JANUARY 2026 Newsletter for CYF Ministry Leaders

JANUARY 2026 CYF NEWS

Please encourage other CYF leaders to sign up with Susan@lutheransnw.org to receive this monthly newsletter!

Want something added?

Email cyflutheransnw@gmail.com

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to YOU!

Nominate Young Musicians for

Lutheran Summer Music

Now is the time to nominate students for LSM 2026. Enrollment for next summer is filling quickly, and we expect most remaining spots to be filled by the March 1 Standard Enrollment deadline. At LSM, students connect advanced musical study with worship and the joy of Lutheran church music traditions. We welcome musicians on all instruments—brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, piano, organ, voice, and harp—to study with nationally recognized faculty in a welcoming and supportive community.

LSM 2026 takes place at St. Olaf College from June 21–July 19. Know a young musician (grades 8–12) who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate. Questions? admissions@lutheransummermusic.org.

SKY - Sno-King Youth

January SKY Meeting

Sunday, January 4 | 6:00 – 7:30pm

At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Mercer Island

(8501 SE 40th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040)

Help us kick off the New Year with a Service Learning Project! We’ll enjoy an evening of food, service, and advocacy as we welcome Faith Action Network as our guest presenter. While learning how we can affect change in our community, we’ll also make a real difference by assembling sandwiches for The Sophia Way, a local non-profit. SKY is open to all youth grades 6-12, please contact Deacon Dustin at cyfdirector@gloria-dei-lutheran.org with any questions.

SKY Planning Team

Monday, January 12 | 7:00pm on Zoom

SKY will hold its quarterly planning meeting on Monday, January 12. We’ll gather at 7:00pm over Zoom to look at the ministry and plan what’s next. This group is made up of volunteers and youth leaders, and it’s open to any students, parents, or leaders who want to lend their time and voice to SKY. This meeting takes place quarterly on the 2nd Monday of the month. If you’d like to attend, please use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87301918987?pwd=FbDpDrgGxOCYGKapqtIAscsDlLoVZY.1. Contact Deacon Dustin at cyfdirector@gloria-dei-lutheran.org with any questions.

SKY Mailing List

If you would like more information about our SKY (Snohomish-King Youth) or want to be added to the distribution list, please join our mailing list via https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/088 1uMA.

Time for You

Thursday, January 15 | 12noon - 1:30pm on Zoom

Join us Thursday, January 15 at noon on zoom. We want to meet with your youth leader friends over lunch online. We’ll check in for the new year, hear updates about Holden Village, learn about the Elementary Retreat, chat about Extravaganza, and who knows what else. Here is the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83604951313?pwd=WGhaJfDgBwmVaHpUhKNT9wMfJmWwhL.1&from=addon

Questions? Email us at cyflutheransnw@gmail.com.

Young Adults - Gather is here!

The Gather Network is a ministry of ELCA Young Adults that connects young adults in cities or regions throughout the ELCA. These ministries create space for young adults to join in fellowship, worship, community, and discussion. Please share with the young adults you know!

Gather-King County, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and Northlake Lutheran Church are inviting YOU to come be a part of a new thing in our Synod.

Calling all young adults (18-35) to join in on the fun playing D&D or other games in the new year.

Join us on Sunday, January 18th at 3pm-5pm at Northlake Lutheran Church (6620 NE 185th St, Kenmore, WA 98028). Refreshments will be served!

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084BACA72EA7FD0-61359672-dungeons so we know numbers for space and snacks. See you all there!

Family Movie Night

Eastside Lutheran Fellowship

January 18 | 4pm-6pm

at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church

22818 SE 8th St Sammamish, WA 98074

Families of all ages are invited to a Family Movie Night on January 18, from 4pm-6pm, in Fellowship Hall. We invite everyone to come in their pajamas as we enjoy popcorn and pizza during the movie. Families are encouraged to bring a movie friendly snack to share. We will announce the movie soon!

Questions, contact Doug Johnson, youthandfamily@shlc.org.

Extravaganza Lunch!

Sunday, February | 11:45am

For those attending Extravaganza, join us for lunch on Sunday, February 1st.

Let’s meet in the hotel lobby at 11:45am and we’ll head to a local restaurant.

Please fill out this online form if you haven’t already so we can connect when we are in St. Louis: https://forms.gle/VtAwWuX6ptih2HxE8

Elementary Retreat

March 20-21 | 6:00pm - 6:00

at Camp Lutherwood

Registration Opens January 20

We welcome Elementary school-age campers and their caregivers for our one-night retreat at Lutherwood! The cost is $70 for youth and $50 for adults. This introduction to camp allows kids and their caregivers to stay overnight in a cabin, eat meals in the Dining Hall, make crafts, participate in campfire worship, play games, and more!

Whether you’ve never been to Lutherwood before or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s a great time to meet young people from around our region and get a feel for our Summer 2026 theme, "Wear Love!". All kindergarten and 1st graders are required to have one parent in attendance.

If you have questions, please email Ashleigh Ellsworth-Keller, Program Director at ashleigh.ek@camplutherwood.org.

Youth Leaders: If you would like to be a part of the leadership team (and receive a registration discount for your work), please reach out to Ashleigh in early January!