MIQRA (meek-rah) is a weekend retreat for youth that was started by the Rev. Kelly Demo and a group of student leaders in 2002. The diocesan wide event focuses on the Bible and allows teens to discover what’s in it, why we should care, and how to read it.
The idea for the event came to being when teens confided to Mother Kelly that when peers would quote scripture or talk about the bible at school, they felt ill-equipped to respond. Together she and the teens conceived an event that would help them come together, make friends, ask questions, and learn about God’s love letter to the world. Over the years it has become a staple of the diocesan youth program.
“MIQRA” is a Hebrew word, which means “reading,” and refers to the ancient Jewish practice of gathering at the local synagogue to hear a public reading of scripture, thus it was also sometimes used to mean, “Bible.”
A central component of the event is a reading of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation in 72 hours. The reading is voluntary and participants take turns reading in shifts around the clock.
The event features a variety of other fun activities. Participants play games, watch movies, worship together, and attend workshops on various biblical topics led by local clergy and lay leaders. Some of this year’s topics included: Scripture in Pop Culture, Biblically Accurate Angels, and Women in the Bible. Participants also gather in small groups called ’tribes’ throughout the weekend for discussion, skits, games, and relationship building.
This year’s Miqra was held January 17-19 at Grace Cathedral. 57 youth, 9 college students, and 13 adults participated. This was the largest diocesan weekend youth event in nine years. The Rev. Karen Schlabach, Youth, Young Adult & Campus Missioner for the diocese, said, “Since the pandemic, attendance at diocesan youth events has been lower than it was previously. It was exciting to see such strong participation at this event. Miqra has a strong history of helping to form the faith of young people in our diocese. I’m delighted to see it continue to have an impact.”
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