Complete Story
 

11/18/2013

Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin December 1, 2013

Entering The Holiday Season

First 1/2 Updates & Second 1/2 Articles

 

New Features For 2014

 

God Sightings and Ideas to Share

Gary is going to add the above two features to the youth & family e-bulletin in 2014. Feel free to send stories (and pictures) on both topics to:

gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org

 Let's continue to learn, share and grow together

 

Bishop Meet & Greet For Paid Youth Staff

Thursday December 5 at the Procter Center

We think our congregational paid youth staff mailing list is up to date, invitations have gone out and the response has been good. However, if you are a paid staff member in children's, youth and/or family ministry and have not received an invitation to this Thursday's event contact Gary tout de suite (That's French for right away).

 

 Faith Advance

Friday/Saturday January 17-18, 2014

Gary will be leading a Faith Advance at Advent, Columbus. Interested in attending? Send Gary an email. You can bring youth or just come check it out.

gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org

 

Jacobs Porch Retreat Update 

February 14-16, 2014

There are about 45 spots remaining.

Contact Gary to jump in.

The Porch always provides us with a quality event!

 

 

Middle School MiX Update

at Lutheran Memorial Camp January 10-12, 2014

Visit lomocamps.org for details

Go to Retreats, Youth Retreats, Middle School MiX

 

Youthworks Trip to Charleston West Virginia

It's Full! 

The July 13-18, 2014 trip to Charleston, West Virginia is full. Contact Nate at youthworks if you wish to be placed on a waiting list.

Nate.Mclaughlin@youthworks.com

 

Transformation Zone Has Space!

Join us at the Transformation Zone Service Trip July 6-11, 2014. Cost $125. They even have a 5th/6th grade 1/2 week option. Contact Gary or click here for details:

tzonemissions.org/

 

Extravaganza Update 

Wow: Less than Two Months Away!

Transportation: Starting to get serious about traveling together. If you have not already done so contact Bryan Jaster if you want in on the travel arrangements. bryan.jaster@peacebeavercreek.org

 

ELCA Youth Ministry Network Updates:

New Network Board Members Appointed

Sue Megrund and Tom Schwolert have been appointed to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Their three year terms will begin at the conclusion of the Network’s Extravaganza, January 30-February 3, 2014.  Please welcome these new board members and commit to pray for them and the board as they carry out the Network's mission.

 

 Advent Devotions


The Network's own have a lot of gifts and they are willing to share. Just in time for the season, here are social media devotions to share with youth as well as a great set of devotions for Advent for the family.  A big thanks to Ariel Williams, Meredith McGrath and Rachel Slough.  You can download the devotions here or find them in Martin's List on the Network website.  

Down load the Social Media devotions

Down load the   Family Devotions 

 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING

     

Planning has begun for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. The gathering will be held in Detroit, Michigan, July 15 - 19, 2015. There are 15 planning teams, comprised of people from across the country, who are responsible for the daily programming at the event. These people have a passion for the church’s ministry to rear youth in the faith; they willingly give their time and talents and we rejoice!

Please be holding up the Gathering staff and the city of Detroit up in prayer as our partners continue to work to make Christ known. 

 Network App Update

The Network's mobile app, after roughly a six-month absence is back and up to full-speed again!  

Last May, the app was taken down as the company the Network works with to provide the app went through a significant internal crisis.  You can read more about that on the Network blog.

 

Social Media

If you’re managing social media for your church, it might be useful to know about some of the most surprising social media statistics this year. Here are 10 that might make you rethink the way you’re approaching social media.

Read the whole article 

 
iGivings 

We are passionate about helping churches and ministries of all sizes because they make a difference in people’s lives. We create innovative, cutting-edge mobile solutions and have helped thousands of ministries around the world achieve dramatic results in their mission. Small and large churches are now extending their outreach, growing membership and involvement, increasing giving, improving attendance and retention, communicating more effectively and so much more through our mobile solutions.  Thank you to iGivings for being a partner of the Network.  


From Vibrantfaith


Illuminate Your Everyday Life
An online retreat experience for young adults 

     Sunday, December 1st -  Thursday, December 26
 
 
Meet people your own age and explore faith!
 
For only $9.95, this four-week online retreat will help you reflect on Christ's presence with you, right where you are.  Here are the topics, the format and how to register!

  

 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries

 

Summer VBS
Looking for a summer VBS theme but not interested in paying for a pricey boxed set? Lutheran Outdoor Ministries has a solution for you! New for 2013 LOM is offering a condensed version of its summer curriculum, Living in God's Time, to be catered to fit your VBS needs. This curriculum is perfect for churches looking to create continuity between the camp and VBS experience. 

Living In God's Time is an opportunity to explore how we mark time a little differently as Christians. In Jesus, we see God living among us and we learn of a different way of marking time as we learn about the story of Jesus through the church year. Living in God's Time is not a way to escape time, but a way to live more fully and enter into it with the love of Christ. Each day of the curriculum focuses on a different season of the church year so together your VBS students and adult leaders can explore that holy time even in the midst of today's busy culture.

VBS Package
Get all you need to run your own Vacation Bible School program, without paying for pricy boxed sets!  The VBS Package includes:
    • Day Camp/Lower Elementary Bible Study
    • “Living in God’s Time” Crafts
    • “Living in God’s Time” Games
Price: $65

For more information or to purchase the Living in God's Time VBS Package, visit: http://www.lomnetwork.org

 

 

 

MARTIN'S LIST

 

There are great resources at the ELCA Youth MInistry Network website for all stages of ministry with family and youth and it is free to you at Martin's List.  Over fifteen different categories to choose from. There are lots of requests on our Facebook group for worship, outreach, learning and fellowship ideas. Remember Martin's List to look for ideas in these areas but also to post your resources. The Network that shares is a richer network.    

NEW MINISTRY PARTNER

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network welcomes Trinity Lutheran College in Seattle as our newest silver partner organization! Thanks for your partnership!  Visit Trinity online to find out more about the college and what they offer.  VISIT TRINITY

 

JOB POSTINGS 

 

Lots of people and churches have been posting job opening, descriptions with the ELCA Youth Ministry Newtowrk. Please remember that the Network also has an updated service on the Network website to post positions, job descriptions, and contact information.  Just head over to http://www.elcaymnet.org/placement

          

Cluster Get Togethers,Training Events for Youth and/or Adults, and Youth Events...

are scheduled as folks raise their hand and say, "Hey, let's do one in my area."  Contact Gary and after a date, time, and location are chosen, he will advertise the event through facebook, youth & family e-bulletins, and hard copy mailings to congregations.

    

Synod Youth & Family Connections

 

A. Consider Joining the Synod Youth & Family Ministry Facebook Page

Just for you...a youth and family ministry facebook group page has been created focusing on our favorite topic.  Here's a chance to ask questions, have discussions, and share what you are doing in youth and family ministry to an entire network.

To join, send a request to Gary Pecuch through Facebook or send an email request and Gary will send you an invitation. 

  

B. Youth & Family E-bulletins are sent out the 1st and 15th of each month

 

C. A Hard Copy Mailing of Youth & Family Ministry happenings is sent out monthly to congregations 

 Look for the fluorescent Green Flier

 

D. Visit the Synod Website:

www.southernohiosynod.org  Click on the youth and family ministry tab

 

E. Connect with Gary directly

gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org  or 614-464-3532 extension 110 

 

Thank you for being a Youth Advocate in your congregation!

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