Around the Synod

A Third Ordination Set for Dec. 10

Three new pastors will be ordained Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Sudbury, Mass. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. A reception will follow.

Cathy Stinson Rohrs has been called to serve as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Stratford, Conn. Rohrs, a life-long Lutheran, was raised in State College, Pa. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University. She worked first as a manager/trainer and then franchise consultant for Domino's Pizza in New England and upstate New York. She entered the candidacy process through Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church, Salem, N.H., and received her Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. She has three children.

Also to be ordained are Andrew C. Heisen, called to serve Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Shrewsbury, Mass., and Kari Jo Verhulst, called to serve as campus pastor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass.

Youth Matters: 'We Are ALL Youth Ministers'

Last month, the first-ever Youth Summit took place at Calumet Lutheran Camp and Conference Center, Freedom, N.H. The event was organized by the Rev. Tim Roser, co-pastor of Nativity Lutheran Church, North Conway, N.H.,and led by Charlie Roberts, director of youth ministry for the ELCA's Lower Susquehanna Synod, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa. "The heart of youth and family ministry is relationships with others," Roberts told the group of about 60 youth leaders, "especially with significant, caring adults." He pointed out that, while the youth culture in America is some 33 million strong, teens from 13-17 are often lacking in faith formation. "They're not hostile to faith itself, but they're growing up in a world that is highly pluralistic. And many of them are biblically illiterate." 

Roberts, who has been a youth minister for more than 30 years, stressed the critical role of families and churches. "We are all youth ministers, "he said. "As Martin Luther wrote, 'The most important vocation of any adult is to raise up a child in faith.'" Throughout the weekend, Roberts inspired the group with his own stories, and presented some key concepts and creative ideas for starting and growing a vital youth ministry. We wanted to share some of them here.

Creating an Effective Youth Ministry 

• Make every effort to link Scripture to the teens' own experiences. What does Isaiah mean when you're 16? This generation connects very well to story. 
• Develop ministries at your church that young people will want to grow into...especially those that involve service, outreach and mission.
• Start thinking differently about Confirmation. As Roberts says, "Take off the robes and give them towels. Have them wash their parents' feet as their first act of service in the world." 
• Find committed and confident youth leaders who will foster significant relationships with the teens and support youth ministry as a congregational priority.
• Create a place where kids feel wanted, needed, valued and part of the body of Christ. 

Specific Exercises 

• At your first meeting with the youth group, create a group covenant, set some goals, and be in prayer. Build trust by sharing highs and lows with each other. Give each person an opportunity to share, but allow "passes," as well.
• Advent is the perfect time of year to light a candle, put it in the middle of the group (or on a table), and ask, "Who in your life needs the light of Jesus today?"
• Young people often ask, "How do I put my faith into words?" Get them to write who Jesus is to them somewhere on their body.
• To get youth talking, try playing "The Comfy Chair." You can choose to sit in a hard, "medium" or comfortable chair, depending on the difficulty of the question you're willing to answer. The group also can ask someone to sit in a chair of their choosing. (Cards are available By the Way Ministries. We played this at Camp Calumet, and it was a lot of fun!