Youth E-Chat
Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
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Don't Miss!
Upcoming deadlines and events to watch for:

Middle School Gathering:
Early registration deadline is Monday, October 20!
Middle School Forms


Practice Discipleship Day Event on Oct. 23
Registration Deadline is Oct 17!! 
Register Now! 
In This Issue
Practice Discipleship Events
Middle School Gathering
Discipleship Challenge
Free Webinar!
Extravaganza
VLM Events
New Cert School
Continuing Ed Events - More New Events!
Synod YM Calendar
October 2014
23: Practice Discipleship Day Event, Camp Onomia
Reg. Deadline Oct. 17!

November 2014
4: Practice Discipleship Day Event, Duluth
21-22: Middle School Gathering
22-23: Middle School Gathering

January 2015
30 - Feb. 2: Extravaganza, Detroit

February 2015
15: LYO Applications Due
27 - March 1: Cardia Deo

July 2015
11-20: The Synod Journey

ELCA
Outdoor Ministries
in and around
NE MN Synod
 
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) 
ELCA Youth Gathering Links

Quick Links
 
Join our list
Join Our Mailing List
Get Networked!

Youth ministry is hard work. We are strengthened 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.
Cert Schools
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.  
October 15, 2014


"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 

- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

This summer while driving on vacation, a friend was on a conference call with his management team, discussing workers within their systems. I kept hearing him ask on the call, "How can we help/him her succeed?" As we talked later, I found out that it is exceedingly difficult to fire European workers (where he works), due to the strong labor laws. Wisely, my friend has chosen to approach every situation with how he can help make it succeed...how he can support, encourage, equip, surround these struggling workers so they can be effective members of the team.

 

It makes me wonder...what if we approached our ministries with the same question? How might it change how we work with parents who drop off their kids for Sunday school? How might it change how we approach that young person who challenges us with every breath? How might it change our perspective on that pesky council member? In those moments of frustration and weariness, it's not easy to look for the positive. But I wonder about the times and places and people with whom I need to change my question so I can help others succeed. And I am so thankful for all those moments you choose to ask and act on how you can help God's people succeed so they can live out their calling as effective members of God's team.

 

Together in Christ,  

Catherine Anderson 

Coordinator of Youth Ministry
2014 Practice Discipleship Training Events

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. 

Local Day Events
Oct. 23: Camp Onomia - Last day to register is this Friday, October 17!! 

 

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.

 

Click here for more info and to register! 
Full and partial scholarships are available for all events! Email Catherine Anderson to request a scholarship. 
Middle School Gathering
November 21-22, 2014 OR
November 22-23, 2014 
Grades 6-9,  
Cragun's Resort
"FOREVER" 
Speaker: Dave Scherer (Agape)
The early registration deadline is this Monday, October 20!

Cost:  
$64 if postmarked by Oct. 20 
$74 if postmarked October 21 or after 

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 

WANTED - ASSORTED CROSSES!
The Lutheran Youth Organization Board is inviting congregations and individuals to invest in the faith lives of our synod young people by making assorted crosses and/or writing personal notes that share why knowing you are a child of God makes a difference in your daily life.
More Details...
Note Template Option 1 
Note Template Option 2 
NE MN Synod Discipleship Challenge!
The faith practice focus for October is 
GIVE!

  

Dig Deep Together on a Faith Journey to...
KNOW the Story
         BE the Story
               TELL the Story
  ...of Christ's Love in the World!


October Resources:
Give Teaser Video
Bishop Tom "GIVE" Video Challenge
Give Discussion Guide 
Practice Discipleship Webinar:
Framing the Path: Practicing Things New


November 13, 2014

1:00pm - FREE and ONLINE!

Rozella White, ELCA Program Director for Young Adults   

 

You have come to realize that the culture is shifting. Church is not as important in peoples' lives as it once was. You are also probably convinced that your congregation's approach to ministry with children, youth and families needs to change. Maybe you even have some ideas! This session will help you frame a path towards change in your congregation. We will help one another identify and plan the steps we need to take to create the change we need to see in our congregations' ministry with children, youth and families.  

 

Register now! Can't make the time/date to watch this live? A recording of the webinar will be available the next day at www.practicediscipleship.org. 
EXTRAVAGANZA!
January 30 - February 2, 2015
Detroit, MI
Early registration closes October 31! Register now and save! 

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.  
Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry Events
Church Secretary/Office Staff Day

Tuesday, October 14 at Camp Hiawatha

10am-2pm

Join other church office staff for a day of conversation and hearing about what is happening at Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion. Network with others, share ideas, ask questions, and check out where the youth from your congregation are going to camp! There is no charge to participants, and lunch is included. Please contact Mev at the VLM office to RSVP - mev@VLMcamps.org  or 800-331-5148.  

 

Father-Son "Top Secret" Retreat

October 24-26 at Camp Vermilion

Designed for boys ages 12 and older; 10 and 11 years olds welcome with advanced notification to our staff.

Come to camp for a weekend full of games and activities. Build some fun gadgets while exploring your faith as a secret agent team. Fathers and sons will work together to build various projects, then have the chance to try them out! It's the perfect secret mission for boys and their dads, so don't miss out! Activities for the weekend include building Bottle Rockets and Potato Guns, fishing, outdoor cooking, and wood bowl burning. Contact Grant with questions - grant@VLMcamps.org or 218-666-5465.

Cost: $95 per person (with a $200 family maximum)

 http://www.vlmcamps.org/father-son-retreat/ 

Children, Youth and Family Ministry Certificate Program
January 5-23, 2015
Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, WA
This training is designed to equip church staff, volunteers, and pastors for effective leadership in congregational children, youth, and family ministry. Students learn in an interactive seminar format, including discussions, presentations, videos, role plays, and more. Topics include biblical and theological foundations, Bible study methods, human lifespan development, creative programming, counseling and relational skills, and program administration. Housing is available. For more information, visit  www.tlc.edu/cyfcenter or contact Rev. David Ellingson at 425.249.4722 or david.ellingson@tlc.edu
Continuing Education Events Beyond Our Synod
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

Living Room Summit, Peer Ministry Leadership Camps and trainings, Coaching.
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Vibrant Faith Ministries
Online learning, coaching. Tons of free resources on the Faith Formation Learning Exchange!
You are welcome to copy and use any of the information or writings above for use in your newsletters and other communications.

If you have any questions regarding any of these events, please contact me at the number and addresses listed below.

Catherine Anderson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry

 

Phone: 218.724.4424, ext. 124
Fax: 218.724.4393