NWC Youth Ministry News

Youth Pastor's Connection
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Making Learning Active

Thursday, Feb. 19, 12 to 3 p.m.

Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN

Dr. Karen McKinney will be speaking on Making Learning Active. Karen is the youth ministry professor at Bethel University and famous for her work in experiential education.

She'll talk about how to put together a "bag of tricks" that shows you how to get students actively involved in the learning process. Bring your lunch.

Internet and Cell Safety for Youth and Children's Workers

Thursday, March 19, 12 to 3 p.m.

Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN

A joint Connection with Children & Family workers

Guest speaker: Alison Feigh from the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. Youth and children can find themselves in over their heads with various online concerns from cyberbullying to sexting. This presentation details the risks students are facing online and practical ways that adults can respond.

As a classmate of Jacob Wetterling, Alison learned early on how important it is to protect children and youth from exploitation, and believes strongly in avoiding fear-based approaches when educating young people. The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center is committed to using what they've learned in 25 years of case management of missing and exploited children to empower audiences to walk around smart and not scared.

Alison previously worked as a minister to youth and children at a metro area faith community for six years. She continues to be inspired and re-energized by working directly with children and teenagers at camps, retreats and theater companies.

This event is open to any staff people or parents who are available and interested in this topic.

MOVE 2015 is April 10-11

Minnehaha Academy South Campus

MOVE is the NWC's high school service and learning experience. This year's theme is "Now What?"

Our speakers are Hope Ledeboer-Smith and Cesar Castillejos from Young Life in the Twin Cities area. Registration info coming next week.

CHIC 2015 registration

CHIC registration is open at CHIC2015.org. So far, there are over 4,000 students and adults registered. If you weren't able to make the CHIC training at YWC in Denver, the CHIC office will be making the training available online in March. If you want a CHIC training manual before that time, contact Ginny (ginny@northwestconference.org) or Cheryl (cheryl@northwestconference.org).

CHIC Transportation

Taking a NWC bus? It's only $205 and you don't have to worry about sleepy drivers and the church van breaking down in the middle of a cornfield. A $100 per person deposit is due March 1.

northwestconference.org/chic-2015-bus-info

CHIC Scholarships

We're raising scholarship money to help out churches with NWC transportation costs. If you have former students, or families, who were impacted at CHIC, would you ask them to give to Get Northwest Conference Kids to CHIC at http://www.youcaring.com/other/get-northwest-conference-kids-to-chic/265502? We chose YouCaring.com because they don't charge any fees for administration (just a small credit card fee). Our goal is 100 $100 scholarships.

Upcoming NWC Events

Sabbath Renewal Retreat for Children, Youth & Family Ministry Leaders

March 1-3, 2015 // $25 // Covenant Pines Bible Camp retreat center, McGregor, MN

Retreat begins with supper at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 1 and ends after breakfast on Tuesday, March 3.

We will gather for meals and guided reflection times led by Judy Swanberg, Associate Director of Pastoral Care & Development, Northwest Conference. Mornings, afternoons and evenings are yours. Rest, hike, read, draw, explore, knit, sleep. Judy will be available for spiritual direction, as well.

Details: Meals are provided by camp, linens are not. Bring a sleeping bag or sheets, plus a towel. Private rooms, shared bathroom.

To extend your stay, contact Holly Larson at Covenant Pines. holly@covenantpines.org.

Registration: contact Kara Stromberg, Director of Children & Family Ministry by Wednesday, Feb. 25 at kara@northwestconference.org.

Download the retreat flyer

Adventures in Leadership - June 20-27

Nominate one or two of your students who have strong leadership traits for an intense, weeklong leadership development experience. AIL is for select high school students and is based at Adventurous Christians camp. It's a powerful time of learning leadership principles and putting them into action, all in a guided, challenging environment.

If you're interested in being an AIL leader, contact Jon Kramka at jon@northwestconference.org. Information and materials are available at northwestconference.org/children-youth-family/adventures-in-leadership

MUUUCE - Aug. 6-8, 2015

Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events in the Area

Inclusion on this list doesn't imply endorsement. Do your homework to make sure these events fit you or your group ...

Youth Leaders Summit, Feb. 27-28

Rosemont, MN

www.ylsummit.com

Youth Leadership Seminars

Youthleadership.org

"The End of the Critical Decade" with David Boyd and Tiger McLuen. March 16. youthleadership.publishpath.com/3-hour-seminars

Free Stuff

Inclusion on this list doesn't imply endorsement. Do your homework to make sure these events fit you or your group ...

Free download this week from Youth Specialties:

Building a Successful Marriage AND Youth Ministry - Doug & Cathy Fields. This NYWC intensive is available for FREE just for a limited time this week! Enjoy the download and take time to share the ideas with your spouse. http://youthspecialties.com/shop/product/atlanta-2014-doug-cathy-fields-building-a-successful-marriage-and-youth-min

Also via Youth Specialties:

The Lent Experience is a video guide for the Lenten season that includes blog posts, discussion starters, and weekly spiritual challenges. At first glance, it looks like a solid FREE resource that could work for a small group format or discussion-oriented youth groups. http://www.thelentexperience.com

Breaking News

To get the latest updates on these and other youth ministry events for the NWC follow us on Facebook: Northwest Conference Youth Ministry page or on Twitter @nwcym