Youth Ministry E-News February 09

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Check Out the new Southeastern Synod Youth Ministry Website. You’ll find place to post prayer requests, you can post on the blog, you can register online for Affirm! Check out the pictures from past events and keep in contact with other friends from all over the synod! Go ahead and log in now to check it out! And check back often as we add new stuff!

Conduct a LUTHERANCH SUNDAY in February

At the 2008 Synod Assembly, SESLYO introduced a Resolution which was passed encouraging congregations to set aside a Sunday in February to celebrate the purchase of Lutheranch, and to collect a love offering to help offset the expenses for maintenance on the property in Tallapoosa, Georgia. For those congregations that have completed The Challenge campaign, there are resources available for this special Sunday. A bulletin insert is posted on the Lutheridge website (www.llmi.net), under the Lutheranch tab, and sample temple talks and children's sermons are also available by contacting Nancy Christensen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

It’s not to late to sign up!!!!! for All Georgia Youth Gathering

March 6-8, 2009 FFA- FCCLA Camp,
Covington, GA $80
Join youth ages 6th-12th grades from all over the state of Georgia for a weekend of worship, fellowship, fun, and Scripture presentations by Marquis Laughlin (www.actsoftheword.com)and Music by the Oswald Brothers www.myspace.com/oswaldbrothers
You’ll fine registration packets online at http://www.elca-ses.org/youth_news.htm and www.sesyouth.org

Happenings Youth Event

is February 13-15 at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Ocean Springs, MS. Happenings Registration Form is posted at http://www.elca-ses.org/youth_news.htm
For more information contact Pam Thompson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AFFIRM

June 14-19, 2009 Southeastern Synod Youth Event

Who: For 7th-12th graders and a Young Adult Unit for Youth Ministry Training
Where: University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Why: Because your Faith will be Transformed! And it’s awesome to hang out with over 400 other Lutherans!
Information and Participant Registrations are online at www.sesyouth.org. You can register online and pay with a credit card! We’ve got a lot of new exciting things this year! You don’t want to miss it!

Bishops School June 13-20, 2009

Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC
The application was mailed in November and is available online at http://www.elca-ses.org/youth_news.htm. The cost is $425. If accepted into Bishop’s School the synod will give you a $100 scholarship to help with the cost. The deadline for the forms and nominations HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO March 16, 2009. Only 30 students from Region 9 who are currently in the 11th or 12th grade will be accepted.

Lutheridge-Lutherock 2009 www.llmi.org

Summer Faith Alive for Middle School Youth
June 7-13, 2009 at Lutheridge

Come Join us for week long faith alive confirmation program with Bishop Julian Gordy and Pastor Nancy Christensen. Please go to this link for more information! http://www.llmi.net/news/documents/SummerFaithAlive

In response to uncertain economic times in our country, Lutheridge+Lutherock
Ministries is committed that all children and youth will have a summer camp
experience, regardless of their family’s financial situation. In times when
financial struggles are in the forefront of life at home, getting away to be immersed in Christian community is more important than ever. We will give special attention to any child whose parent/guardian has lost their job due to layoff or job reductions. It is hoped that the family and home congregation can assist with the camp fee, but it is not required. There is a form available online for you to fill out by March 15th.

Alassippi 2009

Mark your calendars Now for ALASSIPPI Youth Gathering August 28-30 at the Gulf Shores Christian Retreat Center. This event is for youth grades 6th-12th who live in the states of Alabama and Mississippi!

Youth in Mission

Youth in Mission is currently accepting applications for the Serving Christ in the World youth program. Serving Christ in the World is from June 13th to July 4th, 2009. Current high school sophomores and juniors explore how God is calling them to serve in the world. During these three weeks, the youth will spend time in Chicago and in Mexico City. Through plenary sessions with faculty, small group discussions, worship, visits to neighborhoods, and guest speakers the youth explored their faith and ministry. As a result, they discover and affirm ways to serve Christ in the world, and experience fellowship and fun. The costs are as follows. Once accepted to the program there will be a $300 non-refundable deposit, & the cost of a passport. Youth in Mission takes care of all meals, travel to and from Mexico, and housing expenses after the youth arrives for the program. NOTE: We may be accepting high school seniors as well if space will allow it. We take no more than two youth from the same congregation. View a video about the program at the following link: http://www.lstc.edu/yim/2008scitw/video.html
If you have youth who might be good candidates for the program please encourage them to apply. You can find the forms and more information on the program from the website at www.lstc.edu/yim. Or email us and we will send the application as an attachment.
The application deadline is February 18th. It requires recommendations, a short essay, and an academic transcript.

For any questions please contact

Heather B P Wallace, Program Coordinator of Youth in Mission
Phone: 800.635.1116 Ext. 754
Fax: 773-256-0782 (Attn: Youth In Mission)
HTML Site - http://yim.lstc.edu/ or Flash Site - www.lstc.edu/yim
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 1100 E 55th St Chicago, Il 60615

Disaster Response TeenCorps

All Things New Ministry is accepting applications from high school youth (age 14 – 18) and youth leaders to become involved in the Disaster Response TeenCorps. In this corps, you will build practical skills in most aspects of disaster response and apply these skills in the disaster field. The training is hands on, learning the ABCs of disaster response ranging from mucking out to spiritual care of people affected by disaster. Specific units include:
•   putting your faith into action
•   handling tools and construction
•   programs and resources for meeting emotional and spiritual needs of children, teens and adults
•   administrative computer skills
•   youth preparedness
In addition to training, you are expected to apply your new skills at a disaster site. All Things New Ministry (ATNM) will link you to teams in the field. Please contact Hal Shope, ATNM Executive Director, at (404) 680 – 6860 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.

Youth Ministry Training Opportunities
Don’t forget the SES offers a $250 scholarship for youth ministry and multicultural training. Check out the www.elca-ses.org for more information on those scholarships.
Peer Ministry Adult Leader Training
Mark your calendars for March 16 and 17, 2009 for Peer Ministry Training at First Lutheran, Greensboro, NC. Lyle Griner will lead the Peer Ministry Training for this adult training in how to implement Peer Ministry in your congregation. Cost is $150 for the 16 hours of training. 9-5:30pm each day. If you are interested in joining me for this training please send me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I plan to drive up and can take at least 3 or 4 more in the synod car.

National Gathering

Over 37,500 Youth are signed up for the Gathering in New Orleans this summer and registration is closed. Our synod has over 600 youth that will be participating. There will be a couple of Gathering Information Meetings across the synod for the leaders. I will contact the main leader directly with place and time. I have a lot of information to share with you which will be useful as you prepare for New Orleans.

2009 National Youth Ministry Conference

by Group and Simply Youth Ministry
Feb 27-Mar 2, Columbus, OH
www.youthministry.com or www.simplyyouthministry.com

The 2009 Youth in Mission conference: Pastoral Care for Youth A Conference for Youth Ministry Workers

April 20-22, 2009 (REGISTRATION OPEN)

Here are the basic details about the YIM 2009 Conference.
More information about the conference will be published at http://yim.lstc.edu/conference/
Event Info- Date: April 20-22, 2009
Location: The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 E 55th St
Chicago, IL 60615
Topic: Pastoral Care for Youth
Keynote Speaker/Preacher: Prof. Robert Dykstra, professor of Pastoral Care at Princeton Theological Seminary and author of many books including Counseling Troubled Youth and co-author of Losers, Loners, and Rebels: The Spiritual Struggles of Boys.
Workshop Topics:
•   Pastoral Care for the Grieving Youth: Dealing with loss of a peer and being a survivor
•   Pastoral Care for Youth who have Lost Trust: Dealing with boundaries violations
•   Pastoral Care for the Teenage Girl: Body image disorders
•   Pastoral Care for the Discriminated: Caring for those that have experienced the “isms”
•   Pastoral Care for Child of a Substance Abuser: Breaking the silence and the disease
Schedule, Final Workshop List, Leaders Bios to be posted at a later date
Early Registration: November 3- January 22 ($ 80 + Housing)
Late Registration by: January 23- March 20 ($90 + Housing)
Register at: http://yim.lstc.edu/conference/register.php
Registration Costs covers all lectures, workshops, and food including 1 banquet dinner, 2 continental breakfasts, 1 lunch, and refreshments.

Young Adults

Talk with other Young Adults from our Synod at their
Facebook site, SESYALL.

Looking for resources to help young adults discern their call to ministry. Check out www.projectconnect.org. Thank you to Pastor Seth Bridger, Pastor Eric Murray, Pastor Paul Frank, Pastor Bob Mitchell for serving as Discernment Advocates in our Synod. If you have a young adult interested in rostored ministry these pastors have been trained and are dedicated to helping young people serve in this world.
Lutheran Volunteer Corps Now Accepting 09-10 Applications!
Lutheran Volunteer Corps is a full-time program that offers people a one-year opportunity for spiritual and personal exploration while working for social justice, building intentional community and living simply and sustainably. Volunteers are matched with non-profit organizations in Baltimore, MD; Wilmington, DE; Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN; Seattle and Tacoma, WA; and the Bay Area, CA. Next year, LVC will also be matching volunteers in a thirteenth city, Omaha, NE! Volunteers receive health insurance, time off for retreats and vacation, and a stipend to cover basic living and personal expenses. Most positions also qualify for student loan deferment and a $4,725 AmeriCorps Education Grant.
Members of Lutheran Volunteer Corps unite their time and talents with the time and talents of society's marginalized people. LVC volunteers work in such areas as HIV/AIDS, addiction and recovery, anti-racism, children and youth, community development, education, employment, the environment, food and hunger, GLBT rights, health care, housing and homelessness, immigration and refugees, international solidarity, legal assistance, and peace. Most positions are entry level, requiring little or no previous experience except flexibility, a passion for social justice, and a sense of humor!
Finally, LVC is on a Journey to an Inclusive Community, forming and strengthening alliances among people of many cultures and communities, and intentionally dismantling racism within LVC, the church, and society. As a Reconciling in Christ organization, LVC welcomes and encourages the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in all aspects of LVC. LVC volunteers come from a wide variety of spiritual traditions and are not required to be Lutheran. Married and committed partners are welcome to apply. While there is no upper age limit, volunteers should be at least 21 to participate.
Download an application today from www.LutheranVolunteerCorps.org/volunteers.htm. Please contact Kelly Shinn, Recruiting and Placement Director, at 202-387-3222 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions or for more information.

OVERSEAS SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD COMPANION SYNOD TRIPS

Learn about our Ethiopian Companion Synod and discuss the possibilities of a trip to visit our fellow brothers and sisters on February 16th at 6:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atlanta. Pastor Gemechis Buba will report on his recent trip. For more information Contact Pastor Beverly Wallace at 404-589-1977

TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL TO GUATEMALA
First United Church, Kennesaw, Georgia, is organizing two opportunities to travel to Guatemala and spend time with members of our Companion Synod, the Augustinian Lutheran Church.
A Youth Trip will take place over Holy Week. Youth and sponsors will be leaving from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Atlanta, on Saturday, April 4th, and return on Thursday, April 9th. The trip will allow the youth and sponsors to spend time in Guatemala City with the youth and adults of our Companion Synod and to visit the Lutheran schools. While in Guatemala City, the participants will help their fellow Lutherans construct a float for the Holy Week parades and participate in the rich tradition of Holy Week in Guatemala.
A maximum of 15 youth and sponsors will be allowed. The estimated cost for the Youth Trip will be approximately $900, plus airfare.
A second trip to work with Habitat International and Thrivent Builds will leave in early June. The focus of this trip will be to construct a home in Chimaltenango, approximately two hours west of Guatemala City. The trip will be ten to eleven days in length and will allow time to visit with our Companion Synod pastoral team, worship with members of the Augustinian Lutheran Church and stay at the new Lutheran Center in Guatemala City. A side trip to the City of Antigua -- one of the top 50 historical sites in the world, according to the United Nations -- will be included in this trip.
The cost of this trip is variable depending on the number of Thrivent members who participate. It is estimated that the cost will be $1,500 to $2,000. There is no maximum number of participants; however, each Habitat International construction team typically consists of eight to twelve members per worksite.
For information on either of these opportunities, contact Pr. Robert Bear, 678-372-1711, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .