Faith Formation Resources in Response to COVID-19
Resources will continue to be added...keep checking back.
|
|
|
Advent/Christmas Resources
Notes from Brainstorming Christmas Programs Deconstruct: Confess, from LEAD Illustrated Ministry Advent Resources Do Not Be Afraid: A Virtual Christmas Program from Illustrated Ministry Free Family-Friendly Resources for Advent from Building Faith All I Want for Christmas Family Devotional Advent Prayer Stations Guidelines/Considerations for In-Person Youth Programs
Back to School Resources During COVID-19
Back to School Prayers and Blessings for Families by Traci Smith Praying with Ritual: PDF / Video Faith Formation Box Ideas and Links Back to School During a Pandemic from Milestones Ministry Sunday School/Faith at Home Resources
Ideas and Links shared from "Brainstorming Faith Formation Boxes" Event Sunday School @ Home: From Dan Fugate of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Taking Faith Home from Milestone Ministry Illustrated Ministry Sparkhouse Sunday School at Home Sparkhouse Family Sunday School (from April-June 2020) This is NOT Sunday School, from Forma and ChurchNext (Episcopal Based) Celebrate Wonder, from Cokesbury (virtual and in-person formats) Bible Studies/Discussion/Activities
This list is designed for ministry leaders to resource you and for you to use with your youth and congregations... Candletime Discussion Guides from the ELCA Faith Formation Team Faith Lens Anxiety Discussion Guide Adapted for COVID19 Peer Ministry Leadership Resources Prayers and Blessings Free Church Lesson, Bulletins, and Activity Sheets for Children Faith At Home: Resources curated by the ELCA Faith Formation Team Coronavirus: Resources for Home and Congregation Naming Loss and Gratitude with Young People in these Uncertain Days Resiliency Resources and Bible Studies from the ELCA Milestone Ministry Resources in Response to COVID-19: Graduation End of School Year Social Distancing Coronavirus Conversations Discussion Guides Related to COVID-19 from the NE MN Synod: Anxiety Discussion Guide Adapted for COVID19 Loss and Gratitude Discussion Guide Self Care Tool Kit Discussion Guide Anger Discussion Guide Mindfulness Discussion Guide Technology Resources
Zoom for Congregational Use Tutorial, from the Southeastern Synod, ELCA Streaming Zoom on Facebook Live Moving Faith Formation Online, by John Roberto Group Texting Options: Remind, GroupMe Tech Soup: Discounted Zoom rates for nonprofits Navigating New Territory: Moving Ministry Online Considerations for Youth Protection in a Virtual World Games for Youth Ministry Online
Youth Group Games for Zoom, Curated by NE MN Synod Zoom Youth Group Games, from Health Over Hurry #ZoomJam Download Youth Ministry Resources for Faith Formation Online
This is list is designed for children, youth, parents and all ages to download free resources you might use at home. Ministry leaders might want to directly share these links through emails, social media or text messages. Faith Finder Fun: Mon-Sat Videos: Backyard Monday, Treasure Tuesday, Creative Wednesday, Magic Thursday, Science Friday and Random Sat. Morning Watch: Daily videos with scripture/song/prayer - one for everyone, one specifically for kids and families. (From 2 ELCA pastors in NC) Free Church Lesson, Bulletins, and Activity Sheets for Children Pandemic Hope: A Family Devotional 
...for students, parents, teachers and school staff.
The NE MN Synod youth ministry leaders have been discussing how we can wrap the decisions and discussion on school for this fall in faith language, to support and pray for students, parents, teachers, administrators and all school staff. We offer these prayers for you to use personally, as part of worship, or through social media. Our prayer is these resources will help ground our conversations around school in faith, hope and love. Praying with Words
You are invited to pray for the diverse concerns students, families, leadership and staff carry into this fall. This prayer was compiled from youth ministry leaders and written by Katie Rich, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN. Praying with Words (PDF) Video of NE MN Synod Youth Ministry Leaders Praying with Words Discussion Idea: Invite older youth to print off the prayer, and as you read/watch, underline or circle words or phrases that stand out to you. Then as a family or youth group, discuss why you chose those words/phrases and what they mean to you. Praying with Ritual
You are invited to use this ritual prayer with your child, grandchild, and children you care for as you prepare for and respond to the decisions on how school will be offered this fall. This prayer was written by Katie Rich, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN. Ritual Prayer with Instructions (PDF) Video Introduction and Example of Ritual Prayer Praying with Images
You are invited to pray with these images of empty school spaces as we prepare for and respond to the decisions on how school will be offered this fall. Photography and video credit to Pastor Tim Berdahl, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN. If you are interested in putting together a slideshow with images from your local schools, you can download the audio file of “Be Thou My Vision” here. Video of Image Prayer Vertical Divider
|
Brainstorming Conversations
Throughout this year we will have brainstorming conversations around ministry during COVID-19. These conversations use the expertise of those in the room to share goals, ideas and resources. Notes from some of the conversations are posted below! Stay tuned for more Brainstorming Conversation in the coming months! Ideas shared from "Brainstorming Faith Formation Boxes" Ideas shared from "Brainstorming Christmas Programs" Youth E-Chat Updates During COVID-19
October 6, 2020 September 29, 2020 September 15, 2020 September 1, 2020 Youth E-Chat Archive To be added to the Youth E-Chat list, click here. Network Meetings for Faith Formation Leaders
Every Thursday*, 10:30am (For Volunteers, Paid Youth Directors, Pastors) Ministry has changed drastically, and the work you are doing to support youth and families is critical. Join other youth workers to support each other, share ideas and resources, pray and laugh together. *We occasionally use this time for Adult Training for the Synod Journey Ministry Meetings and/or Brainstorming Conversations. Changes to regularly scheduled will be noted below. November 26: Happy Thanksgiving! There will not be a Network meeting on Thanksgiving. We'll see you on December 3rd! Login information: Click here for Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 854 1177 6494 Passcode: 543063 To join by phone: 312-626-6799 If Thursday mornings don't work for you and you would like to check in with someone, please email Catherine. Leading Through & Beyond COVID-19
Reframing Youth Ministry Event Recordings: Click here for the "Reframing Youth Ministry" Handout Click here for the "Hybrid Youth Ministry" Handout Hybrid Youth Ministry from NE MN Synod, ELCA on Vimeo. Youth Ministry Consultants:
Tiger McLuen and the staff from Youth Ministry Consultants share insights and strategic thinking on leading through COVID-19 on Facebook Live. Archived videos: Navigating Ministry Grief and Loss Strategic Planning What's Next in Ministry Southeastern Synod Webinar:
Children and Youth Ministry in Uncertain Times Featuring Ms. Rachel Alley (ELCA Program Director for Youth Ministries), Ms. Janelle Hooper (ELCA Program Director for Children's Ministries), and Ms. Dawn Rundman (works on a team that develops resources for kids, youth, and adults published by Sparkhouse and Augsburg Fortress) Graduation Resources
20 Senior Recognition Ideas from the ELCA Faith Formation Team Graduation Milestone Moment Online Reinventing Graduation: 3 Ways to Honor Milestones During COVID-19 How to help High School Seniors Grieve (Video) Thinking Ahead: Rites of Passage in the COVID-19 Moment (from the UMC) High School Graduation Milestone Toolkit from the Nebraska Synod Please note: You are welcome to use any of the resources in this toolkit with the exception of the videos by Rachel Kurtz. Out of respect for her as a professional musician, please contact Rachel if you'd like her to create videos for use in your congregation. Graduation Resources from the Episcopal Church Graduation Blessing by Judy Nuehring Vacation Bible School Resources
These are resources available from a variety of organizations. Some have been formatted for online use, some could easily be adapted. Resources should always be proofed for your context and theology! ELCA World Hunger VBS Resources: The ELCA Hunger Team is adapting the 2020 VBS Curriculum to be used online, with stories and music available online. Look for updates mid-may. 2020: On Earth as in Heaven 2019: Who is my Neighbor? 2018: God's Good Creation ReNew: The Green VBS from Sparkhouse Compassion Camp: Be Loved. Be Kind. Be You from Illustrated Ministry Planning for VBS During COVID-19 from Christian Book Distributors Online VBS Resources from Group VBS: 5 Strategic Questions to Make Planning Easier with Dawn Trautman VBS 2020: A webinar from the Episcopal Church VBS for Grownups Day Camp at Home: Free from Green Lake Lutheran Ministries |