Dear Friends,
After much prayer and consideration, we have decided to cancel the Middle School Gathering in November.
This was not an easy decision to make. I know how much our youth have missed gathering, especially for this beloved event. They have had so many opportunities taken away the last year and a half, and my heart aches that this is one more. But I also know that synod youth ministry events pose an even greater challenge for gathering safely at this time, especially with the Delta variant. We host a large number of participants from a wide geographic area with varying infection and vaccination rates. Many of the youth who attend Middle School Gathering are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Physical distancing is impractical as we sing, eat, and play together. Even if we would take on the risk, the safety measures we would need to put in place would make this a different event than the fun and faith formation youth have come to expect.
The Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) who plans this event met on Sunday and are working on an alternative in-person event for Middle School youth to be planned after the new year. We will post an update by mid-November, if not sooner.
The theme for the Middle School Gathering this year is “ALWAYS”. The LYO chose this theme to remind youth that God is ALWAYS with us. God is always listening, always forgiving, always understanding, always loving…even on those hard and dark days when we might not feel God’s presence.
As you receive this news and share it with your youth and families, may you and your young people be reminded that God is with you and loving you in all that comes your way this fall. Always.
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community
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You are invited and encouraged to grow as a lead this year through one of these leadership development opportunities! |
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Growing Young Book Study
First Thursdays, beginning October 7
Online, 10:30am - Noon
Join Catherine Anderson in a monthly book study to discuss the 6 Core Commitments from Growing Young research and how to integrate them in your ministry. This book study is free, but you must register to get the link.
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Mental Health First Aid Training
Online, 8am - 3pm: Sept. 30, Oct. 8 OR Oct. 16
Free for NE MN Synod Ministry Leaders and Volunteers
Learn to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. Joy Hensel (MA, LADC, ADC-MN) will lead these training sessions. Each session is limited to 10 participants. Pre-work is required to participate, and will be shared with you after you register. |
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Extravaganza!
February 11-14, 2021
Minneapolis and Online!
Join youth and family ministry leaders from across the ELCA for continuing education, networking and renewal! You will learn from one of 7 Learning Tracks, dig deeper in workshops, and be resources from 70+ exhibitors!
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Fall Theological Conference - Online
September 27, 2021
Explore season of grief and gratitude with the Rev. Dr. Kathyrn Schifferdecker. Open to rostered ministers, SAMs and CYF leaders. Register here. |
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Lay Leader Network Yearly Intensive Series
This series is designed to give adult students opportunity to grow in their faith for the purposes of personal spiritual development, biblical and theological learning and enhancing missional leadership. Register now - classes begin in October! |
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Synod Journey to the ELCA Youth Gathering |
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You are invited to join the NE MN Synod for a year long journey to learn and live into how
we are deeply rooted
to be CONNECTED
to a boundless
God beyond measure!
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The Synod Journey is a year-long faith formation and leadership development opportunity, that culminates with an 8-day trip to Duluth/Superior for servant events, learning, worship and community building before we travel on to Minneapolis for the ELCA Youth Gathering! This year the Synod Journey is open to youth in grades 8-12 and their Adult Leaders.
COVID-19 Update:
The ELCA Youth Gathering has announced they will “require full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative test result (likely 72 hours before arrival) to attend the 2022 Gathering, MYLE and the tAble.” You can find more information here. The Synod Journey will follow this guidance as well.
Synod Journey Registration Worksheets Now Available!
Registration worksheets and a step-by-step “How to Register” document are now available at www.nemnsynod.org/SJRegistration! The link to the online Group Registration form will open October 13 to begin uploading your group registration. Synod Journey registration officially opens October 18, and closes October 29 or when the event fills, whichever comes first. We encourage congregations to have their online registration complete and deposit/forms postmarked on October 18.
Information Webinar
If you missed the Information Webinar on the Synod Journey and ELCA Youth Gathering, visit www.nemnsynod.org/SynodJourney for the recording and links to resources that were shared!
Adult Leader Trainings
Trained and equipped leaders make all the difference in the faith formation of young people. The Synod Journey offers a fall and spring training that includes leadership development, faith formation and details for the Synod Journey and ELCA Youth Gathering. These trainings are required for Adult Leaders participating in the Synod Journey - but all adults are invited to attend, whether or not your are attending the Synod Journey!
Please note that the Fall Training dates take place BEFORE registration! Choose one training to attend:
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Sunday, Oct. 10, 2:00-4:30pm, Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet
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Sunday, Oct. 17, 2:00-4:30pm, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter
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Monday, October 18, 6:00-8:30pm, on Zoom
It is our hope to hold the in-person trainings as planned. If needed, we will keep all dates listed and move the trainings to Zoom. We ask that you register for these free trainings to help us plan and so you can be notified if we need to change to an online format. Assuming we are able to meet in-person, we expect Adult Leaders to make every effort to attend an in-person training. The Zoom option is for those who have conflicts with both in-person option.
Extravaganza Scholarships!
One of the best ways to equip yourself for the Synod Journey and ELCA Youth Gathering is to attend the 2022 Extravaganza. This event offers Learning Tracks and workshops that will equip you for your role, provide opportunities to meet with Gathering staff and leaders, and network you with leaders from across the ELCA. To help you get there, the NE MN Synod is offering 15, $200 scholarships for Adult Leaders who will be participating in the Synod Journey AND attend the Onsite Extravaganza. Apply by September 30. You will be notified by October 5 so you can register for the Extravaganza by the Early Bird deadline.
More information on the Synod Journey:
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And remember: If you plan to attend the Synod Journey, do NOT register for the ELCA Youth Gathering! We will take care of that for you! |
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Youth Ministry Network Meetings |
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All adults who work with youth are invited and encouraged to attend youth workers network meetings! Network meetings are typically informal gatherings for mutual support, networking, learning and resourcing for ministry. Expect laughter, inspiration, new ideas and holy conversation. We are better when we do ministry together!
First Thursdays,, 10:30am - Noon: Growing Young Book Study
Beginning October 7, On Zoom.
Free, but must register to receive the link.
Second Thursdays, 10:00am: Duluth Area Network Meeting*
Grab your coffee downstairs, then come upstairs to their meeting room
Third Thursdays, 10:30am: Online Network Meeting
Fourth Thursdays, 10:00am: Brainerd Area Network Meeting*
(Northern Caribou, next to Grizzly's)
Camp Onomia Area Youth Workers*
Next Meeting: October 11, 2:00pm at Camp Onomia
*If this is your first time attending an in-person network meeting, please email the contact person to verify the group is meeting and/or to be added to their email list for updates!
on youth ministry networks in our synod!
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Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Two Harbors, MN
Part-Time (20 hours per week)
The Director of Youth and Family coordinates our core programs of Sunday School and Confirmation, leads the High School Youth Group, and organizes other activities to help children and youth love and grow in the way of Jesus. The Director is supported by our team of Sunday School teachers, the Youth and Family Ministry Board, member volunteers, and our pastor. Bethlehem is a Pastoral sized church, with a long history of loving the children and youth God has put in our midst. We are located on the North Shore within sight of Lake Superior.
Candidates will ideally have a degree in Youth and Family ministries or a related field, experience in youth ministries, a solid knowledge of the Lutheran tradition as expressed by the ELCA, a willingness to share their faith with students and parents and strong organization and communication skills.
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Youth and Family Minister: Full-Time
First Lutheran Church, Little Falls, MN
The Youth and Family Minister of First Lutheran Church will develop, carry out and support the ministries of faith formation of youth and families to live a life centered in Christ. These ministries will include planning activities for children and families that integrate faith and life, deepen biblical understanding, and respond to the spiritual and social needs of youth, children and families. The Youth and Family ministry is to, for, and with all the members of First Lutheran Church and the wider community.
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