A week long Faith Skills Training experience for High Schoolers, a "Bless Your Socks Off" Elementary-Aged Camp, A deeply meaningful Service Trip to Bridgeport, Ohio, a visit to the Charleston, WV Youthworks service week #1 site, and evenings spent at the Transformation Zone listening to Lorne Hlad (Trinity Seminary) speak to teenagers. And we are only halfway through July!
I have more heart warming stories than I can possibly share. God is Good!
For more regular updates ask Gary or Susan for an invite to the Synod Youth & Family Ministry Facebook Page. (See Below)
With many traveling throughout the month of July the July 15 edition of the e-bulletin will be comprised of tweaked reminders. New information will appear again beginning August 1st and there is lots on the horizon.
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.
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.
We have received about 100 surveys back thus far.
Susan (the Communications Director) in the Synod Office is doing a seminar in September on church communication. We would like to include a session during the seminar on how to communicate church information to congregational teens and youth advocates.
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 20th. You can mail them to the Synod Office 300 South 2nd Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 or make arrangements for Gary to swing by and pick them up during his summer synod travels.
Youth Ministry Communication Survey
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
July 17-22, 2011: Synod Sponsored Youthworks Week #2 trip to Charleston, West Virginia
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
Vibrant offers free Webinars on youth and family ministry.
For Access click on...
http://www.vibrantfaith.org/webinars.html
If so, send your results to Lutheran Youth Organization Board member Laura at tippflutist11@yahoo.com. Laura is gathering net totals from congregations.
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 Gary 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.
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.