Save the dates for 2021!

Middle School Gathering
November 19-20 OR 20-21, 2021
Cragun's Resort, Brainerd

Confirmation Theme for 2021: The Lord's Prayer
We are hopeful there will be an in-person Middle School Gathering this November! Watch for more information to be posted here and  in Youth E-Chat  by August 15.

2020 Middle School Gathering Resources...

​2020 Confirmation Theme: The Apostle's Creed
Due to COVID-19, the in-person Middle School Gathering at Cragun’s has been cancelled for the safety of our youth and adults. But there will still be a Middle School Gathering! What will this look like? 

We provide FREE resources - YOU put on the event!

​We pray these resources will nurture faith in your middle school youth as they dig into the Apostle’s Creed. May these ancient words come alive to shape their identity as a child of God within your faith community, so they can live out their faith in the world.

About the Resources:

What will be taught?
Resources focus on the Apostles’ Creed. We are using the theme, "We Are ________" as we dig into how the Apostle's Creed helps shape our identity as a child of God within the faith community, so we can live our faith in the world.
 
Who developed the resources?
The Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) Board planned and developed these resources for you. The LYO Board is comprised of 28 high school youth from across our synod and 12 adult leaders who accompany them as they plan synod events. They have been meeting via Zoom for training and planning meetings to prepare these resources.
 
The NE MN Synod values the gifts young people bring to the church and is committed to equip and empower young people to be faith-filled leaders in the church. Our youth are eager to serve and share God’s love with others! It may not always be as polished as adults, or how adults might lead…but you will hear their passion, joy and hope in Christ through these resources! We encourage you to tell your middle school youth that these resources were put together by high school youth, so your young people can know their peers and role models are living out their faith and be inspired to do the same!
 
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Speaker: Joe Davis!
We are excited to announce that Joe Davis will be the keynote speaker via video recording! 

Joe Davis is a nationally-touring artist, educator, and speaker based in Minneapolis, MN. His work employs poetry, music, theater, and dance to shape culture. He is the Founder and Director of multimedia production company, The New Renaissance, the frontman of emerging soul funk band, The Poetic Diaspora, and qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. He has keynoted, facilitated conversation, and served as teaching artist at hundreds of high schools and universities. He was a  keynote speaker at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering, track leader at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network's Extravaganza, and served as artist-in-residence at Luther Seminary. 
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How to Use the Resources:

​When does the Middle School Gathering meet?
Whatever dates work best for you! We provide the resources - you lead the event!

How do we meet?
These resources were designed to be used in-person or online. You can use the resources for a day-long event, or over the course of several weeks as part of confirmation, youth group or Sunday school.
 
What ages are these for?
The resources were designed for middle school youth (grades 6-9). But you are welcome to use them for any age group you find appropriate!
 
Do I have to use all the resources?
No! Pick and choose which resources will work best for the needs of your group.
 
Can I adapt the resources?
Absolutely! You have the choice to download the scripts as a PDF or in Word, so you can adapt the discussion guides/scripts for your group. Feel free to add/remove questions or sections, just use a video link or game from a resource, add your own material to a resource…or whatever you need to make these resources helpful for your group!
 
How do I download videos?
We encourage you to download videos before playing, to avoid disruptions or buffering due to poor internet connections. All videos created by the LYO Board are on Vimeo. To download:
  1. Click on the video link.
  2. Below the video and title, there is a button that says, “Download”.
  3. Click on the “Download” button. You will be asked what quality you would like to download. Click the “Download” button next to your choice and the video will be saved to your computer.
 
Can I have my youth lead these resources?
YES!! We encourage you to invite both middle school and high school youth to lead! Please take time to equip them for this role by training and practicing with them to lead in-person/online, how to ask questions, how to give space for discussion, how to transition between activities, how to lead games, etc. Youth will almost always say “I don’t need to practice.” They always DO need to practice – out loud with an adult mentor!
Confirmation Theme Rotation
Each year for the Middle School Gathering we focus on a different confirmation theme. Upcoming themes are:
​2020:   The Apostle's Creed
2021:    The Lord's Prayer
2022:    The Sacraments
2023:    Ten Commandments