* NEW - Fall Convo - If you are unfamiliar with Fall Convo - this event is for all full-time and part-time professional leaders and pastors in our synod. Join me September 16-18 for this wonderful time away that includes fellowship, worship and amazing workshops. Social Media is one I'm looking forward to. Join me! Registration information here.

* NEW - 3TC - Third Tuesday Conversations begin again in September. Join Meredith Gould as she shares information and ideas from her book - The Social Media Gospel. 3TC's are a project of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and are free to members. September 17th at 2pm. 

* NEW - Lutheran Youth Day - the 43rd Annual Lutheran Youth Day at Lenoir-Rhyne University. September 21st with activities beginning at 3:15pm. Cost for the day is $7.50 and includes the football game and dinner. Can't beat the price or the fellowship. Register by September 13th via email with Karen Feezor. karen.feezor@lr.edu

* NEW - Ministry Mondays. Beginning September 23rd I'm hosting a series of online conversations around specific topics. I'd love to have you join me online to be a part of the talk. These will be from 7-8pm and you are welcome to gather a group and join me. Details on how to access the meetings will be sent out on Monday mornings. Register now!

September 23rd - Do you see what I see? (Youth Ministry Trends and how we can respond)

September 30th - Do you hear what I hear? (Best practices out there in Youth & Family Ministry.)

October 7th - Do you know what I know? (Ways to tell our stories in our congregations and communities)

October 14th - Which way did they go? (Young Adults - where are they and how can we reach out?)

October 21st - We've never done it that way! (Change - making it happen and reaching out beyond out walls to learn and serve) 

* NEW - Join me September 28th for Grace Awakenings in Lexington. The day long event features activities for both youth and adults. Bring your group. I'll be leading two workshops that afternoon - Social Media and Faith Conversations with youth. Rachel Kurtz will be leading a music workshop and doing a concert. There will be service options and drama too! Don't miss it. The youth portion of this weekend will be held at Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ.

Schedule for Youth Event:

1pm - Registration and sign up for track
1:15 - Adult workshop 1
1:15 - Icebreakers
1:30 - Music and introductions
2:15 - Zacchaeus 
2:30 - Video time
2:30 - Three Small groups - music, drama and service
4-4:30 Break
4:30-5:30 - Music with Rachel
4:30-5:30 - Adult workshop 2

Workshop options
A - Faith conversations with youth - ways to think about our own faith story to be able to share and hear the stories of our young people.

B - Social Media - how to engage in person and through social media.

* NEW - YOUTHQUAKE - New Site - Mt. Olive, Hickory. October 12th. This is our annual 3-5th grade event which begins at 10:15am with registration and closes by 3:30pm with worship. YouthQuake Registration is now LIVE! We are using a new registration system this year and are not yet ready to take credit cards. (We will be by our next event) SO, checks are payable to NC Synod and mailed to 1988 Lutheran Synod Dr., Salisbury 28144.

* NEW - N. Central LYO Cluster Event - November 1-2 at Community, Summerfield. The theme this fall is Blessed to be a Blessing. This event is open to all youth in grades 6-12th from around our synod but planned by the youth of the N. Central Cluster. Plans include service, fellowship, worship and more. Want more information - contact Myrtle Norman - 

sing2god5999@gmail.com or 336-299-0235.

* NEW - Lutheridge Retreat - Join me December 2-4 for fellowship, networking, growth, and FUN! Intentional time will be spent for personal relaxation and renewal as well as hands-on learning. This retreat is open to all of Region Nine and is primarily focused on Youth & Family folks. It's a great time away just prior to a very busy Advent/Christmas season.

* NEW - Our first ever Stay at Home Synodical Mission Trip will be held this summer. Plans are being made for several sites around our synod to host groups from across the ELCA. More details coming soon. Does this sound like something you'd be interested in doing? Email Tammy!

* NEW - I know it's early but I've already had questions. Looking for Advent/Christmas crafts for your groups? Check out the NC Synod Y&F Ministry Pinterest board dedicated to just that. Watch for more boards in the coming weeks. Enjoy. 

* Our 2nd Annual Caring Conversation Challenge began September 1st. Watch the Facebook page or LutheranYouth on Twitter for the question of the day. 

* Rachel Kurtz & Agape in concert at First, Greensboro. Rachel, Dave and band will be touring our region this fall and will make a North Carolina stop in Greensboro. Mark your calendar - November 9th at 6pm and we'll have more information coming soon. We'll be looking for a choir to join Rachel. SO, if you have singers in your group who would be willing to come to Greensboro earlier that day, watch here for more details.

* LYO Theme 2014 - "Joyfully Learning Together - The Secret of My Success." Join us February 21-23, 2014 for our annual youth gathering for 6-12th graders. Rachel Kurtz and Agape will be serving with us as our musicians. We anticipate a HUGE crowd and so...

New this year - staggered registration. Congregations new to LYO will have the opportunity to register first. After a set date, additional registrations are possible but we want all congregations to have the opportunity to send a few folks. Please email Tammy if you have questions. 

* 52 Bible character tweets started Monday, July 1st. You can follow on Twitter or simply find the twitter feed on the website. (Box just under the calendar) Share your "teach me the story of ____ so that I can ____" and we'll add it to the list.

* On our website we have the opportunity to include pictures (slides really that change) on the homepage. I'd love to have pictures of your trips, events, etc. Email me with a 1-2 paragraph description and see your group on the www.lutheranyouth.org homepage.