ELCA is Seeking a Director for the Youth Gathering
Heidi Hagstrom has announced her intent to leave her position as the Director of the ELCA Youth Gathering following the 2015 event next summer. Heidi has been studying in the M.Div program at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque and intends to pursue rostered ministry as an ordained pastor within the ELCA. The ELCA has posted the ...
Network Global HQ is Moving…
Effective today, the Global Headquarters (the original suggestion was “Galactic Headquarters,” but we thought that might be just a bit over the top) of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network is relocating. The new Network address is: 150 Oakwood Lane Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 The phone number (612.564.2195) of the Global HQ remains the same. The ...
Nominations for Network Board of Directors Open
The Network is governed by a seven member Board of Directors. (plus two non-voting members.) The Board is responsible for setting the direction and vision of the Network, which is then carried out by a small, part-time staff and a huge, dedicated and dynamic group of almost 150 volunteer leaders. The mission of the Network? ...
YouthWorks signs on as a Network Partner
YouthWorks, one of the premier organizations across the church to offer short-term mission experiences for youth groups, has signed on as a “Silver Partner” with the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. The Network and its partner organizations commit to a relationship of mutual support. Network Partners are a vital component of our community. And the Network ...
An Invitation to Sign an Open Letter to the ELCA…
Dear Network friends, The Network’s Board of Directors has drafted the following letter, to be sent to Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of Congregational and Synodical Mission at the ELCA. It requests that staffing in the area of children’s ministry at the churchwide offices be considered. The Network Board invites you to co-sign the letter. ...
Transition
Life has been pretty much a whirlwind in the last few weeks. As has been noted on the Network’s Facebook page, Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minnesota has extended a call for me to come and serve as a pastor. After a lot of conversations, thought and prayer, I have decided to accept this call. ...
Want to go to Germany?
Michael and George, our good friends who together form the band Lost and Found, have been working for a few years on the Luther500 Project. And they have an invitation for the Network. Get more information on the special invitation by clicking here. Luther500 will bring folks to Germany to celebrate the 500th anniversary of ...
Cancer Theology
I didn’t want to read this book. Really, I didn’t. I know both Jake and Erik. Not nearly as well as I would like to, but well enough that I knew I’d buy a copy of this book as soon as I’d heard about it, just because I wanted to support them. But read it? ...
Bunnies and Signs
In the community in which I serve, I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon in the past couple of years. There are some start-up churches, of the non-denominational type, who are meeting in our community. They are young, passionate and energetic; and they have a sense of urgency to what they are doing. They exist to reach out ...
The Value of the Network (in a crisis)
Guest Blog: Rev. Paul Amlin, who serves as the Program Director for Youth Ministries in the churchwide offices of the ELCA, wanted to share this story of service and gratitude with the Network. I had a recent experience that demonstrated the value of the Network, and I feel the need to share it in a ...
Network is a Verb 