Thursday, Nov. 21

Noon-3 p.m. Bring a lunch.

Topic: Sticky Faith - a conversation with children, youth and family ministers

Location: Bethlehem Covenant Church youth room (3141 43rd Ave S., Minneapolis 55406) www.bethlehemcov.org

The first hour will be a time for checking-in and prayer with children's ministers, then we will join the youth pastors for a conversation about Fuller Youth Institute's Sticky Faith research and its implications for children, youth and family ministry. Marti Burger, Director of Youth Ministries for the Evangelical Covenant Church will lead the discussion. Learn more about Sticky faith here:  http://stickyfaith.org 

2013-2014 dates are:

• Thursday, Nov. 21 - Sticky Faith
• Thursday, Jan. 16 - Understanding our Children: Ages/stages of development, led by Sara Sosa from Plymouth Covenant
• Thursday, March 20 - Working with students on the autism spectrum, led by Lynn Jackson from Connected Families http://connectedfamilies.org 
• Thursday, May 15 - Leading Up: How to lead well from the second chair, led by Tiger McLuen from Youth Leadership www.youthleadership.org 

Missed last month's connection gathering?

Close to 130 people attended Imagine at Plymouth Covenant on Nov. 9. Scottie May invited us to think about ministry with children, instead of ministry to children, inviting children into sacred space and the importance of the whole family of faith, among other things.

We are working on making Scottie's notes available to you, and will continue these conversations at future connection gatherings. I leave you with this blessing from Scottie May:

May your eyes see God's glory.

May your ears hear his voice.

May your lips speak his praise.

May your heart love him more.

May your hands serve him.

May your knees bow before him.

May your feet follow him wherever he leads.

RECHARGE

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014

Grace Fellowship, Brooklyn Park

Looking for another great way to train your volunteer teams? Recharge is a day dedicated to equipping leaders in children, youth and family ministry. Main session speaker, Rich Van Pelt, trains thousands of educators, counselors and youth workers each year in adolescent crisis intervention and teen suicide prevention and response. Breakout workshop sessions for Children and Youth Ministry volunteers will be offered.

Conference staff Ginny Olson and Kara Stromberg are both leading break-out sessions at Recharge. Ginny will teach about ministry to girls and Kara is leading a seminar on ministry in small church settings. We also have a room set aside for all Covenanters to gather for lunch together. Hope to see you there!  

Register soon to take advantage of early bird pricing:. http://www.ministryrecharge.com

Children & Family Ministry Sabbath retreat

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014

Go: Serve

Who: NWC Families

April 26, 2014

Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is a new NWC Family event, intended to bring Northwest Conference families together for a shared learning and outreach opportunity. This NWC Family event is targeted to families of all kinds with children in pre-K through upper elementary school.

GO: SERVE is an opportunity for families to learn and grow together, in a family-friendly, yet stretching, environment suitable for younger children. Families can expect to have their worldview expanded, to be inspired by God's kingdom workforce in the world, and to have opportunity to extend the hope and love of Christ with those experiencing unmet needs.

Some of you have been asking how we can share resources with one another. Our conference website has a Church Resource Bank where you can post your extra resources or requests for resources you need. Click the link above and look for the Submit a Church Resource link.    

Go ahead and post something. Let's help each other out! 

Social Media  

To get the latest updates on events and other Children & Family Ministry happenings for the NWC, like us on Facebook:

NWC Children & Family Ministry Facebook Page 

Did you know there is also an ECC Children's Ministry Facebook page? This is a closed group, so if you are interested in joining (all are welcome!), send an email to kara@northwestconference.org and you will receive an invitation. This is a great way to collaborate on a national level.