Dear Friends,
I have been reading “Journeying in the Wilderness: Forming Faith in the 21st Century”, by Dr. Terri Elton. It was written pre-pandemic, but I believe is even more relevant now. In the opening chapter, Dr. Elton affirms that congregations can lead into the future and find solid ground if they are “clear about their call, work with contextual realities and open themselves to new ways of thinking.”
Those are helpful questions as we prepare for fall in the midst of COVID-19:
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What are you after? When we reach May 2021, what do you want this year to have been about for youth and families?
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What is your context? What are your schools doing? What does that mean for the needs of youth and families?
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How are you open to new ways of being? How are you listening to youth…parents…young adults…elders? What are you learning from what you have tried, and from others? How are you growing as a leader?
Dr. Elton continues by sharing that “a life of faith is a lifelong journey of becoming.” How will we help others be renewed and transformed this year? How are we paying attention to that journey for ourselves?
You are in my prayers as you prepare for fall. May God hold you in God’s deep peace and strength each day!
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
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Now Available!
Session One: "I AM"
The Synod Journey curriculum focuses on our identity in Christ, using the metaphor of a tree with deep roots that is equipped to grow and be resilient as it encounters the changing seasons of life. Each session follows a creed statement that will help us explore who we are and whose we are.
These resources are designed to be used with middle school and high school youth, young adults and adults! You can use the session in its entirety in one setting, or use sections throughout the month in various settings. Resources include a curriculum script, PowerPoint and accompanying resources.
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Fall Theological Conference:
"Deeply Rooted: God in the Midst of Change"
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September 28, 2020
Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis
Come, and let this be a word for you! Join us digitally as Dr. Lewis leads us through digging deeply into the roots of the upcoming Advent texts. How can/do we proclaim a word of hope and the promise of Immanuel in the midst of big changes - a Bishop Election, a Presidential Election and a Pandemic?
Come, and have your souls fed as well as an opportunity for some wonderful preparation work for anyone who preaches, teaches, and is involved in faith formation.
A special thank you to Portico Benefit Services for their generous donation to assist in making this a no-cost event for your well-being.
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Online Learning:
Upcoming Events:
September 3: 6:30-8:00pm
A conversation with three gifted, faithful pastors in three different contexts. Free, for all church leaders. Sponsored by LEAD.
Brainstorming Conversation: Brainstorming Christmas Programs
September 17: 10:30-11:30am
It's not too soon to start creatively imaging new ways to offer Christmas programs for children in Advent! Come to share your ideas and questions with other ministry leaders.
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Pre-Recorded Middle School Gathering |
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The LYO Board is hard at work planning elements for you to offer your own Middle School Gathering online or in-person (if safe to meet) this fall! You have the opportunity to do this in one day, over the course of several weeks, and at dates/times that work for your group! Resources will be posted by November 1.
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Young adults are heading to college campuses that look very different this fall. You can help support them in their faith journey by connecting them to Lutheran Campus Ministry leaders! Without the ability to hold campus fairs and orientation week activities, you may be the only way campus pastors will know young adults from your congregation are on campus.
LCM has made the process easy with an online form that makes it easy to find college campuses and share contact information. Go to www.luminelca.org and click on the “Refer a Student” tab.
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A New Ministry from Luther Crest Bible Camp |
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Faith formation in our congregations will look wildly different this upcoming school year. That we know for sure. And though there are challenges that go along with doing new things, we are called to Go! Make Disciples!
Outdoor ministries Luther Crest and Cross Roads have teamed up together to create a program that takes the tools that we learned from camp to your congregation. We had to get creative this summer and we learned a lot along the way. We learned how best to connect with people. We learned how to spend our time wisely. And most importantly, we learned that when it comes to sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ, people are eager to hear!
We are introducing our Bold Transformational Faith program to help your congregation retool for this season. We will be equipping congregations with what they need to reach their children, youth, and families this season!
We are ready to provide you with three essential things to get started with your year.
- Faith Formation Programming
- Leadership Training and Resources
- Coaching and Accompaniment
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We know this fall will bring challenges to youth and families as they navigate school decisions and the many changes for fall activities. New links to resources have been posted at www.nemnsynod.org/mhcovid to help leaders and parents as we prepare to return to school. |
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Join youth ministry leaders from across the synod to network, 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, 10:30am, through Sept. 24.
(Please note: The August 27 meeting will be the Synod Journey Bible study for ministry leaders.)
Login information for Network Meetings (new, permanent link):
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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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