Complete Story
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
7701 Kenwood Rd. Cincinnati Ohio 45236
[ DIRECTIONS ]
220 North Columbus St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130
[ DIRECTIONS ]
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.
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.
Teenagers are Visitors Too!
Written by Laura Darling Posted originally at ConfirmNotConform.com
Teenagers are visitors too: 8 ways to make your congregation more welcoming to all ages
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:
Are 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
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!
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:
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
- Day Camp/Lower Elementary Bible Study
- “Living in God’s Time” Crafts
- “Living in God’s Time” Games
STANDARD INFORMATION FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS
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 |
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
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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