March 2015 Vol 3, 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...


* Church leaders through the season of Lent.

* For the gift of daffodils.

* For the 2014 LYO Board for all their hard work this past year.

* For those being called to serve on the 2015 LYO Board.
 
In This Issue
Joys and Concerns
News
ELCA Highlight
Calendar
Outdoor Ministries
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
News 

* NEW - LYO Board Applications are due April 1st. 9-11th graders - are you feeling called to serve the church in this way? Apply now.

* NEW - Synod Council Youth Representative - we are looking for two names to submit to the NC Synod Assembly as candidates for our 2015-2017 Youth Representative. Must be in 9th-10th grade. Email Tammy to recommend a young person to this important role. 

* NEW -  Gathering Leader Informational Sessions - Changed to an online question and answer session due to the rescheduling of snow days for our high school teacher who is serving as our coordinator. April 20th at 7pm. This will happen via Go To Meeting. The instructions are included below. 

1. Please join my meeting, Apr 20, 2015 at 7:00 PM EDT.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/407908765
2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.
Dial +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 407-908-765
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
Meeting ID: 407-908-765

*NEW - Kaelke Scholarship Applications -  Linda Kaelke served as Director of Christian Education for several of our churches in the NC Synod. Upon her death, she left our synod with an endowment from her life insurance. This gift to our church has been providing scholarship funds for many years. Linda was instrumental in the establishment of LYNC (Lutheran Youth in NC) which is now known as LYO (Lutheran Youth Organization). She served as the first advisor of that organization. Thanks to Linda's generosity, many youth from around our synod have benefitted from these scholarships.
Click here for the application - due April 1st of each year. (Not available for the gathering)

* NEW - Practice Discipleship Webinar - Story of Place and Displacement
Tuesday, April 7th at 2pm eastern. How does where you live make a difference for how you live and tell God's story? Learn how Jesus's attention to his context(s) and listener(s) shapes how he tells his story and receives theirs, and consider how attention to context and place presents both challenges and opportunities in sharing God's story with others. Click here to register

* NEW - Check out the NC Synod Pinterest board for Celebrating Volunteers. It's that time of year to say thank you to teachers, advisors and more. 

* 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. 

* NEW - The Generosity Project, our Pre-Assembly Event. May 27th (1pm) - May 28th (noon). Cost is $25. Koury Center in Greensboro. Linda Staats is our presenter. Please consider this great event!
  • Gather with other faithful stewards (both lay and rostered) to:Celebrate the generosity of God made known in Bible study, prayer and conversation, and expressed in individual, household and corporate financial giving, and
  • Grow an individual, household, congregational and synodical spirit of giving.

The event will include three phases.

  • First, we'll explore the basic principles of generosity.
  • Second, we'll experience an intergenerational Generosity Workshop in a congregational setting in Greensboro.
  • Third, is a "Train the Trainers" event, intended to equip leaders to take the Generosity Project into the congregations of our synod.
* 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:
April 14th - Youth Ministry structure

* 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! Discounted registration through April 15th. Pre-registration closes on May 15th.

* 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!

 

 

Find me on Pinterest  Follow me on Twitter  

A Story to share...
 
 "Gathering Giving Opportunities"  


Want to be a part of the ELCA Youth Gathering but can't be in Detroit this summer? Check out the giving opportunities that are awaiting your help. 
Youth and adults will be spread across the Detroit area in various projects as we Rise Up Together.
 Calendar
Calendar

 

April 7-9 - Region Nine YM Staff Retreat
April 11 - 2014 LYO Board Wrap-up - Salisbury
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
April 30 - May 1 - Synod Staff Retreat - Camp Caraway
May 11-13 - Y&F Staff Retreat - Greensboro
May 27 - Pre-Assembly Event - Generosity Project - 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.
  

 

* Family Camp: June 28-July 4, 2015 Enjoy the fun of summer camp as a family! Make new friends and memories which will last a lifetime. Great for extended family gatherings. Take the time to unplug as a family this summer! This is a faith and adventure-filled family vacation that all generations will enjoy. Adults enjoy a morning Bible study time while the kids have their own Bible study time with our caring counselors. Spend the afternoon enjoying on and off site camp activities like the creek walk, hike to the top of Lutherock's mountain, High Ropes Course, Grandfather Mountain State Park, sliding down a nearby natural rock slide, and so much more! Childcare will be provided on Wednesday night for an adult night out! There is an option to add on an extra night if you want to stay in the mountains for the 4th of July and enjoy local festivities.
Tammy Jones West, AIM
Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator
NC Synod ELCA
828.308.1362