Welcome to the NC Synod 
Youth and Family Ministry E-news. 
September 2016
Events and news...

* Changes to E-news...
We are consolidating our communications in the North Carolina Synod. This plan will allow for more communication with our leaders and all those who worship in this synod. What this means for Y&F E-news...
1. Instead of a separate e-news devoted to Youth and Family, information will be included in the newest publication of our synod - Leader E-news.
2. Stories of our ministries with those in the first third of life will be included in the Synod E-news. 
3. Synod E-news will be published the first and third Tuesday. Leader E-news will be published the second and fourth Tuesday. All rostered leaders and all professional church leaders will be automatically added this month to Leader E-news. 
4. If you are a volunteer and would like to receive both publications, simply register for both here. Volunteers are not automatically added to Leader E-news but are welcome! Always. 


*
YouthQuake is just around the corner. Gather your 3-5th graders and join us in Hickory or Raleigh. (same event, different locations). Cost is $20 and includes lunch, program supplies and a cool t-shirt. You can find a flyer ready for you to post here.

EVENTS: 

T-shirt deadlines:
Hickory - noon Friday, October 14.
Raleigh - noon Friday, November 4

* Safe Gatherings. We will launch the new Safe Gatherings online training and background check at Fall Convo. Safe Gatherings is a comprehensive system that incorporates an online application, online abuse prevention training, several levels of background checks, and paperless reference checks for people who volunteer or are employed with churches, schools, and organizations that serve or work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Each congregation will have access to the training and background check for all those who work with our children and youth. The synod is covering all set up costs but individuals or congregations will cover the training/background check cost of $35. 

* Leaders Learn Update - Keep tracking your continuing education. Our goal for 2016 is at least 20 hours. How are you doing? The new website with continuing education options and suggestions will be "live" by fall convo. It turns out this is a bigger task than at first glance. (This might be a theme in my life and ministry but I'll learn one day - maybe.) However, don't let the lack of a website stop you from learning with others. Fall convo is coming up. Register today!

* Stay at Home Mission trip - we have five sites ready to welcome folks from around the ELCA and around North Carolina as they serve in their communities. These sites, from the mountains to the coast, who are willing to share their local work with your group. 
  • Good Shepherd, Brevard
  • Kimball, Kannapolis
  • Holy Trinity, Chapel Hill
  • Macedonia, Burlington
  • St. Matthew's, Wilmington
Registration will open in October. Dates, grades, and open spots vary by site. Details coming soon...

* ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza - Registration is now open for the E! What is the E? The Extravaganza is an amazing event.  The Extravaganza is an annual 4-day conference that draws together anywhere from 500-750 adults who work with youth in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the premier renewal, education and networking event of our church.  It is for the professional and the volunteer.  It is for the old and the young.  It is for the urban, the suburban and the rural.  It is for pastors, it is for laypeople.  It is for all who share in the adventure we call youth and family ministry. I'll be there and hope to welcome you too! We'll have a NC Synod lunch too. Don't miss this event. 

* 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.
October 18 - ELCA Youth Gathering
November 15 - Child safety policies



2016 Calendar of Events

September 26-28 - Fall Convo - Lutheridge
October 13 - FREE Practice Discipleship Webinar - Wondering at Creation with Brian Peterson. 2pm eastern.
October 14 - Hickory YouthQuake T-shirt deadline NOON
October 18 - Youth & Family Network meeting - Synod office
October 22 - YouthQuake - Mt. Pisgah, Hickory
November 3-6 - ELCA Youth Leadership Summit - Lutheridge
November 4 - Raleigh YouthQuake T-shirt deadline NOON
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
Summer - Stay at home mission trips
July 25-29 - Bishop's School - South Carolina (DATE CHANGE)

2018
February 23-25 - LYO Assembly
June 27 - July 1 - ELCA Youth Gathering - Houston, TX

2019
June 23 - 29 - Bishop's School - North Carolina

2020
July 5 - 11 - Bishop's School - Southeastern Synod

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