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The number "five" doesn't play a huge role in Advent or Christmas or anything in December for that matter (editorial staff is divided on whether "five golden rings" counts). We're here to fill that void with "Five Petal Friday" - five Virginia Synod Youth Ministry items to make the season bright!
5PF VOLUME ONE ISSUE ELEVEN will arrive on Friday, Dec.22nd, the third of the Advent Ember Days and the sixth of the seven "O Antiphon" days ("O Rex Gentium"). In between liturgical chants, take time to read that issue of 5PF! NOTE: towards the end of 2023, we will consolidate our subscription list so that (in addition to all clergy and congregations, whose subscriptions are automatic) only those who subscribe will continue to receive the newsletter. Hit the button at the bottom if you want to be sure not to miss a single issue! Bonus NOTE: to UN-subscribe, please send a request to our circulation office at delaney@vasynod.org.
Results from Issue 1.9 Random Debate prove that 5PF is largely read by Lutherans: "What are you most likely to have left over from Thanksgiving?" About 31% said turkey and 28% said the side dishes, but 41% already knew that it would be indigestion. (The 5PF editorial staff agreed and declined to offer additional details, for which we are all thankful.) Speaking of the 5PF editorial staff, they're all getting coal in their stockings this year - again, details are not available, but it does lead to this week's Random Debate question:
| THIS WEEK'S RANDOM DEBATE: | |
| What's the best alternative to coal for someone who's on Santa's naughty list? | | | |
The 5 Petals for Vol. 1 Issue 10 of 5PF... | |
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SEVENTH DAY (aka 7th Day ... either one works) is our annual overnight faith sharing retreat for 5th and 6th graders and their adult advisors! We gather at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center for a brisk 24+ hours of songs, crafts, games, stories, and friend-making, all built around a biblical story that has been selected by the youth on our Planning Group. Seventh Day this year is March 2-3 (noon Saturday to early afternoon Sunday).
Registration is now open for 7th Day! Youth and adults can find more detailed information about the event as well as register either online or with a paper form by going to this page on our Synod website. The early registration discount ends Feb. 7th. If you have questions about 7th Day, contact Pastor Dave Delaney (email: delaney@vasynod.org; cell: 540-529-6893).
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Announcements & Reminders
--> Information and forms for adults who will be leaders at Youth Events:
-Opportunities for Small Group Leaders in 2023-2024
-2023-2024 Small Group Leader Information Sheet
-Permission to Conduct a Background Check
-What it means to be a (Young) Adult at a Synod Youth Event
--> Registration is still open for THE ELCA YOUTH MINISTRY EXTRAVAGANZA (aka,"THE E", aka, the annual gathering of adults who work with youth for fellowship, inspiration, and education) - Jan. 18-21, 2024 - at the regular rate ... All the necessary information and links for registration are available here. ProTip: This event will be especially useful if you're planning to take a group to the 2024 Youth Gathering (see below ... like right below), the "E" will give you a chance to become familiar with New Orleans, and you can even sign up for a tour of Gathering sites!
-->WINTER CELEBRATION is our faith-sharing event for 9th-12th graders and the adults who come with them (Feb. 2-4, 2024 at Eagle Eyrie Lynchburg). REGISTRATION is open! Go to this link for all the info and registration instructions or go to www.vasynod.org and click on the Youth Ministry drop down menu.
-->The early Registration discount has passed for The ELCA Youth Gathering (for youth who have completed grades 8-12 and their adult leaders by next July) in New Orleans, July 16-20, 2024. But you can still register or add participants to your group! All the information and materials your congregation needs to register, plus lots of other Gathering info, can be found at elca.org/gathering. Questions can be directed to our "Synod Gathering Champion" Pastor Bob Vogl (RevBobStTim@gmail.com)
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Just for being loyal readers and because we think it will become this year's holiday favorite, here's a printable, cut-out-able, hangable-on-the-tree-able ornament! Download and print this pdf and just follow the easy steps! Photos of your ornament on your tree are very welcome! Email to delaney@vasynod.org
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A Useful Resource from the Fuller Youth Institute!
The lead researchers at the FYI have produced a new book that builds on the insights and principles they developed in their "Sticky Faith" and "Growing Young" projects. Designed for a broad ecumenical audience of adults who work with teen faith formation, this book addresses many of the challenges that have surfaced over the last two decades, including the pandemic shutdown. In order to guide teens to a way of approaching faith that will last through to adulthood and the successive stages of life, this book intends to show leaders how to cultivate trust, model growth, teach for transformation, practice together, and make meaning so that teenagers can become adults who remain followers of Jesus in the face of a world of challenges.
Faith Beyond Youth Group is available via Amazon or directly from the Fuller Youth Institute (fulleryouthinstitute.org).
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As we all know, over the last century the commercial world has managed to turn Christmas into a primarily money-making experience. Not satisfied with that, now in the last ten years or so they've started going after Advent as well. As everyone has surely seen, you can now purchase "Advent Calendars" with almost any theme. They all have the same feature - roughly thirty little doors hiding roughly thirty items for the user. You can get "Advent Calendars" that feature earrings, gemstones, noodles, beer, perfumes, Star Wars figures, and of course, chocolate (this year's big seller is the Barbie Advent Calendar - we are not making this up). It requires going to a religious supplies store or website to obtain an *actual* Advent Calendar with passages of scripture or devotional reflections on the holy characters. What would the effect be if we had an Advent Calendar with thirty little doors, each one hiding the same single word - "soon!" It might actually help us not only mark the time with patience until Christmas itself arrives, but also help put us in touch with the hopes of all the years where people of faith have patiently longed for God's gracious, loving, and powerful appearance to the needy of the earth. Our waiting is not just for ourselves, but for those we have been sent to love and serve. May our keeping watch for the Christ child be a journey of blessing without the need for indulging in a daily fidget spinner (again, not making this up). | | |
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 an issue of 5PF. Share with your friends and on social media! | |
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 | | | | |
