Synod Journey Updates
Dear Synod Journey Leaders,
 
Don't forget to put the May 19 Adult Leader Training on your calendar! We look forward to sharing details with you and prepare you for our time together in July!

Also...this isn't Synod Journey related, but so many of your youth are gifted leaders I want to make sure you have heard about the NE MN Synod Leadership Camp that will take place June 12-15, 2022. In a few short days, you can equip a team for ministry in and beyond your congregation. Participants will leave with Peer Ministry training, skills to facilitate small group discussion and lead large group activities, Lutheran Theology and Bible, and connected to a wide support group of peers who share their love of Jesus and want to grow together in faith. We highly encourage Congregation Teams to apply because of the support they give each other to use their skills when they return home, but youth can also apply as individuals. You can find more information at www.nemnsynod.org/YouthLead. Applications are due next week...but if you're just hearing about this now and need extra time to invite youth or adults to be part of a Congregation Team or apply as Individuals, contact Catherine for an extension!

Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson and the Synod Journey Planning Team
Adult Leader Training
Thursday, May 19, 2022
11am-12:30pm OR 7:00pm-8:30pm on Zoom
Mark your calendar! This training will prepare you for your role as an Adult Leader during the Synod Journey and share final details so you can prepare your group for the experience. Choose one time to attend - both meetings will have the same information. We ask that all Adult Leaders on the Journey make every effort to attend one of these meetings, but it will be recorded for those who have unavoidable conflicts.

Meeting ID: 868 5459 2421
Passcode: 532058

The link is also posted at www.nemnsynod.org/SJAdults.
Synod Journey Offering Opportunities!
There will be two opportunities for offerings during the Synod Journey:

Closing Worship Offering
The offering collected during the Closing Worship on Sunday, July 24 will be given towards Together Here Ministries and the EcoFaith Network. We will be working closely with these ministries of our synod during our immersion and service experiences, and and learn how God's Boundless love is at work in and through the ministry they provide in and beyond our synod.

In Kind Donation
Many of the organizations we will work with in July provide services to men and women who are homeless or in need of basic supplies. We were inspired by the intent of the ELCA Youth Gathering to collect 300,000 socks this summer, and invite you to collect socks for the Synod Journey to share with the organizations we are working with to pass on to those in need. The organizations ask for new cotton and thermal socks in adult sizes. White crew socks preferred.
Synod Journey Worship Band!
Applications Due May 11th!

We have extended the application deadline to be part of the Synod Journey Worship band. We need both instrumentalists (guitar, piano, bass, drums, other) and vocalists. Please encourage your talented musicians to apply! More information is on the application form at the link below.
Worship Participants Needed!
There are still opportunities for your group to be part of worship! We will have four worship services during the Synod Journey and will need individuals and groups to help with various parts of each service. If your group (big or small) would be willing to help in this way or if you have an individual youth who would like to help please email Kelly Kehr at kellykehr01@gmail.com. As the planning comes together for the worship service we will connect with the adult leaders. The more youth we can have leading us in worship, the better!
Registration Changes
If you have any changes to your registration, please use the Change Form found at www.nemnsynod.org/SJRegistration. If you have any questions on how to make a change, or if what you would like to do is possible, please email Catherine! 
Additions:
We currently have a few spots available if you would like to make an addition to your group. Fill out the Changes Form, and Catherine will confirm if space is still available, and let you know how much you owe for the deposit. The last day we will accept additions is June 15.
 
Substitutions:
We will accept substitutions through your arrival on July 21! Please contact Catherine first if it is a different gender substitution to make sure they fit in our housing configuration.
We are no longer offering cross-congregation substitutions.

Cancellations:
Please use the Changes Form to notify Catherine as soon as possible if a participant cancels. Remember that all payments are non-refundable if there is no substitution. ($150 per person prior to June 15, full payment after June 15.)
Synod Journey Bible Studies
How are your group meetings going?! Regular meetings with your congregational group are what make this a faith journey rather than a trip. Ideally you will meet monthly for group building, Bible study, prayer, and to do other planning and preparation such as fundraisers. We expect you to meet a minimum of five times this year and use the five “Grab and Go” Bible studies the Synod Journey Worship and Resource team put together for you, adapted from the ELCA Getting Ready Curriculum. If you have more time, we encourage you to use the full ELCA Getting Ready Curriculum! All resources can be downloaded from www.nemnsynod.org/SJResources.
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