Dear Friends,
Nearly every conversation I have with ministry leaders in and beyond our synod include some variation of:
- "I am exhausted."
- "I feel lost."
- "If I’m not doing the things I normally do, am I needed?"
If you’ve wondered any of those things the last three months, you are not alone. Every head is nodding in their Zoom square when any of these are mentioned during our weekly youth ministry networking meetings. This is what ministry feels like in a pandemic that is also navigating racial justice on a deeper level.
I encourage you to take a half hour today and write down everything you have done since March 15 when it was first announced that schools were going to be closing and our lives and ministries changed drastically. How has your ministry changed? What has been added to your job description? What new skills have you had to acquire? What resources have you developed? How have you connected with youth and families in new ways? How much time have you invested in adapting and innovating ministry? How many hours have you spent strategizing how to meet in person safely with youth and/or adults?
As you read through the pages you write…first hear THANK YOU. Your ministry has been invaluable. For those who are being paid to do this work – there isn’t a check big enough to capture what you are worth. For those who are doing this as volunteers – we should be paying you, but it wouldn’t be enough. Read through your list again. And keep it handy when you start doubting how valuable you are.
Second…take a nap. You have a right to feel exhausted. You are working way harder than when you were doing those already exhausting “normal” ministry events…and the ministry you’re doing now is even more critical. So please – take your days off, and use your vacation time this summer. You are needed right now. But even more so, you are needed in the months and year to come. Your ministry needs you to take time for yourself to rest and renew this summer so you can be ready for what is to come this year.
Last…I don’t have all the answers for the challenges of ministry when things change every day. But what I have found even more true the last few weeks is that we are better together. When we wonder and dream together about ministry, we land in places we could never get on our own…and we don’t feel so lost. So I encourage you to join our
Brainstorming Conversations
on July 7 and 21 to wonder together about Sunday School and Confirmation ministries this coming year.
Thank you for all you are doing. With the Holy Spirit at work in and through you, you can trust that you are needed, you are invaluable, and you are enough…even when you are feeling lost.
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
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Brainstorming Conversations
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July 7, 10:30am - Noon: Sunday School Conversations
July 21, 10;30am - Noon: Confirmation Conversations
Brainstorming Conversations are just that - an opportunities for ministry leaders to brainstorm with each other, to learn and share ideas for ministry this fall. Breakout rooms will discuss: What's your "Why"? How can you be helpful to youth and families? What are you planning?
No registration needed!
Zoom Login Info (Same for both):
To Join by phone, call: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 893 2578 9431
Password: 945334
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COVID-19 Resource Updates
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This new page has a curated list of resources to help leaders and parents discuss racism and racial justice with children, youth and families. Resources include discussion guides, books, articles and more. The direct link is
www.nemnsynod.org/RacialJustice. Additional Anti-Racism links to upcoming events and ELCA resources can be found
here.
Resources include:
- Guidelines and Tools for meeting in person, VBS Resources, Outdoor Ministry Opportunities, Bible Studies and activities, Leading Through and Beyond COVID-19
- Just added:
- Southeastern Synod Webinar on "Children and Youth Ministry in Uncertain Times" featuring Rachel Alley and Janelle Hooper from the ELCA Faith Formation Team, and Dawn Rundman from Sparkhouse.
- NE MN Synod, "Hybrid Youth Ministry" webinar.
Resources Include:
- Discussion Guides related to COVID-19, Crisis Numbers, Videos, Resource Links
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The recording of the NE MN Synod "Hybrid Youth Ministry" event is now available! A PowerPoint handout of the event is available at
www.nemnsynod.org/AdultTraining.
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Our Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Partners have been working hard to creatively adapt, innovate and find ways to continue to nurture faith in children, youth, families and adults of all ages this summer. Read below for updates!
SUMMER SPLASH will be held outdoors with social distancing and masks required. Program will be held in small groups of 8 kids or less plus their camp counselor, who will function independently of the other small groups all day. The exception will be out opening celebration and our closing "campfire" which will gather spread out outdoors.
Free online programming for all ages: K-12, families and adults.
July: Bible studies, worship, camp activities, cabin time and more.
August: Day Camp for K-5.
Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry:
Rental Opportunities: For small groups and families. Looking for a place to get away with your family this summer? VLM has great spots for a getaway!
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(For Volunteers, Paid Youth Directors, Pastors...YOU!)
The best learning we can do for our ministries is to be in conversation with other ministry leaders. These weekly network meetings are an opportunity to learn from each other, support each other, share ideas and resources, pray and laugh together. We are better together!
Please note the new time!
Check-In meetings will be every Thursday,
10:30am
, through July 30.
Login information for Network Meetings (new, permanent link):
If these times don't work for you and you would like to check in with someone, please
email Catherine
or call 218-724-4424, ext 124. You are not alone as we navigate these challenging days!
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ELCA Youth Gathering Updates
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Gathering leadership continues to work through a variety of scenarios of what this ministry may look like in the time of COVID-19. We have decided to pause our upcoming webinars, the release of the Getting Ready Materials and the start of financial assistance, so that all may be adjusted accordingly for any possible changes.
We also hope this pause allows congregational leaders to continue focusing on serving their young people during these unusual times, without needing to devote special attention to Gathering readiness. The Gathering timeline will be adjusted accordingly as updates are announced, so that adult leaders have the necessary time to prepare.
All updates will be shared on our social media as well as on our website (
elca.org/YouthGathering/COVID19
).
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For the summer months, I will be publishing Youth E-Chat on the first and third Tuesday each month. This week I am sending a week early due to the upcoming Brainstorming Conversations. Weekly updates and added resources will be posted on the Thursday Online Reflections announcements, and timely updates will be posted on the NE MN Synod
Facebook Group
. The
Faith Formation
and
Mental Health
pages in response to COVID-19 will continue to be updated on a regular basis.
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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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