Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
From the Desk…
Events
News & Resources
OUR CORE VALUES
How We Believe God Would Have Us Accomplish the Mission And Vision
Leadership Development
- Form youth to be leaders.
- Plan and implement leadership training for youth.
Faith Formation
- Plan and implement events and programs intended to lead children, youth and their families closer to Christ and toward a life of discipleship.
Equip Adult Leaders
- Encourage and support youth leaders through events where leaders can share experiences, successes and resources.
Support
- Develop and maintain communication to inform youth and youth leaders about upcoming events, using email, social media, monthly newsletter.
- Provide publicity for events in a timely manner.
mission statement
What We Believe God Has Called Us To Do
We believe God has called us, in partnership with parents and adult leaders, to cultivate faith formation, leadership development, fellowship and service by, with, and for ELCA children and youth and communities.
Vision Statement
What We Hope God Will Do Through Us
Our vision is for all youth and children in SC to experience God’s love and grace.
Resolution on Child Protection
As adopted by the 2025 Synod Assembly
From the Desk of Deborah Poole

CYF and Mental Health
Young people are dealing with mental health issues more than ever before. The church has a special role to play, offering a safe, non-judgmental place where young people can find support and help for their struggles.
Here are some key ideas for making your children’s/youth ministry a safe space for young people with mental health challenges:
1. Understand Mental Illness as a Medical Condition
Don’t mistake mental illness for a lack of faith or a spiritual failing. It’s a medical issue, and it should be treated with the same seriousness as any physical illness. When you talk about mental health, be clear that things like anxiety don’t mean a person is “bad” or that God loves them any less. Helping young people see their illness for what it is can empower them to seek the right help and thrive.
2. Treat Mental Health Seriously
Mental illness is not a joke or a phase. It’s a serious condition that can be life-limiting or even life-threatening. Create a culture where kids feel safe enough to talk about their struggles. It’s also vital to have a plan for how to refer them to mental health professionals. Getting a child/youth the right professional help could save their life.
3. Foster Safe and Connected Spaces
Young people need places where they feel safe, loved, and like they belong. These spaces are crucial for developing healthy ways to cope. Be intentional about creating these environments and regularly check in to see if they’re working. Ask yourself: Are leaders making kids feel safe? Is there any bullying? Listening to your kids and their families will give you the best ideas for improvement.
4. Train Your Leaders
All your youth leaders and volunteers should be trained to recognize the signs of common mental illnesses in young people, like depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. This training should be led by mental health professionals. Your leaders need to know how to respond seriously and what community resources to use. They should never feel they have to be a therapist; their job is to connect students with professionals who can help.
5. Teach with Grace, Not Guilt
The way you teach about faith can either help or harm. Teaching that is overly rigid or fear-based can lead to guilt, anxiety, and other harmful feelings. Instead, teach with grace. Encourage them to be honest about their emotions and to understand that their faith and their mental health can coexist.
6. Encourage Healthy Emotional Habits
Help young people learn to recognize and understand their emotions. Teach them to notice how their feelings affect their actions and what might trigger certain moods. You can do this by modeling mindfulness and encouraging kids to be aware of their own feelings.
7. Build Positive Self-Image
Your children/youth are valuable and unique. Show them that by listening to their ideas and celebrating their strengths. Give them opportunities to express themselves and use their talents. Letting them take the lead on projects—like a food drive or a tutoring program—helps them build a sense of self-worth.
8. Create Space for Accountability
Adult leaders are responsible for making children’s/youth ministry a safe place. This means you need to be open to feedback and willing to make changes. Talk to them about their experiences. Were they uncomfortable with a topic? Did they feel unsafe? Are they being bullied? Create space to have these tough conversations and act on what you lear
Let’s Glow for God!
Elementary Retreat
(Grades 1-5)
October 4-5
Camp Kinard
Note Change of Date!
Child and Youth Protection Policy for Churches and Faith Communities
Thursday, November 20, 2025
10:00 AM
Presenter: Lexanne Graves, Pinnacle AssociateLocation – TBD, Columbia, SC
Cost: $50
Anticipated Outcomes for Participants:
- Educate participants about facts of child sexual abuse and understand the risks
- Focus on ways to minimize the risks specific to one’s context
- Provide multiple resources on creating one’s policy
- Discuss trainings and screenings needed and how to handle reporting child sexual abuse
- Craft an outline for one’s policy
Register
Ensuring the safety and security of our children and youth is paramount to fostering a thriving and trustworthy faith community. This workshop directly addresses this by focusing on the development and implementation of effective Child/Youth Protection Policies. It begins by asking: ‘Does our church/faith community have a Child/Youth Protection Policy with annual trainings for adult staff and volunteers?’ This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about proactively mitigating risks, building trust with families, and demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the vulnerable members of our community. This training will guide leaders through the process of creating a context-specific policy and provide actionable steps and outlines for putting it into practice, ultimately strengthening our ability to protect and nurture our young people. Without a clear and consistently enforced Child/Youth Protection Policy and regular training, your faith community risks failing to adequately protect vulnerable individuals, potentially leading to harm and eroding the trust of families and the wider community.
Extravaganza 2026
January 30-February 2, 2026
St. Louis, Missouri
This leadership event gathers church leaders who work with children, youth, young adults and their families for 4 days and 3 nights of focused learning and growth in your ministry.
I am pleased to announce a special scholarship opportunity for one individual to attend. This scholarship, valued at $350, covers the full registration fee for a first-time attendee + one year membership to ELCAYMNET. (Note: Travel and housing expenses are not included.)
If your group/congregation would like to learn more about Synod Children’s, Youth and Family Ministry, I am available to speak. Email me at deborah@scsynod.com.

We can’t wait to bring the best parts of the @elcagathering to Lutheridge next summer! High school participants will experience camps activities like pool, crafts, campfires, challenge tower, and hiking; and Gathering activities like worship, speakers, and house band music. We are also excited to offer concurrent continuing education for youth leaders!
Put it on your calendar: July 12-17, 2026 at Lutheridge! Registration will open in November.
RESOURCES
From Fuller Youth Institute
Leading change that changes you

Fall lineup of training specifically for CYF leaders
Each session is short, practical, and packed with encouragement. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to build momentum, these events are designed to give you tools you can actually use.
Home – Youth Ministry Consultants


Family Faith Formation: Worship Tools (Block 4)
-UPDATED-
THEME FOR 2025-2026
MATTHEW 5: 17. “LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE”
Rooted in the knowledge of God’s love and grace, and empowered by our baptismal calling to live, hear, share, proclaim, serve, and strive, South Carolina Synod Children, Youth and Family Ministry is called to nurture youth as lights for the world, equipping them to discover their gifts, embrace belonging, and become faithful leaders and servants of Christ.
EVENTS IN 2025-2026
October 4-5: Elementary Retreat – “What is a Disciple?”
October 19: Marty Party
November 1: Mental Health Summit (Synod-Wide)
November 20: Child Protection Policy Training
January TBA: CYFM Cabinet
January 23-25: Middle School Retreat – “What is a Disciple?”
February 6-7: CYF Leaders –
March 13-15: Confirmation Retreat (6-8)
May 15-17: High School Retreat – “What is a Disciple?”
June: Leadership Summit – What it Means to be a Faithful Leader In conjunction with Synod Assembly. Will include social gatherings, pool party, etc.
June/July: Camp Hugg
GraceWorks
Organizational structure
newsletters
Resources& Links
ELCA Faith Formation
Growing Young Assessment
Living Our Baptism
Implementing the ELCA Faith Practices in your Ministry Setting

Resources
FACEBOOK GROUPS
- CYFM Resources – SC Synod
- SC Synod Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
- ELCA Youth Ministry Network
- Stuff You Can Use – non-denominational
- Deep Discipleship Youth Group Games
- UMC Intergenerational Ministries
- Big Ideas in Youth Ministry
- ELCA Children and Family Ministries
- Cultivate Faith with PRC
- Ministry Boost
- Birthing Cross+Gen Community
- Progressive Youth Ministry
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY RESOURCES
- ELCA Children’s Ministry
- Sparkhouse
- Spirit & Truth Publishing (Revised and Narrative Lectionary Curriculum)
- VeggieTales – God Made You Special and He Loves You Very Much
- Bible Made Easy for Kids | Christian Videos | Whats in the Bible
FAMILY
- Lifelong Faith – Home
- Vibrant Faith – Discover the Whole-Person Ministry Leadership Approach
- Family Faith Formation Toolkit | Family Faith Formation Toolkit | Christian Reformed Church
- Faith Practices at Home / Home Practices
- Book / Faithful Families by Traci Smith (Study Guide – faithfulfamilies4weekstudy)
- Book / Ordinary Blessings for Parents — Meta Herrick Carlson
- Parent Cue
CHILD PROTECTION
- Safe Gatherings / $$ (Synod has partnership with them)
- Home – Darkness to Light
- Safe Gatherings – Mandated Reporting
- Article / Creating a Child Protection Policy for Your Church – Rooted Ministry
- Template for creating policy / Sample-Child-Protection-Policy.pdf
- Model / DE-MDSynodModelChildProtectionPolicy.pdf
- Model / Child-Protection-Policy-SC-reviewed-02-16-2019.pdf
- Model / Child-Safety-Policy-Redacted.pdf
- Model / Child Protection Policy (CPP) – Faith Lutheran Church
- Model / Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Alexandria, VA | Child Protection
- Church Protection Resources | EPC
- Guidelines-for-Child-Protection-Policy-FINAL-012820.pdf
- Child-Youth-Vulnerable Adult Policy 2020 (GA 2020) (00131876).DOCX
- SafeSanctuaries-Small-Churches-0517.pdf
CONFIRMATION MINISTRY
- Study the Story of the Bible With Free Tools | BibleProject™
- Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation | Sparkhouse
- Here We Stand Confirmation
- Mentorship / Five keys for effective mentoring
- Re:form | Sparkhouse
YOUTH MINISTRY
- Curriculum / T.B.D. | Sparkhouse
- Conference / The Confluence |
- Team building through cooking Way Cool Cooking School | Cooking School in Eden Prairie, MN
- The Bible Project / Study the Story of the Bible With Free Tools | BibleProject™
- Curriculum / Echo the Story | Sparkhouse
- Youth Ministry | LeaderTreks Youth Ministry
- Environmental learning Growing Green Hearts
- Peer Ministry / Peer Ministry Leadership – Leadership Training
- Ultimate Camp Resource – Camp Games, Camp Songs, Camp Skits, and more!
- Youth Ministry Great Games – YouTube
- Faith Lens – Faith Lens » Blog Archive – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Ministry to Youth – Youth Group Lessons – Free | Youth Bible Lessons – Free
- Youth ESource – Home – youthESource
- YM360 – YM360 | Youth Ministry 360
- Book / Sustainable Youth Ministry – Ministry Architects
- Youth Group Lessons and Games | Ministry to Youth
- YouthMinistry.com – Daily Wisdom for Youth Workers.
CAMPS, MISSION TRIPS & RETREATS
- Local – Columbia / GraceWorks
- NovusWay Ministries I Christian Camps & Retreats In Southeast U.S.
- Appalachia Service Project | Mission Trips in Appalachia
- Passport | Christian Summer Mission Camps For Youth Groups and Children
- Service Learning Camps
- HOME | Thedwelling
- Center for Student Missions / City Service Mission
- Lutheran Outdoor Ministries | Encouraging, Educating, Equipping, and Empowering Camp & Retreat Leadership
- Praying Pelicans Missions / Mission Trips – Domestic & International Group Mission Trips | PPM
- Serve Boldly – GREEN LAKE LUTHERAN MINISTRIES
- YouthWorks | Christ-Centered Youth Mission Trips
BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS
- Back_to_School_Blessings_and_Prayers.pdf (buildfaith.org) and Blessing Backpacks: Prayer and Resources (buildfaith.org)
- 25 Promising Back To School Prayers For Students & Teachers – Home Faith Family
- Ministry Matters™ | Backpack Blessings
- Blessing of the Backpacks and Back-to-School Worship Liturgy (illustratedministry.com)
- Discipleship Ministries | A Blessing of the Backpacks and the School… (umcdiscipleship.org)
- Backpack Blessing! (saltproject.org)
- For devices / Blessing of the devices (resourceumc.org)
CHOOSING CURRICULUM
- Building Faith’s Top Picks for Youth Ministry Curriculum (buildfaith.org)
- Building Faith’s Top Picks for Children’s Ministry Curriculum (buildfaith.org)
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Building Faith
- Cherish All Children / For Churches | Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
- Go Weekly / Orange Resources
- ELCAYMNET (Youth Ministry Network) / Martin’s List – Need a membership Members Login
- The Ministry Lab – Supporting vibrant, innovative ministry for our changing world
- ELCAYMNET (youth ministry network) – have to join
- Advocacy for the acceptance, full participation, and liberation of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the Lutheran Church Home – Reconciling Works
- Fuller Youth Institute / Fuller Youth Institute
- Faith Formation / ELCA FAITH FORMATION – home
- The Innovation Lab / Innovation in Action
- Youth Ministry Consulting for Your Church – Ministry Architects / Synod has a partnership with them. Code is SCCYFM25
- Springtide Research Institute / Interesting information
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- E-Formation / Lifelong Learning | Virginia Theological Seminary
- ELCAYNET Extravaganza / Extravaganza 2026
- Faith Forward: Reimagine Children’s and Youth Ministry / Faith Forward
- Intergenerate Conference / InterGenerate
- Faith+Lead / Follow God into a Faithful Future: Faith+Lead
- Orange Conference / Orange Conference 2025 | The Family Ministry Event Of The Year | The Art Of We
- Vibrant Faith – Discover the Whole-Person Ministry Leadership Approach
- Lifelong Faith – Home
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
- Hope: A Guide for Faith Leaders to Help Prevent Youth Suicide | National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (theactionalliance.org)
- Teaching resources for talking with teens about suicide | PBS NewsHour Classroom
- Children Ages 12 and Younger – Suicide Prevention Resource Center (sprc.org)
- Five Ways a Church Can Observe National Suicide Prevention Month – Gordon Conwell
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
SEASON OF CREATION
- Season of Creation Formation Resources (buildfaith.org)
- Creation Justice Resources for Children & Youth | UMC Creation Justice (umcreationjustice.org)
- Season of Creation
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
- Advent and Christmas – Online Resource Center – PRC – Practical Resources for Churches
- Christmas Pageant Ideas, Tips and Scripts / https://buildfaith.org/christmas-pageants/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGXYpVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVXwgmiPJh4OU05Fw2s_EGenZwqOr592yhnSQqu_
- Advent Calendars for 2024
- New and Recent Formation Resources for Advent
- Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas / Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas: 100 Ways to Make the Season Sacred: Smith, Traci: 9780827211360: Amazon.com: Books
- Flame: Creative Children’s Ministry: 25 Advent Activities
- 27 Advent and Christmas Service Ideas – Brainstorm List – Re:think Worship
- Waiting for the Light: Advent DevotionalAdvent devotional, Waiting for the Light.
VALENTINE’S DAY/LOVE
- Youth Group Games – Valentine’s Day | Ministry to Youth
Christian Valentine Party Ideas for Church - 33 Valentine’s Day Church Ideas Everyone Will Love
PRESIDENT’S DAY
- Children’s Sermon: Presidents’ Day – A Great Time to Pray – Kids Bible Lessons
- United States Presidents’ Day Holiday Ministry Resources
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
- 10 Ways to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day with Kids
- 20 Random Acts of Kindness for Kids and Families
- 40 Random Acts of Kindness for Youth
NATIVE AMERICAN MONTH
- Discipleship Ministries | Worship Resources for Native American… (umcdiscipleship.org)
- Native/Indigenous American and Alaska Native Heritage Month Resources for 2023 (buildfaith.org)
THANKSGIVING
EASTER
- Easter Sunday School Lesson for Youth – Youth Group Ministry
- EASTER GAME: THE RESURRECTION | Ministry to Youth
- Easter Activities for Kids: Baskets of Fun Ideas Children Will Love
- 5 Family Easter Activities You Can Host At Your Church
- Easter games and activites for kids church, youth group and family events | Youth Group Games | Games, ideas, icebreakers, activities for youth groups, youth ministry and churches.
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY MONTH
AUTISM AWARENESS/ACCEPTANCE
- Autism Awareness Activities for Places of Worship – Autism Faith Network
- 35 Fun Thought-Provoking Autism Awareness Month Activities for Kids – CraftyThinking
ASH WEDNESDAY/LENT
- Ash Wednesday for Families
- Ash Wednesday is an important reminder of why Jesus died on the cross
- Lent in a Bag: An Activity for Church or Home
- Lent Activities for Kids – Ministry To Children
Celebrate Lent In Your Children’s Ministry - 40 Lent Activities for Families (That Are Simple And FUN)
- Discipleship Ministries | Ash Wednesday
YOUTH GROUP LESSONS ON LENT | Ministry to Youth
Lent ideas for your youth ministry
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
- Celebrating 50/40/10 years of women’s ordination – Women of the ELCA
- 10 Ways to Celebrate Women’s History Month | Happied
- Women’s History Month Activities for All Ages (Free Posters)
EVENTS
October 4-5, 2025
Let’s Glow for God!
Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
October 4-5 @ Camp Kinard
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Scholarships
We don’t want a lack of funds to keep you from attending retreats and conferences. The amount of scholarship funds available to each applicant varies depending upon availability of fund as we strive to be good stewards of our financial resources. All information is confidential, and we will make every effort to fulfill your request. Please contact Deacon Deborah (deborah@scsynod.com) for more information.
October 19, 2025
Marty Party
Zion, Lexington
November 1, 2025
Mental Health Summit (Synod-wide)
Mt. Hermon, West Columbia
November 20, 2025
Child Protection Policy Training
TBA
January 2026 – TBA
CYFM Cabinet
Zoom Meeting
January 23-25, 2026
Middle School Retreat
Camp Kinard
“What is a Disciple?”
February 6-7, 2026
CYF Leaders Event
Camp Kinard
Nurturing the Spirituality and Faith of our Children
March 13-15, 2026
Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-8)
Camp Kinard
April 12, 2026
Heather Roth Johnson (CYF Leaders)
St. Andrew’s, Columbia
May 15-17, 2026
High School Retreat
Coastal Retreat
What is a disciple? (Grades 9-12)
June 11-13, 2026
Leadership Summit
In conjunction with Synod Assembly
What it Means to be a Faithful Leader In conjunction with Synod Assembly. Will include social gatherings, pool party, etc.
June/July 2026
Camp Hugg
July 2026
GraceWorks
Get In Touch
This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person–questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Contact Information
ELCA South Carolina Synod
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Telephone 803-765-0590
Fax 803-252-5558
Looking for Something?
Related Organizations
James R. Crumley, Jr., Archives (ELCA Archives)
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
NovusWay (Lutheridge+Lutherock+Luther Springs+Lutheranch)
South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth
South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission