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Don't Miss!
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Upcoming deadlines and events to watch for:
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ELCA
Outdoor Ministries
in and around
NE MN Synod
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Encourage your young people and families to go to camp next summer!
Camp Amnicon
Camp Onomia
Luther Crest Bible Camp
Luther Park Bible Camp
Voyaguers Lutheran Ministries
Wilderness Canoe Base
Journeys(Listing and links for all ELCA Outdoor Ministries) |
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Story Starter Question of the Week!
What is your favorite (or least favorite!) church potluck dish?
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Get Networked!
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Youth ministry is hard work. We are strengthened personally and professionally when we get together regularly to share our stories, swap ideas, learn from each other and lean on each other. Make time this month to join in on one of these network opportunities, or have coffee with a youth worker near you!
Duluth Area Network Meetings:
Second Thursday of Every Month, 10:00am
Beaner's in West Duluth
Brainerd Area Network Meetings:
Second Thursday of Every Month, 10:00am
Caribou Coffee on Hwy 371
Contact Sarah Marshall for more info.
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Cert Schools
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Vibrant Faith Training School
This unique training experience changes lives, equips leaders, and transforms congregations in effective and creative faith formation, culminating in creating a ministry plan that will guide your efforts with children, youth, and families.
Learn more.
Sponsored by
Youth Leadership
This program is a unique, holistic leadership development program that covers the key areas of ministry. We come alongside you as you grow as a leader in your particular context, sharpen your vision and encourage your calling. Learn more.
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January 16 was a bitter cold day, but the conversations and learning were hot at Recharge! 2 keynote presentations, 12 workshop options, a Prayer Lab and 14 exhibitors made up the day for over 100 participants. It was a great event, and we hope to see you there next year!
One workshop that inspired me to wonder more deeply was on Emerging Adults, led by
David Boyd. Post-modern thinking is vastly different than previous generations. And while there has been much written about post-modernity, I'm not sure the church has fully grasped what this shift means for faith formation and how God is calling us into this new cultural reality. This comment in particular caught my attention: Millennials suspect systems - hierarchies mean little to them. The "office" of pastor/church/institution does not hold a place of authority and trust in their lives. What does this mean for faith formation when we operate from within a very structured system?
A few other quotes from the day:
- Vagueness is killing the church.
- Youth need "exceptionally ordinary" adults.
- Hope is not a strategy.
There has never been a more important time to be intentional in our ministry with the first third of life. I look forward to being on that journey with you this year as we invest in the faith of our young people!
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
This video on David's website seems to be similar to his presentation at Recharge. The link takes you to his graph contrasting modernism with post-modernism.
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Cardia Deo
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March 4-6, 2016 
Big Sandy Camp, McGregor
The early registration deadline is next Monday, February 1!
Cardia Deo is a retreat for high school youth in grades 9-12 and their adult leaders. As Christians, we are Called, Gathered, Equipped and Sent to be the Heart of God (Cardia Deo) in the world. Bible studies led by the LYO Board, servant learning, worship, mystery event, camp life, and an adult track led by the retreat chaplain all make this event a deeply meaningful, fun and faith-nurturing event.
For more information and registration forms: www.nemnsynod.org/CD
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Peace Not Walls
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NE MN Synod Young Adults Justice Pilgrimage 
to the Holy Land
July 7-17th, 2016
Young adults (ages 18-30ish) in the NE MN Synod are encouraged to participate in this unique opportunity to be engaged in the pursuit of peace and justice in the Holy Land. This justice-oriented trip will be led by Bjorn and Laura Anderson, who have received training to lead this trip through the ELCA's Peace Not Walls Campaign & ELCA Young Adults program. For more information, click on the links below.
Questions may be directed to Laura or Bjorn Anderson at
[email protected]
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EcoFaith Youth Camp
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 June 26-30, 2016
Duluth, MN
Are you interested in exploring the intersection between environmental, economic, and racial justice in a faith context? The NE MN Synod, in partnership with the NE MN Synod Creation Care Task Force and Peace United Church of Christ, invites you to be part of a new opportunity this summer -
The EcoFaith Youth Camp. This week long day camp will begin on Sunday, June 26 and will end on Thursday, June 30. Our week will be spent exploring our role as God's people and understanding our call to care for all of God's creation and people. Throughout the week we will be in conversations with local indigenous communities and local farmers, learn the history and story of the St. Louis River, and explore the complexities of our food systems. Our week will also involve one night of camping, a morning of canoeing, and time to learn, play, and grow together!
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Discipleship Challenge: Story
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Featured Study Guide:
Story of Self and Others
Making room to hear others' stories is an act of hospitality in which Christ is present.
How well do your youth and adults know each other? How confident are they in their ability to listen to others? The Discipleship Challenge Study Guide, "
Story of Self and Others" would be a helpful resource for leading conversations on this topic with your youth or other groups.
More Study Guides and resources can be found at:
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Youth Ministry Positions
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Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa
Lutheran Church of the Cross (LCC) in Nisswa, MN, is seeking a full-time Director of Youth and Family Ministry to revitalize the ministry to youth in grades 7-12 and their families. We seek someone who has the skills for relational ministry to both youth and their parents. This person will also be part of a team that works on an integrated birth-to-graduation children's and youth ministry structure at LCC. Our congregational mission centering on the six marks of discipleship (prayer, scripture reading, worship, service in Christ's name, stewardship and hospitality will be a central part of all youth and family ministry programming. Most importantly, a love and passion for Christ and youth ministry is essential. The person in this position will work closely with the Director of Children and Family Ministry and Associate Pastor.
For more information or questions, please contact Pastor Andy Smith at
218-963-2564
. Resumes can be sent to: Lutheran Church of the Cross, Attn: Pastor Andy Smith, PO Box 29, Nisswa, MN 56468.
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NE MN Synod Facebook Group - Join Today!
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The NE MN Synod is on Facebook! Join today for synod updates and to share your questions and ministries! Search for "Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA" or
click here to join.
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Continuing Education Events Beyond Our Synod
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Our synod is located just hours away from some of the top youth ministry training in the nation! Click on the organizations below for a complete listing of training opportunities!
Youth Leadership
Offers 3 hour, one day, intensive and certificate programs.
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Peer Ministry / Marilyn Sharpe Ministries
Living Room Summit, Peer Ministry Leadership Camps and trainings, Coaching.
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Vibrant Faith Ministries
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