As we make our way through September, 5PF is your companion for all matters pertaining to Virginia Synod Youth and Young Adult ministries! Be sure to check your email on Sept. 27 for VOLUME TWO ISSUE FIVE. UN-subscribing is, of course, not recommended, but if you have to, please send a request to our circulation department at delaney@vasynod.org.

We didn't include "NOTHING" as a possible response for "What's your favorite thing about back-to-school?" but we did hear from a couple of readers who attempted to write that one in directly on their computer screens (not a good idea). Nearly 2/3 (65%) of readers wished they had spent more time outside and only 5% wished the opposite. About 30% did wish they had done more reading, which can be done either place, so you have your goal for next summer!

Due to popular complaint that our random debates were not random enough, for your consideration and critique, we present the noodle dilemma.

THIS WEEK'S RANDOM DEBATE:

What is your favorite pasta noodle shape?

Spaghetti

Elbow

Bowtie

The 5 Petals for Vol. 2 Issue 4 of 5PF:

Winter Celebration 2025 for 9th - 12th graders!

Winter Celebration Registration is Open!

Winter Celebration is a gathering of several hundred of our Virginia Synod 9th through 12th graders and their adult advisors for Large Group and Small Group experiences with lots of worship, singing, and faith sharing. There is also a big chunk of free time on Saturday when we have our “Open Mic / Talent Show” and time late in the evening to relax and talk with the other youth and adults from your congregation. The early registration discount deadline of Dec. 16 will be here quicker than you think!

Click Here for complete information and links to registration!

Reminders & Announcements

>>> ATTENTION CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS WHO ALREADY RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER! The info we share here is for everyone who is interested in the faith lives of young people, especially those who work directly with our young saints! Please make sure they're all subscribed! You can do that by clicking the box at the bottom of the newsletter OR forward this link to anyone you would like to invite: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/wGc4kPK/FivePetalFriday.

>>> OFFICE ADMINS and YOUTH LEADERS! Be sure to download the annual download-able youth events poster (pdf format - it will expand or shrink to any size!) Send it to everyone in your congregation! Click here! Post it where everyone can see! Even if you have no active youth, we still desire and need your prayers.

>>> THE VIRGINIA SYNOD OFFICE FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY IS UPDATING OUR LIST OF CONGREGATIONAL CONTACTS! Who is the best person in your Virginia Synod congregation to receive information about synod youth events and other youth ministry updates and resources? The code to the right leads to a simple survey that allows you to enter the name and contact information for your congregational youth leader. (If you have more than one, you can do the survey more than once!) If you would like go directly to the site, click here.

>>> WHAT IS LOST AND FOUND?

Lost and Found is our annual weekend faith-sharing event for 7th and 8th graders and their adult advisors. More than 150 of us gather for lots of singing and fun and friend-making, small group conversations, games, and free time! There's also an Open-Mic-Talent-Show and time late in the evening to relax and talk with the other youth and adults from your congregation! The early registration discount ends Oct. 28!

Click Here for more information and registration forms!

Lost and Found Planning Group

The planning group for Lost and Found has had its first meeting with great success! We will meet one more time before the event occurs and ask that you keep the group in your prayers as the creation of this experience takes place.

God's Work, Our Hands spotlight story!

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winchester made cold and flu kits for low income seniors in the community for their 2024 "God's Work, Our Hands" project. These kits included canned soup, travel tissues, Emergen-C packs, cough drops, hand soap, hand sanitizer, and more! The congregation spent time in caring community with and for all ages, young and old!

Don't worry, there are still ample opportunities to get involved in GWOH. Go here for lots of resources from our churchwide office to continue God's work in our lives and the lives of our neighbors.

How to discuss politics with young people?

Discussing social and political topics can be challenging, especially in light of widespread disillusionment and polarization.

The Springtide Institute asked young people what adults can do to make young people feel like they can talk about these topics with the adults in their lives.

Click Here to read more!

Keep up with all things VA Synod Youth and Young Adult Ministry by following us on Instagram and liking our Facebook page! Snapshots of each edition of 5PF will be posted there on publication day!

If you liked what you read here, don't forget to subscribe to receive 5PF issues bi-weekly! You don't want to miss out on a single issue! Share with your friends and on social media!

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To provide feedback ... ask questions ... obtain more info on any of this ... contact Dave Delaney, Virginia Synod Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries: delaney@vasynod.org