February 2015 Vol 2, 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...


* Those without shelter in this bitter cold. 

* The LYO Board as they finalize plans for our time together.
 
In This Issue
Joys and Concerns
News
ELCA Highlight
Calendar
Outdoor Ministries
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
News 

* NEW - Gathering Leader Informational Sessions -  Our Gathering Coordinator, Scott Maxwell will be doing the NC Synod tour. Find one that fits your schedule and get your update on the latest and greatest ELCA Youth Gathering details. 

Saturday, Feb. 28th at 9pm - LYO Assembly, Greensboro
Monday, March 16th at 7pm - Christ the King, Cary
Sunday, March 22nd at 4pm - St. John's, Salisbury
Monday, March 23rd at 7pm - Nativity, Arden
Tuesday, March 24th at 7pm - St. Paul's Wilmington


* NEW - Practice Discipleship Webinar - Story of Scripture
Discover God's story as revealed in Scripture and how that enduring story shapes the unfolding stories of God's people. Through reading the stories of a God who breaks boundaries and crosses borders to reach people, you are invited to connect with the ministry of Jesus and orient your story to receive, follow, and pursue God's good work. Click here to register

* NEW - Check out the NC Synod Pinterest board of Lenten ideas. You'll be glad you did.

* NEW - Gathering housing assignments are out. Print your housing form and be ready to put that in the mail on March 15th with your deposit. While you are logged into your congregation site, please double check your t-shirt sizes and mailing address. This must be done by March 1st. 

* 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. 

* 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:
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!

 

 

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

The global water crisis doesn't often make headlines. But the truth is that it claims more lives each year than war.(1) This year, youth have a unique opportunity to join together and do something big through ELCA World Hunger's Walk for Water. This special opportunity is a year-long, youth-driven fundraising challenge to raise $500,000 in support of water-related projects of ELCA World Hunger. Thanks to a generous family, all gifts toward this goal will be matched, dollar for dollar, until we reach a total of 1 million! Together, we can make a difference, creating healthier families, stronger economies and a future filled with hope.


 Calendar
Calendar

 

February 24 - Y&F Network Meeting - Synod Office
February 27-March 1 - LYO Assembly
February 27-March 1 - YARP Training 
February 28 - Gathering leader training - 9pm during LYO 
March 3 - Practice Discipleship Webinar - Story of Scripture 2pm.
March 5 - Nadia Bolz-Weber @ LR 7pm
March 16 - Gathering Leader Training - Christ the King, Cary - 7pm
March 22 - Gathering Leader Training - St. John's, Salisbury - 4pm
March 23 - Gathering Leader Training - Nativity, Arden - 7pm
March 24 - Gathering Leader Training - St. Paul's, Wilmington - 7pm 
March 24 - Y&F Network Meeting - Synod Office
April 6-8 - Region Nine YM Staff Retreat
April 12-14 - Emerging Leader Retreat - Stillpointe
April 14 - Y&F Network Meeting - Synod Office
April 25 - Bishop Bolick's Godspeed - St. John's, Salisbury
May 11-13 - Y&F Staff Retreat - Greensboro
May 28-30 - NC Synod Assembly - Koury Convention Center, Greensboro, NC
June 29-July 2 - LYO Board Retreat - Lake Lure
July 12-15 - Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) - Detroit
July 12-15 - Definitely-abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE) - Detroit
July 15-19 - ELCA Youth Gathering - Detroit

Outdoor Ministry Opportunities

AGAPÉ WORK DAY - May 2 Camp Agapé
Gather your crew together and come on out to camp on May 2nd for our Spring Work Day. Get your hands dirty and help Camp Agapé get ready for a new season. There will be plenty to do! Contact Mir at ACEEd@agapekurebeach.org to let her know how many folks you'll be bringing! 

 

MOTHER DAUGHTER RETREAT - May 8-9
Camp Agapé
Come celebrate Mother's Day, May 8-9, at a special place apart. Hike, craft, worship and share a campfire with that special woman who has listened to, cared for, and loved you unconditionally over the years. Contact Melissa at agape@agapekurebeach.org for registration information. 

 

AGAPÉ-GANZA! - May 17
Camp Agapé
Hey Everybody! May 17, is set to be a fun-filled day of camp activities: canoeing, archery, rockets, zip-line, etc. PLUS a GaGa ball tournament, and a pie competition! AGAPÉ-GANZA! will be fun for the whole family, church group or youth group! Register your teams and pies now! Contact Melissa at agape@agapekurebeach.org for more information.
 

 
 

FAITH ALIVE - April 24-26, 2015
10 Commandments & Reformation
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