Pacifica Synod Children, Youth 
& Family Ministry News 
October 2017
In an effort to communicate information about the many children, youth and family ministry events and activities that are happening throughout our synod and the ELCA, w e are pleased to share with you the following monthly e-newsletter for those serving in Children, Youth and Family Ministry roles. Please share this with all in your congregation serving in these ministries. If you have items to share about the ministries happening through your congregation, please email Terri Robertson at 714.692.2791 or by email at  [email protected] . If you know of others who aren't receiving our emails, please share this with them and encourage them to sign up here .
October Youth & Family Ministry Network Lunches
Our South Network (San Diego area) will meet on Wednesday, October 4 at 11:30 at Mimi's Cafe, 10788 Westview Pkwy., San Diego. Please RSVP to Pastor Manuel Retamoza at 619.916.9673 or by email at [email protected].

Our Orange County Network will meet a WEEK EARLIER THAN USUAL on Thursday, October 5 at noon at Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ (4050 W. Chapman Avenue, Orange). Please RSVP to Terri Robertson by email [email protected] or by phone at 951.205.1391. 

For any youth workers serving in our North Network (Inland Empire area), we'd love to find a way that works for you to connect with one another on a consistent basis. If you have ideas of the timing, location and frequency of our gatherings in your area, please contact Terri Robertson at the phone number or email address above. Please keep in mind that you are invited to attend ANY Network meeting that works with your schedule.     
2017 High School Youth Leadership Event - ReMix
REMIX
Looking at Church Through New Eyes

Pacifica & Southwest California Synod
2017 High School Gathering

November 10-12, 2017
El Camino Pines Lutheran Camp
Frazier Park

Speaker: Pastor Matt Keadle
St. Mark's Lutheran Church/
Iglesia Luterana San Marcos
Los Angeles

This is event is planned, coordinated and hosted by the Pacifica and Southwest California Synod Youth Teams.

Event Cost $99 per person (youth & adults)
Includes housing, 4 meals, snacks and all program materials.
For those registered by Oct 27, it also includes an awesome t-shirt!

Both youth AND adults must register. At least one adult will need to attend with each group. Registration is done online and can be found at  http://bit.ly/2hoNXyK. 
 
During this time together, there will also be elections to the open positions on each of the Synod Youth Teams. Contact Janet Renick for Southwest CA Synod Youth Team positions and Terri Robertson for those on the Pacifica Synod Youth Team (see below for contact info).

To download a brochure containing more event and speaker information, please click here.

Questions? Please contact Janet Renick at [email protected] or Terri Robertson at [email protected].

The Pacifica Synod Youth Team Need YOU!
The Pacifica Synod Youth Team currently consists of ten youth members and two adult advisors and works closely with the Southwest California Synod Youth Team as they plan, organize, and lead events throughout the year for elementary, middle and high school youth. The mission of this team is to walk with our young people as they develop leadership skills and work together to be active in the life and ministries of this synod. Many of these team members also attend the Synod Assembly as voting members and visitors. Current members of the Pacifica Synod Youth Team are:

President - Hayley Nadolny - St. Olaf, Garden Grove

Vice-President/E. SD Conf Rep - Sydnie Brown - Carlton Hills, Santee

Definitely-Abled Rep - Mitch Hatz - Mission, Laguna Niguel

IT Rep - Stone Sharp - Resurrection, Huntington Beach

Hospitality Rep - Claudia Valenta - Resurrection, Huntington Beach

Secretary/Big Bear Conference Rep - Marit Hendrickson - First, Redlands

Saddleback Conference Rep - Gabriella Mark - Mission, Laguna Niguel

Son & Surf Conference Rep - Austin Richards - St. Olaf, Garden Grove

At Large Rep - Stone Sharp - Resurrection, Huntington Beach

At Large Rep - Sam Rice - Resurrection, Huntington Beach

Adult Advisors - Terri Robertson & Jamie Buffkin


At our November High School Youth Gathering at El Camino Pines (see above article), we will be holding Youth Team elections. We are seeking high school youth to serve in the following positions:
  • Multi-Cultural Rep
  • Definitely-Abled Rep
  • West San Diego Conference Rep
  • Harvest Conference Rep
  • Raincross Conference Rep
  • Son & Surf Conference Rep
  • Rejoice Conference Rep
  • Hukilau Conference Rep
If interested or to get more information, please contact Terri Robertson by phone at 951.205.1391 or by email at [email protected] .

Synod Youth Teams at the Elementary Youth Retreat 2017
at Luther Glen

Middle School Youth Gathering Returns to Anaheim!


The 2017 Middle School Youth Gathering will take place November 17-19 at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim. Come join 300 Christian youth for a weekend where we build up our faith. Speakers, music, workshops and worship help us understand the roles we play in God's created world. A day at Disneyland and Hotel Night Life make the experience complete.

This event is sponsored by members of the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods of the ELCA and Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences (LRCC). For more information about the event and to download registration materials, go the Middle School Youth Gathering webpage at  http://www.lrcchome.com/programs/msyg.php.

Questions about registering or the event? Contact Lauri Egertson.
ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza takes place January 26- 29, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency, Houston, Texas. Intensive Care Courses will be offered on January 25-26, 2018.  The year's theme is "Finding Forward".

If you've never attended an Extravaganza, you may be wondering - "What IS an Extravaganza and why should I go?" The Extravaganza is an amazing event. It is an annual 4-day conference that draws together anywhere from 500-750 adults who work with youth in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the premier renewal, education and networking event of our church. It is for the professional and the volunteer. It is for the old and the young. It is for the urban, the suburban and the rural. It is for pastors, it is for laypeople. It is for all who share in the adventure we call youth and family ministry.

You will find LOTS of information about the event, plus the link to register on the Extravaganza website. If you have questions or need to find a roommate for the event, our Pacifica Synod Youth Ministry Facebook page is a great place to start. 

ELCA Youth Gathering 2018 News!

Congregational registration is now open! All ELCA congregations are invited to register for the Gathering. Youth in grades 8th-12th grade at the time of registration (2017-18 School Year) are eligible to attend as participants. Adult leaders should be at least 21. Congregations should generally have a ratio of 1 adult for every 7 youth. Click here to go to the Gathering Registration page.

Preparation is an important part of your congregational Gathering experience. We know through conversations and surveys that congregations that are diligent in their preparation together have a much better experience at the event.

For the 2018 Gathering, two major resources will be provided to help you prepare. The Official Gathering Handbook: Tips and Tricks for Adult Leaders is available now. This resource was created by congregational youth ministry leaders and is filled with ideas and best practices to help you get your mind wrapped around the huge task of preparing a group to come to the Gathering.

The Gathering's Getting Ready resources are based in group building, Bible study and faith based conversation for use with congregational groups before and after the Gathering. Twelve lessons will be developed - nine for use in the months leading up to the Gathering and three for taking your experience home. Eight of the nine pre-Gathering lessons are available now! The ninth lesson will be for use in the final weeks leading up to the Gathering. Because it will contain last-minute details, it will not be posted until the spring of 2018. The three post-Gathering lessons will be available shortly after the Gathering. It is our goal to create most of the Getting Ready curriculum with themes that could be used for your entire youth ministry group, not just those attending the Gathering.
Email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

To help you prepare, the Gathering is offering monthly webinars focused on our different program areas. Webinars will be held the second Thursday of every month at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). Check out our schedule here, sign up, and mark your calendars.

The Gathering website is filled with LOTS of exciting information, videos and resources to get you started in planning for your attendance. Go to www.elca.org/youthgathering to learn more!

Be sure to check our Facebook page for Pacifica Synod 2018 Houston Youth Gathering Leaders. If you're not already a member, click the link above and request to join the group.

Amanda Pulos, Director of Youth and Children's Ministry at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Fountain Valley, is serving as our synod's Gathering Synod Coordinator for the 2018 Gathering. Amanda is our go-to person for questions about planning and preparing for the Gathering. Don't hesitate to contact her at [email protected]. 

The Rev. Ramon Zarate, pastor at First Lutheran Church in Vista, is serving as the Synod Day Director for Pacifica. He will be instrumental in the planning and leadership of the day set aside at the Gathering for us to gather as a synod. 

We give thanks and welcome both of these faithful leaders to these roles. Please keep them both in your prayers and watch for more information to come!
ELCA Youth Ministry Network 3rd Tuesday Conversations!
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network's 3rd Tuesday Conversations are continue on Tuesday, October 17 from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. (Pacific Time). This month's guests are  Phil LaDeur & Ryan Cumming from
ELCA World Hunger for Kids & Teens. 

Join 3TC every month to grow in your skills, learn and connect with each other! To register and view guest speakers for future months, go to www.elcaymnet.org/3tc . If you missed a month or want to listen again, past webinars are archived on this same site.

Tell Me More About the Christian Education Network

The Christian Education Network of the ELCA includes both professional and diversely gifted volunteers who are involved in lifelong faith formation ministries through congregations and many of our ELCA and partner organizations in a variety of roles. CENetwork members are linked by our mission to support one another in our callings so "...that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love..." (Col. 2:2)  To read more about the CENetwork, please click here! More resources and information is available on the CENetwork webiste. 

Why join the Christian Education Network?  This is a question frequently asked during a membership drive/ fundraising campaign.  In the Christian Education Network of the ELCA membership means partnership in ministry.  It is the opportunity to contribute not only financially but personally.  We are connecting people globally as they seek to implement the best teaching and learning practices in Christian Education. More information about membership in this unique community may be found here.  

If you have questions about the Christian Education Network, please contact Terri Robertson, the Region 2 Network Advocate. Follow us on Facebook!
ELCA Youth Ministry Network Member Resources

Find a wide variety of ideas and resources here! A quick glance today turned up a Parent Handout for the 2018 Gathering, a full weekend retreat description, and specific resources from the recent Extravaganza, including workshops and main sessions.
Pacifica Synod - ELCA
Lutheran Center for Mission & Learning
1801C Parkcourt Place, Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.692.2791