Welcome to the NC Synod

Youth and Family Ministry E-news.

March 2016

Events and news...

* NEW - Practice Discipleship Webinar - TODAY, March 10 at 2pm eastern. Wondering about the church with Peggy Hahn. "Wondering about the church in a time of cultural shift. We were born for this. This is our watch as leaders and we want more than survival for our congregations and especially for the children, youth, and families we serve. This session will focus on developing the courage and faith necessary to become to leaders we are called to be."

* NEW - Who do you know? The application for our 2016-2017 LYO Board is now live. This board is open to current 8-11th graders plus one spot for a middle school representative. Applicants must be able to attend the LYO Board Retreat June 20-23 in Lake Lure, NC. Deadline to apply is April 1. This is a blind application process so answers to the questions are important. The selection team includes 2 graduating board members, 2 YARPs and 1 adult.

* NEW - The Fall Youth & Family Ministry Network meetings are on the calendar. Anyone who works with those in the first third of life are invited. We gather at 10am and go to lunch together. Each time we gather around a specific topic but we also have time to share concerns, joys and challenges. There's great wisdom in the room. We're also going to be trying out our new conference call system so you can join via Go To Meeting.

August 30 - Planning for 2017

September - no meeting (Fall Convo)

October 18 - ELCA Youth Gathering

November 15 - Child safety policies

* NEW - The 2016 NC Synod Assembly registration is open and ready to have youth and young adults from your congregation. Every congregation may send an additional voting member who is a youth (confirmed - 17) or a young adult (18-30). 13% of the voting members in 2015 were under 30 years of age. Let's see if we can beat that this year! Register now.

* NEW - Bishop's School. Deadline extended until March 15. Please take a moment to consider who should be invited to attend from your congregation. This is a wonderful event filled with space to ask big questions about our faith. This year's event will be held at Luther Springs in Florida. More information...

* NEW - Martin's List - The ELCA Youth Ministry Network has another great resource for members. You can learn more on March 15th at 2pm Eastern during the Network's 3TC (3rd Tuesday Conversation) with Shannon Savage-Howie. Free to network members. Register here.

* Mark your calendars.

Pre-Assembly Event

Thursday, June 2 from 9am - 4pm

AM Session for all participants 9am - noon
Rev. David Hansen
Digital Tools for Creating Community

Participants will consider how new and old tools can work together to help us build community in our churches and beyond. We will look at the changing media landscape of our culture, get hands-on experience with some of the most popular tools, and walk away with concrete tips and strategies to make the most of the opportunities they present to us.

PM Session - Breakout sessions (choose 1) 1:30-4pm
Digital Tools Part II - Rev. David Hansen
A Walk through the New Testament - Rev. Dr. Mary Shore
Renewing Congregations - Renewal Team
Stewardship for today - Stewardship Team

* The Linda Kaelke Scholarship forms are due April 1. These scholarships are designated for service trips. Don't let this deadline slip by. Read more here...

2016 Calendar of Events

March 10 - FREE Practice Discipleship Webinar

Wondering about the church with Peggy Hahn. 2pm eastern.

March 15 - 3TC webinar 2pm - Martin's List

March 18-19 - Synod Council Meeting
April 1 - Kaelke Scholarship Applications due
April 1 - LYO Board applications due
April 2 - 2015-2016 LYO Board meeting (Evaluations) - Synod Office

April 4-6 - Youth & Family Staff Retreat - Greensboro

April 7-9 - Faith Formation Summit - Chicago

April 11-13 - Region Nine Youth Ministry Staff Retreat
April 14 - FREE Practice Discipleship Webinar - Wondering through Service Learning with Mark Jackson. 2pm Eastern

April 15 - Early Registration deadline - NC Synod Assembly

May 12 - FREE Practice Discipleship Webinar - Wondering with Children and Youth with Jeremy Myers 2pm eastern.

June 2 - Pre-Assembly Event - Social Media
June 3-4 - Synod Assembly - Charlotte Renaissance

June 20-23 - LYO Board Retreat - Lake Lure, NC

June 21-25 - Bishop's School - Luther Springs, Florida
August 30 - Youth & Family Network meeting - Synod office
September 8 - FREE Practice Discipleship Webinar

- Wondering about Confirmation with Terri Elton. 2pm eastern.

September 9-10 - Synod Council

September 26-28 - Fall Convo - Lutheridge
October 13 - FREE Practice Discipleship Webinar - Wondering at Creation with Brian Peterson
October 18 - Youth & Family Network meeting - Synod office
October 22 - YouthQuake - Mt. Pisgah, Hickory
November 3-6 - ELCA Youth Leadership Summit - Lutheridge

November 10 - FREE Practice Discipleship Webinar - Wondering in Prayer with Mindy Makant. 2pm eastern.

November 12 - YouthQuake - Holy Trinity, Raleigh

November 15 - Youth & Family Network meeting - Synod office

November 28-30 - Youth Ministry Retreat - Camp Agape (anyone who works with youth.)

December 2-3 - Synod Council meeting

2017

January 14 - LYO Board Planning retreat

January 20-23 - ELCA YM Extravaganza - Louisville, KY

February 24-26 - LYO Assembly

App of the Month - Goose Chase

The easiest way to organize and run a scavenger hunt. Each GooseChase game has a list of missions/tasks for participants to complete. You can create your mission list using their bank of 100+ tested missions or by designing your own from scratch.

Missions have a name, description, point value and an optional link or photo to provide extra information.

Resource of the Month

Ministry descriptions for various positions throughout your congregation. From Faith Formation Director to Wedding Coordinator.

Video of the Month-

Selma and People Coming Together

Historically white congregations are meeting with historically black congregations in South Carolina to confront racism by sitting down and watching the film Selma (a film about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) together and having discussions about racism and how to come together as one.

Outdoor Ministries of the NC Synod

Below you will find wonderful offerings from our outdoor ministry sites. If you have specific questions, please check out their websites.

Agape-Kure Beach Ministries

Novus Way (Lutheridge, Lutherock, Luther Springs & Luther Ranch)

Seeking Staff

Agap� + Kure Beach Ministries is seeking young adults who want to make a difference!! Is that you? We are seeking Christian leaders to serve on our 2016 summer staff May 29 to August 9.

Contact: Randy: exec@agapekurebeach.org or go to our web site and click on summer tab to find an application and more info. Call: (919) 552-9421

The NovusWay Earlybird Registration Deadline is March 15, so register today for the lowest rate on summer camp at Lutheridge, Lutherock, or Luther Springs!

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