Gary & Laurie Pecuch wrote a book a couple of years ago entiled Faith Webbing: Wrapping Your Children & Youth in a Web of Faith. Their goal is to gift one book to every congregation in the Southern Ohio Synod by the end of calendar year 2014.
Stop by the Youth & Family table at the Synod Assembly in June to pick up your congrgeational copy.
Does your congregation have a food pantry, soup kitchen or other outreach to the community? Are you looking for youth groups to visit and help out? If so, send Gary the details of the ministry and your ministry will be added to the service opportunity section of the website.
Is your youth group looking for a service experience? Consider volunteering at one of our Synod Congregations and/or with a local service orgainization. Check out the service opportunity section of the website for opportuinites.
When congregational youth staff move on churches often consider hiring a youth ministry interim to help keep the ship a float while the job postings, application collection and interviewing is going on. Help a congrgeation to not rush through the process by providing them with an interim experience. Interested? Connect with Gary
Check out this 5 minute message about Screenagers
Before you launch ANOTHER year of
ministry, assess your
children, youth and family ministry culture!
Consider a Vibrant Ministry Assessment Experience
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
As the Gathering increases its international flare it has officially dropped the word "National" from the title of the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering!
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.
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.
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
On May 15, 2014 the Gathering Website goes live!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
And please "cc" Gary when you send in your request to be placed on the Youth Gathering e-mail distribution list. Thank you.
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
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!
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!
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!
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
www.southernohiosynod.org Click on the youth and family ministry tab
gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org or 614-464-3532 extension 110