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August, 2010 Our Mission: To be a network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly-focused
congregations passing the faith to the next generation.
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 Youth Ministry Network Meetings
2010-11 Season
Are you a Youth Minister, Pastor or volunteer working with children & youth in your congregation? Check out this monthly opportunity to network with others. |
 Kan You Kover 100 K?
Learn how you can take part in a 100 Kilometer walk being sponsored by St. John Lutheran Church of Cat Springs. Walk the entire 100 K or just 10...all to benefit our brothers and sisters in the Central African Republic.
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 Never been to the E before?
You can attend the ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza for free, thanks to the generous support and partnership of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is introducing Thrivent Financial Fellowships.
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 Use Back-to-School time to re-energize faith forming practices!
With getting school routines going again, now is the time to be intentional about claiming time in your day to nurture your family's faith life - even if your family is too young for school or beyond school age.
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  Name Gathering Project
Help your graduated senior get connected to a Lutheran Campus Ministry
Soon our newly graduated seniors will be leaving for college. Act now to help them connect with a Campus Ministry at their chosen college or university. Gather their name, home address, cell #, and email as well as their intended place of study. Then go to http://divein.lcmut.org. For each name, complete the form and click "Submit Information."
By using this website you can help your student make a successful transition into college life. Encourage them to visit the campus ministry or congregation where they'll be a student and check it out! They may not always attend campus ministry programs, but just knowing that a campus minister is there for them is important. If you have questions or need help submitting names of your students, contact Mary Fetter at 512-472-5461. |
 Quilts Needed!
Houston Lutheran Campus Ministries
Quilt Auction & Oktoberfest
October 30th from 10am to 2pm
at the
University of Houston
If you would like to help by donating a quilt please contact Michelle Mote. |
Let's Take a Walk... to support the Central African Republic
Did you know that most pastors in the CAR walk from congregation to congregation in order to do their weekly ministry? President Golike has asked us to support the urgent need for motorcycles, health care and education, so it is our turn to walk!
An awesome walk-a-thon is being sponsored by St. John Lutheran Church in Cat Springs September 30, October 1 & 2 to raise awareness and funding for one of our companion synods. Please join us by walking the full 100K, starting Thursday, Sept. 30th, or the 10K or 1K on Saturday, Oct. 2nd OR sponsor a walker and help us meet the $10,000 goal.
Click here for a walk-a-thon brochure and sponsor forms, and to learn more about our synod's commitment to the CAR. This is a great opportunity for youth and adults to work together to do justice - families are encouraged to join in the celebration picnic after the walk. Questions? Go to Lutherans Online or contact the St. John's church office at 979-865-5444.
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Extravaganza Announces Network Fellowships
Thanks to the generous support of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network is introducing Thrivent Financial Fellowships. Targeted towards professionals and volunteers who have never been to an Exravaganza before, these fellowships are an opportunity to provide support to youth ministers who would benefit from participation in the Extravaganza and an opportunity to connect with youth ministers who share similar ministry foci.
Goals of the Fellowships include:
- To lift up new leadership
- To provide opportunities for Networking around specific areas of ministry
To promote participation in the Extravaganza
- To promote membership in the Network
Six "Fellows" from each ELCA region will be selected, representing different areas of ministry. Fellows will receive Extravaganza registration sponsored by Thrivent Financial, and a seat at the Fellowship Table for breakfast during the event. For more information, or to apply for a Fellowship, please visit the Fellowship page.
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"Back to School" season is perfect for starting new family faith traditions!
By Peggy Hahn
Getting back in the grove once school starts means regular wake-up, mealtime and bedtime routines, which really help a family set healthy patterns. Now is the time to be intentional about claiming time in your day to nurture your family's faith life - even if your family is too young for school or beyond school age. It's like a second New Year's resolution moment with the added benefit of the rhythm of fall to add momentum.
Try few of these faith practices in your family's life - let us know how they go!
Wake-up Routines:
Some people just wake up happy and ready to start the day while others need some "don't talk to me yet" time before they are ready to roll. Either way a simple ritual can get the day off to a good start. Martin Luther actually wrote prayers for the beginning and end of the day. Check out Luther's prayer, abbreviate this into your own prayer along with making the sign of the cross on your child's head, or try this:"Help me, Lord, to love you more, than I ever loved before,
in my work and in my play, be with me through the day. Amen"
Or for a longer prayer, I like this one:
"I will travel where you lead; I will help my friends in need.
Where you send me I will go; with your help I'll learn and grow.
Hold my family in your hands, as we follow your commands.
And I will keep you close in sight until I crawl in bed tonight. Amen."
(By Mary Fairchild)
Mealtime Routines: Start mealtime grace! You don't have to have the whole family gathered or a fancy meal or be sitting at the kitchen table (the car works fine if you are in the fast-food drive-thru!) to thank God for food. Remembering to thank God at every meal will shape your life. It's like mini-devotions throughout the day.
Worried about lunch-room weirdness? You'd be surprised how many people pray silently as they take the first bite of their sandwich! Some people use little symbols, like a heart, on their paper napkin as a reminder. A prayer doesn't have to be said out loud for it to be heard by God.
Check out this growing list of mealtime prayers on my blog - and send me yours to add!
Bedtime Routines:
Bedtime is story time! Some families have a practice of reading two stories each night - one from the Bible and another one chosen by the child (which may also be from the Bible!) Take a look as the new Spark Bibles (the Story Bible is for ages 2 years through 2nd grade, the NRSV Bible is for grades 3-6), or the Lutheran Study Bible.
Again, Luther offers us a bedtime prayer. I also think this is the best time of the day to start a "prayer from your heart," especially if this is new for your family. As we share our highs and lows from the day it is easy to identify prayers of gratitude, concern, joy or fear and name them out loud or silently.
Research is clear!
Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa - if you don't shape the faith of your children they will get their lens for life from someplace else. Either way, they will find something to believe in. These simple rituals can give us a framework for navigating the really tough stuff in our lives. It is not easy to grow up and prayer is a gift we have been freely given that we can easily give away - even to our own children. |
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Youth Trip To Peru (Companion Synod) Changes Lives
By Peggy Hahn
"If you just "people-watch", you have missed the whole thing." Pastor Heath Abel, St Paul Lutheran Church, Columbus, TX
ILEP leaders welcome TLGCS group. | Thirty-two people from our synod joined the Lutheran Church in Peru (ILEP) for a 10-day experience that has changed our lives. We are still reflecting--trying to hold on to the memories and, at the same time, trying to integrate our new thoughts and feelings into our daily lives.
This was a "Cultural Immersion Youth Trip." Two distinctions shaped this experience. First, the journey was primarily about building relationships with and understanding our friends in Peru, through the lens of our shared faith. Second, the needs of our youth (TLGC & ILEP) were held up a high value.
A few great quotes from reflections include:
"It was the people." "Peruvian Lutherans are different than other people I know who live in poverty--they have hope." "This was not like a vacation or mission trip. It was deeper, more important, hard to put-into-words." "We were not tourists." "It is hard to explain." "It broke my heart and filled my heart." "I expected a trip but experienced a pilgrimage." "Sacred space."
Christ the King and Advent groups at Machu Picchu | God is using the relationship our synods share (ILEP & TLGC) to renew us both and this trip was living proof that people across the globe need each other. I am convinced that it is through international experiences like this that our church will be renewed.
Cordero, St. Paul's Columbus | This trip included intentional time in community visiting ILEP congregations. Advent Lutheran Church, Living Word Lutheran Church and Christ the King Lutheran Church had three days of intense time with their "Companion Congregation"--a relationship these congregations take very seriously. The others, people from St Paul's Columbus, Christ, Brenham and Faith, Bellaire, that don't have a Companion Congregation yet, had a chance to experience life in several congregations in Lima. In the end, 14 congregations were visited--all except Fiel es Dios, in Iquitos (the jungle). Time was spent visiting historical sites, including archeological excavations and the catacombs in Lima! A side trip to Cusco gave the group a chance to explore Machu Picchu, the ancient city of the Incans, and visit what was one of the shared highlights--Talitha Cum Congregation.
Tiffany and Lizzy, Faith, Bellaire | Please join this group, and the others that have traveled to Peru in the past 11 years from our synod, in partnering in some concrete ways. Our commitment to this relationhip includes assisting with the funding for pastors, Companion Congregation relationships and a new ministry called Sembrando de Futuro (Sowing Seeds for the Future), supporting families living in extreme poverty. For more information please click here or contact Peggy Hahn.
A trip is already being organized for next summer. The dates for this trip will be made available in September.
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 Next Network meeting will be Thursday, September 2
The Youth Ministry Network is for anyone doing congregational ministry with children or youth, whether you are a pastor, paid youth minister or volunteer. We gather monthly to grow in our relationship with God and each other, learning new skills and sharing the wealth of knowledge that we all have in the area of youth & family ministry.
10:00 am Gather
10:30 am Devotions and Prayer
11:00 am Learning Time - Topic changes monthly
12:30 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Networking
1:15 pm Wrap Up
Location: Advent Lutheran Church (5830 Pinemont Dr., Houston TX 77092)
Questions? Contact Matt Kindsvatter, Network Convener at matt@lutherhill.org
Please note the 2010-11 Network dates:*
· September 2 - Bishop Mike Rinehart will be our guest
· October 7 - our speaker will be Deb Murphy from HATCH
· November 4
· December 2
· January 6
· February 3
· March 3
· April 7
· May 5 at Lutherhill
*all except the first meeting are first Thursdays of the month. |
Re-Rooting in Your Neighborhood...
What About the Children?
 A recent article in the Houston Chronicle identified that there are 5404 homeless children on the streets in Houston, with many of them starting school right now. Imagine what it would be like to not only be unable to purchase clothing and school supplies but to live in a shelter or worse, then attend school each day. The cycle of poverty is directly connected to access to education.
Your congregation can help. Talk to your local schools. Find out what the needs are right in your own neighborhood. Many children live with a parent in a family member (504), friends house, (100) transitional housing (86), emergency shelter (239), or are literally homeless (1,522).
"The goal is to help children have as much of a normal life as possible", said Marilyn Fountain, director of community relations for the Star of Hope. Thirty years of research in youth & family ministry shows us that the greatest influence on a child is their own parent so Lutheran congregations interested in caring for homeless children might want to work with local schools to support parents. |
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Leadership Gatherings Equip Professional & Lay Leaders
A series of Leadership Gatherings will be held in August and September for the purpose of equipping congregations for ministry by equipping congregational leaders. These two-day events are targeted for professional leaders (Friday) and both lay and professional leaders (Saturday). Mark these dates now:
Louisiana Area:
August 27 (Professional Leaders) and 28 (Lay and Professional Leaders), Christ the King Lutheran Church, Kenner
Metro Houston Area:
September 10 (Professional Leaders) and 11 (Lay and Professional Leaders), Zion Lutheran Church, Houston |
Taking the Temperature of Youth & Family Ministry
Our friends and partners at Luther Seminary in St. Paul are doing some research to "Take the Temperature" of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in the ELCA and invite you to take part on a short, online survey that will help them in their research. They thank you for your help!
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Jessica Noonan (previously on the Bishop's staff) is available to serve you, across the synod, in her areas of passion and specialty: 1. Children's Ministry - Increase your capacity to serve young families, learn about a proven Parent Group model and equip your congregation to welcome children and families in new ways.2. Safeguarding God's Children - Train leaders now to be a safe place for children and youth. This excellent training was designed by the Episcopal Church. As a trained leader, Jessica can equip your congregation and assist you in developing your own Safe Guarding Plan. Safe Guarding builds on our Safe Haven Guidelines to teach adults the warning signs of abuse to reduce the potential for risk in your congregation. For more information, email Jessica directly. |
LINKED
and other electronic publications
Synod Youth Ministry is changing, and LINKED is changing with it. Each month we will provide you with news, event announcements, commentary and resources you can use via our Children, Youth & Family Listserv.
Other listserv options available to you are:
* Gulf Coast Leaders - information targeted to Pastors and other congregational leaders - includes the Bishop's weekly devotional message
* Gulf Coast General - news and announcements of a general nature, including the weekly Around the Synod email and monthly newsletter Connections.
* Justice Network - opportunities, resources & stories...a clearinghouse for doing Justice including an occasional newsletter, the Justice News.
To change your email preferences at any time, just click on "Update Profile" at the bottom of this note. |
| Calendar at a Glance |
August 27-28 ~ Leadership Gatherings at Christ the King, Kenner, LA
September 2 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
September 11 ~ Lutherhill S'mores & Champagne Gala at The Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands
September 10-11 ~ Leadership Gatherings at Zion, Houston
September 25 ~ Women of the ELCA Convention at Peace, Pasadena
October 7 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
October 1-3 ~ Lutherhill First Communion Retreat
October 15-17 ~ Men's Retreat, Lutherhill
October 25 ~ Global Mission Festival at Living Word in Katy, TX
October 30 ~ Lutheran Campus Ministry Oktoberfest & Quilt Auction
November 4 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
November 5-7 ~ Lutherhill Fall Family Retreat
November 19-21 ~ Lutherhill Jr. High Retreat
December 2 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
December 3-4 ~ Lutherhill Upper Elementary Advent Retreats
December 10-11 ~ Lutherhill Upper Elementary Advent Retreats
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January 6 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
January 6-13, 2011 ~ Youth & Family Ministry Certification School at Lutherhill
January 14-16, 2011 ~ REFRESH Youth Worker Retreat at Lutherhill
January 20-24 ~ ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza in Kansas City, MO
January 21-23 ~ Lutherhill Mother/Daughter Retreat
January 24-26 ~ Tri-Synodical Theological Conference in Galveston
February 3 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
February 18-20 ~ Lutherhill Sr. High Retreat
March 3 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
March 4-6 ~ Lutherhill Women's Pampering Weekend
March 25-27 ~ Lutherhill Upper Elementary Spring Retreat
April 7 ~ Youth Ministry Network Meeting, 10 am at Advent, Houston
May 6 ~ Final Youth Ministry Network Meeting of the 2011-11 season at Lutherhill, LaGrange
May 20-22 ~ Gulf Coast Synod Assembly in Galveston
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| Contact Information |
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Children, Youth & Family Ministry
TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA
12941 I-45 North Freeway, Suite 210 - Houston, TX 77060-1243
281-873-5665 |
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