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Greetings!
Happy New Year!
Yes, I know what you're thinking --- the new year began last month. While that is true, this month, marks a new beginning in the life of Youth in Mission programs at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago: the first edition of its new quarterly electronic newsletter, "Stories from Youth in Mission."
Since 2003, LSTC's Youth in Mission has changed the lives of hundreds of young people through its Serving Christ in the World, Beyond Belief, and Outdoor Ministry Ambassador programs. In addition to information about upcoming programs, each e-newsletter will share of Youth in Mission's continued impact on these young people through the inspirational stories of former program participants, their pastors, youth directors, and parents as well as former seminarian staff members.
In this first edition, Blake Romenesko and Anna Duran share their stories from Serving Christ in the World, a three-week vocational immersion and theological program for high school youth. After reading about Blake and Anna's experiences, I invite you to think about youth in your congregation.
Do you know high school sophomores or juniors who would like to:
- DISCOVER more about God and faith?
- LEARN from seminary faculty, seminarians, and other church leaders?
- EXPLORE and CELEBRATE their gifts for service?
- DEVELOP leadership skills to take back to their congregations and communities?
If so, please consider sharing information about the Serving Christ in the World program with them. The next Serving Christ in the World program is scheduled for June 11 - July 2, 2011, and the application deadline is February 25, 2011!
Perhaps this will mark the beginning of something new in the life of your congregation for years to come...
May you have a blessed "new year,"
Kristin Johnson
Program Coordinator of Youth in Mission
youthinmission@lstc.edu |
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Fun Facts about Youth in Mission
To date, the 174
Serving Christ in the World
alumni represent all nine regions (and 43 of the 65 synods!)
of the ELCA! |
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 All within three short weeks...
By Blake Romenekso, a 2009 SCITW alumni
I explored many corners of Chicago, one of the United States' largest metropolitan areas, discovered tropical lands rich in culture and history, found myself wandering in the desert on a hundred plus degree day, and while I was at it, I was changing my life. And that was all within a short three weeks. Serving Christ in the World has showed and taught me things that twelve years of schooling wouldn't dare to do.
The week and a half in Chicago, with our discussions, work with urban ministry, multiculturalism, and vocation, could have been a story in itself. Mexico was life changing for me because it was the first time I was in a developing nation. Furthermore, our education centered around ministries caring for those affected by poverty, oppression, corruption, and social injustice in Mexico. This could open anybody's eyes and stop anybody in their tracks. Then the visitation of the Arizona borderlands really moved me because all of a sudden, I saw that the problems people associate with foreign nations are inside the United States and are still problems to this day. We need to learn about these problems to come up with solutions. [ Read more ] | |
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 "Together we can do so much"
Inspired by her SCITW experience, Anna Duran (2008 SCITW alum) delivered the following sermon at her home congregation:
In June, I went on a three week long trip with the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago called Youth In Mission: Serving Christ In the World. There were 23 youth and six mentors. It was one week in the seminary in Chicago, one week in the Lutheran Centers in Mexico City and Cuernavaca, and one week all around Texas. On my trip:
I learned so many things about God, myself and the world, but when asked, what was the huge "God moment" that I had? I believe that throughout the trip God taught me the value of community. To start off, just in the group of 23 youth and 6 mentors, we all became so close. We acted as if we had all known each other for years before and we almost believed it ourselves. We all just clicked and we became like a community, like a family. [ Read more ] | |
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Support YIM / Donate
Youth in Mission programs encourage and nurture young people as they connect their faith with their choices in life and vocation. We are grateful for the many people who directly and indirectly support this ministry and look forward to your partnership with us as we build up young leaders to serve in the church and in the world. Your support is needed to sustain Youth in Mission programs into the future. We invite you to prayerfully consider the following ways for you to connect with Youth in Mission:
- Donate by making a gift to Youth in Mission programs
- Invite a YIM staff member or alumni to give a presentation at your church, synod youth event, or in your community
- Encourage youth to participate in YIM programs
- Identify youth from your congregation who have gifts for ministry
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Registration and application materials are available online:
Register/Apply | |
Dates at a Glance
February 25, 2011: "Serving Christ in the World" application deadline
May 27-30, 2011: "Serving Christ in the World" alumni reunion (Save the Date!)
June 11-July 2, 2011: "Serving Christ in the World" program dates
July - August 2011: Beyond Belief summer program dates
Year-Round: LSTC's Youth Center is available for retreats and seminary visits
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