Complete Story
12/03/2013
Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin December 15, 2013
Ho Ho Ho!
Enjoy the Season!
NEW INFORMATION
National Youth Gathering Positions Announced
National Youth Gathering Coordinator For 2015:
Diane Schwiger-Alexander who is the Associate in Ministry working with youth & families at St. Peter's, Lancaster
The Practice Discipleship Coach for 2014 through the Gathering:
Pastor Beth Westphal from David, Canal Winchester
You will be hearing more about Diane and Pastor Beth in February
Follow Up To The Bishop's Meet & Greet
For Paid Youth Staff
A couple dozen paid youth staff connected with the Bishop for a Meet & Greet at the Procter Center on December 5th. Nearly every congregation was represented as the Bishop met with staff members who pour their heart and soul into the faith formation of young people.
It is exciting for me to have the Bishop know each congregational youth staff person by name and for the youth staff to have a close connection with the Bishop.
It is a Good Day!
With Attendance down 61% in the last 20 years...
To Sunday School or Not To Sunday School...
That is the Question
Why is No One Talking About This?
Network Executive Director Pastor Todd Buegler posted this blog on Dec. 2. A huge response populated the Facebook Network Group in response with stimulating and thoughtful conversation.
A few months ago, I came across a powerpoint slide that Beth Lewis, CEO of Augsburg Fortress Publishers had used as a presentation to a group of pastors at a conference in Florida. (Thanks to Beth Lewis for the slide!)
When I saw the numbers, in all honesty, it took my breath away.
The slide presented a twenty year trend line for the number of children enrolled in Sunday School in ELCA congregations between 1990 and 2010. The slide also showed the differential during the same time period in enrollment in VBS.
Here’s the data in a nutshell: During this twenty year period, the number of children enrolled in our Sunday School ministries decreased from 1,007,774 to 400,375. That is roughly 61%.
READ MORE on the Network Blog
Vision & Practice of 21st Century Faith Formation
John Roberto will be coming to the Marriott Courtyard University of Dayton July 8-10, 2014
Click Here For Details:
Bethseda Lutheran Community Volunteers
Click Here: Bethesda Camps
OLDER INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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:
Let's continue to learn, share and grow together
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 38 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:
www.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
Sunday, December 1st - Thursday, December 26
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
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. - Day Camp/Lower Elementary Bible Study
- “Living in God’s Time” Crafts
- “Living in God’s Time” Games
STANDARD INFORMATION FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS
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MARTIN'S LIST
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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 |
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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
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JOB POSTINGS
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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
