02/12/2014
Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin February 15, 2014
NEW FEBRUARY INFORMATION
Second Annual Hunger Leaders Day
February 22, 2014
9:00AM-3:30PM
Abiding Christ Lutheran Church,
326 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn, Ohio
Youth are invited and encouraged to attend!
Free Educational/Activity Books
Our Good Friends at Trinity, Circleville have some extra educational materials and activity books for 1st through 6th grade students. They are offering the materials free of charge to any congregation that could use them.
Connect with Gary if you have an interest. Click here for a list of the resources:
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,
3TC: February 18th - Faith5 with Rich Melheim 1pm (central time) |
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Faith5
Rich Melheim grew up on the plains of North Dakota but never did own a pick up with a gun rack.
An entrepreneur, author, semiotician, cartoonist, comedian, speaker, publisher, playwright, songwriter, family counselor, business systems consultant, amateur complexity theorist, log cabin builder, preschool designer, and student of the human brain, Melheim has appeared on 50 network television news shows from WNBC-NY to KTLA to CNN consulting on family issues.
An ordained Lutheran pastor with a BA in Journalism (UND – 1977), an MDiv in Theology (Luther Seminary – Spring 1981) and a DMIN in Semiotics and the Future (George Fox Evangelical Seminary – Spring 2013), Rich has invested his ministry in creating Christian education systems that pull parents into the core of children, youth and family ministry “every night in every home.”
Rich is the founder and initiating force behind Faith Inkubators, a Christian education systems design think tank. He founded and serves as CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Faith Inkubators, the Faith Inkubators Foundation, and the Preschool Incubators Project, a new entity dedicated to creating "access to excellence" in early learning through the arts.
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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. |
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Note The Dates: Practice Discipleship Webinars
Upcoming Webinars |
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We're excited about our next "upcoming webinars!
- "Framing Youth" with Dr. Jeremy Myers. Monday, March 10th at 11am Pacific/12pm Mountain/1pm Central & 2pm Eastern.
- "Framing Failure with Forgiveness" with Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes. Thursday, April 10th at 11am Pacific/noon Mountain/1pm Central/2pm Eastern
- "Framing Christian Community" with Josh Graber. September - Date TBD.
- "Framing the Vision: Seeing Things New" with Dr. Mindy Makant. Thursday, October 9th at 11am Pacific/noon Mountain/1pm Central/2pm Eastern.
- "Framing the Path: Practicing Things New with Rozella White. November - Date TBD
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Vibrant Faith Ministries welcomes Dr. Nancy Going as the new interim executive director, succeeding Dr. Paul Hill. Dr. Going has deep roots with Vibrant Faith Ministries, having served on the board and as board chair for five years.
Dr. Going has a distinguished career in teaching, leadership and youth ministry. Most recently, she served as the director for the Children, Youth and Family Ministry Distributed Learning Master's Program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and as the project manager for Center for First Third Ministry. In these capacities, she pioneered innovative change in distributed degree programs in theological education.
Dr. Going will continue the strong emphasis on faith formation for which Vibrant Faith Ministries is so well known. She can be reached at
ngoing@vibrantfaith.org
Wanted: Test Churches
Calling all ELCA churches: sparkhouse is developing a New Confirmation resource.
They are looking for ELCA churches to test one sample session between February 23 and March 9.
Selected candidates who complete the test and submit their feedback will receive a $50 credit to the AF (and sparkhouse) store.
Youth Ministry Position Opportunities
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cranberry Township is seeking a full-time Director of Youth and Family Ministry.
The Director will work with the pastors, staff and members of Hope to develop, coordinate and implement programs of discipleship, spiritual growth and service opportunities for all youth and families. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree, preferably in education, along with strong leadership, communication and organization skills. For more information, or to apply, contact: dyfmposition@hopelutherancranberry.org
or Hope Lutheran Church, 8070 Rowan Road, Cranberry Twp, PA, 16066.
Please include a cover letter and resume.
Part-Time Opportunity in Grove City, Ohio
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
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
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 National Youth Gathering in 2015 the Extravaganza is still way worth it. Detroit is the closest in has ever been. Come worship, relax, attend workshops, and glean great things from 600+ congregational youth staffers. VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!
Cluster Dates
Thursday March 6th at 10 am at Christ, Bexley. Jenny will again provide bagels and beverages! Come when you can. Leave when you must.
GATHERING INFORMATION
2015 National Youth Gathering
Theme Announced:
"Rise Up Together"
More information about the gathering will be forthcoming after the Extravaganza, which takes place this weekend
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
Pastor Beth has just returned from the Practice Discipleship Training...Yep, Gathering planning is happening. Stay turned !
OLDER INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
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:
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
Bethseda Lutheran Community Volunteers
Bethesda Lutheran Communities, a national non-profit offering services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is looking for more than 700 youth volunteers to serve at four camp ministries around the country, including one Colorado. Bethesda Camps pair youth volunteers with individuals with developmental disabilities for five days of fun, fellowship and faith formation.
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
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.
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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
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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.
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
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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
Thank you for being a Youth Advocate in your congregation!