Last month, we talked about service and summer activities and mission trips. What about hosting a community-wide program from your own building?

MartinsList – Open Sources Children and Youth Ministry
Looking for peer-reviewed materials for your children’s and youth ministry?  Want to share a resource with others?  Look no further!

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network has a place where you and fellow ministry practitioners can share resources, like Sunday school craft ideas, workshop plans, thematic curriculums, and more…

Accessing MartinsList.org requires you to have a FREE membership to the ELCA Youth Ministry Network.  Click HERE to get to Martins List and register today!

Rev. Lisa Isenhower and Faith LC in Batesburg host a summer reading program. According to Pastor Lisa, “our church provides a place for something called the Summer Literacy Program. It isn’t so much a youth camp as it is an educational intervention for at-risk kids. It’s the brainchild of a couple of my Methodist friends, and it serves disadvantaged children in our community who are rising 4K – 2nd graders. The program is faith-based and helps children develop reading skills along with personal accountability, social skills, and self-esteem. We hold the program in our church education building. The program does the rest–hires and trains teachers, develops curriculum, etc. The program is pursuing 501C3 status, which will help with fundraising (grant opportunities).”

A group of churches in Pomaria are banding together to host a week-long camp on creation. Kids will learn about farming, etc. For more information, contact Rev. Arden Hallman.

Music Camp? Deacon Jim Johnson has led music camps for years and would be happy to share resources for involving children and youth in music ministry.   Jim writes, “I begin my training with preschool music which develops into choirs, child Cantors, youth worship assistants. soloists, children/ youth assisting with the prayers of church and even in past years a children’s visitation ministry.”

Mobilize your entire congregation with VBS! Mobilize the Entire Church with VBS – INCM

Want to make summer planning easy? Check out this simple, strategic approach. Don’t Miss Winter: The Ultimate Summer Event Planning Guide – Ministry Architects


Volunteer Appreciation Week 2025 is coming up fast—are you ready to celebrate your amazing team? A little gratitude can go a long way (and maybe even bring in more volunteers!).
We’ve got 10 creative ways to show appreciation, plus year-round ideas to keep the momentum going. Check out the latest blog from Ministry Architects for ideas!

Volunteer Appreciation Week 2025: Don’t Miss It – Ministry Architects   

The Formation Co-Op partners with congregations to explore innovative youth ministry practices to root young people in a lifelong, transformative faith in Jesus Christ.

St. Andrew’s LC in Columbia was part of the 2024-2025 cohort. Contact Deacon Sandra Holland for more information or click here.  Formation Co-op

A new article has been released in the Network’s Connect Journal… Rivers in the Desert – Connect Journal

Partnership with Youth Ministry Consultants!
 
YouthMinistryConsultants.org
Youth Ministry Consultants is a ministry committed to helping churches, parents, leaders and volunteers share Jesus to the next generation with clarity and passion.
They continue to provide FREE workshops every month, individual consultation, youth ministry certification, and more.

Want to see an upcoming or past workshop for FREE???   Just use our special code: SCCYFM25

Nurturing Faith – Research Based Study Guide for Young Families

(This is a lot of information, but I encourage you to especially read the Congregation Evaluation Report.)

The ELCA is dedicated to becoming a truly welcoming church, particularly by engaging with new, young, and diverse people in our communities. To fulfill this mission, we must deeply understand the needs, thoughts, and experiences of those inside and outside our congregations. Our ELCA schools and learning centers play a crucial role in this work, as they support families and shape the next generation. In partnership with the ELEA and Barna Group, we’ve conducted research to uncover how we can better support families—a key to becoming a more vibrant, welcoming church. A great entree into this research includes our “Nurturing Faith” Study Guide that can be used with staff, councils, and parents. We invite you to explore the full report, insights, and resources on the ELEA website, www.elcaschools.org, and join us in this vital journey of growth and connection.

Nurturing Faith Communities – ELCA Schools and Learning Centers

May is Mental Health Month

Study guide for “Mental health in a sick world” – Living Lutheran

About | Pathways 2 Promise

Youth and Young Adult Resources | NAMI

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

May 9-11

Coastal Retreat Center

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

(Mt. 5:16)

Register now!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaTz8_pMIQuOmE4nyl_Omf4BVFcDyHXB0xdnmoOIWN5AzVSg/viewform?usp=header

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CYFM CABINET MEETING

June 21, 10am-2pm

Synod Office

Our synod’s CYF Ministry includes many ways in which youth are involved in leadership.

To suggest names, please contact me – deborah@scsynod.com  

For an application:  Youth Ministry Task Force Application – Google Forms

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CAMP HUGG

June 29-July 3

Camp Kinard

Here’s the link to the Camp HUGG staff application form for 2025.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKQ3SULffGAAZUJ9iOz6VTNm2igo9tT9jsDa0kfYQhCGWClg/viewform

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GRACEWORKS

July 13-18

What is GraceWorks? GraceWorks is a local servant camp for Midlands Youth who are rising 6th graders through recently graduated 12th graders. GraceWorks develops servant leaders as these youth serve various agencies around the Columbia area. Most of these agencies serve vulnerable children or adults. In addition to doing physical labor like painting, cleaning, yardwork, and organizing, youth also learn about the ministry of these agencies and often have opportunities to interact with those they are serving.

What does it cost: This year’s cost will be $50* per youth, this covers supplies, snacks, and our recreation day for all our participants. *Cost should never be a deciding factor for any youth. If the cost is a barrier please reach out to Walt Hampton at Zion for scholarship information.

Where is GraceWorks this year? Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1301 Richland Street, Columbia, 29201. This will be our home base, most of our service experiences will involve traveling offsite via bus or by foot.

When is GraceWorks this year? This year GraceWorks begins Sunday July 13th with a meal and worship. We will gather at Ebenezer from 5:00-7:00pm to get to know each other, learn about our service agencies for the week, and worship together. Monday through Friday, July 14th-18th, we will gather between 8:00 and 8:15am to start our day and will be finished and ready for pickup at 5:00pm. Your congregation youth leader will make sure you arrive and depart on time.

Registration is coming soon!