Northeastern Minnesota Synod Bishop Amy Odgren and the ELCA Churchwide announce that Catherine Anderson has been called to serve with the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, in partnership with the ELCA, as the Director of the Formation Lab. This new position is funded through a $1 million grant the ELCA received from Lilly Endowment Inc., and will be implemented through the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. The goal of the Formation Lab Project is to help congregations move past prescriptive, outdated models of youth ministry that often separate youth from the vital faith practices they need if they are to embrace God as the center of their life in today’s world. Through the Formation Lab, the ELCA and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network will create and nurture adaptive youth ministry models that allow congregations to discern and implement what innovation looks like in their own contexts while uniting them around a shared understanding of future ministry. Catherine begins her new job March 1st, and will work remotely from Duluth. You can read the full press release here.
Catherine commented on the opportunity, “I am humbled and excited to be called to serve with the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, in partnership with the ELCA, as the Director of the Formation Lab. And yet my heart is heavy to say goodbye to the deep relationships I have formed with youth and adults in this synod, and the rich and meaningful ministry we have done together the last 23 years. While I will be working remotely from my house in Duluth, we know that the connections will change as God calls each of us to new opportunities.” If you missed the email that was sent last week with the announcement, Catherine invites you to read it here: https://conta.cc/3Wa2oEw
Bishop Odgren adds, “It is with profound gratefulness for Catherine’s skilled and compassionate ministry within the Northeastern Minnesota Synod and beyond that we wish her Godspeed in her new venture.”
A farewell celebration of Catherine’s 23 years of ministry in the Synod is planned for Saturday, February 11 at Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids. Open House 2:00 – 5:00 PM with a program at 3:00 PM. RSVP will help with food planning. Whether you are able to attend the party or not, please take a moment to share a memory, thank Catherine, wish her well, etc. on a Kudoboard (these messages and photos will be made into a book for her)
