Complete Story
03/18/2014
Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin April 1, 2014
KEEPING THIS REALLY
SIMPLE IN APRIL
JUST THREE MAIN ITEMS
1. 2014 Southern Ohio Synod
Youth & Family Ministry CD
Within the next week your congregation will be receiving a direct mailing which will include the 2014 Southern Ohio Synod Youth & Family Ministry CD.
The CD contains 16 Folders of over 100 Files pertinent to Congregational Youth & Family Ministry.
The items on the CD can be downloaded to as many computers as you wish
Click here to catch an advance glimpse: CD Index
2. NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING
If you have not already done so, your congregation should get fully connected with the 2015 National Youth Gathering
IN APRIL!
Start by sending the name or names of contact people from your congregation and their email addresses to our National Youth Gathering Coordinator Diane Schwiger-Alexander (St. Peters, Lancaster).
Don't foget to include the name of your congregation AND town.
dsaministry1@gmail.com
And please "cc" Gary when you send in your request to be placed on the National Youth Gathering e-mail distribution list. Thank you.
gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org
Diane is creating a distibution list for future communication. She is also attending a National Youth Gathering Meeting in early April. Soon after you will start receiving regular communciation about the Gathering including fall informational meeting dates to be scheduled around the Synod.
In the meantime...please make note of the Gathering website address and feel free to join the ELCA Gathering Facebook Page:
Are you beginning to think about the 2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering? Do you have questions? You will be hearing more and more about the NYG in the coming months! In addition, please check-out the NYG webpage and LIKE their fb page to get all the latest information.
http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering
https://www.facebook.com/youthgathering
3. Synod Assembly Youth Video Opportunity
Lights, Camera, Action! Youth Groups Invited to Make Videos for June 7th Synod Assembly Telling About Their Congregation’s Most Meaningful Ministry!
Click Here:
2014 Youth Ministry Call for Videos for Assembly Flyer
Last Call...
Lutheran Social Service Day
Join other Southern Ohio Synod Congregations for a day of Service in Southeast Ohio. Contact Gary to be placed on the "in the loop list." In the meantime,
Click Here: April 26 2014 Service Day
Now...Some Other Cool Stuff To Know!
EXTRAVAGANZA: Mark Your Calendars!
January 29-February 2, 2015
Intensive Care Courses: January 29-30
Main Event: January 30-February 2
If your congregation plans to attend the National Youth Gathering during summer 2015 it would be a good idea to get someone from your congregation to attend the Extravaganza in Detroit next January 29 through February 2, 2015.
If your congregatiion does not plan to attend the 2015 National Youth Gathering the Extravaganza is still way worth it. Detroit is the closest in has ever been. Come worship, relax, attend workshops, and glean great ideas from 600+ congregational youth staffers.
VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!
Vibrant is Coming to Cinicnnati!
FREE Workshop for Congregational Leaders April 5 AND 'Raising a Faith-filled Family' for Parent & Grandparents on April 4!
Click Here For Details: April 2014 Vibrant Workshop
And if you are looking to host a Vibrant event at your church while they are in town contact Mary Laymon at prmarytl@gmail.com
Next Practice Discipleship Webinar
Framing Failure with Forgiveness - Thursday, April 10th with Colleen Windham-Hughes
11am Pacific/Noon Mountain/1pm Central/2pm Eastern
Life and ministry tend to place many demands upon us all. We often feel like failures in one or more areas of our lives. The world seems to frame us with expectations of perfection and success but God’s grace frames us with forgiveness. This session will remind you of this truth and give you practical ways to live into that forgiveness and share it with others.
Synod Young Adult in Global Mission
Did You Know that Southern Ohio has a young adult from Peace, Beavercreek now serving in the United Kingdom?
Want to give your youth a chance to correspond with a local missionary and/or help to financially sponsor her.
Katharine Ritzi, from Peace Lutheran in Beavercreek is serving for a year in the United Kingdom. Her blog is http://katharineritzi.blogspot.com. To fully support her year, about $3,600 is still needed. Gifts can be sent through the synod office with this code: Katharine Ritzi GCS3067.
Connect with Gary for details.
The 2014 Salary Survey is Live!
Click here to take the survey.
One of the tools that the Network has produced over the last 15 years is the annual salary survey. The survey is an indicator (not the only indicator…but certainly an important one!) of the health and well-being of our congregations in their approach to children, youth and family ministry.
The survey is also an important tool for congregations and those who work with children, youth and families as they go about planning and budgeting for the future. You can use this tool as you enter into conversations with your congregation about salaries and overall compensation. Read more...
Cluster Date
Thursday May 1st at 10 am at Christ, Bexley. Jenny will again provide bagels and beverages! Come when you can. Leave when you must. RSVP to Jenny jfrantz@christbexley.org
Want a cluster in your area? Contact Gary and we will make it happen!
LOMO Now Hiring Summer Staff
LOMO is now hiring for summer staff positions (counselor, lifeguard, support staff, etc.).
Visit www.lomocamps.org For Details
More Global Mission Information
Act 2Day 4Tomorrow: An overnight youth lock-in from ELCA World Hunger!
This program helps youth learn how to help eradicate hunger and poverty in the world. During the spiritual practice of fasting, they will engage in activities and times of reflection centered on seven faith practices. Materials for the program have everything you need, including an activities booklet, schedules, a promotional poster and more! See http://resources.elca.org/Hunger_Resources-Act_2Day_4Tomorrow_Packet.html.
Senegal: Seeking Young Adults in Global Mission coordinator at new site
The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program is expanding to Senegal in 2015 and a country coordinator is needed to support the participants. For application details, see https://rn11.ultipro.com/EVA1000/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*EF61337625948CAE.
New ELCA Malaria Campaign resources
Look for new resources this year — such as a World Malaria Day action kit and a vacation Bible school curriculum — to help you learn more about the impact Lutheran malaria programs are making in Africa and to help you tell the story to your friends, congregation and synod. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/ELCAMalariaCampaign/192.
South Africa: What it means to walk and serve ‘hand in hand’
“The job of the 60 YAGM scattered across the globe is to accompany — to walk with the people in our new communities, to share their sorrows, their victories, their lives for the short time we cross paths,” says Rachel Swenson, who is serving for a year in South Africa with the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program. See www.ELCA.org/Living-Lutheran/Blogs/2014/02/140220b-On-accompaniment.
Cameroon: You need to know the unwritten rules
“Life in Cameroon is very much like driving in Ngaoundere,” say Phillip and June Nelson, ELCA missionaries. The unwritten rules, they say, also help navigate the subtleties of life in a new culture. See www.ELCA.org/news-and-Events/blogs/HandInHand/412.
Holy Land: A special dedication on the Jordan River
Built on the traditional site where it is believed Jesus was baptized, the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan was dedicated in January. Guests, clergy and royalty from around the world attended. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/7641 and www.ELCA.org/Living-Lutheran/Photos (the Jan. 27 entry).
OTHER NEWS YOU CAN USE
Seminary Sampler Information
Trinity Seminary has announced its dates for the 2014 Sampler Program. This summer there will be three two week sessions each with a different emphasis. Click Here for details or contact Claire Hammer at hammer@tlsohio.edu
2014 Summer Sampler Flier
Youthworks Trip to Charleston West Virginia
Has a few spots remaining!
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:
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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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.
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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
