Posts tagged Youth and Young Adult
Reimagining Kids in Worship: ELCA Launches New Initiative with Lilly Endowment Grant

The ELCA has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch Curious Christian Children: Reimagining Kids in Worship. This new initiative will equip congregations with resources to foster inclusive worship spaces for all children, focusing especially on those with disabilities, families of color, and LGBTQIA+ families. Through resource sharing and leader support, the program aims to help our youngest members grow in faith and belonging.

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How the 2024 Youth Gathering Inspired Lifelong Service and Connection

The 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans inspired young Lutherans like Hayden Gruenberg to consider careers dedicated to service. Through partnerships with organizations like Let’s Be BIGGER and Roots of Music, attendees formed lasting connections that transcend geography, enriching their faith and deepening their commitment to social justice.

These stories show how the Gathering continues to shape lives, building community and fostering a sense of shared purpose across the ELCA. Read the full story in Living Lutheran.

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Nominate Students for Lutheran Summer Music 2025

You’re invited to nominate a student for LSM 2025! Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students (grades 8-12) who come together from all over the country to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build an intentional, supportive, and FUN community.

LSM 2025 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 22-July 20 (Full Session) or June 22-July 6 (Half Session). Priority Enrollment is open now through December 1. Nominate students at LSMacademy.org/nominate, and watch and share this LSM Experience Video to learn more!

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ELCA Grants Empower Congregations to Transform Children's Ministries

The ELCA Ministry with Children Grants program is helping congregations revitalize their children’s ministries and outreach efforts. Grants awarded in 2023 have transformed spaces and expanded programs, from repurposing a school in Wisconsin to supporting foster youth in Colorado. Learn how these congregations are using their grants to reach children with God’s love at Living Lutheran.

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Faith Lens: Justification by Grace through Faith

Reformation Sunday on October 27 reminds us of the transformative power of justification by grace through faith. As we reflect on Martin Luther’s legacy in this week’s Faith Lens, we are invited to consider how God’s grace continues to reform and shape us today. Join us in worship as we renew our commitment to live by grace, trusting that God’s presence calls us to be lights in the world.

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Strengthening Faith at Home: The Lasting Impact of Lutheran Camps

Discover how Lutheran summer camps like Rainbow Trail foster leadership and lasting faith in campers, connecting them to family and congregational life. Research from the Rhythms of Faith Project shows that camps play a vital role in influencing spiritual practices at home, offering innovative strategies to help parents and churches continue faith development long after the camp week ends. Explore the impactful partnerships between camps, families, and congregations in shaping the next generation’s faith. Read more at Living Lutheran.

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Faith Lens: Serving the Public Good

As election season nears, this week’s Faith Lens calls us to consider how Jesus’ model of servant leadership should influence the way we choose our leaders. Mark 10:45 reminds us that Christ came “not to be served, but to serve,” challenging us to prioritize the public good over personal gain. As we prepare to vote, let’s hold our leaders to this higher standard, asking why they lead and whom they serve.

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Faith Lens: The Last Shall Be First

As hurricanes continue to ravage vacation destinations, it’s easy to forget the year-round residents who make these places thrive. Many struggle with poverty and insecurity, and now face additional threats from the storms. In the latest Faith Lens, we explore how our faith calls us to stand with these vulnerable communities—not just in times of disaster, but every day. Learn how you can support through Lutheran Disaster Response and live out the Gospel call to uplift those left behind.

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Gathering Remix: Created to Be

Under the theme “Created to Be,” Gathering Remix is a digital resource with 10 lessons featuring Mass Gathering recordings, exclusive interviews, discussion guides, and more, to enrich discussions with your middle school and high school groups.

Designed to sustain the energy from events such as the Gathering, this dynamic tool helps middle and high school groups stay engaged and inspired. To learn more or to purchase for your group, visit gLearn.

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Youth musicians are invited to Lutheran Summer Music

Enrollment for LSM 2025 is open now! Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students who come together to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build a supportive and fun community. Musical experiences include large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, and electives like handbells, jazz, musical theatre, composition, conducting, church music and more. Priority enrollment deadline: December 1. Standard enrollment deadline: March 1. Learn more at LSMacademy.org.

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Faith Lens: Connecting with Kids

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” Are we doing the same in our congregations? In this week's Faith Lens, we explore how we can better listen to and empower children’s voices in faith, drawing from research on Gen Alpha. Learn how creating space for kids to share their perspectives can deepen their spiritual engagement—and ours. How will you welcome the youngest among us?

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Faith Lens: Finding Our Place

In this week’s Faith Lens, we look at the story of Peter rebuking Jesus and the recent challenges in Springfield, Ohio, as immigrants and longtime residents navigate building a new home together. Just as Peter learned to follow God’s leadership, we are called to find our place in the greater story, trusting God’s guidance even when it challenges our assumptions.

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All Valley Young Adults: New Monthly Events Bring Community Together

Kick off the new monthly young adult events in the Phoenix area with a fun night of unlimited bowling on Monday, September 9th, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Main Event in Tempe. This gathering, led by local young adult leaders, is the first of many opportunities to connect with peers across the Grand Canyon Synod. Don’t miss out on the fun—join us for this exciting event!

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Faith Lens: Beyond “Good Guy vs. Bad Guy”

Even if you’re not old enough to vote, I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about “the growing political divide in America.” Maybe you’ve seen evidence of it yourself on the news, in your church, or even in your own family. It seems like everywhere we turn we can find more and more evidence that people are less and less able to listen to each other, especially about politics. Sometimes it feels like the only thing anyone can agree on is how impossible it would be for us to agree. It can be pretty stressful to watch.

But what if our political divide isn’t as huge or even as real as it seems? A recent article in Time Magazine paints a very different story of our country. It explains that while a small number of people on both political sides are very divided, most average Americans actually agree a lot more than we disagree. Like, a lot more. Their survey discovered what they called “stunning agreement” on almost every single issue they asked about. 

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Faith Lens: Finding Life

When Jesus’ teachings become difficult to understand, many of his followers leave. But Simon Peter stays, proclaiming, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” In this week's Faith Lens, we explore the importance of trusting in Jesus, even when faith is challenging. Discover how, like Peter, we can find life in Christ, even in the face of difficult teachings.

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New ‘Gathering Remix’ to Extend Impact of ELCA Youth Gathering with Exciting Resources

The ELCA Youth Gathering team has announced the “Gathering Remix,” a new digital resource launching in September to keep the energy of the 2024 Gathering alive. This tool includes Mass Gathering recordings, exclusive interviews, and over 10 weeks of discussion guides, perfect for youth groups seeking to deepen their faith engagement post-New Orleans. Available for pre-order now, don’t miss out on this opportunity to enrich your ministry and inspire our youth!

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“Drawn In! Moving Out!” at the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering

At the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering where the theme “Created to Be” inspired young people to be their brave, free, authentic, disruptive, and discipling selves, there was a place in the Interactive Learning space that invited them to be “Drawn In! Moving Out!” It was an absolute joy to once again bring the vision of a worship learning experience I brainstormed in 2016 to life for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. We staffed the booth with an incredible team from the ELCA Worship Staff, Lutheran Summer Music, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the ELCA Spiritual Renewal Team.  

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Lifting Up Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Arizona

Join us in lifting up Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Arizona, where Rev. Rebecca Boardman and her team provide a welcoming and inclusive space for students of all backgrounds. Discover how this vibrant community fosters radical hospitality, spiritual growth, and a deep sense of belonging for young adults.

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