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Don't Miss!
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Upcoming deadlines and events to watch for:
The NE MN Synod Fall Youth Ministry Resource packet will be mailed to congregations this week! Look for it in your church mailbox, or download the contents from the Youth Ministry Resource Page. |
ELCA
Outdoor Ministries
in and around
NE MN Synod
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Encourage your young people and families to go to camp next summer!
Camp Amnicon
Camp Onomia
Luther Crest Bible Camp
Luther Park Bible Camp
Voyaguers Lutheran Ministries
Wilderness Canoe Base
Journeys(Listing and links for all ELCA Outdoor Ministries) |
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Get Networked!
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Youth ministry is hard work. We are strengthed personally and professionally when we get together regularly to share our stories, swap ideas, learn from each other and lean on each other. Make time this month to join in on one of these network opportunities, or have coffee with a youth worker near you!
Duluth Area Network Meetings:
Second Thursday of Every Month, 10:00am
Beaner's in West Duluth
Contact Deb Westerberg for more info.
Brainerd Area Network Meetings:
Second Thursday of Every Month, 10:00am
Caribou Coffee on Hwy 371
Contact Stacy Johnson for more info.
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Cert Schools
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Sponsored by Trinity Lutheran College Certificate in Children, Youth & Family Ministry The 3-week program is open to staff, pastors, and volunteers looking for in-depth training in congregational ministry leadership. Find details at www.tlc.edu/cyfcenter.
Sponsored by
Vibrant Faith Ministries and Wartburg Seminary
This week-long training experience is supplemented by five weeks of online training. For dates and more information please contact Jim LaDoux at 877-239-2492 or click here. Sponsored by
Youth Leadership
This two year program covers the key areas of youth ministry leadership with a personal component that will help you grow as a leader in your particular context.
For more information, click here. |
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I had the opportunity this summer to visit the World War II sites of the D-Day Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. Near Utah Beach, there is a monument to "those who led the way on D-Day." At the back of the statue is one word: LEADERSHIP. If you know anything of the D-Day invasions, you know that when just about everything went wrong from the strategic plans, it was the leadership of the soldiers on the ground who were able to work on the fly and secure the beaches despite all the odds. Most of the Divisions had trained for their role for over a year, up to 14 hours a day.  They knew their part - and the responsibilities of everyone else in their group. They clearly knew their goal: take the bridges, secure the beaches. When things went awry, their training kicked in to take up the responsibilities of those who had fallen and to adapt to the situation in order to achieve the goal set before them.
I was with a ministry colleague on this trip, and we couldn't help but make the comparison to youth ministry. How many times have your plans gone exactly as planned? I've been in ministry for 24 years and I don't think I've ever had an event go exactly as planned! When people are involved - especially kids - the unexpected happens and you need to adapt on the fly to achieve the goal set before you - be it an event or a simple conversation. That is why I believe leadership development for all adults in youth ministry is so vital. Volunteers and staff in the trenches need to be prepared for the variables that come our way. We need to clearly know the goal of passing on faith. We need to be equipped to know the nuts and bolts of our role...and the bigger picture of how theology, theory and practice fit together. This is leadership. Moving forward despite all the odds, because you trust the training that has equipped you and the God who empowers you, and you know the goal of accompanying young people on their faith journey is well worth the investment.
I cannot encourage you strongly enough to invest in leadership development this coming year - for yourself, and for your teams (Sunday school teachers, confirmation guides, mission trip leaders, caring adults...). Consider taking part in two upcoming Practice Discipleship trainings:
Check out the trainings from Youth Leadership, Peer Ministry Leadership, Vibrant Faith Ministries and more. Details are below and on our website. How will you grow to move forward in ministry this year?
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry |
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Region 3 Practice Discipleship Retreat
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August 24-26, 2014
Luther Crest Bible Camp: Alexandria, MN
The Region 3 Practice Disciple Coaches are hosting a Practice Discipleship Retreat at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria, MN August 24-26. The retreat is geared toward people who work with First Third ministries and that applies to ANYONE (volunteers, church council, paid staff, whomever)!
The Practice Discipleship Initiative is a ministry of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and is in its third year. This year's theme is Frame and it looks at different ways our faith and the way we view things are "framed." There are six pieces of curriculum that will be led by the Practice Discipleship teams and will help you frame your ministry.
The retreat cost is $75 for a cabin stay (provide your own bedding) or $110 for a stay in the retreat center. Cost includes lodging and meals!
Visit http://elcaymnet.org/PDretreatregion3 for more information and to sign-up for the retreat!
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2014 Practice Discipleship Training Events
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The 2014 theme for Practice Discipleship is " Frame." Training events will explore biblical, theological and practical frames that can give intentionality to how we prioritize our ministries and respond to the gospel in our daily lives.
Sept. 16: Our Savior's Lutheran, Cloquet
Cost: $50 per congregation (unlimited number of participants)
Bring a team of 2 or more to be equipped to lead the Practice Discipleship trainings in your congregation.
Local Day Events
Oct. 23: Camp Onomia
Nov. 4: First Lutheran, Duluth
Cost: $10 per person or $25 per congregation (unlimited participants from one congregation)
These are open enrollment workshops for individuals or groups to attend.
Region 3 Retreat
August 24-26: Luther Crest Bible Camp
Join volunteer, paid and rostered leaders in Children, Youth and Family ministries. The retreat will include the full series of this year's "Frame" sessions along with worship with Dave Scherer (Agape), relaxation and networking. Click here for details and to register for the Region 3 Retreat.
Full and partial scholarships are available for all events! Email Catherine Anderson to request a scholarship.
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Hunger Training Event
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9am - 3pm
Salem Lutheran Church, Deerwood
Learn how to address hunger issues in your community and how to get more involved! Two adults and two youth from every synod congregation is invited and encouraged to attend! Sponsored by the NE MN Synod Hunger, Justice and Rural Life Concerns Committee.
For more information and to register for this FREE event, click here.
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CHARGE
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August 23, 2014
Brooklyn Park, MN
Start your volunteers and student leaders off right this ministry year! Charge is a packed 1/2 day of training and encouragement for all of your volunteers. Get your team ready to jump into the practical reality of working with kids.
This year, we have added a student leadership track that will help those high school students move into their leadership roles. We've also i
ncluded an option to stay for lunch and work with your team individually if you have "in house" info you'd like to share with them. We provide the room and the lunch--and you do your own meeting.
For more information and to register, visit www.chargeyourministry.org.
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EXTRAVAGANZA!
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January 30 - February 2, 2015 
Detroit, MI
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.
Registration now open! For more info, visit www.elcaymnet.org/E2015.
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Youth and Family Ministry Certification School
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New!
Trinity Lutheran College, near Seattle, will provide a three-week Certificate in Children, Youth & Family Ministry in January 2015. The program is open to staff, pastors, and volunteers looking for in-depth training in congregational ministry leadership. Find details at www.tlc.edu/cyfcenter.
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Middle School Gathering
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November 21-22, 2014 OR
November 22-23, 2014
Grades 6-9, Cragun's Resort
"FOREVER"
Join nearly 1000 middle school youth and adults for the for a weekend of fun, friends, learning, laughing, play, worship and so much more! The theme for 2014 is "Forever" - in the Sacraments we are FOREVER given our identity as child of God, and we are strengthened in that relationship FOREVER!
For more information and to download registration forms, visit www.nemnsynod.org/MSG
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Cardia Deo
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Feb. 27-March 1, 2015
Grades 9-12, Big Sandy Camp, McGregor
"Equipped"
Start planning now for this year's Cardia Deo Retreat! Worship, Bible studies led by the LYO, servant learning, Mystery Event, Camp Life and more!
For more information and to download registration forms, visit www.nemnsynod.org/CD.
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The Synod Journey to the
2015 ELCA Youth Gathering
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Synod Journey Forms! 
All worksheets and forms are now posted for the Synod Journey at www.nemnsynod.org/SynodJourney - click on "Registration Forms." Registration opens for the Synod Journey on September 19!
Pre-Registration Information
Did you miss the Spring Training Meetings for the 2015 Synod Journey and ELCA Youth Gathering? The recorded webinar, PowerPoints and other handouts and resources are now available at www.nemnsynod.org/SynodJourney.
Registration details, financial assistance applications, and volunteer opportunity applications are now available on the ELCA Youth Gathering site at www.elca.org/Gathering.
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Continuing Education Events Beyond Our Synod
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Our synod is located just hours away from some of the top youth ministry training in the nation! Click on the organizations below for a complete listing of training opportunities!
Youth Leadership
Offers 3 hour, one day, intensive and certificate programs.
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EveryDay / Peer Ministry / Marilyn Sharpe Ministries
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Discipleship Challenge: Love Like Jesus!
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The Discipleship Challenge is about deepening our faith practices and developing leaders, as we strive to follow and love like Jesus on a daily basis. A new series of resources will begin again in September. The videos and discussion guides from the last two years are still available at www.nemnsynod.org/Discipleship - they make for great summer Bible studies and resources!
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Youth Ministry Position
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Youth Director
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Duluth
Experience working with youth & adults & involvement in life of a congregation. Planning, programming, supervising. 20 hrs/wk. Mail cover letter & resume to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Attn: Exec. Director, 410 N. Arlington Ave., Duluth, MN 55811; or dekma50@gmail.com
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