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04/21/2014

Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin May 1, 2014

New News

Youth & Family Website

The Youth & Family Ministry portion of the Southern Ohio Synod website has recently been updated. With over 200 files and links we continue to move our website towards a one stop shop for good information on the topics that matter most.  www.southernohiosynod.org 

This months highlight...There are close to 100 files and links just in the  "Safeguarding" and "Forms" sections alone.

And there's more to come!

 

 

  2014 Southern Ohio Synod

Youth & Family Ministry CD

 

Your congregation should have received a direct mailing mid-April containing 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 a glimpse: CD Index

 

Cluster Dates

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 

Thursday May 15th at 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Prince of Peace, Loveland. Mary Ellen will provide lunch! Come when you can---Leave when you must. RSVP to Mary Ellen mehelms@popluther.org

Want a cluster in your area? Contact Gary and we will make it happen! 

 

2015 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING

Dropping "National"

As the Gathering increases its international flare it has officially dropped the word "National" from the title of the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering!

Information Begins to Flow

Also note that Diane (our Gathering Coordinator) recently sent out the first emails to the Southern Ohio Synod Youth Gathering email distribution list. Yep, updated information has started to flow.

If you have not already done so, your congregation should get fully connected with the 2015 Youth Gathering. See below under recent news.

Gathering Financial Assistance

On May 15, 2014, congregations can go to www.elca.org/gathering to apply for financial assistance to attend the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. The Financial Assistance window will stay open until July 15, 2014.

Gathering Volunteer Applications

On May 15, 2014 Volunteer Applications will start to be accepted. Many Volunteers are needed. Anyone 19 years of age and older may apply. Positions usually fill very quickly

Gathering Website Goes Live!

On May 15, 2014 the Gathering Website goes live!

Artist Needed

We will again offer a Southern Ohio Synod Gathering T-shirt. If you have a young person (preferably someone going to the Gathering) who would like to design the t-shirt send their name and email address to Gary gpecuch@southerohiosynod.org

SOS Fall Gathering Informational Meetings Sites Announced

 
All meetings are 7:00 -8:30 pm
Monday August 11: Good Shepherd Lutheran Cincinnati
7701 Kenwood Rd. Cincinnati Ohio 45236
[ DIRECTIONS ]
 
Wednesday August 13: First Lutheran Lancaster
220 North Columbus St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130
DIRECTIONS ]
 
Thursday September 4: Christ Lutheran Cambridge
1101 Steubenville Ave. Cambridge, Ohio 43725
 
 
 
Tuesday September 16: Zion Lutheran Tipp City (a correction from previous email) 14 W. Walnut St. Tipp City, Ohio 45371
 
 

 

 

LOMO Now Hiring Summer Staff

 

Lutheran Memorial Camp is seeking applicants for summer employment. Positions available include Lifeguard, Operations Resource Liason, Program Coordinator and Counselor. Interested people can contact Jessica at jess@lomocamps.org and/or apply online at

www.lomocamps.org/aboutus/employment.
 
LMC is also looking for a nurse/EMT that is certified to instruct First Aid and CPR to the staff. Do you know of anyone? If so, contact Jess at the email address above
 


 Safety Tip of the Month

 
 

Protect your congregation against copyright violations

Songs and videos used in worship are considered intellectual property. And consequences for using these copyrighted materials without permission could be costly. That’s why it’s imperative for congregations to be vigilant about copyright violation.

Read More …

 

Teenagers are Visitors Too!

 

Teenagers are visitors too: 8 ways to make your congregation more welcoming to all ages
Written by Laura Darling Posted originally at ConfirmNotConform.com

Teenagers are visitors too: 8 ways to make your congregation more welcoming to all ages

- See more at: http://confirmnotconform.com/blog/teenagers-are-visitors-too-8-ways-make-your-congregation-more-welcoming-all-ages#sthash.y8QXeELt.O6pFZvY3.dpuf
As we prepare for Church Graduation Ceremonies many visitors, guests and family members may be coming to our services, I wanted to take a moment to brainstorm some ways we can be more welcoming – and in particular how we can be more welcoming to youth. I have some nitty-gritty things to do suggestions, and a few on the more theoretical side. And if you have other suggestions, please do add them in the comments.

How are our signs? Ask someone who doesn’t know your church – and preferably someone who isn’t churchy – to come and help you with this one. Without meeting them first, ask them to find where you meet for worship and where the bathrooms are, and ask for their feedback. Then act on it, creating signs to direct people where they need to go.
  READ MORE

 

Last Call!

 

Synod Assembly Youth Videos Due May 7th

 

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

 

 

 

Recent News

The 2015 Gathering: Get Connected!

Start by sending the name or names of contact people from your congregation and their email addresses to our 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 Youth Gathering e-mail distribution list. Thank you.

gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org

Diane has created an email distibution list for Gathering communication AND has started sending out emails!

Make note of the Gathering website address and feel free to join the ELCA Gathering Facebook Page:

 

Rise Up Together 2014 ELCA NYG logoAre you beginning to think about the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering? Do you have questions? You will be hearing more and more about the YG in the coming months! In addition, please check-out the YG webpage and LIKE their fb page to get all the latest information.

http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering

https://www.facebook.com/youthgathering

 

 

2015 ELCA Youth Gathering 'gNews' is Back!

The gNews is back! By subscribing to the email newsletter, you'll be kept up-to-date on everything you need to know about the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. Follow this link to sign up now!

http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering
 

          


Older News   

 

Free Day at Camp

Saturday, May 3, 2014 @ LMC
11:00am - 4:00pm


Come for the whole day or any portion of the day! The schedule is designed for people to explore the camp at their leisure.

 

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...

 

 

New 2014 Global Church Annual Directory now available 

  

The Global Church is the annual directory highlighting ELCA missionaries, scholarships and ministries. It provides a wonderful overview of our church’s global engagement, including new projects that will be funded through Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA.
  
Why wait? Request one free copy (no shipping and handling) at 800-638-3522 or RIS@elca.org. Order two or more free copies at www.ELCA.org/globalmission-resources and pay only shipping and handling. For more information, contact globalchurch@elca.org.

 

   

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 2015 ELCA 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 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! 

 


 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

   

 

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:

at Vibrant Faith Ministries
 

 

  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

 

 STANDARD INFORMATION FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS

 

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

 

 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.  

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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