Youth E-Chat: July 6, 2021
Dear Friends,
 
June was a busy month of returning to in-person gatherings for synod youth ministry events. We held two sessions of LYO Leadership Camp under the “Big Tent” so we could meet outside no matter the weather for leadership training and activities, and safely build relationships across congregation groups. And Camp SJ helped youth and adults process this past year and provided tools to equip them when they experience change throughout their lives.

I was struck by some common themes I heard from youth across these camps. I wonder if you’re hearing them too:

  • “I’m not sure about being with other people.” One night during a game at LYO Camp I asked the group I was sitting with what goals they had set for their time at camp. Several mentioned “getting comfortable with others.” That’s a pretty typical goal over the years – youth want to get out of their comfort zone to meet other people. But as I dug a little deeper, I realized they simply wanted to be comfortable being with other people. So much trust has been lost this year, and uncertainty for what is to come. It was equally interesting – and heartwarming - to watch youth as they developed trust throughout their time at camp. As Springtide Research says, when we offered safe space, they found their footing.

  • Returning to “normal” is stressful. Youth and adults alike talked about how it has felt like they went from zero to hundred overnight with activities and expectations. I wonder how we are helping youth and families process this switch, and helping them set priorities of what gets added back in…and why they are adding what they do. How do we as the church and program ministries not get caught up in this expectation, but instead reimagine what is most helpful for young people on their faith journey? Which brings me to…

  • “I have no one to talk to.” One of the Camp SJ Bible studies asks who you go to when you need to talk about your loss and grief. Nearly every youth in one group I met with said that they just talked to themselves and couldn’t think of any adults they could go to. Keep in mind – these are youth who are active in church! While I know their youth directors and pastors are involved in their lives…the striking part is that they don’t feel like they have anyone to talk with and need to deal with all the feelings they have on their own. Relationships with caring adults matter. The programs we offer are tools to gather people into relationship. Youth should never be – or feel - alone on their life and faith journey!
 
I find the “Big Tent” we used at LYO Camp to be a great metaphor for the coming year. Tents are gathering spaces. Their open sides allow for easy entry. Things are easily moved around inside to adapt to new activities. You are living within the context of life outside the tent, but are protected from the heat and rain.
 
I pray our youth ministry programs might have a “Big Tent” feel this year to help our youth and families address the themes I heard at camp and the themes you are hearing. May we find meaningful ways to gather with and build relationships with young people so they know they are not alone. May we provide easy access to a life deeply rooted in Christ that gives a foundation for youth and families in the midst of their busyness.  May we be creative to find new ways to nurture faith for this current generation. And may we equip youth and families with tools to live in the culture but not be consumed by the expectations of our culture.
 
The ministry you do with young people is so important! You are in my prayers as you continue to walk with youth this summer and into the coming year. Thank you for all you do!

Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community
Youth E-Chat will be sent the first Tuesday of the month through the summer. You can always find NE MN Synod youth ministry events and resources at www.nemnsynod.org/youth.

Camp SJ Curriculum
Change happens. When it does, how do we make meaning of our experience and find ways to move forward in hope? The Camp SJ Curriculum is designed to help youth and adults process the changes they experienced throughout the pandemic in particular, and to equip youth and adults with resiliency tools for changes they will continue to encounter throughout their lives.

There are four sessions to the curriculum:
  1. I AM (Identity): Who am I now? Who are we now?
  2. Loss and Grief: What have we lost and gained from this experience?
  3. Equipped to Be Resilient: How do we stay deeply rooted and move forward through change?
  4. Renewed in Hope Each Day: Where is God calling us?

Every session includes an introductory video that gives an overview of that session, a section with tips and tools to equip us through seasons of change, and a Bible study that moves us through the story of the Road to Emmaus where we learn how God is with us in every season of life, even when we might not see God walking with us.

You are invited to use the curriculum as part of confirmation, Adult Bible studies, an Advent or sermon series, youth group and more as we help those in our communities make meaning of the changes they have experienced in the last year and throughout their lives.

Download the curriculum and videos at www.nemnsynod.org/CampSJ
Synod Journey to the ELCA Youth Gathering
UPDATES!
What is the Synod Journey?
The Synod Journey to the ELCA Youth Gathering is a year-long leadership development and faith formation event that includes training for Adult Leaders, Bible studies and resources, group building and more. The Synod Journey culminates in a trip to a city close to the ELCA Youth Gathering for servant events, worship, play and relational time with groups from across our synod before we travel together to the ELCA Youth Gathering.

The Synod Journey resources are available to all congregations in the NE MN Synod - whether or not you attend the trip portion! The resources and training provided are free, and helpful to all congregations and leaders! Our hope is that this becomes a journey for our synod to grow and learn together in the coming year. Come learn more at our webinar on July 26 or watch the recording!

Synod Journey Registration
For those who plan to register for the Synod Journey and travel with the synod for both the Synod Journey servant event and the ELCA Youth Gathering, the registration packet and details will be mailed to congregations and posted at www.nemnsynod.org/SynodJourney in early August.

The Synod Journey Planning Team will be meeting in July to finalize our plans. But here are some helpful pieces we have been working on to help with your planning, promotion and budgeting:

Synod Journey Dates: July 21-28, 2022
You will be picked up at or near your congregation to arrive by 7pm on Thursday, July 21. We will depart immediately following the Closing Worship in Minneapolis and you will be returned to the same location by mid-afternoon Thursday, July 28.

Ages:  
Youth: Registration is open to you who are in grades 8*-12 in the fall of 2021.
*We are including 8th graders this year as a pilot. The registration packet will include suggestions on how to discern who is ready for the emotional, physical and spiritual depth of this experience. As you decide ages to offer, it may also be helpful to know that the next ELCA Youth Gathering will be in 2024 when current 8th graders will be sophomores.
Adults: Must be at least 21 years old on July 21, 2022.

Cost:   
The final cost for the Synod Journey will be posted in August. For tentative budgeting and planning purposes, we suggest you budget $975* for the Synod Journey registration fee. The Synod Journey registration includes transportation, all housing (7 nights), 7 meals, program activities in Duluth/Superior, Synod Journey t-shirt, and the ELCA Youth Gathering registration fee. Congregations are responsible for meals during travel and while in Minneapolis (approximately 5 days of meals) and offering for worship. 
*It may be helpful to know that approximately $575 of that amount includes registration and housing in Minneapolis for the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Synod Journey Registration Dates:
Registration opens October 18, 2021 and closes October 29, 2021 or when the event fills, whichever is sooner.
 
IMPORTANT! If you are planning to attend the Synod Journey, DO NOT register for the ELCA Youth Gathering! Your registration for the Gathering is included when you register for the Synod Journey and submitted for you!

More information on the Synod Journey can be found at
ELCA Youth Gathering
UPDATES!
Financial Assistance: Applications open July 22, 2021
The Gathering offers financial assistance for youth participants on a first come, first served basis. Apply early - these scholarships go quickly! For those attending the Synod Journey, scholarships will be applied to your Synod Journey registration fee.

Getting Ready Materials Now Available!
The Gathering provides resources to prepare your group for the themes and discussions that will be part of the ELCA Youth Gathering experience. There are 10 sessions, to offer a monthly Bible study beginning in September and ending in June. Other time frame options are also shared. If you are attending the Synod Journey, we will also prepare short resources you may use as a supplement or instead of these resources.

Volunteer at the Gathering!
There are a variety of ways for adults to volunteer at the Gathering. Applications close July 22, 2021.

Kick-Off Celebration: July 25, 2021
The ELCA Youth Gathering hosts are preparing a video that will go live on July 25 for congregations to use as you invite youth to participate in the Gathering experience.

Webinars
The Gathering is offering informational webinars throughout the year to prepare you for the Gathering and share more details on different aspects of planning. The webinars on Volunteering and the Getting Ready Materials are already posted. Check out the list for more learning opportunities!
Fall Resource Packet
The Fall Resource Packet with events and resources for NE MN Synod youth ministry will be mailed to congregations and posted on the website early August. Mark your calendars with these dates now!

Middle School Gathering: November 19-20 OR 20-21, 2021
 
Cardia Deo: March 4-6, 2022
 
Synod Journey to the ELCA Youth Gathering: July 21-28, 2022
Youth Ministry Positions
Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Two Harbors, MN
Part-Time (20 hours per week)
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.

Candidates will ideally have a degree in Youth and Family ministries or a related field, experience in youth ministries, a solid knowledge of the Lutheran tradition as expressed by the ELCA, a willingness to share their faith with students and parents and strong organization and communication skills.

A full job description can be found at http://blcth.com/youth-family/
To apply please email resume and cover letter to info@blcth.com
Youth and Family Minister: Full-Time
First Lutheran Church, Little Falls, MN
 
The Youth and Family Minister of First Lutheran Church will develop, carry out and support the ministries of faith formation of youth and families to live a life centered in Christ. These ministries will include planning activities for children and families that integrate faith and life, deepen biblical understanding, and respond to the spiritual and social needs of youth, children and families. The Youth and Family ministry is to, for, and with all the members of First Lutheran Church and the wider community.
 
Click here to view full job description. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to pastorbeth@flclittlefalls.org
Network Meetings for Faith Formation Leaders
Every Thursday, 10:30am-11:30am
For Volunteers, Paid Youth Directors, Pastors

Network meetings are a time to resource and support each other in ministry. No registration required.

Network meetings will continue through the summer on a weekly basis. Through August, the Zoom link will open for the first person to arrive and the meeting might not be monitored by Catherine. Consider it an open space...much like meeting at a coffee shop! Some weeks may have few (or no!) people attend...some may have a full "table!"

Login information: 
Meeting ID: 854 1177 6494
Passcode: 543063​
To join by phone: 312-626-6799
Catherine Anderson | Coordinator of Youth Ministry | NE MN Synod, ELCA Catherine.Anderson@nemnsynod.org | 218-724-4424