Friends,
I write this letter with a twinge of sadness and yet still excitement. Responsibilities are changing in our office and this means changes in youth and family ministry.
As of January 2022, there will be a different staff member working with the first third of life in our office. Carissa Abraham will be taking on this area including LYO, YouthQuake and more. She will be able to devote half of her time to this ministry and the other half to social justice and impact teams. While that makes me a little sad to be handing over those reigns after so many years, it is thrilling to know that 20 hours each week will be devoted to this ministry that I love.
Here’s what I’m keeping in my portfolio – YOU. I will still work with volunteers, pastors, and youth ministers who serve in faith formation. My commitment to training, equipping, and walking along side you will not change. You are my people. So, while the person you may ask about events and such will change, my love and care for you will not. You are so important and crucial to my call, regardless of my title. You are loved.
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Deacon Tammy Jones West
NC Synod, ELCA
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Total grains of rice donated by
NC Synod as of September 27: 1,433,110
Target by September 30: 2,000,000
Target by October 31: 2,500,000
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Help us donate 5 MILLION grains of rice by February 24, 2022!
Join at freerice.com | Group: NC Synod | Group Code: WJU5RJEH |
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Children, Youth & Family Check-Ins With Tammy
Save these dates to your calendar to check-in with us monthly via Zoom!
October 7 @ 3:00p
November 9 @ 3:00p
January 11, 2022 @ 3:00p
Join us on Thursday, October 7 to check-in and hear updates from one another.
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Registration for Virtual Synod Confirmation is Open!
2021 Courses
Old Testament - Bishop Tim Smith - October 17
The ELCA - Pastor Danielle DeNise - November 21
2022 Course topics coming soon...
Open to all confirmands! Youth must register with an adult for this training. Child protection training & background checks required for adult participants.
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A change of plans for the synod's annual fall convocation was announced in the September 14 edition of Leader e-news. Instead of an in-person retreat, we will gather virtually from 6:30 - 8:00pm on Monday and Tuesday, October 11 & 12. Our time will open with Zoom Happy Half-Hours and will be followed by an hour getting to know and hear from our keynoter, Shane Claiborne.
Bring your favorite drink and visit with colleagues around the synod for this gathering for rostered ministers and congregational staff people of the NC Synod.
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Network Mission Statement: The ELCA Youth Ministry Network exists to strengthen and empower adult children, youth and family ministry leaders.
The Extravaganza is the Network’s annual ministry conference for adults who work with children, youth and family ministry! Join us onsite or online to be renewed and equipped for ministry as you network and learn from leaders across the ELCA. There is something for everyone - whether you are a volunteer or professional, new to ministry or have years of experience.
Onsite or Online - The E! is for you.
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Lutheran Youth Organization: The Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) of the NC Synod is open to all youth in grades 6-12. Youth are members by virtue of being a member of any NC Synod ELCA congregation.
Every year, Lutheran youth across North Carolina gather in February for an assembly. At LYO Assembly, youth spend time with each other in small groups, singing with the band and growing in faith.
The strength of LYO in North Carolina comes from the youth themselves. LYO is always youth-planned and youth-led. Adult advisors work hard to create an environment that nurtures and grows faith and develops all youth as leaders.
Registration for the 2022 LYO Assembly opens November 1.
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The Northeastern Minnesota Synod Mental Health Discussion Guide Kits are tools to help start mental health conversations with youth and adults in your congregation.
They are not therapy, and they are not a therapeutic tool. They are an education tool to introduce topics surrounding mental health in order to build trust and community so stigma surrounding mental health conditions can be broken down.
Through scripture and rituals youth have the opportunity to share, listen, learn and hear a message of hope, love and God's presence with them no matter what they are experiencing.
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SOME WAYS TO GET INVOLVED |
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Join our *new* Remind Group to receive texts with quick reminders or encouragement!
Text @k3ef77f to the number 81010 to join 'NC Synod CYF Leaders'
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FINAL CALL: YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MUSICIANS STILL NEEDED FOR NC SYNOD BAND! |
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“Nowhere else have I been able to share my musical gifts, emotions, and identity with the same passion as I have while leading worship with the LYO Band.”
~Michael Mitchum of First Lutheran, Greensboro
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Do you know any youth or young adult musicians? The NC Synod Band is a great opportunity for youth and young adults to use their musical gifts as leaders in our synod.
We are excited to be planning for our in-person LYO Assembly in February 2022 and we need talented and energetic leaders to help us sing together.
The 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering? Yeah, we need musicians for that too! We are always looking for vocalists, guitarists, bass guitarists, keyboardists, drummers, etc.
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2021
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October 7 = CYF Check-In with Tammy Jones West @ 3:00p
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October 11 = Fall Convo Reimagined @ 6:30p
- 6:30-7:00p Zoom Happy Half-Hour hosted by Pastor Daniel Pugh
- 7:00-8:00p Get to know our keynoter, Shane Claiborne
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October 12 = Fall Convo Reimagined @ 6:30p
- 6:30-7:00p Zoom Happy Half-Hour hosted by Pastor Daniel Pugh
- 7:00-8:00p Shane Claiborne Keynote: Preaching to the Polarized + Q&A
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October 17 = Synod Confirmation 4:00-5:30p (1 of 5) - Old Testament
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November 1 = Registration Opens for LYO Assembly 2022
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November 9 = CYF Check-In with Tammy Jones West @ 3:00p
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November 21 = Synod Confirmation 4:00-5:30p (2 of 5)
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November 21 = Early Bird Registration Deadline for ELCA Youth Gathering
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November 22 = Regular Registration Rate Opens for ELCA Youth Gathering
2022
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January 11 = CYF Check-In with Tammy Jones West @ 3:00p
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January 16 = Synod Confirmation 4:00-5:30p (3 of 5)
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February 11-14 = Extravaganza 2022 - Online or Onsite in Minneapolis, MN
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February 20 = Synod Confirmation 4:00-5:30p (4 of 5)
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February 25-27 = LYO Assembly 2022 - Embassy Suites, Greensboro
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March 20 = Synod Confirmation 4:00-5:30p (5 of 5)
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June 2-4 = NC Synod Gathering - Lenoir-Rhyne University
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July 21-24 = MYLE and tAble - Minneapolis, MN
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July 24-28 = ELCA Youth Gathering - Minneapolis, MN
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