Dear Friends,
I have watched you do what is required of you – what is essential – these last few weeks:
- I have seen you setting up food programs for youth no longer getting fed at school.
- I have seen you checking in on youth and parents who struggle with anxiety.
- I have seen you play goofy games on Zoom with youth to help them laugh.
- I have seen you sending letters and postcards to remind youth they are loved.
- I have seen you make impossible decisions for programs for the good of your young people.
- I have seen you be fair and just to your neighbor.
- I have seen you be compassionate and loyal in your love.
- I have seen you take God seriously.
Thank you for the essential work you have been doing from your homes, through your internet connections, from the post office, over the phone, and even on TikTok. You are the body of Christ, being church out in the world...no building required. You are in my prayers as you continue to faithfully love and serve our neighbors through the essential work to which you are called.
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
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COVID-19 Resource Updates
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New this week:
- Candletime: Discussion guides from the ELCA Youth Core Leadership Team for youth or adults to lead faith-filled conversations.
- PASSAGE: A new online small group ministry from the ELCA Youth Faith Formation team for graduating seniors to connect with each other as they pass from high school to young adult ministries. Registration opens May 27.
- Updated game resources to play online.
Featured Resources:
- Discussion Guides related to COVID-19, to to use with youth and adults. Topics include anxiety, grief, coping skills, anger, stress/distress, and mindfulness.
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(For Volunteers, Paid Youth Directors, Pastors...YOU!)
The best learning we can do for our ministries is to be in conversation with other ministry leaders. These weekly network meetings are an opportunity to learn from each other, support each other, share ideas and resources, pray and laugh together. We are better together!
Check-In meetings will be every Thursday, 10am, through June 25.
Login information for this Thursday, May 21:
If these times don't work for you and you would like to check in with someone, please
email Catherine
or call 218-724-4424, ext 124. You are not alone as we navigate these challenging days!
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Upcoming Events for Adult Leaders
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Peer Ministry Leadership Online Training Opportunities:
Synod Journey/ELCA Youth Gathering Overview
June 9, 1pm, Zoom
Join the Synod Journey planning team to learn more about the
new plans for this year’s Synod Journey
. We will also share a brief overview of the ELCA Youth Gathering. A detailed online training for the ELCA Youth Gathering (how to register, housing and other logistics) will be held later this summer. This Zoom event will be recorded for those not able to attend.
Click here
to submit questions you would like answered.
Click here to register.
Reframing Youth Ministry: Hybrid Youth Ministry During COVID-19
June 16, 9-10:30am, Zoom
As we continue to live into the changes and uncertainty that COVID-19 brings to meeting together, what does youth ministry look like for the fall? How might we offer hybrid opportunities - meeting online and in person? Hybrid youth ministry, and the opportunities and challenges it offers, will be the focus for this conversation that will include large group presentation and breakout rooms for small group discussions. All faith formation leaders - volunteers, paid youth directors and pastors - are invited!
Click here to register!
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Joy Hensel, Project Coordinator for the NE MN Synod Mental Health Initiative and team members will be sharing thoughts with you each week to encourage, educate, resource and support you as you walk with the anxiety, fear, and grief of youth and adults, and care for yourselves.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Strategies and Tools for Managing Emotions
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While we learn to live with and respond to COVID-19 in our homes and congregations, I will be sending out Youth E-Chat every Tuesday morning with updates and resources for you to use in your congregations. If you have anyone in your congregation who would like to be added to this e-newsletter (it is a different database than our synod's Online Reflections/Announcements), please have them
sign up here. You can also find previous Youth E-Chats on the
Faith Formation Resources for COVID-19 web page.
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Catherine Anderson | Coordinator of Youth Ministry | NE MN Synod, ELCA Catherine.Anderson@nemnsynod.org | 218-724-4424
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