04/14/2014
Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin April 15, 2014
2014 Southern Ohio Synod
Youth & Family Ministry CD
Your congregation should have received a direct mailing within the last two weeks 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
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.
And please "cc" Gary when you send in your request to be placed on the National Youth Gathering e-mail distribution list. Thank you.
Diane is creating a distibution list for future communication. She also attended a National Youth Gathering Meeting in early April. You will soon 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
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!
Synod Assembly Youth Video Opportunity
Click Here:
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,
National Youth Gathering Financial Assistance
FROM: Heidi Hagstrom Director for ELCA Youth Gathering
RE: Financial assistance for 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering
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.
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.
Now...Some Other Cool Stuff To Know!
Cincinnati Ultimate is hosting 2014 USA Ultimate College Championships
During this ESPN covered National Tournament, Cincinnati Ultimate be offering Ultimate clinics to Youth Leaders, and similar clinic to youth in Jr High & up.
Their goal is to find Youth Leaders looking to start Ultimate Teams that could play in our local Youth Leagues, and help expand the sport.
This will be a great opportunity to both learn the basics of teaching and coaching Ultimate, as well as check out high level of play.
There is no cost to the youth groups.
Contact William Cilley if you have any questions. wCilley@fuse.net
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!
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
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.
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.).
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
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
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!