Dear Friends,
The MN Department of Education will announce the plan for school this fall the week of July 27. We know students, parents, school staff and communities are anxious about what those decisions might be and what they will mean for this fall, regardless of what the plan is.
The NE MN Synod youth ministry leaders have been discussing how we can wrap these conversations in faith language, to support and pray for all those awaiting these decisions. We offer the prayer resources below for you to use personally, and encourage ministry leaders to use these in the coming week in worship, post on your social media outlets or share through online newsletters as we prepare for the decisions to come. Our prayer is these resources will help ground our conversations around school in faith, hope and love.
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
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Prayer Resources
As we prepare for decisions on school plans for the fall
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Praying with Words
You are invited to pray for the diverse concerns students, families, leadership and staff carry into this fall.
This prayer was compiled from youth ministry leaders and written by Katie Rich, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN.
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Praying with Ritual
You are invited to use this ritual prayer with your child, grandchild, and children you care for as you prepare for and respond to the decisions on how school will be offered this fall.
This prayer was written by Katie Rich, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN.
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Praying with Images
You are invited to pray with these images of empty school spaces as we prepare for and respond to the decisions on how school will be offered this fall.
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Photography and video credit to Pastor Tim Berdahl, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN. If you are interested in putting together a slideshow with images from your local schools, you can download the audio file of “Be Thou My Vision”
here
. (Depending on your browser settings, you may not be able to play the video in your browser, but it should give you the option to download.)
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“Be Thou My Vision” is public domain.
Vocals: Hannah Gottschald, Emily Osborne, Mary Osborne
Guitar: Seth Bergstedt
Permission is granted from the artists to use these recordings for personal and congregational use.
To download videos:
Click on video above. This will take you to the Vimeo website. Scroll down to the video description and click on the "Download” button above the video description.
To share or embed videos:
Click on video above. This will take you to the Vimeo website. Click on the paper airplane icon to the right of the video for share options.
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Brainstorming Conversations
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Confirmation Conversations
TODAY!
July 21, 10:30am - Noon
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
Due to the conversational nature of this event, it will not be recorded for later viewing.
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Am I Called?
A Discernment Conversation for High School Youth
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God calls everyone to do God’s work in the world.
How is God calling you?
Invite high school youth to explore that question with a series of Zoom conversations sponsored by Region 3 Candidacy:
Session One: Vocation – I am Called?
Wednesday, July 29th @ 11AM – Noon
Explore how we Lutherans understand and live out a call to ministry.
Session Two: Public Ministry in the ELCA – Pastors, Deacons & More!
Wednesday, August 5th @ 11AM – Noon
Hear from pastors, deacons and other church professionals about their life in public ministry.
Session Three: So, How Do I Get There? – College, Seminary and other Things You Need to Know.
Wednesday, August 12th @ 11AM – Noon
ELCA Seminary and College partners share about programs that can equip you to follow God’s call in your life.
Attending all sessions are encouraged, but you may attend one or two! The Zoom link will be emailed to you after submitting the online registration.
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COVID-19 Resource Updates
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Learning Opportunities for Adult Leaders:
A nine-month digital cohort experience that will help you unleash the potential of your congregation and apply the Growing Young core commitments to today’s realities, including:
- How can you adapt to a changing ministry landscape?
- How can your church navigate the complexities of intercultural ministry with care?
- How can your ministry walk with young people struggling with anxiety?
Pivot invites church leaders to use the disruptive moment of COVID-19 to reimagine how they think about church, ministry, and leadership.
Resources, podcasts and more from the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Helpful NE MN Synod Webpages:
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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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For the summer months, I will be publishing Youth E-Chat on the first and third Tuesday each month. 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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