Dear Friends,
Remember...you've got this, because God's got you - in each moment, each breath, each decision, each plan, each disrupted plan, and as you walk with each young person and family this year. I am so thankful for you, and am praying for you every day!
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
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Deeply Rooted in a Boundless God Beyond Measure
In case you've missed the updates over the summer...
The Synod Journey has made a significant shift this year to be a year-long curriculum for the entire congregation! Each month a new session will be uploaded, focusing on a "creed statement" that helps us explore who we are and whose we are as we face seasons of change.
Now Available!
Session One: "I AM"
This session gives an overview of the "creed statement" that will be used throughout the year. These sessions 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.
"Mental Health Moment" Supplement to Session One
Each session will include a short mental health discussion supplement that connects with the "creed statement" for that session. You can use this as part of the Synod Journey curriculum, or on its own. The Session One Mental Health Moment focuses on self-esteem.
Camp SJ
Next summer if it is safe to gather we will hold "Camp SJ" for youth currently in grades 8-12 and their adult leaders. This will be a 3-day experience filled with worship, relationship building, leadership development, Bible study, games and more! For those who wish to stay for the full week, each camp will offer program options to stay for an additional fee. There will be 2 steps to register for Camp SJ:
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Group Intent Registration will take place later this fall. The non-refundable deposit* will hold spots for the estimated number of youth and adults you indicate in the registration. You are not obligated to fill all spots indicated. We have pushed back the Group Intent Registration to November 1-20 to give congregations time to live into their fall programming before planning for next summer.
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Individual Participant Registration will take place beginning February 1, 2021. At this time you will pay a $50-non-refundable deposit per participant (including adult leaders).
(*Deposits will be returned if we should cancel due to COVID-19.)
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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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Brainstorming Christmas Programs |
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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.
Zoom Login Info:
To Join by phone, call: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 893 2578 9431
Password: 945334
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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.
Coming Soon! We are finalizing t-shirts for congregations to order for their Middle School Gathering event! Stay tuned...orders will need to be submitted by October 15!
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Lay Leader Network Yearly Intensive Series |
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The Lay Leader Network Yearly Intensive Series is a life-long learning program designed to give adult students opportunity to grow in their faith for the purposes of personal spiritual development, biblical and theological learning and enhancing missional leadership. It promotes intentional conversation for the discernment of gifts to be used in various ways in ministry and leadership within a person’s current congregation and in his/her community.
Each program year comprises four day-long seminars led by accomplished Synod theologians, various assigned readings and tasks, opportunities to engage in group learning between seminars, and exercises for the encouragement of individual discernment and spiritual growth, and skills enhancement.
Content includes: Biblical Study/LutheranTheology, Leadership and Spiritual Development, Engaging Missional Context and Specific Ministry Focus
Classes start September 19!
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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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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 September 17 meeting will be the "Brainstorming Christmas Programs" Conversation.)
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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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