The 5 Petals for Vol. 1 Issue 4 of 5PF...

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 open for "LOST AND FOUND," our weekend faith sharing retreat for 7th and 8th graders and their adult advisors! This year's event is Nov. 17-19 (Friday evening to Sunday noon) at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center in Lynchburg. The cost is $160 ($150 until the early registration deadline of Oct. 23) per person. All the event information and links to both online registration and downloadable paper forms is at the Virginia Synod website. Here's the direct link: https://vasynod.org/event/lost-and-found/

--> REGISTRATION 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 - IS OPEN! ... and the early bird discount deadline is quickly approaching - it's Oct. 15! All the necessary information and links for registration are available here.

-Leadership teams meeting soon to add to your prayer list:

• The Lost and Found Planning Group (meeting Sept. 15-16)

• The ELCA Synod Youth Directors Steering Team (meeting Sept. 19-21)

• The Virginia Synod Council (meeting Sept. 21-23)

If your congregation or youth leaders are looking for ways to minister with youth who identify as LGBTQIA+, be sure to explore resources provided by Reconciling Works. Useful information there includes basic orientations to the current societal risks facing LGBTQIA+ young people, print resources for assisting leaders and youth peers in welcoming others, worship resources, and training videos for those who feel called to partnership and advocacy for at-risk youth.

Congregational Youth Ministry Consulting

One of the missions of the Synodical Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministries is to provide guidance and support for our congregations and youth ministers - volunteers as well as paid staff - as they carry out the sacred work of faith-sharing with our younger saints.

As you work on that task, keep in mind that Synod Youth Director Dave Delaney is available for conversation at any time (delaney@ vasynod.org; cell: 540-529-6893) on matters ranging from how to design a congregational youth program to how to be supportive of youth even if you have no teens in your church. We have access to useful resources as well as lots of experienced youth leaders who are often quite happy to be in contact with others who are addressing similar questions.

A Point of Reflection for September

"BACK TO SCHOOL" is a phrase that's been around as long as any of us can remember. Not everyone remembers, though, that the 16th century Reformation (sparked by the guy who designed our 5PF logo) started not in a church but in a classroom, as Luther inspired his theology students to attend to God's gracious action in exposing our faults and shortcomings (so that we might freely admit them), only to follow that with giving us the Son of God as redeemer from our own sinfulness and the Spirit to empower us to build a new community of sacrificial love.

Who also remembers that we have a whole network of primary, secondary, and higher education schools whose mission includes nurturing young people in an awareness of themselves, the world, and the life of the Spirit?

This year's Devotional Guide, published for leaders and participants in those various institutions, includes this reflection on Luke 24:13-35 in its introduction, reminding us that "Back to School" is a part of the whole of life, not just the fall of the year:

"While 'on the road,' Jesus engaged the disciples in conversation, actively listening to their concerns and questions. He patiently explained the Scriptures and helped them understand the significance of his resurrection. Your attentive listening to the needs, questions, and perspectives of staff, families, and the community builds respect and collaboration. Your prayerful discernment creates an environment where Christ's teachings, principles, and love are wove into the fabric of your program." (Cory Newman, Executive Director, Evangelical Lutheran Education Association).

A blessed "back to school" season, everyone!