February 12, 2016
 
Children & Family Ministry Connection
Thursday, Feb. 18, Noon - 2 p.m.
Salem Covenant Church
 
Steve Burger, Director of Children, Family and Intergenerational Ministry for the Evangelical Covenant Church will join us to lead a conversation about intergenerational ministry and intergenerational worship. Steve is passionate about this topic and we look forward to a robust and insightful conversation.
 
Bring a lunch. Hope to see you there!
 
On deck for March 17: Hospital chaplains Joel Jueckstock and Crystal Vogt will lead a conversation on working with kids and families in the midst of grief and loss. We are grateful to learn from the experts!
 
April 21: topic to be determined...
 
TUESDAY, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Salem Covenant (note date and time change): Mastering the Craft of Story Illustrations. For our final connection of the year, we will join with the youth pastors, church planters and vitality connection for a celebratory event with Bob Stromberg. Bob is a local comedian, storyteller, author and actor.


Save the Date:
NWC Family Go: Serve
Saturday, May 7, at First Covenant Church, St. Paul, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
Go: Serve is in its third year of offering ministry and learning experiences for families with elementary-aged children. Even young children can have an impact in their communities, and a new location in East St. Paul means new opportunities for ministry and service.
 
Postcards are being mailed to each church. Also, you can find information on our Go:Serve 2016 page, including a link to this short 30 second promo video. Online registration will open March 1.
 

Feb. 27 at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, MN, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Salem Covenant Church
2655 5th Street NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 
 
 
This seminar is a "must-go-to" for anyone in ministry leadership! Mark is a leader in the conversation about LGBTQ adolescents. He's the author of "Understanding Sexual Identity: A Resource for Youth Ministry" (Zondervan/YS) and presents to packed-out rooms at the National Youth Workers Convention. Bring your ministry team as well as other pastors, ministry staff members and key influencers in your church.  
 
Bill Henson came to speak to us this fall and laid a good foundation that Mark will build on. We'll be discussing how people of faith navigate sexual identity questions in their lives. Sexual identity refers to the labels people use to discuss their sexuality-labels like gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight.
 
In the morning we will discuss two of the most frequently asked questions: "What causes homosexuality and can it change?" and, "What are the experiences and challenges encountered by people of faith who are navigating sexual identity questions in their personal lives?" Then, in the afternoon we turn our attention to practical ministry tools for helping individuals and families, as well as strategies for positioning faith communities to engage and provide ministry in a dramatically changing culture.
 
This event is offered free of charge. However, refreshments and a box lunch will be provided for a suggested donation of $10.00/person.
 
Please RSVP with how many people are planning to attend from your church or ministry by Monday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Jessa Anderson at the NWC office by phone (612-721-4893) or by e-mail at jessa@northwestconference.org. We strongly encourage you to make use of this valuable resource.
Baptism and communion resources:
 
The Conference office often receives questions from churches asking what is available to educate and prepare children and families to participate in baptism and communion. What does your church do? Do you offer a class? Have you created a brochure? Found a favorite book or other resource?

We would like to collect ideas from local churches so we can resource each other. If you have anything helpful you'd be willing to share, please send it my way - to kara@northwestconference.org. Many thanks!


Lenten Resources

Illustrated Children's Ministry is doing some innovative stuff with devotions for families and Sunday School classes, as well as beautiful group coloring posters. Affordable, and available for download or mail. Also available in Spanish. 
 
Sara Sosa from Plymouth Covenant has written some beautiful stories, reflecting on Jesus' crucifixion from the perspective of different Biblical characters - the boy who shared his lunch, the centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of Jesus. You may find these helpful for your own devotional practice or for planning Lenten events.

Breaking News
 
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To see the full NWC Calendar, visit northwestconference.org/events/

Feb. 18, 2016
CFM Connection - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN
 
Feb. 27, 2016
Dr. Mark Yarhouse Workshop - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN
 
March 17, 2016
CFM Connection - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN

April 21, 2016
CFM Connection - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN
 
April 28-29, 2016
Ministerial Association Annual Meeting - Lakeview Covenant Church, Duluth, MN
 
April 29-30, 2016
Northwest Conference Annual Meeting - Lakeview Covenant Church, Duluth, MN

May 24, 2016
  CFM Connection - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN
 
Northwest Conference, 3106 47th Ave. S.  |  612.721.4893  |  northwestconference.org