Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
From the Desk…
Events
News & Resources
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.
From the Desk of Deborah Poole
ideas for your graduation celebration!
WRAPPING SERVICE
- Quilt
- Blankets with their name at the bottom
- Fleece tie blankets in the school colors of their college/university. If not going to college they get to pick their favorite colors
- Blankets embroidered with church logo
- Crocheted Prayer Shawls
Yard Signs with church name
Tri-fold boards of pictures/etc. to display. Photos, soccer ball, Harry Potter stuff, whatever fits their personality.
Host a luncheon, dinner or dessert celebration. Plan time for a slide show, sharing stories, affirmations and prayer.
Have volunteers deliver care packages to each graduate’s house.
Contigo water bottle, stuffed with treats. Have a member cricut the name of the church and the students name for the bottle. Why “Contigo” you ask? It is Spanish for “To Go With”. Remind them that no matter where they go, God goes with them as do our prayers and love from the congregation that has watched them grow and continue to grow.
Books
We Rise Higher: Poems and Prayers for Graduates
Always Wear Clean Underwear: And Other Ways Parents Say I Love You
Unscheduled Grace: 40 Reflections and Prayers for College Students
Senior Spotlights every day leading up to graduation on social media pages.
Have graduates fill leadership roles in worship – preach, serve communion, read, children’s message, etc.
Surge protector power strip with outlets and usb ports…a reminder to stay connected with God/church.
Bag for laundry! Remember your baptism.
Laundry basket, filled with tide pods, dryer sheets etc
Elastic Velcro towel. Embroider it.
Wooden bookmarks with the church logo on them that we gave out last year.
A journal with memories, scripture, or words of wisdom from the congregation
A Leatherman
EVENTS
250+ from SC traveling to New Orleans!
Youth & Young Adult Gatherings, July 16-20 (MYLE & tAble, July 13-16)
Gathering Theme Scripture:
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. – Psalm 139:14
We’re excited that SC has over 250 participants headed to New Orleans in July for the ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, tAble, and first ever Young Adult Gathering… (based on synod size, this is one of the larger participation %’s). Way to go, SC! We have congregations represented from all over the synod:
St. Philip, Newberry
Holy Trinity, Anderson
Ebenezer, Columbia
Pisgah, Lexington
St. Luke, Florence
University, Clemson
Incarnation, Columbia
St. Stephen, Lexington
Grace, Rock Hill
St. Michael, Greenville
St. Andrew’s, Columbia
Zion, Lexington
Holy Spirit, Charleston
Trinity, Greenville
Redeemer, Columbia
SC Synod Bishop’s Staff
St. John, Beaufort
Redeemer, Greer
Christus Victor, Columbia
St. Matthew, Charleston
Joy, Moore
Living Springs, Columbia
St. Luke, Summerville
St. John, Walhalla
Cristo Rey, West Columbia
Shepherd of the Sea, Murrells Inlet
Newberry College
St. David, West Columbia
SC Young Adults/Volunteers
Youth Gathering In-Kind Offering – Disaster Kit Items!
Our Region 9 focus item is: AA-powered small lanterns. Link here for info, including Amazon/Target direct order option…
Gathering-Based Devotions!
groups are doing monthly pre-gathering devotions, but these are adaptable materials great for any group.
Have a watch party for some of the streamed Gathering events!
Mass Gatherings will be each evening at 7pm (July 16/17/18/19) and closing worship will be Saturday (July 20) at 9:30am.
Pray!
Have your youth regularly include in prayer all the gathering participants, staff, people of New Orleans, etc. Pick a couple of SC participating groups each time (and/or lift up other synods)!
Resources& Links
LINKS COMING SOON
Organizational structure
LINKS COMING SOON
Our Call as the Church of TODAY…
We are called, young and old, to be the Body of Christ together. In baptism we receive God’s Spirit, through which we are empowered to answer that call. Together we can do so much more than we can individually. Together, let us share God’s love with all the world! Together we can make a difference!
The purpose of the South Carolina Synod Lutheran Church Youth organization is to be a community in Christ…Rooted in God’s love…Hearing God’s voice…Acting as God’s hands.
To be an adult volunteer for these events, please contact Rev. Emily Hartmann by e-mail emily@scsynod.com.. Also, you will need to download and complete the background check release form.
Additional Resources
Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in group settings. When employees and volunteers are trained to identify potential abusers, recognize the signs of abuse, and know how to handle reporting, they are better equipped to prevent abuse.
LCY Resolution Against Racial Injustice
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Resolution Against Racial Injustice was passed by the Voting Members of the 2015 Annual Convention of the Lutheran Church Youth of the South Carolina Synod, ELCA this 20th day of June by unanimous decision.
Mission Partners
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
