MARCH 2026 Newsletter for CYF Ministry Leaders

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

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Email cyflutheransnw@gmail.com

March SKY Meeting:

Following Jesus for Real

Sunday, March 1 | 6:00 – 7:30pm

Hope Church in Lake Stevens

Join us for March Madness as we enjoy games, food, and activities around our theme “Go!: Peter vs. Life.” Sometimes we get so caught up in needing to do things perfectly that we never start the “race.” Sno-King Youth gatherings are open to all students grades 6-12. We ask each church to provide an adult volunteer for their group, and we welcome newcomers! For more information, email Deacon Dustin at cyfdirector@gloria-dei-lutheran.org.

Eastside Lutheran Fellowship

Community Game Night

Sunday, March 15 | 5:00 – 7:00pm

Eastside Lutheran Fellowship is proud to present Community Game Night on March 15, from 5pm-7pm. This month we are gathering at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (3030 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004) in the Fellowship Hall. Families of all ages are encouraged to bring a game and a snack to share. If you have questions or need more information, contact Doug Johnson, doug@salc.church.

SKY Service Opportunity:

Nourishing Network Food Bagging

Tuesday, March 17 | 6:30pm

Edmonds Heights in Edmonds

Nourishing Network is a local non-profit that provides weekend food bags for over 750 unhoused and housing insecure students in the Edmonds School District. The need for meals has surged in recent years, and we need help putting together all of those bags.

On Tuesday, March 17, we'll meet at Edmonds Heights (23200 100th Ave W, Edmonds - see map pic) at 6:30pm, and we’ll work until we have packaged all the meals. (We will also be serving with Nourishing Network on Tuesday, April 28, so if you can’t make it this time, join us for the next service event!)

Time for You

Thursday, March 19th | 12noon - 1:30pm

HYBRID: Our Savior's, Everett & via Zoom

Join us Thursday, March 19 at noon in person or online. We’ll gather at Our Savior’s in Everett (215 W Mukilteo Blvd Everett, WA 98203) and also be online. We want to meet with our youth leader friends. We’ll gather to check in about trainings in the synod, May Youth Weekend at Camp Lutherwood, Elementary Retreat, synod assembly, and who knows what else. Here is the zoom link for those joining online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86483060590?pwd=Xxb4XFjBLoOqE4IvJgyeYwiO8NdiXD.1

Elementary Retreat

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

at Camp Lutherwood

Registration Closes March 8

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 1^st 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!

May Youth Weekends at Camp Lutherwood

Saturday, May 23rd – Monday, May 25th

Registration begins March 3rd!

We are excited to announce that thanks to the generosity of Lutherwood Camp & Retreat Center in Bellingham, May Youth Weekend 2026 will be possible! Registration is $150 per participant.

Find all the info, flyers, and forms at https://www.lutheransnw.org/events/may-youth-weekend--339/2026-05-25. If you have questions, please contact Nicole at holdenmyw17@gmail.com.

Leadership Lab 2026:

A Transformational Week of Faith & Leadership

June 22 – 27, plus travel days

Augustana College, Rock Island, IL

What if you could experience 14 weeks of faith formation and leadership training—in just one week? That’s the power of Leadership Lab. Leadership Lab is an immersive, faith-based leadership development experience for high schoolers (having completed 9th grade), young adults (18-23), and faith leaders (both lay and rostered). Whether you are stepping into leadership for the first time or have years of experience, Lab equips participants with practical skills, deepened faith, and a supportive community to lead in the church and beyond.

Through engaging small groups, interactive worship, and intentional mentoring, participants grow in confidence, discover their gifts, and practice leadership in real time. Each person is part of a developmentally tailored track, ensuring meaningful learning and opportunities to lead within the Lab community.

Why Leadership Lab?

With so many summer ministry opportunities—mission trips, Vacation Bible School, and confirmation camps—it’s easy to fill the calendar. But Leadership Lab offers something different: In a world where connection, purpose, and authentic leadership are more important than ever, Lab provides a space where participants are seen, encouraged, and challenged to embrace their role as leaders in the Church and in the world. Whether you attend alone or with a group, you will leave more equipped, more connected, and more confident in the ways God is calling you to lead. More information is available at www.leadershiplab.net.

Leadership isn’t just something we talk about at Lab—it’s something we practice. Every participant, whether in high school, a young adult, or a faith leader, engages in intentional leadership formation, bringing new skills and deeper faith back to their communities.

📅 When? June 22-27, 2025 (plus travel dates)

📍 Where? Augustana College, Rock Island, IL

💰 Cost? $420 (includes housing, meals, and T-shirt). Register by April 15 before prices increase!

👥 Who? High schoolers (grades 9-12), young adults (ages 18-23), and adults who serve in faith leadership (Children, Youth, and Family Ministry leaders, Pastors, and Deacons).

We could take a group of youth from the synod if you don’t have a youth leader that is able to attend. Becky Cole from Holy Spirit attending last year and would love to take a group. If you have any questions, please contact Becky Cole at children@hslckirkland.org.

Western States Youth Gathering

Sun, June 28– Wed, July 1

at California Lutheran University

Registration Open NOW!

The 2026 Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) is excited to announce a partnership with the ELCA Youth Gathering and California Lutheran University (CLU). We will be celebrating the strengths of this partnership by coming together June 28th - July 1st, 2026, at California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA. Both the WSYG and the Gathering have had a rich history of bringing young people together, and the partnership with CLU will only enhance the experience. You are encouraged to visit our website at www.westernstatesyg.org to meet the team, get info, spread the word, and most importantly, JOIN US! If you have any questions, please contact wsyg26@gmail.com.