Category: The Church
New ELCA Recommendations on How and How Long We Keep Our Data
Hello friends, Last week, a Network member posted in our Facebook group that they had noticed new recommendations from the ELCA about how long congregations retain registration data about events with children and youth. These recommendations had been updated in May of 2021. You can see the document that lists these recommendations here. The new ...
As We Watch War Unfold
Like many of you, I’ve been watching the updates coming in from Ukraine. And like many of you, my heart has broken, seeing the conflict develop, people fleeing, the sights of bombs going off and images of families being separated. This is horrible. It’s terrible. On so many different levels, it’s just so very wrong. ...
Outdoor Ministry Sites Need Our Help
Hello friends, Our ELCA camps and outdoor ministry sites are in deep need right now and are asking for our help. Coming out of the pandemic, and a year where they either didn’t operate or they worked to provide online ministry opportunities for campers and their families, they are now struggling to recruit enough staff ...
Gathering Transitions: Thank You to Molly Beck Dean
Dear friends, At this year’s Extravaganza, ELCA staff members and many of the team leaders from the ELCA Youth Gathering were present to talk about the cancellation of the 2022 Gathering and the transition to the 2024 Youth Gathering. And at this event, Deacon Tammy Jones West was introduced as the new Interim Director of the ...
What the Gathering’s Cancellation Means
Hello friends, By now, you have probably seen the notification from the ELCA Youth Gathering, letting the community know that the 2022 Youth Gathering in Minneapolis will not take place. Instead, the Gathering leadership will pivot and begin working on the 2024 event. We want to let you know that the 2022 Extravaganza, scheduled for ...
New COVID Protocols for Extravaganza 2022
Dear Network friends, The Extravaganza planning team has updated our COVID protocols for our gathering next month at the Hilton in Minneapolis. We are committed to an event that fulfills our mission and our goals: Powerful spiritual renewal, quality continuing education and great networking. At the same time, we are committed to an event that keeps participants ...
Giving Thanks for the Life of Heidi Hagstrom
Dear friends, It is with deep sadness that I write to share the news of the death of Rev. Heidi Hagstrom. Heidi died last night around midnight, in the presence of her family members. Heidi had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer last year. Heidi served most recently as the pastor of Fields ...
Where We Are At
A couple of days ago, I came across a social media post by Rev. Beth Wartick, of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Ankeny, Iowa. I read it, and then read it again. And I realized that it is a really good description of the journey that we have been on. I could see myself within it. ...
Time to Take the 2021 Salary Survey
It’s time to begin putting together what for some individuals and congregations is the Network’s most helpful tool. We are asking everyone on our mailing list to please fill out the 2021 ELCA Youth Ministry Network Salary Survey. The last survey was completed in 2018. normally we would do the survey every two years. However, ...
The Network Releases Statement on Race, Inclusion and Ministry
Note: Over the last two months, the Network Board of Directors has engaged in deep listening and conversation around issues of race, justice and inclusivity. While these conversations have been a part of the board’s agenda for years, the events surrounding the killing of George Floyd, and the subsequent events and conversations, increased our focus ...
Network is a Verb 