HSM+ / WEDNESDAYS @ 5:30 PM

HSM+ will be an exploration of topics as a series. Together spend 4-5 weeks exploring special topics including, but not limited to, Welcoming Leadership, Faith in an Anxious World, Women of the Word, Be the Bridge: Moving toward Racial Reconciliation! Youth are encouraged to "subscribe" for any series throughout the year!

Noticing God / September 23 – October 21

Research shows that faith practices are important to a faith that lasts beyond high school and into college and young adulthood. Yet often we aren’t sure how to nurture our own spiritual growth. Together we will explore what practices best connect us with God and nurture lasting faith; that help integrate faith practices with all of life.

The overall theme of this series is Noticing God. Some people say “paying attention” is the core of the spiritual life. So, this journey over the next weeks is an invitation to notice. Noticing might mean you have to stop, listen, change up your steps a bit. It might mean trying some new things as a family. One way to think of these practices is that they are ways we learn to pay attention to and notice God and God’s work in and around us.

CONNECTIONS / SUNDAY @ 5:30 PM

Our loved Connections time with a new twist. As we are unable to gather in homes, we invite youth to continue to share a meal together virtually once a month. Each month we will be joined by a special guest for an evening of laughter and connection.

PILGRIMAGE / 2022 NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING: MINNEAPOLIS

Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.

After much prayer and consideration, the ELCA has decided to postpone next summer’s ELCA Youth Gathering to July 24-28, 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more about the postponement and the 2022 Gathering, please visit: elca.org/YouthGathering/COVID19.

MILESTONES

9th Grade Affirmation of Baptism

Affirmation of Baptism is an important moment in the life of a young person, as they claim for themselves the promises you made with God on their behalf.  On Sunday, October 25 during 9:30 AM worship, the congregation will celebrate with this year’s ninth grade youth as they take this step on their faith journey.

However, because of ECLC’s building closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic (and our process for pre-recording online worship), we will be gathering for a Confirmation Celebration on Sunday, October 11 @ 10:30 AM. On this day we will both celebrate our confirmands’ milestone—a Prayer Journey—and record components of this special rite of confirmation for worship. Please put both dates on your calendar! 

We know that this special day will look a little different this year, but we are thrilled to celebrate with you and trust that it will be meaningful and holy.

Faith Statement Creations and Confirmation Interviews

Ninth grade youth intending to confirm their faith are asked to prepare a Faith Statement Creation and schedule a Confirmation interview with a pastor. What is this Confirmation interview? Each 9th grader will converse with at least one pastor and parent about her/his/their faith journey and Faith Statement Creation.

Ninth grade youth will also present their Faith Statement Creation to the current confirmation students (and open to the rest of the congregation!) on Zoom during Wednesday Night Live on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:30 PM or Sunday Morning Live on Sunday, October 18 at 10:30 AM.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions concerning High School Ministry please contact Jacob at jniewinski@eclc.org.