Invitation letter to all synods (6/3/08)

Registration form  

Synod leader profile 

Covenant

Medical form

Release form

General information

Uni-Diversity

In 2008, the focus will be on Uni-Diversity, based on 1 Corinthians 12:13. The powerful gifts of our many forms of diversity are transformed into a dynamic unity in baptism, in the power of one Spirit. This includes our diversity in languages, ages, ethnicities, spiritual gifts and kinds of service, in gender and sexual orientations, socio-economic status, the places we call home and the people we call family, types of congregations and synods, physical abilities and appearance, and our favorite musical artists and genres. (UNI = ONE) We’ll celebrate and explore these gifts, especially our different ways of serving, our different ethnicities, and our different sexual orientations, and seek to understand and claim the one life and mission we have in the Spirit, for the sake of the world.

Purpose of CSLYOPs
The Council of Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Presidents (sometimes lovingly pronounced “sy-klops”), is a ministry of faith formation, leadership development, and ministry development for youth who lead -- and adults with whom they lead -- in LYOs and synodical youth ministries across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The gathering is planned and led by a team of CSLYOPs co-chairs, co-chairs-elect, and ELCA Youth Ministry staff, with strong contributions this year from our local hosts, the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod. The purpose of the Council is:

“to discuss matters of interest and concerns from the synod youth ministry organizations, as well as to share youth ministry resources, information, and to provide learning / training experiences for all council members.” (LYO Constitution 7:14).

Each meeting of the Council elects two youth leaders, one male and one female, to serve as co-chairs-elect for a two-year term. The Council also serves as an advisory group to the Board of the LYO. It is a goal of ELCA Youth Ministry and the Vocation and Education Unit to have every synod represented at this event in order to strengthen youth ministries and youth witness across the church.

Dates, Location and Cost
The 2008 Council of Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Presidents will meet November 6-9, 2008, at Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. For more information, go to: www.mountsequoyah.org. This is approximately 40 minutes south of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA), and two hours east of the Tulsa International Airport (TUL). The total cost for each synod that participates in CSLYOPs will be $700, whether it sends two or three people. This includes airfare, ground transportation in Fayetteville, rooms, and meals for up to three people! Registration deadline will be Friday, September 12, 2008.

CSLYOPs will also introduce the proposals for reforming the mission and structure of youth ministries of the ELCA and its twenty year old Lutheran Youth Organization. Synodical leaders will be asked to disseminate these proposals widely, and prepare their synod voting members who will take part in the 2009 Lutheran Youth Organization Convention in Hattiesburg, MS, from July 26 to 30.

Who is eligible to attend?
Synod youth ministries are invited to send up to three people to the Council meeting.
This includes:

1. One LYO president or other youth with significant stated responsibility and/or experience in synodical youth ministry. All youth participants must be 15-18 years old, and be active members of an ELCA congregation at the time of the Council meeting.
2. One multicultural and/or definitely-abled youth per synod. It is encouraged that your synod identify a young person of color and/or definitely-abled youth, also 15-18, also an active member.
3. One adult LYO advisor or ministry leader per synod. Whether this person is a paid synod staff person or a volunteer, we advise that this person be one who works closely with the synod’s LYO or youth ministry teams.

CSLYOPs PDF documents and forms

• Invitation letter to all ELCA Synods (June 3, 2008)
• General Information
• Registration Form  
• Synod youth leader profile
• Covenant
• Medical Form
• Release Form

"We invite you to come and celebrate Uni-Diversity with us!"

◄ The 4 young leaders who are current co-chairs of the Council of Synod Lutheran Organization Presidents (CSLYOPs) are, from left to right: Brandon McCall (Southeastern PA Synod), Chris Whitaker (Central/Southern IL Synod), Sally Ea (Saint Paul Area Synod) and Kate Nelson (Northwestern MN Synod).