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2009 ELCA Youth Gathering E-News
 Special Update
 

Free online youth ministry training for adults
 
Dear friends,

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network, in partnership with the ELCA Youth Gathering, is inviting you to participate in our Online Training Initiative in preparation for the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans.

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is an independent organization that works in close partnership with ELCA Youth Ministry and the Gathering to provide opportunities for renewal, education, and connection for adults who work with young people in our congregations.

We know that taking young people to the Gathering is a big and important challenge, and we are committed to helping you prepare for this tremendous ministry opportunity. We have created online courses, taught by experienced youth ministry leaders, to help you effectively lead your groups and process their experience in New Orleans. Given the dynamics of being in a post-Katrina New Orleans, and of the different Gathering design for 2009, we think that this training is more important than ever. Please know that this training will not replace the local training provided by your synod’s Gathering Coordinator, but will instead enhance it.

There are three “semesters” in this upcoming year (2008-2009). The first semester begins on November 10, 2008. The second begins in February 2009, and the third will be in April. A minimum of three online courses will be taught each semester. The three courses for this first semester are:

  • The Gathering Big Picture: What is Christian mission?
  • My Job Description: Faithful Christian adults working with youth
  • What Did I Get Myself Into: Youth ministry basics

Because of our partnership with the ELCA Youth Gathering and their generous support, we are able to offer these courses free of charge to all adults who are bringing young people to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering.

For more information about the online training, or to register, please go to www.elcaymnet.org/onlinetraining.
 

Learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network

Please visit our Web site at www.elcaymnet.org for information on the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, its mission, and resources.

Click here to sign up to receive the Network’s free weekly e-mail newsletter -- complete with devotion. The e-mail newsletters will provide more information on the Online Training Initiative in the weeks to come.
 

If you love youth and family ministry, don't miss the Extravaganza

The Extravaganza is an amazing event put on by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. It's an annual 4-day conference for adults who work with youth in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The program is built around renewal, education, and networking.

The 2009 Extravaganza will be in New Orleans January 28 - February 1, 2009. Register now.
 

You are receiving this e-mail because you subscribed to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering E-News.  Unsubscribe from or subscribe to this Gathering E-News list. For general questions contact the ELCA Youth Gathering office at gathering@elca.org or 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2100.