Dear Friends,
On Sunday we gathered with the LYO Leadership Initiative to celebrate and reflect on this past year. We had an amazing group of high school youth and their adult leaders this year that said yes to giving this pilot a try, to growing in their faith and leadership, and to use their skills in their congregation and the synod. Some of what we learned this year:
-
Attending as a Congregation Team was important. It made youth feel comfortable in attending camp and they had a peer support system to work with when they returned home. But even more, adults experienced the training with their youth and could continue the relationship when they returned home. This meant that youth had a caring adult who saw them on a regular basis, challenged them to use their skills in the church and beyond, and supported them in their faith-filled leadership.
-
High commitment in smaller chunks makes a difference. Our youth are probably more busy now than before the pandemic. It is unrealistic to expect youth to apply to be part of LYO in February of one year, and commit to activities for the next 13 months. This year we offered youth the ability to “opt-in” to serve on different events. These were still highly committed youth, but the shift reduced their stress dramatically.
-
We learned we could plan differently so we could maximize relational time while we are together in person, and utilize online gatherings to work out details.
-
Not all youth want to lead our high energy, large synod youth events. But they want the leadership training we have developed over the years, and to be part of a larger group of peers who take faith as seriously as they do.
Based on all that we learned,
we are introducing the NE MN Synod Leadership Camp
for youth in grades 9-11 and their Adult Leaders!
This 4-day experience will steep you in Peer ministry skills, equip you to lead large group activities and small group discussions, ground you in Lutheran theology and Bible, and connect you in deep relationships with others who share your love of Jesus and want to grow in faith. Congregation Teams and Individuals will also have time to make a plan for how they want to use their skills when they return home. And of course, there will be plenty of fun activities, free time, mystery events, and worship at campfires!
We highly encourage groups to apply as a Congregation Team with at least one adult leader and up to 5 youth. But we also know that it can be difficult to identify an adult who can take the time to attend camp, so individuals can apply as well. The cost is $500 per Congregation Team, or $175 for Individuals. Scholarships are available if the registration fee would be a hardship.
Those who have attended a NE MN Synod Leadership Camp (this year or previous years) will be eligible to apply to serve on the LYO Board to plan synod events like the Middle School Gathering and Cardia Deo. Applications will be event specific, so youth and adults who have conflicts for one event can still apply for events that fit in their schedule. We hope youth who attend Leadership Camp consider serving on the LYO Board, but it is no longer an expectation that they do so.
Applications are now open, and close May 10 or when Leadership Camp fills, whichever comes first. We pray this leadership opportunity can support you in your foundational work of faith formation and leadership with young people!
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community
|
|
Invite Young Adults to Work at Camp! |
|
This week I was talking with a graduating high school senior and asked what she was up to this summer. "I don't know." So I encouraged her to consider working at camp. She has amazing leadership skills, a deep faith, loves working with kids. Her eyes perked up, "Could I do that?" I replied "Absolutely! And I'd be happy to write a recommendation for you." Today she sent me a recommendation form. If I hadn't said anything, she would have never considered working at camp this summer.
The disruptions of the last two years have significantly shifted the ability of our camps to recruit quality staff to serve. We know we have amazing, faith-filled young adults. And we know camp is life changing and skill building. But we need YOU to help connect young adults to a camp. Putting information in newsletters and social media is helpful. And yet we all know that personal invitations make all the difference. So I have a personal favor to ask...in the next couple of weeks, many of your young adults will be coming home for Easter or spring break. Or maybe they're already home. Or maybe you have their phone number. Please make a point to ask them about their summer, and invite them to consider working at camp. There are many Lutheran camps to choose from - they can look local by applying at Camp Onomia, Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry, Luther Crest Bible Camp, Camp Amnicon, or Wilderness Canoe Base or you can point them to the Camp Matchup App to help them find a camp that fits them best.
Thank you for taking the time to make some invitations!
|
|
God's Boundless Love @ Camp! |
|
July 17-21, 2022
Grades 6-11
Offered by Camp Onomia
Church groups are invited to spend 4 fabulous days at Onomia! Enjoy typical summer camp options, stay in our comfy hotel-like retreat center with all meals provided. There will be service opportunities and interaction with our local Native American community
PLUS
we add in evening SPLASH with scheduled guests David Scherer (Agape), Joe Davis, Jonathan Rundman Band, Rachel Kurtz and other guest speakers.
|
|
Youth Theology Institutes |
|
2022 AUGSBURG YOUTH THEOLOGY INSTITUTE
June 26 – July 1, 2022
God’s People [re]connect!
We believe God invites people to live together in unity, a beloved community. As we emerge from two years of change and uncertainty, we invite participants to ask big questions about connection and disconnection.
- What surprised you about how you could connect online?
- What did you learn about yourself?
- What did disconnection teach you?
- What do you need in order to feel connected?
- What about your virtual connections might you feel grateful for?
- What gratitude do you have for the gifts of being able to connect in person?
- Where did you see / feel / hear God?
At AYTI, we will ground ourselves in biblical stories of connection and disconnection, stories of theologians throughout time that can teach us about connection, and we build relationships and create stories together in real time. Participants will develop a theological understanding of connection and disconnection and seek ways to share these gifts with the world. Come to AYTI to [re]connect to your energy and power source – God who loves and connects all people.
|
|
Sacred Word, Sacred World, Sacred Call
July 10-16, 2022
College of St. Scholastica, Duluth
How, in a world of noise and activity, is it possible to listen for the still small voice of God speaking? What do our gifts, passions and experiences say to us about who we are? How can education and relationships help us to hear and become who we are called to be?
The Sacred Word, Sacred World, Sacred Call Youth Theology Institute is a week-long ecumenical summer program designed to encourage high school students to dive into these questions. Participants experience and form a community of care and exploration within a sustainable rhythm that includes silence and song, prayer and work and study and play. Together, we explore sacred scriptures, encounter theological traditions and draw on religious wisdom as we wrestle with contemporary moral and ethical challenges and consider who and what God is calling each of us to be.
|
|
As you plan for new activities and events this summer for youth, the ELCA World Hunger Team invites you to join the ELCA World Hunger's Global Farm Challenge. This challenge is a youth-focused, whole-church campaign to accompany our neighbors who are facing threats of hunger and poverty around the world.
You can bring ELCA World Hunger into the life of your youth group and congregation with resources to use at church, on the road to your next service-learning trip, at camp or at any of your summer gatherings.
|
|
ELCA Recommendation on Keeping Files |
|
New recommendations from the ELC A indicate that records of events and activities should now be kept permanently. I encourage you to read this post from the Director of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network to learn more.
|
|
Zion Lutheran Church, Cloquet
Youth and Family Summer Coordinator
Zion Lutheran Church of Cloquet is seeking a part time energetic, enthusiastic, and approachable Youth and Family Summer Coordinator, who will provide leadership for the summer youth and family ministries of the congregation. In so doing they will encourage, inspire and nurture children and youth, together with their families, in living their Christian faith. This is a seasonal part time position averaging between 20-25 hours a week. Applicants must be available from late May through mid-August but could begin sooner and end later. The pay rate is $18.00 an hour.
|
|
Director for Youth and Family Ministry: Full-Time
Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa, MN
Come and join us in the Brainerd Lakes area. Lutheran Church of the Cross is looking for a full time Director of Youth and Family Ministry, providing primary leadership for developing and implementing a Christian-based ministry with youth. The Director will lead by organizing and administering events that build strong relationships throughout the church. The Director of Youth and Family is responsible for the recruitment, training and supervision of the volunteer staff of teachers and assistants required for a successful ministry.
The Director develops a close communication with, and mutual support from the youths' families, collaborates with other community and congregational organizations, and the church staff.
If you are interested please contact Pastor Drew Bakken at 952-451-5628 or send an email to pastordrewlcc@gmail.com. |
|
Youth Ministry Network Meetings |
|
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!
*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!
Second Thursdays, 10:00am: Duluth Area Network Meeting*
Second Thursdays, 10:00am: Brainerd Area Network Meeting*
(Northern Caribou, next to Grizzly's)
Third Thursdays, 10:30am: Online Network Meeting
Click here for Zoom link. This is an open Zoom link to gather "coffee house" house style. The Zoom meeting opens for the first person who arrives. Participants moderate the meeting themselves. Some weeks there might be several gathered, other weeks it might just be you!
Southern Area Youth Workers*
on youth ministry networks in our synod!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
