December 2014 Vol 12, Issue 1
Youth and Family Ministry
 NC Synod, ELCA
Youth Cross
 
Walking Together...Sharing Christ!
 
Welcome to the Youth & Family E-news for the NC Synod!  
 Joys and Concerns

Earth

Among my prayer concerns and joys...


 

* for the Synod Day Directors who were trained in Detroit. Our director is Danielle Kosanovich.

* for all those preparing for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering

* for thankful hearts.
In This Issue
Joys and Concerns
News
ELCA Highlight
Calendar
Outdoor Ministries
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
News 

Forward Together


* NEW -  LYO Assembly registration is now open. Join us February 27-March 1 at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro for this 6-12th grade event. Don't miss out. Rachel Kurtz and Agape will be joining us again this year. We can't wait to welcome you to LYO! 


* NEW - Lost and Found in concert
Lost and Found - their farewell tour. Join other North Carolina Lutherans at Holy Trinity, Hickory for the only North Carolina appearance on the farewell tour. Lost and Found - January 16, 2015. 7:15pm. Be there!! We will be providing free tickets to the first 75 people who sign up. (Limit of 5 per congregation) $10 per ticket.

* NEW - Nadia Bolz-Weber will be at Lenoir-Rhyne University for their Visiting Writers Series on March 5th at 7pm in the PE Monroe Auditorium. Many of you will remember Nadia from the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Join me. 

* NEW - Going to the 2015 ELCA YM Extravaganza. Plans are underway for a meal together. Let Tammy know you are attending. More information coming soon.

* The Youth & Family Network meetings are on the calendar for the 2014-2015 academic calendar. These gatherings are open to all, anyone who is interested in faith formation in any way. Pastors, we'd love to have you! The day is typically 10am - noon at the synod office with some learning theme. Practice Discipleship training, information sharing, networking and then Mexican food for lunch - dutch treat. :)
Topics include:
January 13th - Confirmation
February 24th - Mission Trips
March 24th - Equipping Leaders
April 14th - Youth Ministry structure


* There is interest in doing another Stay at Home Synodical Mission Trip next summer with sites across the synod at differing times for differing ages. These plans include inviting groups from our synod and across the ELCA. Does this sound like something you'd be interested in hosting or attending? Let Tammy know

* Our 2015 NC Synod Assembly will be held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro on May 28-30th. Each congregation can send one youth (confirmation - 17) or young adult (18-30) to serve as a voting member in addition to the other voting members they send. Who will fill this position for your congregation? Be a part of the history of electing a new bishop! Registration opens in early 2015.

*  The goal of GatheringLeaks is to equip adult leaders with the Gathering scoop! Find the tools you need to have a successful Gathering in 2015. The site is about sharing our collective wisdom with one another. You will be able to find resources ranging from video announcements, discussion forums, fundraising ideas and a lot more. Phil is back to emcee the videos. (Phil is the official celebrity endorser of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network).
At the synod office, we will do all that we can to get you information as soon as we get it.  Scott Maxwell is your "go to guy" for any Gathering information. Questions about the buses - those go to Tammy. This site is a great resource and will get even better as time goes on! Bookmark and refer to it often as you are getting ready for Detroit! Rise Up Together!

 

*  Synod Bus registration for the gathering is now open.  We have five buses filled so far and are waiting on a few more riders to fill buses six and seven. Bus cost from Hickory/Charlotte area will be $285 which will include one night housing going/coming from the gathering. Bus cost from the Greensboro/Raleigh area will be $300 and will include one night housing going/coming from the gathering as well. 

 

* YARP Training dates have changed. YARP training will be in the spring this year. YARP stands for Young Adult Resource Person. Who do you know that would be willing to volunteer their time for synod activities, congregational lock-ins, etc.?

 

* NEW - The Practice Discipleship Initiative has a Facebook page and Twitter account. (@elcapd) Here are two from the collection of FREE resources that are growing each year.

 

Framing Failure with Forgiveness with Colleen Windham-Hughes
Framing the Vision with Mindy Makant

 

* 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.

 

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A Story to share...
 
 "God's work, our hands"  



The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a church that is freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God's work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ's name throughout the world.

ELCA Good Gifts go beyond your regular congregational offering to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. Together, we do more than we could ever do alone: grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives.
 Calendar
Calendar

 

December 5-6 - Synod Council Meeting - Synod Office

2015
January 13th - Y&F Network Meeting - Synod Office
January 16 - Lost & Found in Concert - Holy Trinity, Hickory
January 30-Feb. 2 - ELCA YM Extravaganza - Detroit
February 24 - Y&F Network Meeting - Synod Office
February 27-March 1 - LYO Assembly
March 5 - Nadia Bolz-Weber @ LR 7pm
March 24 - Y&F Network Meeting - Synod Office
April 14 - Y&F Network Meeting - Synod Office
May 28-30 - NC Synod Assembly - Koury Convention Center, Greensboro, NC
July 15-19 - ELCA Youth Gathering - Detroit

Outdoor Ministry Opportunities
Agape+Kure Beach Logo

O'Holy Night
Enjoy an evening of light food and fellowship followed by a
special worship under the stars at the Lakeside Chapel
of Camp Agapé. This will be a "Holy Night" filled with
Christmas carols, Christmas lights, and the Christmas story.

 
December 20th and 21st  - shows at 7pm still have available spots!

Discernment Retreat
A FREE retreat for 18 - 28 year olds to help figure out how to include your gifts into the discernment of your vocation. This retreat will be held at Camp Agapé on December 18 - 19th. For more information or to register please contact Val at 919-552-9421 or at program@agapekurebeach.org
 

 

Build Your Youth Group!

Do you have a youth group at church? Are you trying to find ways to bring you youth group together? Maybe you're just starting a youth group and are looking for a way to build this group dynamic? Well, you've come to the right place! Here at Agapé we have a designated retreat just to Build Youth Groups! Also known as BYG (pronounced BIG) retreats! The staff here at Agapé put together a weekend retreat for your 3rd-5th graders (BYG) or 6th-8th
 graders (BYG-er) and your high school group (BYG-est)! We still have open spots the following weekends:
BYG: Feb 27-Mar 1, Apr 10-12
BYG-er: Feb 13-15
BYG-est: Mar 20-22

For more information please visit our website or contact Val at 919-552-9421 or at program@agapekurebeach.org. Hurry spots will fill quickly!

 
 

FAITH ALIVE
Four weekends - SEVEN retreats. Two separate retreats each weekend - except November. Our unique curriculum uses experiential learning to leave lasting lessons. Lutheridge staff provide supervision for campers, staying in cabins with them and sharing their faithful witness. Campers can come alone or with a group. Lessons are geared to middle school, but 5th grade through high school youth are welcome to attend (Campers will be placed in cabin groups with those close to their own age). Adult leaders are welcome and encouraged to participate, but not required to attend. Each camper creates a "witness" to share what they have learned with those back home. Pastors Tim and Mary Canniff-Kuhn provide program design and oversight, with involvement from other leaders. Adult Leaders for Faith Alive! are welcome to register and participate in ALL program sessions. Cost for an adult who is a FULL participant (must select a retreat) is $85 per adult. Limited adult housing is available on some weekends (register early). Adults may also register as a full participant, but stay off-site for $45 per adult. Adults who drop off campers and wish to stay on camp, but not participate in the program may arrange meals and housing, if available, at regular rates by contacting our offices.
Tammy Jones West, AIM
Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator
NC Synod ELCA
828.308.1362