Dear Friends,
Last Thursday 30 leaders from 18 congregations gathered online for Plan It, a strategic planning day for ministry. I appreciated one leader’s comment after we spent time working on calendars, “I started working on my dates and I was filled with so much anxiety as I put things down on paper.” After a year of uncertainty, it can be hard to move forward.
As you look ahead to this summer and next year, how are you moving forward? In his book, The Innovative Church, Scott Cormode says, “Leadership begins with listening.” I encourage you to take some intentional time as you begin planning for this summer and beyond to listen - to youth, to families, to the culture around you, to God, and to yourself. Some of the questions we discussed last week might be helpful:
- What are you hearing from your youth and families? What have been their challenges…joys…anxieties…experiences? What has changed in their life?
- How are you helping youth and families return to church and programs? What are their concerns? What are their hopes?
- What new opportunities do we have after a year of disruption? What can we let go? What might we begin? What shifts do we need to make?
- Where is God calling your ministry? Where is God calling your youth and their families?
- How are you? How are you managing self-care for the year to come? How are you pacing the return to programming, with all the added complexity and planning that needs to happen to follow safe COVID-19 guidelines?
It’s hard to know how to move forward when there has been so much uncertainty this last year. The first step is listening. You are in my prayers as you listen and respond, as our Synod Journey Creed shares – compelled by God’s love to reach out in response to the needs of God’s people.
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community
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Monthly Ministry Bible Study |
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Made, Known, Loved:
Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry
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Author: Ross Murray
Book Release - April 20th!
In the midst of debates about the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of the church, one community often overlooked is LBTQ youth.
This book first helps congregation leaders and parents examine the values of the congregation and youth group. It focuses on keeping young people, including LGBTQ youth, safe and helping them feel respected and see themselves as beloved children of God. The book also provides a how-to manual for LGBTQ-inclusive youth ministry, sharing the best procedures and practices from the fifteen-plus years of The Naming Project’s ministry, including its ongoing summer camp.
Made, Known, Loved shows congregations how to create a program that affirms LGBTQ youth in their faith and their identity, accepts and welcomes diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and equips future leaders for the church and the LGBTQ community.
Ross Murray is founding director of The Naming Project, a faith-based camp for LGBTQ youth and their allies. He is Senior Director of Education and Training at The GLAAD Media Institute, a producer for the “Yass, Jesus!” podcast, and an ordained deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, called to advocate for LGBTQ people and to provide a bridge between the LGBTQ and faith communities. (Ross also grew up in the NE MN Synod, served on the LYO Board and was on the VLM summer staff!)
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Youth Theology Institutes |
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These Theology Institutes are for high school youth (grades 9-12) and will be held online this summer.
Augsburg Youth Theology Institute
AND IT WAS VERY GOOD: Affirming and Advocating for Gender and Sexual Diversity in God’s Creation
Sunday, June 20th – Friday, June 25th, 2021
This summer participants will dig into scripture, learn about church history, and discover tools for faithful advocacy that allows LGBTQ people to be full members of society. We will use a theological lens to look at the events in recent history, wonder what God is doing and where we are called to be, and discover where our discernment can lead us.
Application Deadline: April 30, 2021
The College of St. Scholastica Youth Theology Institute
July 14-16, 2021
Through prayer, theological inquiry, interactive activities, and small group reflection we will together ponder the questions: who am I, who am I becoming, and what am I drawn to do? Together, we will foster a community of care and belonging where participants can slow down and listen for how the voice of God is calling them to serve and transform the world.
Space is limited - apply soon!
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Preview Seminary Life at Luther Seminary |
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Virtual High School Preview 2021
Tuesday, April 27
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST
Tuesday, April 27:
You and your high school student leaders are invited to attend a fun, free Virtual High School Preview Day at Luther Seminary to introduce high school students to what it means to be called to a life of Christian Public Service. Students will explore questions of discernment such as:
- What does it mean to be called?
- What does the landscape of ministry look like right now?
- How are the ideas of call, ministry and seminary related to each other?
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June 27-29, 2021
Camp Onomia OR Camp Vermilion
For Youth Currently in Grades 8-12 and their Adult Leaders
$100 per person
Camp SJ is an opportunity to gather with NE MN Synod congregations to be in community to play together, build relationships, and be deeply rooted in Christ Jesus as we process the year we experienced, naming our grief and being reminded of the hope we have in Christ. The NE MN Synod will provide the curriculum, based on this year's "Deeply Rooted" curriculum and creed. Camp Onomia and Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry will take care of the rest - registration, program structure, safety protocols and communicating with participants. The NE MN Synod is grateful for their partnership to provide this 3-day retreat at an affordable rate so high school youth and their adult leaders can be together safely for a fun and meaningful faith experience!
* We originally put a registration deadline of April 15 for Camp SJ. Camps will continue to accept registrations as space allows. Register soon!
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Events:
Angst Virtual Screening & Panel Discussion
April 29 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Free, Registration Required
Angst is a film-based education program designed to raise awareness around anxiety, with an emphasis on youth and families. The film includes interviews with kids, teens, experts, and parents. Our goal is to help people identify and understand the symptoms of anxiety and encourage them to reach out for help. We will be showing the film, which will promptly be followed by a panel discussion and include access to further resources and materials.
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Network Meetings for Faith Formation Leaders |
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Every Thursday, 10:30am-11:30am
For Volunteers, Paid Youth Directors, Pastors
Network meetings are a time to resource and support each other in ministry. No registration required.
April 22: Monthly Ministry Leader Bible Study
April 29: Network Meeting
May 6: Network Meeting
May 13: Network Meeting
May 20: Monthly Ministry Leader Bible Study
Login information:
Meeting ID: 854 1177 6494
Passcode: 543063
To join by phone: 312-626-6799
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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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