written by Mark Halvorson, Director of Congregational Engagement
5 Questions with Mike Lucas
We have a wonderful new member of our staff; we hope you’ve been able to meet him on a Sunday morning or sometime throughout the week Learn more about our new janitor, Mike Lucas, below.
What drew you to Good Shepherd?
First, I wanted to make sure the Good Shepherd was a place where my skills aligned, so I did some homework before applying! I dove into the website, read the weekly updates, and watched some past service streams to get a feel for the worship style. Seeing the active work within the community, the genuine warmth in the communication, and the congregation's dedication to service told me everything I needed to know—I knew I had to send in my resume.
Do you have any church memories from growing up?
I grew up in a small town of 3,000 people, and I have memories of every Sunday morning I would walk through a field to get to church, even though my parents drove. I remember the familiar faces and the feeling that everyone there genuinely cared about each other. It wasn’t just a place to worship; it was a place where it felt like family wrapped around you. Those experiences were wonderful because they made faith feel personal and belonging, the kind of memories that stay with me no matter how much time passes.
What hobbies do you have that give joy to your life?
I enjoy riding my mountain bike and finding new trails, aquascaping, and working on upgrades to my Mustang and the Harley. GOLFING!
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
Spending time with my family and dogs (Frank and Maverick). I go visit my daughter where she works and have lunch. Taking rides on the Harley or taking out the Mustang, and don't forget golfing too.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Good Shepherd?
It's the people who make coming to work fun by bringing energy, support, and friendship every day! I enjoy putting smiles on people's faces; this makes me happy. My co-workers are like an extended family, and I treat them the way I want to be treated.
Written by Mara Rosenblum, Marketing and Communication Specialist and Mike Lucas, Janitor