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| Whats Up @ NFCLYO | The monthly newsletter of the NFCLYO   
Issue No. 64
November 2011 | |
Harvest Bash at Harvest House
Event to raise money for Harvest House ministries
 We head to Harvest House in South Buffalo once again on Friday-Saturday, November 18-19 for a night of games, mixers, movies, arcade, foursquare, basketball and more! Captive Free, a band from Youth Encounter, returns to lead worship! Cost is $15 per person (adults free) and we are once again collecting money for Harvest House through their baby bottle campaign. Head to www.nfclyo.org to find out more and to find out how to get your group some baby bottles! Reservation deadline is Veterans Day, November 11! |
Harvest Bash baby bottle update
Our partner the past several years, the Erie County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, recently informed us that they have run out of matching funds in their annual budget to help us with matching funds for this year's Harvest Bash at Harvest House event.
This means two things: first, that we really need your help in collecting change of all forms (coin and paper) in ANY bottle you have (baby bottle, pop bottle, water bottle, mayo bottle...really, ANY bottle!). Second, the NFCLYO is going to use our reserve funds to replace what would have been Thrivent's matching funds.
So...we challenge you to bring it this year and really help out Harvest House and their ministry that makes a difference in the lives of so many! |
NEW! Connections
Senior High events taking faith to a new level
Connections is a new series of events for just senior-high youth. It's an overnight for those seeking a more intense and meaningful faith and worship experience than can be provided at larger events. Connections is about building a solid relationship with Jesus and others just like you, and is about "connecting" your faith to everyday life. And it involves some awesome fun, food, staff and more.
The first Connections overnight is happening at St. John Lutheran Church, Williamsville on Friday-Saturday, December 2-3. All you need is a completed NFCLYO registration form and your overnight gear. Friends are always welcome. The event is free, and as it's a senior-high only event, any one person can come as an individual...no groups necessary...come as you are. Find out about Connections, including future dates and locations, at www.nfclyo.org/connections.html. |
ELCA 2012 Youth Gathering info
Now is the time to start preparing to head to New Orleans
 The ELCA 2012 Youth Gathering returns to New Orleans on July 18-22, 2012. Registration is now open! Get more info on the Gathering at www.elca.org/gathering!
Get connected to these Facebook groups to keep up on the latest local info, connect with others going, and more:
For everyone (youth and adult): Upstate NY Synod National Youth Gathering 2012 Attendees
For adult youth workers: Upstate NY Synod National Youth Gathering (Adult Youth Leaders)
Get ready!
We've begun posting local NFCLYO info on the 2012 Youth Gathering if you are considering going! Head to www.nfclyo.org/neworleans2012.html for info, a timeline of Gathering-related dates, and ways you can prepare you and your group! |
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The St. John's Lutheran Home for Children
Edward G. Kinkel Memorial Scholarships
Nomination Deadline November 24
Attention seniors of the class of 2012! Two $1,000 scholarships are being awarded to two high school seniors that are active in the Lutheran church (read: involved in your youth group, NFCLYO, LCLC, etc.). Applicants must be: an active member of a Lutheran church in the Niagara Frontier Conference, attending a four-year degree program at a college or university in the fall of 2012, show academic excellence, and an interest in youth and community.
Anyone interested must be nominated through your home church council (read: tell your church council about this if you're interested pronto!), and that council must submit supporting rationale based on the above criteria giving examples of the student's involvement in activities such as but not limited to LYO, LCLC, or other youth groups. The St. John's Lutheran Home for Children Board of Directors will make the final decision of the awardees, and those persons will be presented with the scholarships at a dinner on April 27, 2012.
All nominations must be submitted by your church council to Steve Biegner, Lutheran Charities of Western New York, 5125 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221, no later than November 24, 2011 (Thanksgiving Day). If you have any questions, please contact the Lutheran Charities office at 716-632-2623. |
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LCLC Year Round Events
The fun and faith at LCLC carries on year-round! Read on for events for youth to be a part of:
NEW! 4th-9th Grade Advent Retreat:
December 2-4
Can't wait for Winter Retreat in March? Come to LCLC sooner! Designed similarly to the 4th-8th Grade Winter Retreat in March, this new Advent Retreat is holiday-themed! Come for all the activities that make LCLC great, snow or not!
2011 Winter Retreats:
Senior High January 6-8
4th-8th Grade March 2-4
Fun in the snow, and many of the activities, songs, worship and faith connections that make LCLC great...in the winter too! Lodging in the Retreat Center too!
Get more info on these and other happenings at LCLC at www.lclcenter.org! |
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NFCLYO North Happenings
NFCLYO North is joining in on the fun at the Harvest Bash at Harvest House event! Chris George, NFCLYO North director, is forming a NFCLYO North group for this event. For details on this or other NFCLYO Events, give the NFCLYO Youth Ministry Specialist, Chris George, a call at (716) 380-0330 to RSVP By September 16! More info at www.nfclyo.org/north.html. |
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NFCLYO at the Resurrection Food Pantry
If your church or group is looking for a really neat service opportunity, the Resurrection Food Pantry is available for small groups to work on the third Saturday each month! From 9:30-noon, groups can come and stock shelves, prepare food for distribution and serve clients that come in for services. Give Rick MG a call at
(716) 465-1321 for more info and to schedule your group...individuals welcome! November 19 and December 17 are currently open for groups to come.
Don't forget to bring food donations to each NFCLYO event! |
Youth Ministry Network Gatherings
Connect with local youth workers each month
 Youth workers: ever wanted a place for peers to connect, support and be supported, pray and be prayed for, and toss in some coffee and other goodies? The NFC Youth Ministry is just that! This ministry is especially for youth workers to come and be fed to go back and minister more effectively with your youth. We gather monthly at a local coffee shop or other fun place to connect, learn, laugh, pray and more.
Our next gathering is Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 pm at Panera Bread on South Transit Rd. in Lockport. Check out our other gathering dates at www.nfclyo.org/nfcymnet.html. |
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CORE Team on a roll
The NFCLYO CORE Team is at it again, now in their ninth year of ministering to their peers and others they see a need in. They are a group of senior-high leaders in our church ready and willing to witness their faith through Lutheran Charities temple talks at worship, help lead youth ministry activities (from devos and games to overnights to weekend retreats), and serve others in need.
For more info on CORE, contact Rick MG at (716) 465-1321 or at rick@nfclyo.org. The CORE Team would love to visit your church for any of these things or we can design something new...distance is not a problem! |
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Youth Leaders Training Event recap
Another successful year for this now-annual event
Thanks to all those who came to learn, share and connect at the second annual Youth Workers Training Event at LCLC on October 28-29! It was another great year, and affirmation that this will now be an annual event! Stay tuned for dates for next year's event coming soon. |
ELCA Youth Ministry Training Project
In person and now online!
Among the best ways to prepare for the 2012 Gathering is to be a part of the new ELCA Youth Ministry Training Project! This project is for adults to come to learn how to best minister with today's youth...the 2012 Gathering is based on these trainings! And at each training event, get the latest info and questions answered about the Gathering! A piece of the 2011 Youth Leaders Training Event focuses on this project.
Online webinars are now happening! Yes...these FREE webinars augment the in-person trainings with an online series of 7 webinars premiering through January 8. Either be there as each webinar debuts for live chat, or watch the recorded session anytime. Check out the line-up and register for these FREE webinars at our Youth Workers page! |
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NFCLYO Road Crew
Adult volunteers wanted!
 The NFCLYO is creating the ROAD CREW, a volunteer opportunity for authentic, available, and affirming* adults that LOVE youth, believe they are an important part of the church, and feel a desire to make a positive impact through behind-the-scenes service-even at odd hours!
If you fit this bill, then we invite you to commit to the Road Crew! We are seeking volunteers for our Event Ministries, Back Office tasks, and other areas as needed. The commitment involves an annual orientation, pre-event meeting and serving in your area during the event (4-6 times a year). Back office tasks meet 4 times a year.
If you can help ensure the success of NFCLYO youth ministry, you can apply now using our new online application form! If you can't, but know someone who could, contact Rick MG at (716) 465-1321 or rick@nfclyo.org. Adult volunteers are subject to reference and background checks.
*"authentic, available and affirming" Christians comes from Vibrant Faith Ministries at www.vibrantfaith.org |
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Other 2011-12 Event dates
With fall events here, time to make sure you're set for the rest of the year. Other events are on the horizon, so mark your calendars and keep your eyes peeled for info coming on these events in coming months:
NFCLYO 2012 Winter Day Out: Sunday, January 29 from 2:30-8 pm
The week before we celebrate the Bill's Super Bowl championship, we gather at Colden Tubing Company for an afternoon of unlimited snow tubing! We follow that up with an unlimited pizza-wing buffet and some worship to warm us up.
NFCLYO 2012 Volleyball Marathon: Friday-Saturday, March 16-17...NEW LOCATION!!!
The biggest NFCLYO event of the year is going HUGE! All-night volleyball insanity, activities on the side, and midnight devos. This year will be no different, with church teams going at it for a whole array of trophies...most of which have nothing to do with winning the tournament! We all win though as we raise money for Lutheran Charities of WNY: your ministry that makes a difference all over the place!
What's HUGE?! We are moving to a new place with 3 TIMES THE SPACE!!! The Buffalo Niagara Court Center in West Seneca is our new Volleyball Marathon home...with 4 COURTS, an additional practice court and a full basketball court for pick-up games!!! There's also plenty of off-court space for side activities. What this all adds up to is every team will play almost double the time! Our event time is slightly shifting to end at 7 am instead of 8 am, but who cares, we're pumped to be able to offer this new facility!!! More info will be coming soon. |
Coming to NFCLYO Events?
As you come to NFCLYO events in 2011-12, keep in mind these points:
Event registration moves online!!!
All persons attending NFCLYO events (youth and adult) must complete a registration form. Once complete, it lasts for the entire school year. Payment for admission to NFCLYO events is through a group reservation form that your church youth leader takes care of collecting and sending in money for. Now, event registration and group reservation forms are available as online forms you can complete and submit!
Sibling Discounts!
Save with sibling discounts to our NFCLYO events! If you and your brother/sister both come to an event, one of you will get a 10% discount on that event, and each sibling beyond that gets 25% off each! Discount is for youth brothers and sisters only that live in the same household.
Continual Food Drive for Resurrection Food Pantry
The CORE Team, the NFCLYO's senior-high leadership team, has teamed with the food pantry at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Buffalo's east side! They are working at the food pantry once a month, enabling the pantry to be open on the third Saturday each month, helping working families access services at the pantry. You can help by bringing non-perishable food items to each NFCLYO event for our continual food drive! We'll bring donations straight to the pantry to get on the shelves and out to people right away! We also welcome youth groups to serve at the pantry as well! Contact Rick MG at rick@nfclyo.org for details. |
Have safe and blessed Thanksgiving!
And if you're 18+...VOTE!
Rick Mollenkopf-Grill
Niagara Frontier Conference Lutheran Youth Organization
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