Children, Youth, & Family Ministry

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministry in this synod is led by the Minneapolis Area Synod and Saint Paul Area Synod Children, Youth, & Family Team. The mission of the CYF Team is to support, encourage, enhance, and develop children, youth, and family ministries as they effectively share the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

The CYF Team exists as a resource for congregations, as well as CYFM workers and volunteers. Whether you are just beginning an intentional CYF ministry, or if your congregation already has a robust program, the CYF Team is here to connect with and support you. This is done throughout the year with a number of events, learning opportunities, and meet-and-greets, as well as being a resource for all things CYF.

Connect With Us!

Whether you're paid staff working full-time, part-time or are a volunteer, the CYF Team wants to connect with you!

  • Join our Facebook group to request and provide advice to your peers, share ideas and support one another.
  • Join our email list to receive notifications about upcoming events and be included in our network of resources.

Events

The CYF Team hosts or sponsors regular events throughout the year. Specific details about these events appear on the calendar page of our website as the event draws nearer.

  • Welcome Event: The Welcome Event is designed to introduce recent arrivals to the Twin Cities' synods who work or volunteer with children, youth, and family ministries. This event connects you with other people who are passionate about CYF ministries. The next Welcome Event will be held in October 2023.
  • Synod Lunch at the Youth Ministry Extravaganza: Join other youth leaders from the Twin Cities for lunch and conversation during the national Youth Ministry Extravaganza. The 2023 lunch was held in during the event in Anaheim, California, Feb. 3-6.
  • Ascension Day Breakfast: Celebrate the year of ministry with worship and conversation with other CYF workers and volunteers. The 2023 Ascension Day Breakfast was May 11 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities in Minneapolis.

 

ELCA Youth Gathering

The ELCA Youth Gathering will be held July 16-20, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana! Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives. The Gathering is held every three years. An important part of the Gathering’s ministry are two pre-events: the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), a faith formation and leadership development event primarily for youth of color, and the tAble, which brings together, blesses and empowers youth with disabilities. The Gathering is excited to partner with Young Adult Ministries to host the first-ever ELCA Young Adult Gathering for individuals who will be 18-35 at the time of the Gathering.

 

Our Synod Champion for the Youth Gathering is Kelsey Young from Shepherd of the Valley. She is our primary resource person for information and supporting congregational leaders as they prepare to bring young people to this faith formation event. You can get in touch with her at kelsey.young@sotv.org.

 

Learn more about The Gathering.

 

Resources

The CYF Team keeps a list of up-to-date resources. These resources include books, movies, curriculum, retreat centers, camps, trips, continuing education, and other networks. Click here for the resource list. (PDF).

 

Synod Newsletter

Subscribe to the synod's weekly newsletter for news and events related to CYF ministry and other activities around the synod. Click here to subscribe!

Questions?

Have a question that the resource list can't answer? One of the CYF Team representatives from this synod can help!

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