Complete Story
07/24/2011
Youth & Family Ministry E-bulletin August 1, 2011
The Summer of WOW Continues
All nine of our congregations that attended the Synod Sponsored Youthworks Service Trips in Charleston, West Virginia had a good experience and said they would go back.
My home congregation held it's annual work camp trip last week. VBS this week and Family Camp next week. It has been a summer of significance.
In Sunday School last week the middle schoolers simply sat in a circle and shared "God Sightings" from the summer. An hour later we had to end the sharing.
I have more heart warming stories than I can possibly share. As I travel around the Synod I hear similar stories everywhere I go. God is Good!
For more regular updates ask Gary or Susan for an invite to the Synod Youth & Family Ministry Facebook Page. (See Below)
Youthworks 2012: The Sequel
If your congregation is interested in coordinating a youthworks service trip during summer 2012 please contact Gary in August. Because of the National Youth Gathering we are not sure that there will be enough interest to fill an entire week; however, the Synod is willing to coordinate a trip for those that wish to go the same place the same week. Maybe for your Middle Schoolers and/or those High Schoolers not heading to New Orleans.
Employment Opportunities
Congregations with open positions in children's, youth, and/or family ministry include...
St. Luke's, Gahanna: Children's and Family Ministry Director (full-time)
Contact Pastor Steve Brown: steve@stlukecolumbus.com
Grace, Westerville: Director of Family Ministries (part-time)
Contact Pastor William A. Hartfelder w.hartfelder@grace43081.org
St. John's, Sidney: Youth Director (full-time)
Contact Pastor Jon Schriber: jschriber-stjohns@woh.rr.com
Synod Sponsored World Hunger Event set for October 22
For Details and Registration Information Click Here:
Annual LYO Retreat Registration Form
Registration opens September 1st.
2012 LYO Retreat Registration Form
Teen Communication Survey Update
We have received about 150 surveys back thus far.
We are listening to our teens through a survey on how they would like for us as congregations to communicate information to them. Our hope is that we can present results that will encourage congregations to use updated technologies in communicating with youth and those that work with youth.
The attached survey was developed to gain a few insights. The survey takes about 5 minutes. Feel free to run off the survey and give it to as many 13 to 18 year olds (and adult volunteers) as you would like. The more surveys we get back the better.
We would like surveys back by August 30th. You can mail them to the Synod Office 300 South 2nd Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 (To the attention of Gary).
Youth Ministry Communication Survey
Website Access Just Got Easier
On the Synod Web Page (www.southernohiosynod.org) there is now a link on the left side of the home page that will connect you directly to the youth & family portion of the website.
New 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 or Susan Barton Nonno through Facebook or send an email request and Gary will send you an invitation.
ELCA Youth Ministry Session 2 Training Event Dates Announced
Session 2 will be offered at three locations this coming fall. The agenda at all three locations will be identical.
Tuesday September 13 from 6 to 9pm at Epiphany, Centerville
Tuesday September 20 from 6 to 9pm Trinity, Marysville
Monday October 10 from 6 to 9pm at Christ, Cambridge
Upcoming Events
September 13, 2011: ELCA Youth Ministry Session 2 Training Event to be held at Epiphany, Centerville from 6:00pm to 9pm (See Above)
September 20, 2011: ELCA Youth Ministry Session 2 Training Event to be held at Trinity, Marysville from 6:00pm to 9pm (See Above)
October 10, 2011: ELCA Youth Ministry Session 2 Training Event to be held at Christ, Cambridge from 6:00pm to 9pm (See Above)
October 22, 2011: Abiding Christ, Fairborn. Synod-Wide Youth Event on World Hunger
November 7-9, 2011: Second Annual Youth Directors Retreat at LMC
January 15-16, 2012: Annual Overnighter at Jacobs Porch (OSU Campus)
January 20-22, 2012: Annual High School LYO Retreat at Camp Kern
February 8-12, 2012: ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza http://www.elcaymnet.org/Extravaganza
July 18-22, 2012: National Youth Gathering New Orleans, Louisiana
Free Vibrant Webinars
Vibrant offers free Webinars on youth and family ministry.
For Access click on...
http://www.vibrantfaith.org/webinars.html
2012 National Youth Gathering Information
Our Southern Ohio Synod National Youth Gathering Coordinator is Jen Jarman (Good Shepherd, Cincinnati) Contact information: 513-891-1700 or (jjarman@goodshepherd.com).
Our Southern Ohio Synod National Youth Gathering Coach is Pastor Michael (Mick) Althauser (St. Jacob, Anna) Contact information: 937-394-4421 or (malthauser@woh.rr.com).
Gathering Facebook: Click Here Gathering Facebook page,
Gathering Website: Click Here Gathering web site
Gathering E-mail: Click on Gathering web site then click on "Subscribe to Gathering E-News" (on right side of web page)
Send an email to Jen Jarman if you wish to be placed on the Southern Ohio Synod 2012 National Youth Gathering Email Distribution Update List. Emails will be sent to the distribution list with update information pertaining specifically to the Southern Ohio Synod (Pre-Gatherings, Transportation Coordination, etc...). Click on the "Contact Gary" link above on left.
Thank you for being a Youth Advocate in your congregation!
Expect E-Bulletins around the 1st and 15th of each month
Youth & Family Ministry E-Bulletin Now Archived
Hard Copy Mailings
Gary includes a summary of what's happening in the Synod in youth & family ministry in the Synod monthly congregational mailing. Look for the florescent green flier that is included in the mailing. It arrives on or about the 1st of each month. The information is basically the same as what's in the youth & family e-bulletin but can be easily posted around your church building.
