Youth
The NE MN Synod is committed to providing faith formation and leadership development opportunities for youth and their adults leaders. Through synod events, youth grow in faith, build relationships with youth from their congregation and across the synod, and help see they are part of a larger body of Christ. They also allow adult leaders to attend and focus completely on their youth, without having to plan program or logistics. Training events equip, resource and inspire adult leaders and youth to nurture faith in their congregation, the synod and beyond. We invite you to be connected and deeply rooted through synod faith formation events throughout the year!
For more information, contact Catherine Anderson, Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community.
A Note on COVID-19
We have all learned this year how quickly things can change and how we need to adapt to an ever-changing virus. Synod leadership will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the impact of variants, and follow local and CDC guidelines to make decisions and set protocols in the best interest of participants. Event specific protocols will be shared two weeks prior to the event with registered Primary Adult Leaders. We ask leaders to pass these on to youth and parents at that point. Participants who are sick will be asked to not attend. Unfortunately, due to the expense the synod incurs when a registered participant cancels we are not able to refund deposits, even due to illness.
As you consider participating in synod youth ministry events, it is important to be aware of the health risks inherent in a large gathering of people from wide and diverse geographic regions. We will manage protocols as best we can for the safety of participants, but it is important youth and parents understand that physical distancing is not practical for the types of events we hold. Participants are housed together, eat together and gather in large groups for worship and activities.
We encourage congregational leaders to have a conversation with parents and youth prior to registration regarding their comfort level of gathering in-person for any of our events, especially if participants or someone they live with are at higher risk if they are exposed or infected with COVID-19. We encourage you to discuss travel and housing arrangements, program activities in large groups, willingness to follow COVID-19 protocols even if participant has been fully vaccinated, and the financial risk of non-refundable deposits if a participant gets sick.
