Complete Story
01/15/2014
Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin January 15, 2014
NEW JANUARY INFORMATION
2015 National Youth Gathering
Theme Announced:
"Rise Up Together"
More information about the gathering will be coming out after the Extravaganza, which takes place late January---early February.
Summer Sampler at Trinity Seminary
The Seminary Sampler announces its schedule for summer 2014. This years schedule includes three sessions each two weeks in length. Check out the Flier for details:
2014 Summer Sampler Flier
Luthern Social Services Service Day
Save The Date
Saturday April 26, 2014 Mary Woodward will be offering a day of Service specifically for Southern Ohio Synod congregations. An out growth of the Renew Retreat, Youth Directors had asked for a day when we all could head to Vinton County (MacArthur) for a day of service. The service to the community will take place Saturday from 9 am until about 3 pm. There will be an overnight option. Details will be available early February. For now....Mark your calendar.
LOMO Board Meeting Retreat
Next weekend the LOMO Board Retreat will welcome back John Roberto for a second year in a row to help the Board & Task Force members take the next steps in planning as they move our LOMO camps forward.
3rd Tuesday Conversation
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The Discipleship Challenge
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| What is 3TC? |
| · | 3rdTuesday Conversations are monthly gatherings of friends. They are great continuing education events. They are chances to hear from, and interact with experts in the field. 3TC conversations are free for Network members. |
Please join us in welcoming Tom Schwolert to the Vibrant Faith Ministries' team as a coach and consultant. Tom is a leader in helping congregations rethink children, youth and family ministry and has spent more than 26 years serving churches in Minnesota and Texas.
Tom has successfully helped congregations shift away from a primarily program-based approach to a more intergenerational and relational ministry. As such, Tom represents the cutting edge of change in how children, youth and family ministry is conceived and carried into action.
Tom is also the co-author of Full Circle training workshops and leads these events across the country. This unique, "out-of-the-box" approach to training often takes place in homes and neighborhood/community settings.
Two New Congregational
Youth Staffers are Among Us!
Our Saviors, Dayton welcomes a new Youth and Children's Ministries Director - Daniel Jacob. Daniel is a graduate of Wittenberg and Yale Divinity School.
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Christ-The-King, Centerville welcomes Erin Beckmeyer. She will be providing ministry as a part-time Youth Director. Erin is wrapping up her bachelors degree at Valparasio University in Physics and Philosophy. Filling this position is another step in Christ the King's overall congregational ten year plan. Vision....Don't leave home without it!
EXTRAVANGANZA
A bunch of Youth Director type-folks are heading to St. Louis for the ELCAYMNETWORK's annual event. It will be a time of renewal, relaxation, hanging out, attending seminars and large group sessions, worship, and concerts. Folks always come home refreshed, revitalized and with heads full of new ideas.
Story/Session To Share
Wow Sharon---Simply Wow! For those of you that do not know Sharon Epp (Zion, Dayton) and the youth of Zion recently raised over $3,600 to help with the costs of an 8 year old members need for brain surgery. Called "raise the roof for Noah," the youth built a house of styrofoam and then sold shingles, windows and doors to members to put on the house. Home Depot loved the concept and donated all of the supplies. Thrivent helped as well. Yep, church family is what we are all about.
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Gary's congregation had a youth group session last week on Bible Translation. Leaders pulled out the old church Bibles, some of which dated back to 1829. There were English, German, Spanish and French Bibles. Psalm 23 was read in various languages and then the group Skyped the missionary couple that grew up in their congregation now working for Wycliffe Bible Translators in Tanzania. The couple have been there nearly three years and have identified over 2,000 words in the language of a group of people whose language has never been written down before. Those 2,000 words are now the basis of their Bible Translation work. And yep, a little dose of Martin Luther in there too. The Middle Schoolers enjoyed the entire evening.
WENT WELL!
Middle School MiX
Last weekends Middle School MiX went well!
We talked about being "marked" and "sealed" in our Faith along with a heavy dose of Biblical Self-Esteem. Kudos to the LMC staff, Don Bennett and Jenny Frantz for their activities, songs, programming and leadership.
Yep, I bet there is another one next January. Stay Tuned!
Cluster at Christ, Bexley
Ten+ folks attended last weeks Youth Director Cluster at Christ, Bexley. Thank you to Jenny for hosting and providing Bagels and Beverages! Mark your calendars for the next Christ, Bexley Cluster...March 6 at 10 am.
YOUTH MINISTRY POSITION ANNOUNCED
Bethel Lutheran Church in Grove City is looking for a part-time (20 hr/week) youth ministry staff person.
The primary responsibility of the staff member will be build a ministry of and for High School students and their families. Secondary responsibilities will include younger youth.
Interested applicants can contact Pastor Peter Ray for more information at 875-0510 or pastor@bethel-lutheran.org
TIME IS NOT QUITE OF THE ESSENCE, BUT....
Jacobs Porch Retreat Update
February 14-16, 2014
Time to get a bit serious about spots.
Contact Gary for details.
The Porch always provides us with a quality event!
Give your High Schoolers a mid-school year
opportunity to connect with others!
GATHERING NEWS
Our National Youth Gathering Coordinator
For 2015 Will Be:
Diane Schwiger-Alexander who is the Associate in Ministry working with youth & families at St. Peter's, Lancaster
Our Practice Discipleship Coach for 2014 through the Gathering Will Be:
Pastor Beth Westphal from David, Canal Winchester
You will be hearing more about Diane and Pastor Beth in February
OLDER INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
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
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.
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
