Dear Friends,
This summer I was camping at the end of the Gunflint Trail, so I paddled over to Wilderness Canoe Base one morning to see if anyone I knew was around. As I came around the tip of the island, I saw campers splashing and flinging shoes at each other in a raucous version of water polo. I pulled up to the dock and had a fun conversation with WCB Director Nate Berkas in the midst of the play and laughter. The game ended and I prepared to paddle away. Except people kept talking with me. I was a complete stranger to this crew – a random kayaker passing through. Yet they chatted with me like we were old friends.
A similar thing happened at Camp Vermilion during the Bluegrass Festival in July. When I snuck away for a quick swim with a friend, we came across a middle school boy jumping off the raft. We bantered back and forth, served as judges for his various dives (excellent cannon balls for someone so skinny), and heard about all that he had been up to this summer. There was complete trust that it was ok to talk with these women he found swimming in the lake.
In a world where strangers rarely converse, especially youth with adults, I found these experiences striking. There is something about being in loving, Christian communities like camp, youth group, and church that gathers people in and opens us to connect with each other. In these places the Spirit nurtures trust, openness, kindness, purpose…a sense of belonging. Springtide Research shares that when young people feel noticed, named, and known, they have a greater sense of belonging. And when you belong, the feelings of loneliness, isolation and stress that are so prevalent these days are greatly reduced.
These stories of belonging came to mind this morning as I drove past one of our high schools where students were heading to their first day of school. How will the boy who was walking by himself with his hands in his pockets, goofy grin, clearly a freshman who was excited but anxious about the first day, be noticed, named and known? How will the girl fiddling with the strap on her new backpack and giggling with the friend she was walking with be gathered into community? Where will your young people find a sense of belonging this fall?
That morning at Wilderness Canoe Base, Nate shared with me that last year he sensed campers were focused on getting out and doing something different. But this year, he found that young people were longing for community. A place to belong. I could sense it at the dock in the play and laughter. I could feel it on the raft from the young boy wanting to connect with the ladies in the lake. I experienced it in the conversations, play, worship, and connections made on the Synod Journey this summer. I’m guessing you felt it at VBS, mission and adventure trips, and during other programs this summer.
Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” As you gear up for a new program year, remember this is the holy work you are doing. In a world plagued with loneliness, you are giving young people a place to belong. To be gathered in Christ – to be noticed, named, and known – not only by each other, but by the One who called us by name and promises us a place to belong to the end of the age.
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community
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All Youth Gathering at Cragun's! |
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All youth in grades 6-12 and their adult leaders are invited for a weekend retreat to grow in faith, build relationships, laugh and play, and worship with hundreds of youth from across the synod! We plan to gather once again at Cragun's Resort near Brainerd, holding two events on the same weekend: Friday night through Saturday OR Saturday night through Sunday. The All Youth Gathering will include large group sessions for the entire group, learning opportunities by age group, hotel life, games, worship, and more!
Key Dates!
- Group Registration opens October 1.
- Early Registration Deadline: October 17.
- Housing: Book rooms early! Cragun's will hold our preferred room block until October 17. After that date, rates are guaranteed but room availability is not!
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Bold Transformational Faith |
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On behalf of Cross Roads and Luther Crest Bible Camp we invite you to be a part of Bold Transformational Faith!
Bold Transformational Faith provides weekly lectionary-based Sunday School + Confirmation materials for you whenever, wherever. We develop the materials so you don't have to! Each week you will get access to age-appropriate Sunday School curriculum, weekly videos, a family newsletter with follow-up activities, and a new podcast episode organized around our Fall 2022 theme, "Limitless." At BTF, we are dedicated to developing awesome faith formation materials you can trust so that you can focus on relationship-building with your people.
Want to learn how you, your family, or church can get involved? Visit www.mybtf.org to learn more
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Join hundreds of adult leaders in Anaheim next February for the premiere children, youth and family ministry conference in the ELCA!
- How to Build a New Kind of Church Without Getting Fired
- Making Your Church a Safe Place for Children and Youth
- Your Story Is Enough: You Can't Fill From an Empty Cup
- Reclaiming the E Word: A New Form of Outreach
Registration Now Open!
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Adult Leader Learning Opportunities |
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NE MN Synod Fall Theological Conference
September 18-20, 2022
Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge, Cohassett
The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Stewart will present, “Re-membering the Body: Healing After COVID’s Crisis Phase.” NE MN Synod rostered ministers, SAMs and directors of youth & family ministry are invited to attend. Attend in person or via Zoom. Click here for more information.
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Walking Together in Stories of Ministry
October 8, 2022
Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Cloquet
God does great innovative ministry in Northeastern Minnesota. Join us on October 8th to explore stories of ministry in our communities. This is a great way to learn from each other as we celebrate the work of the Spirit! We are congregations - Walking Together in Stories of Ministry.
The day will include four sessions of workshops, that fall into four categories:
- Worship, Music & Preaching
- Congregational Vitality & Leadership
- Local and Global Mission & Justice
- Faith Formation
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From Springtide Research:
A Conference on Gen Z, Mental Health, & Religion
FREE event: Wednesday, October 19, 1pm Central
This is a unique opportunity to dive into conversation with experts, ask questions, and come away with actionable plans from cutting-edge insights.
You’ll hear the latest mental-health research from the largest Gen Z data set in the nation, hear from Gen Z themselves, and then apply the research in break-out room conversations cohosted by organizations in your faith tradition, empowering you to turn the tide for young people everywhere.
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CONNEXT SUMMIT 2022
October 16-18, 2022
Clergy and faith formation leaders - staff & volunteer - are invited to process the past few years as we get inspired to move forward In the Ways of Jesus.
Renew your spirit with Gracious Idleness in beautiful surroundings; reimagine ministry in workshops full of Scrappy Transformations; and discover joyful and sustainable modes of community through Radical Belonging amongst ecumenical leaders. Scrumptious happy hours; Sara Thomsen's community-building music; and laughter (fueled by Theater of Public Policy creators, DangerBoat Productions!) will be balm for your soul.
Learn more here; workshop overviews and bios are here; register here!
Registration closes September 25!!
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BELONGING: WELCOME WELLBEING
A Series of Webinars from Ministry Lab
Tuesdays at 2:00 PM CT: Begins September 13, 2022; repeats (with gaps)
As experiences of isolation, division, and despair engulf so many of us, BELONGING brings us connection, encouragement, and hope. This 7-part webinar series explores: disrupting white supremacy culture with self-care; overcoming leader loneliness; developing emotional awareness in families; bridging generational gaps; reorienting to reality by resting in God; utilizing tech to deepen and broaden community; and sharing song as we embrace diversity. Join one, some, or all 7 events.
Learn more and find registration links here.
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Recharge Conference
January 7, 2023
Do your plans for this school year include growing your team? Recharge is the largest regional training for youth and children's ministry volunteers. Bring your team to learn new skills, find new resources, and receive fresh inspiration.
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Youth Lead Conference
November 5, 2022
For Middle School, High School, and Adult Leaders
A conference led by youth, featuring youth, enabling and inspiring youth to lead.
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Peer Ministry Facilitator Training
OCT 4, 11, 18, 2022, 12pm – 2pm CT
Become a skilled trainer for your students! All trainings are on Zoom.
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Family Ministry Skills & Practices
$49 per session - or FREE!
Move beyond the theories to the practical, doable ministry. Sessions are led by David Lynn, creative writer who knows how to make ministry practical, fun, meaningful and very doable.
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Sept. 8: Cross+Generational Ministry That’s Easy to Do (Families IN Faith Community)
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Sept. 15: Inreach/Outreach with Families (Families WITHOUT Faith Community)
- Sept. 22: How to Start and Grow a Grandparenting Faith Ministry
- Sept. 29: YouthSource: How to treat young people as valuable resources
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Director of Living IT Youth Ministry
A Collaborative Ministry of Immanuel & Trinity Lutheran Churches,
Princeton, MN
Full-Time with benefits
The director of our Living IT youth ministry serves the general missions of Immanuel and Trinity Lutheran Churches by overseeing the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of activities related to middle and high school youth and their families, with a special focus on confirmation curriculum and programming. The director works to enhance, inspire, and nurture these young people and their families in the Christian Faith.
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Director of Children and Family Ministry
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Princeton, MN
Part-Time
The Director of the Children and Family Ministry at Immanuel works to enhance, inspire, and nurture children and their families in the Christian faith. This position focuses on children ages birth through fifth grade.
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Children, Youth and Family Coordinator
First Lutheran Church, Aitkin
Full-Time with benefits
First Lutheran Church, of Aitkin MN, is looking for a Children, Youth & Family Coordinator that will oversee all programming & events for the children, youth and family ministries. This person will plan and carry out special events, service projects, group activities, and be responsible for establishing a schedule that allows him/her to be present for Sunday morning worship, Sunday school, fellowship and all Wednesday programming.
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Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Two Harbors
Part-Time (20 Hours)
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.
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Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Grace Lutheran Church, Hermantown
Full-time with benefits
The Director of Youth and Family and Ministry serves in creative collaboration with the Pastor, the Youth and Family Ministry team, and other ministry teams to initiate and maintain programs and activities that encourage faith nurturing relationships among youth, family, extended family, and intergenerationally that supports faith development in this community.
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Coordinator of Children, Youth and Family Ministries
First Lutheran Church, Duluth
Full-time with benefits
We are looking for someone who will work as part of a team with the pastor, pastoral associate and lay leaders to re-imagine our children, youth and family ministries. Our emphasis is relationship building over program development. We are looking for someone who likes to be involved out in the community where families work and play. We are hoping for someone who enjoys the outdoors. In this new landscape we find ourselves in, we are looking for someone who will learn with us how to connect with our digital community. This position requires someone who likes the cold! Enjoying winter sports helps!
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