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Children, Youth & Family (CYF) Ministries
E-Newsletter
April 2025
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March carried joys and a difficult goodbye.
We enjoyed a CYF day at SkyZone and also said goodbye to our beloved Lisa Rykken Kastler, Director of Congregational Ministries. We wish Lisa all good things as she follows God's call in her life. We love you, Lisa!
SkyZone was a blast filled with jumping, sliding and great friends! It was a great time for kids to connect and also for parents to connect. We look forward to more and more connections!
| | CYF Ministries - All Ages | | | | |
Lenten Wednesdays Through April 9
5:00-6:25 p.m. Dinner
6:30-7:15 p.m. Lenten Worship
Lenten meals continue through April 9! Enjoy dinner with your church family before heading into worship. Our messages this year are eclectic, ecumenical, and unparalleled short films and interviews with spiritual leaders & thinkers, authors, practitioners, and theologians. Worship will feature hymns with a modern feel as well as Holy Communion.
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It’s Prom Season for our Neighbors at Nexus!
Let’s help the kids at Nexus with their fun prom event on May 2nd. They are looking for donations of your gently used youth/teen prom dresses and suits/tuxedos. It’s a great way to reach out to our neighbors at Nexus and help them enjoy this special time in a teen's life. Please place your donations in the bin, by the south entrance, by April 20. Questions? Call Sherry Allenspach at 612-419-4596.
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CYF Volunteer Leadership Team
The team will be meeting once a month for planning, support and leadership opportunities. We are always open to more adults joining us!
Contact Leisha Tays, Director of CYF Ministries at ltays@oursaviourslc.org, for more information.
Please mark your calendars for upcoming dates for meetings. All meetings are Sundays following the 10:15am worship service in the Youth Room.
April 27
May 18
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CYF Exploring Creation at Como Zoo
Picnic & Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, May 18th, 1pm-5pm
ALL are welcome!
Pack a lunch or grab a lunch on your way and join together at Como Park (West Picnic Lot) for a picnic together at 1pm. You can pick up a map from the CYF Board in the rotunda at OSLC or find it here:
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During our picnic, we’ll talk about creation and be curious together.
Following our time together in the Park, we’ll split into groups and take part in a Scavenger Hunt in Como Zoo. Yes, there will be prizes!
Those age 12 years and younger must have a parent/guardian/adult attend with them.
Those age 13-17 attending without a parent/guardian must have a Quick Slip filled out specifically for this event:
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Cost: your own lunch + Voluntary (cash) donation for admission to Como (Suggested: $4/adult, $2/child – goes to help care for the plants and animals at Como)
Sign up on the CYF Board in the Rotunda at OSLC or by emailing Leisha, Director of CYF Ministries, at ltays@oursaviourslc.org
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Sign Up Now for Camp Wapo 2025!
SEEDS: 2024-25 1st - 3rd Graders - Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22
Youth: 2024-25 4th-9th Graders - Sunday, June 22 – Friday, June 27
Youth Fishing: 2024-25 4th-9th Graders - Sunday, June 22 – Friday, June 27
Roots: 2024-25 10th-12th Graders - Sunday, June 22 – Friday, June 27
Check-in Friday 3:00 - 4:30pm
Closing worship on Sunday at 12pm
Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend closing worship. Campers should be picked up by 12:45pm.
| | For additional scholarships, up to the remaining 50%, from Camp Wapo, please email Rachael Pearson, CYF Administrative Specialist, rpearson@oursaviourslc.org | | |
Calling All CYF Ministries Participants - Birth to 12th Graders!
Please send us your birthdate!
We would love to send you a birthday card on your special day to celebrate you!
Click here to fill in your name, current address, and birthdate!
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Holy Week
Mark your calendars for a wonderful week of celebrating together in worship!
Sunday, April 13
Palm Sunday
8:30am & 10:15am Worship
9:30am-12pm Brunch & Silent Auction
Thursday, April 17
Maundy Thursday
6:30pm Dinner Church
Friday, April 18
Good Friday
6:30pm Worship
Sunday, April 20
Easter Sunday
8am, 9:15am, & 10:30am Worship
No Kids Ministries
| | Children's Ministries - Birth-5th Grade | | |
VBS 2025 - "God's Wonder Lab"
Monday, August 4th - Thursday, August 7th
Registration NOW OPEN!
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Scholarships are available for VBS should there be a need.
Please fill out the scholarship application below if that pertains to you:
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VBS Volunteers Needed!
We are in need of volunteers to fill the following roles:
- Crew Leaders
- Station Leaders (Games, Crafts, Science, Story)
Adult volunteers must be 18+ and have a background check completed.
Junior volunteers (completed 6th grade and up) are encouraged to participate as well.
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Mandatory Volunteer Training Meeting
Sunday, July 27, 11:30am-12:30pm at Our Saviour’s in Room 122 for all (adult and junior volunteers) who will be volunteering onsite during VBS sessions.
Setup – Takedown
Setup:
For setup, please bring your own sack lunch if you are coming straight from worship.
Sunday, July 27, 12:30am – 2:30pm
Sunday, August 3, 11:30am – 2:30pm
Takedown:
Thursday, August 7, 3:30pm-Done
| | Littlest Ones Play Dates | | |
We are excited to welcome children aged birth to 4 years old and a trusted caregiver to the (FREE) "Littlest Ones Play Dates". We will meet select Thursdays 9:30 am-11:00 am October-May.
Littlest Ones is a time for the littlest amongst us to have a great play date and a time for parents and caregivers to connect with one another. Join together for 10 minutes of circle time – story, song and more led by Leisha Tays, Director of CYF Ministries – followed by play time. Parent/Guardian or other caring adult required to stay and be responsible for watching over the little ones as they play with age-appropriate toys, activities, and other fun!
No need to sign up - just show up!
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Upcoming Littlest Ones Play Dates:
April 10
April 24
May 8
| | Please reach out to Leisha, Director of CYF Ministries, with any questions. | | | | |
Fall Registration Now Open
Before spring sports and summer busyness gets ahold of you, get registered for the fall! School-year Kids' Ministries registration now open for 2025-2026.
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Confirmation Registration Now Open!
Take some time to get registered for confirmation for the fall. We're looking forward to welcoming you all to our confirmation ministries!
$50 per student per year. Scholarships available upon request.
| | Confirmation Ministries - 6th-8th Grade | | | | |
Fall Registration Now Open!
Before the busyness of the Easter holiday, spring sports and summer, get registered for the fall! Registration for Confirmation 2025-26 now open!
Who: 6-8th Grade
When: September-Holy Week
Cost: $50/year
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Current 8th Graders - Register for Lighthouse Ministries 2025-2026!
Fall Registration for Lighthouse Ministries is now open! Use the link below to register. By registering, you will be added to all senior high communications.
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Youth Mission Trip 2025
For those registered for the youth mission trip to Harrisburg, PA, please note the email that was sent out on March 26. Link also found here:
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This Month in Confirmation...
April 2 - The Book of Revelation
April 9 - Trivia
April 23 - All Confirmation Bonfire
All-Confirmation Bonfire:
5:30-7:30pm
Hot dogs, s'mores, games, songs and more! Meet in the back at OSLC by the bonfire pit.
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Mark Your Calendars for Serving Dinner!
As a reminder, each week a Confirmation Family is scheduled to help with meal service. A reminder email will be sent on Tuesdays to the families who are scheduled to help the following Wednesday. If you are unable to attend your scheduled evening, please find another family to switch with. In the event that you are unable to switch with another family, please contact Leisha Tays, Director of CYF Ministries, ltays@oursaviourslc.org
Any adult (18+) family member of students is welcome to fulfill this role! Please plan to be at OSLC by 5pm to serve from 5-5:50pm. Then from 5:50-6pm to sell any potential leftovers.
| | | April 2 | Liam M. | Brynn K. | Joshua P. | | April 9 | Josephine Z. | Riley G. | Nova K. | | | |
Meals will be offered from 5 pm - 6pm for $5 per person
Meal Schedule:
| | | April 2 | Pasta Buffet | | April 9 | Taco Buffet | | | |
*Last Day of Confirmation Lessons is April 9th*
Then April 23rd is the Confirmation Bonfire, 5:30-7:30pm @ OSLC.
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Lighthouse Ministries - 9th-12th Grade | | | | |
Youth Mission Trip 2025
For those registered for the youth mission trip to Harrisburg, PA, please note the email that was sent out on March 26. Link also found here:
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Lighthouse Ministries Youth Group
Who: Current 9th-12th Graders
What: Weekly gathering for fellowship, Bible study and worship
Where: OSLC Youth Room
When: Sundays, 9am-11:15am
Why: To grow in our faith, relationships with one another and continue down our journey together
Bible Study: "Confident Christian" where we'll explore different world religions and religious groups and view them side by side with our own ELCA beliefs. Learning and exploring why we believe what we do.
Bring: Bible
Provided: Breakfast treat (donuts, muffins, juice, etc)
No need to sign up, just show up! Friends are more than welcome!
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2025 Graduate Recognition Sunday - June 15th
8:30am and 10:15am (Graduates pick one)
Join us for a time of blessing, prayer and a gift of a handmade quilt and a book for high school graduates and special gift for post-high school graduates.
Graduates will be honored in both the 8:30am traditional and the 10:15am contemporary worship services at Our Saviour’s.
In addition to in-worship blessing and gifts, we will be honoring our graduates with a Senior Spotlight on Our Saviour’s Facebook page leading up to graduation and also in a slideshow during worship.
Please RSVP by filling out the form online with the link below.
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Registration now open for 2025-2026!
Fall Registration for Lighthouse Ministries is now open! Use the link below to register. By registering, you will be added to all senior high communications.
| | Resources - Safe Places for All | | | |
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Our Saviour's CYF (Children, Youth & Family) Ministries is a safe place for all!
If you or someone you know is in need of support, the CYF staff is here for you.
| | You are never alone and you are loved just as you are! | | |
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. We are here at Our Saviour's to listen and support.
This Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a great resource to have saved in your phone. Please take a moment to do so and share and use as you need.
You can text or call 988
or chat online: https://988lifeline.org/chat/
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Text Message Reminders
Want to receive text message updates/reminders about confirmation and youth ministries at OSLC? Here's how you can sign up for text messages on the different ministries:
Children's (PreK-5th Grade):
text @oslckidmin to the number 81010
Confirmation (6th-8th Grade):
text @oslcconfir to the number 81010
Middle School (6th-8th Grade):
text @oslcmiddle to the number 81010
Senior High (9th-12th Grade):
text @oslcsenior to the number 81010
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