CYF Ministries
(Children, Youth & Family)
August 2021 E-Newsletter
Meet Your CYF Team!
CYF Innovator

You've known Leisha Tays as the Director of Confirmation & Youth Ministries. Now you will know her as the CYF (Children, Youth and Family) Innovator!

What does that mean? Leisha will continue to be the face of our confirmation and youth ministries but will be the innovator and visionary for the ministries of all ages in the CYF programming at Our Saviour's (birth through college-age).
Children's Ministry Coordinator

We are still in search of someone to fill this position. Maybe it is you? Our prayers to bring just the right person in to join our team and serve some of the youngest members of OSLC continue.

If you or someone you know is interested in filling this role, click this link to learn more:

CYF Adminstrative Specialist

Welcome Laura Welciek!
Laura has been a member of OSLC for the past 8 years and has worked in education for 18 years. Having grown up the daughter of two ELCA Lutheran Pastors, she has long had an inside look at all that goes into sustaining a church community so that its members can grow in faith and thrive. She is eager to use her background in education and technology to help the CYF ministry reach new heights. When she is not working or devoting time to the OSLC community, Laura enjoys her family where she is a stepmom of two, mom of two, and wife of one. In her spare time she enjoys music, writing, cooking, telling bad jokes, and aspiring to work out more. She looks forward to being a part of the OSLC staff and is grateful for this opportunity.
Visit us in the CYF Nook!
Leisha is in her same office space and Laura is right next door!
Come say hello! There's a place for everyone!
Check out all the 2021 Mission Trip pictures on the Our Saviour's Facebook! How great it was to be the hands and feet of Jesus together again serving God's children!

Look like fun?! Check out the 2022 summer trips listed below! Join us!
2022 ELCA Youth Gathing!

The 2022 National Youth Gathering is right here in OUR city, Minneapolis!

We will be staying in a hotel downtown and our main sites for gathering are
the Minneapolis Convention Center and US Bank Stadium.

Check out more information here: https://www.elca.org/YouthGathering/

Sign up on the youth board in the rotunda or email Laura (CYF Administrative Specialist) if interested in receiving reminders and more information.

In order to formally register, you must turn in a non-refundable deposit of
$150 and a signed NYG agreement.

Registration Deadline is October 3, 2021

Contact Leisha or Laura if you have questions.
2022 Middle School Mission Trip Opportunity

This mission trip is a great introductory trip for our youngest youth!

Who: Youth completing grades 6-8 in the 2021-2022 school year

When: June 12-17, 2022

Where: Duluth, MN

In Duluth, our group will work alongside our partner organizations and serve the community primarily through relational ministry. Spend time with children at the Boys & Girls Club and the elderly at local senior care centers. Serve alongside a local church or assist in a food pantry. In the evenings, visit local attractions like Canal Park and Park Point Beach.
YouthWorks has partnered with this community since 1998.

To Register: Non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $150.00
Due Sunday, September 12 with a completed Mission Trip Commitment Form.


Contact Leisha or Laura if you would like to learn more.

Want to see what other mission trips have looked like in the past? Check out pictures from this summer's trip to Charleston, WV.
Amazon Wish List
As our CYF team continues to plan for a wonderful future together with all of you, we have put together an Amazon Wish List.
If you're looking for a quick, easy way to contribute, this is for you! Click on the button below, add items to your list (as low as $5!), and have them shipped directly to the CYF team at Our Saviour's!
Together we will journey in so many wonderful ways!
Thank you for all the ways in which you support the CYF Ministries of Our Saviour's!
Summer Bible Reading Challenge
Can you “run” the Bible-Reading marathon this summer? 
Join in for 27 days of Bible reading. Print out your reading plan that is provided for you (separate one for children and adults). Set your pace and run the race.
When you finish your Bible reading challenge (challenge runs from June 1 – August 31), email Leisha, CYF Ministry Innovator, at ltays@oursaviourslc.org. Let Leisha know you’ve finished your Bible-Reading Plan, what your favorite reading was and why and Leisha will have a reward waiting just for you!
Have you never received a Bible from Our Saviour’s and need one? Have any questions? Contact Leisha: ltays@oursaviourslc.org
Movies Under the Stars
Summer Kickoff!

Friday, August 27,
from 9-11:30pm

Open for all ages!
Those under age 12 must have a parent/guardian attend with them.

Join Leisha, CYF Innovator, for "Cruella" on the lawn with a brief faith-based discussion based on the movie!

Bring:
-Blanket/Bean Bag/Air Mattress/Chair to sit on in the lawn
-Warm clothing/blanket - it does get much colder after the sun sets!
-Movie snacks/drinks (no sharing of snacks/drinks outside of your household)
-Masks are required when not eating snacks. Please bring your own and plan to wear.

TIP!!! East Bethel Movie Theaters is a fantastic place to pick up some popcorn to go! Ask for the huge $15 to-go bag!

 "Cruella" (PG-13) 
A modern look at the story of the life of 101 Dalmatian villain Cruella.
calendar
Important Fall Dates!
Mark your calendar!

September
8 (Wed) - 5:30-7pm Confirmation Guide Orientation at OSLC
12 (Sun) - Fall Kick Off Celebrations, First Day of Sunday Children's Programming
15 (Wed) - 5:30-7:30pm Confirmation Orientation for all confirmation students and a parent/guardian
15 (Wed) - 7:45-9pm Youth Group Begins
18-19 (Sat-Sun) - Potential new confirmation student retreat

October
3 (Sun) - Turkey Basket Collection Begins
8 (Friday) - Potential Bunker Hills Hay Ride
16-17 (Sat-Sun) - 12:30pm Sat-7:30pm Sun 9th Grade Confirmation Retreat and Rehearsal/Pictures with Parent/Guardian from 5:30-7:30pm Sunday
20 (Wed) & 24 (Sun) - No programming due to MEA
30 (Sat) - 1-2pm Affirmation of Baptism for 9th Graders
31 (Sun) - Trunk n Treat
CYF early registration
is now open
for birth through grade 12!

Register now for the 2021-2022 school year before the business of summer takes over!

Here are all the regular CYF programs we will be hosting starting this fall...
Faith Circle
Birth-2 years old
Faith Circle is a place where children and their parent(s)/guardian(s) gather with a CYF staff member for circle time with song, play, story, prayer, parent support and more. 
You will make connections with your church family and CYF staff and develop some language and faith practices. Faith Circle will empower parents/guardians to be the main source of faith in their child’s life. It will provide ways to incorporate faith in your home and explore why that is so important. By attending Faith Circle, you will be laying a groundwork for faith in your child’s life and long-lasting relationships for your entire family.
Day, time and how often Faith Circle will meet will be determined by those who are interested in the program. 
Kidz Connection
PreK-5th Grade
Sundays,
8:30am Worship Service

For those in PreK-5th Grade, join a CYF staff member following the Children’s Message for a short time of connection in the Gathering Space. We will enjoy a game, story, activity, craft or other opportunity. Children will then return to their family in worship during the offering.
Kidz Connection will allow for kids to build independent, caring and trusting relationships with their peers and CYF staff. They will learn more about faith, what difference it makes and how it applies to their lives. These connections are then carried on into their pre-teen years as they further explore their faith life in confirmation.
Godly Play
PreK-1st Grade
Sundays,
10:15am Worship Service

Children will explore faith through storytelling of Bible stories and church life followed by a time of recreating the story with independent play (using art, play, conversation).
Children will begin their Sundays in worship and leave for Godly Play following the Children’s message. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will then pick up their children from the Godly Play room after worship.
Godly Play provides hands-on learning with adults who form caring, trusted and personal relationships with the kids. The kids will learn a base of Biblical and faith knowledge in a fun and exciting way as they connect it to their everyday life. They will gain confidence in this safe place and grow in their relationships with CYF staff, caring adult volunteers, their peers and God. 
Bible Live!
Grades 2-5
Sundays,
10:15am Worship Service

Children walk through the Bible through skits. Children can be an actor, director, stage hand, and more (with caring adults leading every step of the way). There’s a place for everyone!
Children will begin their Sundays in worship and leave for Godly Play following the Children’s message. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will then go to the Bible Live! room following worship to see the skit of the day and take their children home from there.
Bible Live! will lay a great groundwork of bible stories as our children continue to grow in their faith journey. Bible Live! not only explores the stories but also shows how those ancient stories make a difference in our lives today. Through Bible Live! kids will find their faith becoming more personal and their relationships developing even deeper, making church a safe place of connection, support, care and authenticity.
Here We Stand Confirmation
Grades 6-8
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm

Confirmation is a time of great connection! Confirmation equips youth with the teachings of the Bible and faith so they can make an informed decision to live out their life of faith.
Here We Stand Confirmation accomplishes these things through a variety of ways:
Large Group - students will learn from the CYF Innovator about Biblical stories and faith history and practices. We then explore how it connects to us personally today and the difference our faith makes in our lives and in our world. 
Small Group - students will connect with their peers and caring adults. In small group, they will build safe and life-long relationships through sharing life, exploring the personal side of faith, practicing care and prayer for one another and more! 
Fellowship & Service - Youth will also have times of fellowship (such as bonfires, retreats, lock-in, etc.) and service projects (such as Feed My Starving Children, Food Shelf Collections, Trunk n Treat, etc.). 
Challenges – We will have opportunities to win pizza parties and ice cream treats! Watch faith come alive in confirmation!

Yes, returning confirmation students should register. Thanks!
Youth Group
Grades 9 - 12
Wednesdays, 7:45pm-9pm

Come together on Wednesdays in the Youth Room at Our Saviour’s for a time of food, games, and hanging out. This is an open time that is able to be shaped by the participants as they have wants and needs. We may explore topics such as current events, world religions, social media influence and more.
Youth Group provides a safe place for all with an opportunity to deepen relationships with God, peers, CYF staff and caring adult volunteers.
We Need You!
In hopes and planning to be in person in the summer and fall for CYF programming, we are in need of help from you in the following programs:
-Godly Play
-Bible Live!
-6th Grade Confirmation Guides (3 year commitment)
-Youth Group
Please prayerfully consider where you may be called. All volunteer roles are trained and supported by CYF staff.
Contact Leisha, CYF Innovator, with any interest: ltays@oursaviourslc.org
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. We are here at Our Saviour's to listen and support.
This Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a great resource to have saved in your phone. Please take a moment to do so and share and use as you need.
You are never alone and you are loved just as you are!
Our Saviour's CYF (Children, Youth & Family) Ministries is a safe place for all!

If you or someone you know is in need of support, the CYF staff is here for you.
Text Message Reminders
Want to receive text message updates/reminders about confirmation and youth ministries at OSLC? Here's how you can sign up for text messages on the different ministries:

Confirmation:
text @oslcconfir to the number 81010

Middle School:
text @oslcmiddle to the number 81010

Senior High+:
text @oslcsenior to the number 81010

[763-434-6117]  [www.oursaviourslc.org]

Leisha Tays, CYF Innovator,

Laura Welciek, CYF Administrative Specialist,