Welcome to the Synod Journey!
We are so excited to have you on this faith Journey! There will be 215 youth and adults from 26 congregations on the Journey with you. How will God be at work transforming our lives this year? What will this Journey change for you? What will this Journey change for your young people? I am excited to see what the Holy Spirit will be up to in and through each and every one of you!

These email updates will be the primary way we communicate with Adult Leaders this year. You can find the archive of emails at www.nemnsynod.org/SJMailings. You can also add additional adults by emailing Catherine with the name, email address, church and city of the leader you would like to add.

You are in our prayers as you begin walking with young people to explore how we are deeply rooted to be connected to a boundless God beyond measure!

Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson and the Synod Journey Planning Team
Confirmation Letter
A Confirmation Letter is being sent to each Primary Leader today confirming your group numbers, deposit paid, and amount due for the upcoming payments along with Synod Journey reminders and updates to share with all adult leaders.
Fall Adult Leader Training
If you missed the Synod Journey Fall Trainings for Adult Leaders, we ask that you watch the recording of the Zoom training. The video, handouts and links can be found at www.nemnsynod.org/SJAdults. 
Monthly Meetings and "Grab and Go" Resources
Regular meetings with your congregational group are what make this a faith journey rather than a trip. Ideally you will meet monthly for group building, Bible study, prayer, and to do other planning and preparation such as fundraisers. We expect you to meet a minimum of five times this year and use the five “Grab and Go” Bible studies the Synod Journey Worship and Resource team put together for you, adapted from the ELCA Getting Ready Curriculum. If you have more time, we encourage you to use the full ELCA Getting Ready Curriculum! All resources can be downloaded from www.nemnsynod.org/SJResources.
 
For those of you who did not have an Adult Leader attend an in-person Fall Training, the “Grab and Go” resource bag will be mailed to your Primary Leader within the next two weeks.
Background Checks
All adult leaders on the Synod Journey are required to submit to a background check. We will conduct background checks in December. Each Adult Leader will receive an email with a link to submit your information. Information is confidential and the form will only take 2-3 minutes to fill out.
 
Background checks are not transferable, and we are not able to share our findings with individual congregations. We HIGHLY encourage congregations to also perform their own background checks on leaders.
Synod Journey Adult Leader Facebook Group
We have a closed Facebook Group for adult leaders. Search for “NE MN Synod Journey: 2021-22 Adult Leaders” and request to join. It will ask for your church and church city so we know any additional adults you want to have added are legit!
Group Volunteer Opportunities at the Gathering
I forgot to include in the Group Registration form two opportunities for your group to volunteer during the Gathering:

  • Mass Cast opportunities. Mass Cast experiences are unique opportunities for participants to be part of the evening programming at U.S. Bank Stadium. These oft­en take the form of easy to learn choreography, processionals, or other group routines that support programming.
  • Communion assistants at closing worship on Thursday, July 28.

If your group would like to be considered to serve in one (or both) of these roles during the Gathering, please have your Primary Leader email Catherine by November 15.
Extravaganza!
Equipped adult leaders make all the difference! One of the best ways to equip yourself for the Synod Journey and ELCA Youth Gathering is to attend the 2022 Extravaganza sponsored by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. 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.
 
Extravaganza Scholarships Still Available! We think this event is so valuable to leaders that they should include the cost for attending the Extravaganza in their fundraising. We also want 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. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

Gathering gNews
The ELCA automatically adds Adult Leaders registered for the Gathering to the g-News mailing list. Additional adults can sign up on the Gathering website for these monthly updates from the Gathering staff and planning teams.