youth

Merge Churchwide, Synod and Congregations
Rethinking Youth Ministry

May 11, 2013
9:30am-4:00pm
Emanuel's Lutheran Church, Seguin

Tentative Schedule

Attend this year's OLYO Youth Convocation in Sunriver, OR for a wonderful time of networking, decision-making, and connecting!

We enjoy creative, playful, interactive worship at Zion Lutheran. Games of follow the leader during children's sermons, Dixieland brass on All saint's, vivid props in sermons, pop-culture songs co-opted to mix vocation with vacation, 1:1 discussions in church- wherever worship can penetrate "the rest of life" we seek to farm there.

At Gethsemane Lutheran Church!  All 6th, 7th and 8th Graders are invited!  8pm - 8am with about 80 middle schoolers from the area - FUN & GAMES and FOOD!  Turn in a signed covenant form and $10 per youth to the office ASAP!  In order to determine driver and chaperone needs, let Pastor Dayle know you're coming by Jan 8th!  Chaperones needed!

Our congregation has what we'd imagine is a fairly common problem, and I'd be eager to garner any advice those of you reading this might have.  We revived a moribund youth program in 2008, creating a 10 hr/week position that was filled for 2 years by, well, me.  I was fortunate to be in a position where I didn't need full-time employment and had time to devote to the task of developing a youth program.

"Love My Enemies?"
Finding Freedom from the Power of Bullying
An Interactive Event for MS and HS Youth
Share Stories, Learn Skills, Make Friends

Sunday, September 18, 2011
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
LUNCH SERVED from 12:00 - 1:00!

Augustana Lutheran Church
2710 Northeast 14th Avenue
Portland, OR
(at the corner of NE 15th and Knott)

This International Day of Prayer for Peace event is jointly sponsored by the Wilderness Way Community, Central and Augustana Lutheran Churches.  For more information, contact Rev. Solveig Nilsen-Goodin (solveigng@gmail.com)

Check out the "Events" Link for informatin about the High School Youth Gathering, November 11-13!!

As you're filling your calendar with activities this fall, don't forget the

OLYO High School Gathering

November 11-13

Camp Cascade - Lyons, Oregon

I have not been able to attend the last few Believe meetings but I would like to get back into it.  One thing I am interested in discussing is how we can help congregations reach out to parents of young families.  I myself am a parent with 3 young children and get frustrated by a lot of attempts to get children into the church.  My own congregation has a little league field, does Easter Egg hunts, will be sharing our building with a school, etc.  but all these wonderful things don't add to our membership.

Like many churches, Faith Roseburg is struggling with ways to reach our youth, especially middle school and high school ages.  Traditional Sunday School structure is obsolete.  For several years now we have tried different things to lure kids to church - breakfast, service projects, pizza, etc.  We, the council & pastor, are interested in what is happening in other congregations.  Do you have a curriculum that is meaningful or a project that hooks kids?   Have young leaders been empowered to be more active & how has that worked?