Youth Ministry   

MUUUCE 2014 and Epic adventure 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "epic" as, "extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope"-an apt description for this year's annual MUUUCE (Most Unbelievable, Ultimate, Urban Camping Experience) which took place at Crossroads Church in Woodbury, Aug. 7-9. Epic was the theme woven throughout the 3-day retreat of over 600 middle schoolers, jr. highers and their leaders from 42 churches. From the moment they drove up, students knew they were going to experience an out-of-the-ordinary event designed for them, an event that communicated that God loves early adolescents in an epic way from the powerful worship and preaching to the awesome decorations to the hard-working volunteers.

Gabby, an 8th grader, summed up the weekend: "MUUUCE is having a great message with friends you love and you meet new people to have fun with." For Abigail, 6th grade, this was her first MUUUCE: "It's a place where you can be naturally crazy." For veteran 9th grader, Nikki, she observed, "Every year it changes, [the themes], the messages. Yet they all change you in their own way."

Children, Youth & Family Ministry 

'Sticky Faith: Practical & Tested Ideas to Build Family Faith,' with Dr. Kara Powell, a seminar for parents and grandparents

Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 at 7 p.m. 

Minnehaha Academy, upper campus chapel

3100 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN (Directions)  

Cost: FREE

Together with Minnehaha Academy, the Northwest Conference is excited to host Dr. Kara Powell from Fuller Youth Institute as she leads a seminar for parents and grandparents of Northwest Conferences churches and Minnehaha Academy.

Approximately 40-50% of graduating seniors pick up their diplomas and ditch their faith. Come and learn all sorts of new research-based, practical tips from the Fuller Youth Institute that your family can apply immediately to help kids of all ages develop a faith that sticks.

This event is free and open to parents and grandparents. No childcare will be provided. Questions? Contact Kara Stromberg, Director of Children & Family Ministry.

Download a Flyer to advertise the seminar at your church 

Interested in making a weekend of it?

There are two more training events happening this same weekend that may be of interest to you:

The Orange Tour

The Orange Tour is a shorter, simpler version of the Orange conference, held on Friday, Sept. 12, at Emmanuel Christian Center in Spring Lake Park, MN. This is for children, youth and family ministry teams. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration information here: http://www.orangetour.org/dates-and-locations 

Refuel

The University of Northwestern, St. Paul, offers a training event on Saturday, Sept. 13, for youth workers. Information here:

 https://www.unwsp.edu/web/church-relations/refuel 

CRIM (Covenanters Retired in Ministry) 

2014 Retreat deadline is Aug. 29

The CRIM (Covenanters Retired in Ministry) Annual Retreat is scheduled for Sept. 3-5, at Covenant Pines Bible Camp in McGregor, MN. All pastors, missionaries, other ministry staff and spouses who are 62+ are welcome to attend. (No, you don't have to be officially retired to be eligible.) The registration deadline for the retreat is Aug. 29. 

Dr. Jay Phelan, Senior Professor of Theological Studies at North Park Seminary, will be our speaker. His topic will be "Essential Eschatology," which is also the title of his most recent book. Three interest groups will also be offered: Sharing Your Stories, Health and Welfare, and Book Reviews.  

Covenant Pines is offering their outstanding facilities with no registration fee. A free-will donation to the camp will be received during the retreat. All are invited, even if you are unable to make a donation at this time. Past participants in this retreat have found it to be a welcoming and inspiring environment. 

For more information contact Ken Fenton or Judy Swanberg.  

Covenant Trust Company    

Planning Your Legacy

Galatians 6 says we will reap what we sow, but we don't always reap and sow in the same season. Legacy Planning is based on a similar principal. Our time on earth is limited, but with proper planning, our actions and decisions can have an impact that transcends our time here. Our legacies-the lives we touch; the wisdom, values, and traditions we share with others; the ministries that continue due to our support-can affect the world beyond our lifetime.

Covenant Trust Company (CTC) believes everyone has a legacy. What will yours be? If you're not sure, here are some of our tools that can help you take control of the legacy you leave behind.

Trustee services

CTC can manage trusts as trustee or successor trustee for various types of trusts. Generally, trusts can be used to build wealth and designate family, friends and charities as beneficiaries. Revocable Living Trusts (RLT) in particular are great for Legacy Planning as they allow people to establish for whom the trust will provide, to what extent and for how long. As trustee, CTC can manage assets in an RLT even after your death.

Wills

With a Will, you can ensure your plans for your family and assets are carried out. A Will can determine legal guardianship of children, and name friends and charities along with family as beneficiaries of your estate.

Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)

A CGA is an irrevocable contract between a donor and a charity. If, for example, you funded a gift annuity with a Northwest Conference ministry or church as a beneficiary, CTC would act as trustee of those funds and make fixed payments to you for the rest of your life. Afterward, the ministry or church would receive the remainder of the fund. CTC is able to facilitate these agreements on behalf of all Covenant ministries.

Other legacy planning options

Discover how you can sow seeds today for future generations to reap. Contact one of our local Financial Services Representatives below to learn more about these and other Legacy Planning services:

Kevin Lawson, CFP®, 1-877-222-3960 or  kelawson@CovenantTrust.com 

Steve Allison, ChFC, 1-877-768-1766 or srallison@CovenantTrust.com 

To read more, please visit  http://www.covenanttrust.com/news/ 

To request information, please visit http://www.covenanttrust.com/info/ 

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