Rochester ELCA Youth

Shortz Scholarship

2011-02-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

SHORTZ SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Shortz Fund is in memory of Pastor William Shortz and provides college scholarships to applicants from Rochester area Lutheran congregations.
In 2010, scholarships of $500 each were awarded to 5 winners from a pool of impressive an...d excellent applicants.
Since 1996, 111 young people have benefited from this scholarship.
Application information is available from your pastor or youth advisor and the deadline is May 6, 2011.

Genesee-Finger Lakes LYO Website

2011-02-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

Check it out!
Genesee-Finger Lakes LYO

Winter weekend info, registration forms, newsletters and more!

Winter Weekend February Newsletter

2011-02-01T09:03:00.001-08:00

Winter Weekend Newsletter

Winter Weekend Advisor Orientation

2011-02-01T06:51:00.000-08:00

Don't forget!

Saturday, February 5th at 9:30 AM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1900 Westfall Road in Brighton.

Please have at least one advisor from each church attend so you can share the information with others.

Thank you - see you there!

Winter Weekend Get-together and Music Jam

2011-02-01T06:50:00.000-08:00

Okay - it's been confirmed Will and "the band" can rehearse on Saturday night, February 5th. 7:30 PM to 9:30 (?) at Reformation.

Come and hear them play, learn WW songs and see your friends. Snacks will be provided. Card and board games will also be available. If you play an instrument and want to jam, bring it with you!

Please RSVP to kristinlyo@gmail.com so I can plan for refreshments.

Winter Weekend Registration forms

2011-02-01T06:47:00.000-08:00

Registration information and forms were emailed to churches back in December, but you can also access them here:
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B1SV2mEqDsqPZmM4M2YxMDgtOTVhNS00YjkzLWJhZjUtYjc2MDY1NjFiMzQx&hl=en

my blog: Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless t...

2010-10-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

READ THIS!

If you're a parent - READ THIS! If you are a young adult - READ THIS! If you are an aunt, uncle, friend of a young adult - READ THIS!

my blog: Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless t...: "Hello my girl, I wanted to say hi and tell you how much I miss you and that I hope your classes are going well and that you are having fun ..."

Wow - it's been a LONG time since I've updated.

2010-09-13T09:26:00.001-07:00

Most of the information has been going out on Facebook and email, but I'm going to try and update this blog as well.

First up, Winter Weekend planning meetings have begun and YOU are invited to join us. Please email me at Kristinlyo@gmail.com if you'd like notice of future meetings. We've been meeting on Sunday evenings, but are struggling with finding a time that works for everyone.

How about 3 pm on Sundays - how does that sound?

Next - there is a great training opportunity at LCLC in October.

Join us for a Youth Worker Training event at LCLC, sponsored by the Niagara Frontier Conference and LCLC – on October 29-30. The cost is only $25.00 and a great deal – PLEASE consider sending a volunteer or staff from your church. We are willing to carpool from the Rochester area.

More info here: http://www.nfclyo.org/youthworkertraining.html and registration form here.

And SAVE THE DATE! for a return of Captive free East Lakes on November 20 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport. More details to come.

Food News

2010-02-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

KITCHEN
I am pleased to be able to announce that Ken and Leslie Schwartz from Immanuel Webster are heading up our kitchen team this year. Ken and Leslie are veterans of Winter Weekend and have wonderful kitchen experience as well. Gunnar Antell and Bill Santangelo are back as well. I’m told that we can look forward to Real Homemade Italian Meatballs. Yum!
Don’t forget that each Family Group will be assigned to help in the kitchen for one meal, either to help serve the meal or to help with clean up - yes, that means dishes!

COOKIES! CANDY!
Each church is asked to please bring in 2 dozen cookies and one bag of individually wrapped candy or one bag of bulk popcorn to share as a part of the snack for Friday and Saturday nights.
Thank you!

CUPCAKES
Check out Sugar Mountain Bake Shoppe on Facebook and their website. They are donating gourmet mini creme-filled cupcakes for the weekend! They are awesome!

FOOD ALLERGIES
If you or anyone in your group has food allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know asap so we can take that into account when ordering food. In particular - let us know of any dairy, nut or wheat allergies and vegetarian needs.

2 more Weeks!!!!

2010-02-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

Winter Weekend is a short 2 weeks away!

Are you excited?

Have you submitted your videos yet?

*********************************************************

If you were unable to attend the Advisor and Chaperone meeting on February 6th, please contact Kristin at office@atonementrochester.org to get a copy of the materials for Winter Weekend.

Kristin Romell and

Brother Christopher Cleveland

WW Coordinators

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Weekend Emergency Contact Information:

Kristin Romell cell 585-748-2464

Christopher Cleveland cell 585-355-1406

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UPCOMING DATES

February 28 Planning Committee Meeting

March 5-7 Winter Weekend!

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COOKIES! CANDY!

Each church is asked to please bring in 2 dozen cookies and one bag of individually wrapped candy or one bag of bulk popcorn to share as a part of the snack on Saturday night. Thank you!

***********************

KITCHEN

I am so pleased to be able to announce that Ken and Leslie Schwartz from Immanuel Webster are heading up our kitchen team this year. Ken and Leslie are veterans of Winter Weekend and have wonderful kitchen experience as well. Gunnar Antell and Bill Santangelo are back as well. I’m told that we can look forward to Real Homemade Italian Meatballs. Yum!

Don’t forget that each Family Group will be assigned to help in the kitchen for one meal, either to help serve the meal or to help with clean up - yes, that means dishes!

***************************

PREPARE FOR IMPACT

Our theme is “Prepare for Impact”, and we want to know,

“How has Christ/ church/ your pastor/ Winter Weekend impacted your life?”

Choose one (or someone else who has impacted you) and make us a video! You can make an individual video or work with your Youth Group. Have fun with it!

You can use a flip video, I-phone, webcam, or a video camera and show us your stuff, YouTube style. (They will NOT be shown on YouTube, but may be a part of WW slideshows). You can send videos to office@atonementrochester.org.

Prizes will be awarded! But we don’t care if it’s interview style, movie style, simple or creative, we just want to hear YOUR stories. Deadline has been extended to February 21, 2010.

There will also be an opportunity to make “video diaries” during the weekend - your chance to tell your story (3-5 minutes) about the impact of Winter Weekend.

Don’t be shy!

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CALLING ALL MUSICIANS!

Do you play an instrument? Guitar? Tambourines? Trumpet? Spoons? Flute? Anything else? Have a beautiful voice?

We’re looking for youth musicians to play with our musicians during large group worship and praise time at Winter Weekend.

If you think you might be interested, please contact Will Daubney at wilbercss95@hotmail.com or Dennis Paulhamus at menace7208@earthlink.net. See info form on the back of this page.

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MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC!

Every youth is encouraged to submit at *least 3 song requests for the DJ to play at the dance on Saturday night. Suggestions can be emailed to Brother Christopher at yfm@atonementrochester.org

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Planning Committee:

Laura Kaminsky, Ben Osenbach, Brittany McIntee, Carrie Bartlett, Rainer Schmidt, Ben Specht, Vanessa Tassone, Ben Thompson, Dennis Paulhamus, Will Daubney, Patty Chaffee, Rev. Imani Dodley, Ed Huehn, Stephen Newbury, Joey Rieger, Bill Santangelo, Gunnar Antell, Leslie and Ken Schwartz, Kristin Romell and Brother Christopher Cleveland.

“See you soon!”

Winter Weekend Advisor and Chaperone Meeting

2010-02-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

Don't forget!
This Saturday, February 6th at 9 AM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1900 Westfall Road in Brighton.

At least one advisor or chaperone from each church should plan on attending. If you want coffee, come a little early, we'll get the meeting started at 9 AM.

We'll review the weekend schedule, the role of adult advisors and group leaders, go over the theme and the materials for small group (family) gatherings, get familiar with some of the games and ice breakers we'll use for the weekend and more.

"Prepare for Impact!"

Registrations are due February 8th! Don't be late or you'll have to pay a $25 per church penalty. :-(

2010 ELCA Northeast Regional Youth Gathering

2010-01-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

Is anyone planning to go to this?

2010 ELCA Youth Gathering

July 22-25, 2010

West Chester University, West Chester, PA

Gathering Theme Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

(The Transfiguration)

Come with Jesus and others at the gathering…be transformed.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

- Matthew 17:1-9

Nurture faith journeys of all ages so participants will be better equipped the gap between the gathering experience and reality through prayer, sharing of faith stories, worship, learning experiences, building community.

From Pastor Laurie Carson-Nelson, Adult Advisor for LYO:

Walking Together
Many congregations around the synod have small numbers of youth interested in participating in activities such as the Regional Youth Gathering. It's normally more fun and meaningful-and maybe financially helpful-- to attend these things in a larger group.

Let's join forces around the synod to plan for the gathering and travel there together. I'm not sure how this might look; it will depend on where in the synod everyone is coming from and our specific needs.

If you're one of those "onlies" or if you have a larger group and want to incorporate others into the process, please contact me at youthgath@gmail.com. We'll make sure everyone who wants to be gets connected.

Winter Weekend Registration Deadline is near!

2010-01-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

February 8th is the deadline for Winter Weekend registration packets - don't be late! Registrations received after that will cost $25 more per church!

Advisor and chaperone training is February 6th at 9 AM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1900 Westfall Road in Brighton.

Haiti Earthquake - how you can help

2010-01-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday, January 12. The quake struck 10 miles from the capital city of Port-au-Prince, leaving the city and homes in ruins. Powerful aftershocks, some as strong as 5.9 in magnitude, continued throughout the night and into the morning.

Initial reports from Haiti are bleak, and the number of victims continues to rise. With no water or electricity, immediate needs are food, water and shelter. Cash gifts are the most effective way to quickly provide these much needed services to the people of Haiti.

The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is prone to natural disasters and ill-equipped to respond to such disasters. In 2008, the country was battered by four successive tropical storms and hurricanes that flooded the island, destroyed crops, and left thousands homeless.

The United States has pledged its full support to Haiti, dispatching emergency response teams to help with search and rescue efforts. This earthquake is the most powerful to strike Haiti in more than 200 years.

How can you help?

You can donate through Lutheran World Relief -information is on the home page at www/lwr.org or through the ELCA at Haiti Earthquake Relief

You can also help by donating to the Red Cross with a text from your cell phone.
Subscribers of participating wireless carriers can donate $5 to American Red Cross disaster relief efforts simply by text messaging the keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). Donations will appear on customers' monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. Message and data rates may apply. To opt-out, send "STOP" to 24357.

Participating Carriers:

Alltel
AT&T
Sprint-Nextel
T-Mobile
U.S. Cellular
Verizon Wireless

(http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_nolnav_text2help)

Winter Weekend

2010-01-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

Hey - Be on the lookout! Winter Weekend registration packets have been mailed out to churches and also sent electronically.

If you don't have a registration packet ask your pastor or church secretary or call 442-1010 and we'll mail a packet directly to your home.

Don't miss out!

Registration deadline is February 8th!

Interfaith Youth Service Corps

2010-01-11T06:53:00.001-08:00

Interfaith Youth Service Corps

Sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, Nazareth College Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue, Commission on Christian Jewish Relations, Jewish Community Federation, and Interfaith Forum.

The Interfaith Youth Service Corps will consist of a core group of young adults—9th-12th graders—who are empowered to plan service and activism projects based on or complementing the existing service programs of their faith communities. They will act as leaders and recruit peers to participate in the implementation of these projects.

The projects will be followed by a group “debriefing” time, during which participants will discuss how elements of their respective faiths are related to the particular project and the larger ideal of service. The discussion should provide a chance for personal spiritual reflection as well as the opportunity to learn why peers of different faiths are driven to serve others.

Our goal is that collective service work followed by interfaith dialogue will allow for community building, interfaith understanding, and personal spiritual growth among young adults.

Read more here.

Check out their Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=411092760216&index=1

Volleyball

2010-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

Hey, thanks for coming!

Despite a snowy Rochester night, about 35 youth (and about 6 advisors/ pastors) from 6 churches joined us for volleyball, card games, snacks and devotions on Friday night (Jan. 8th)

In addition to fun and fellowship, we collected food, hats, gloves and mittens to be donated to Maggie Harris at Community Lutheran Ministries.

Thanks for your support!

(pics coming soon)

don't forget! LYO Volleyball and Games Night

2010-01-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

Are you coming?

Join us at Reformation Lutheran Church (111 North Chestnut Street in Rochester)
for a night of Fellowship, Volleyball and other games.

We'll meet at 7:30 PM until about 10 PM. Come with your Youth Group, bring a friend!

Catch up with old Winter Weekend friends or make new friends.

Please bring a donation of a canned food item or a warm winter accessory (hat, mittens, scarf) to donate to the Food Cupboard and to Maggie's Kids - a Lutheran Urban Ministry on Joseph Avenue that we support in this conference.

We look forward to seeing you there!

LYO Volleyball and Games Night

2009-12-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

Join us at Reformation Lutheran Church (111 North Chestnut Street in Rochester)
for a night of Fellowship, Volleyball and other games.

We'll meet at 7:30 PM until about 10 PM. Come with your Youth Group, bring a friend!

Catch up with old Winter Weekend friends or make new friends.

Please bring a donation of a canned food item or a warm winter accessory (hat, mittens, scarf) to donate to the Food Cupboard and to Maggie's Kids - a Lutheran Urban Ministry on Joseph Avenue that we support in this conference.

We look forward to seeing you there!

How to contact the Winter Weekend Planning Team

2009-12-22T09:02:00.002-08:00

How to contact us:

Facebook:

Join us on Facebook - look for the LYO Genesee Finger Lakes Winter Weekend group

http://tinyurl.com/FacebookLYOWinterWeekend

Subscribe to Rochester ELCA Youth blog:

http://elcayouthgroup.blogspot.com/

Email:

Brother Christopher: yfm @atonementrochester.org

Kristin: kwr221@aol.com or office@atonementrochester.org

Phone: 585-442-1018 (the Atonement Office)

Mail:

LYO WW c/o Atonement Lutheran Church

1900 Westfall Rd

Rochester, NY 14618

Planning Committee:

INVITE A FRIEND!

2009-12-22T09:02:00.001-08:00

NEW THIS YEAR!

INVITE A FRIEND

Yes, we are opening up Winter Weekend registrations to friends and other church youth groups. Chaperone ratios will still apply, so you’ll have to work with your Youth Group advisors to ensure that there are enough adult chaperones.

Does your church or youth group collaborate with another church in your town? Maybe the Methodist Church, or the Episcopal church… Presbyterian, Reformed Church… tell us how to contact them and we’ll send out a registration packet and information to their youth group. Or maybe you’d like to invite a friend from school or your next door neighbor.

As Lutherans, we often sing a hymn called “We Love to Tell the Story” - sharing this experience is a wonderful way to “tell the story” and invite others to see the impact that your faith has on your life.

Winter Weekend Video Contest!

2009-12-22T08:52:00.000-08:00

PREPARE FOR IMPACT

We’re working on a theme, “Prepare for Impact”, and we want to know,

“How has Christ/ church/ your pastor/ Winter Weekend impacted your life?”

Choose one (or someone else who has impacted you) and make us a video!

You can make an individual video or work with your Youth Group. Have fun with it!
You can use a flip video, I-phone, webcam, or a video camera and show us your stuff, YouTube style. (They will NOT be shown on YouTube, but may be a part of WW slideshows).

You can send videos to
office@atonementrochester.org.

Prizes will be awarded!

But we don’t care if it’s interview style, movie style, simple or creative, we just want to hear YOUR stories.

Deadline is February 6, 2010.

Calling All Musicians!

2009-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS!

Do you play an instrument? Guitar? Tambourines? Trumpet? Spoons? Flute? Anything else? Have a beautiful voice?

We’re looking for youth musicians to play with our musicians during large group worship and praise time at Winter Weekend (March 5-7, 2010).

If you think you might be interested, please contact Will Daubney at wilbercss95@hotmail.com or Dennis Paulhamus at menace7208@earthlink.net

Winter Weekend Newsletter

2009-12-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

Click the image to read full-size.

Captive Free Concert and Dinner

2009-10-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 24th, the LYO sponsored a pasta dinner and a ministry presentation/ concert by Captive Free. Some of you may remember Captive Free form the Niagara Frontier Youth Quakes in Buffalo a few years back.

Captive Free is a traveling music ministry. The band travels to churches and youth events to spread the Word through music and testimony.

It's not just a concert, it's ice breakers, games, song, and testimony from a group of talented young people that spend a year traveling to churches across the country spreading the Good News and interacting with youth ministry. They depend on offerings and donations to fund their ministry and to buy gas to get them to the next stop on their journey.

The Captive Free members were hosted by Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport and stayed with the families of the LYO board members.

If you'd like information on how to bring Captive Free to your church, you can find out more here at www.youthencounter.org

About 35 youth enjoyed the pasta dinner and fellowship and about 50 + enjopyed the Captive Free program.

Stay tuned for photos to be added.

Picnic in the Park!

2009-08-11T09:08:00.001-07:00

Picnic in the Park
Tuesday, August 18th, 6 PM

Join us at the Canalside Shelter in Genesee Valley Park for a fun get-together. We'll have a potluck picnic, games, biking/walking on the canal path, fellowship and evening devotions.

We’ll provide grilled hotdogs and lemonade, you bring your favorite dish to share.

Just let us know you’re coming by Monday afternoon, so we can buy enough hotdogs! 442-1018/christopher@cjcleveland.com/kwr221@aol.com

6:00 until ? Picnic
7:00 - 7:20 Evening Devotion
7:20-8:00 Fellowship and Games

For a map of the park with directions to the Canalside Shelter, go to http://www.monroecounty.gov/Image/GeneseeValleyPark(1).pdf

Kingdom Bound

2009-07-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

August 3, 2009 KINGDOM BOUND 2009 -- Kingdom Bound 2009, Western New York's premier Christian music festival, is at Darien Lake August 2-5! Kingdom Bound Ministries Inc. exists to present the gospel through a variety of art forms including concerts, outreaches and an annual performing arts festival; to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to encourage believers in their walk with God. http://www.kingdombound.org

We’re organizing youth groups around Rochester to attend on Monday, August 3rd – we’d love to have YOU join us! Tickets for one days admission (including Darien Lake admission) are $49.00. If you have a Darien Lake season pass, you get a $5.00 discount.

Here are the highlights of Monday’s line-up: Relevant Worship, Casting Crowns, and Justin Lookadoo. You can see more info about the artists and speakers on the Kingdom Bound website.

If your youth group is planning to attend, please let Kristin Romell know at kwr221@aol.com or Br. Christopher at yfm@atonementrochester.org.

Yay! for clear skies!

2009-07-28T07:37:00.001-07:00

IN the midst of stormy weather, massive thunder and lightening, and bleak radar forecasts; 27 people in 6 cars, from 4 churches gathered in faith under clear skies for a drive-in movie showing of Harry Potter at the Vintage Drive-In in Avon.

Thank you to Incarnate Word, Our Savior, Atonement and Reformation for having faith and gathering with us in fun and friendship to see the movie.

During the movie, I glanced up at the sky and saw millions, no gazillions of stars. I looked to my left and I could make out the outline of the storm clouds to our north and west and kept one eye on the lightening flashes all through the movie. Thank you God, for keeping the storm at bay.

It's okay, I was confused anyway. I'm a muggle. I've seen some of the movies and read some of the books, so there was a definite gap in my HP knowledge and so I know I missed a lot in the movie. Thank you to Charlyne Hickey for whispering helpful comments during scenes where I was definitely lost.

Since Brother Christopher wasn't able to join us due to a death in the family, I struggled through a devotion based on an article in Christianity Today on the "Gospel according to JK Rowling.

We found references to Matthew 6:21, 1 Corinthians 15:26, and Luke 12:15. Look them up and see if you can them in the Harry Potter books.

Hope you guys can join us next time!

LABYRINTH

2009-06-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

YOUTH GROUP AT LABYRINTH

Friday, June 26th 7:00 to 9:00 PM

The youth from Reformation, Atonement, and Christ the Good Shepherd will be joining together to visit a nearby outdoor labyrinth. YOU are welcome to join us!
Come meet new friends and walk a mystical path of embodied prayer at this twilight gathering. We’ll have snacks and time for fellowship and personal sharing.

Walking the Labyrinth
• Many people have walked here and amazing things have happened.
• This is a place where people have felt God's love for the first time.
• This is a place where people have cried out to God in despair and found hope.
• This is a place where people have come to celebrate milestones in life.
• This is a place where people have brought questions to God and found direction.
• This is a place where people have confessed sins and found forgiveness.
• This is a place where people have brought tremendous grief and losses and felt peace.

Walkers of the labyrinth experience the reunification of the whole being which moves together on the meandering paths. Since the path of the labyrinth is unicursal—one path leading into the center and back out again—the walker does not need to concentrate on where to go or which way to turn and is not confronted with any intersections or dead-ends. The mind does not shut down, but finds its rhythm with the rest of the person, so that the wisdom of body and heart might also be mined. That alone is a healing experience. By walking the labyrinth, the whole self is brought to prayer.

WALKING A LABYRINTH

There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Everyone’s experience is their own, and each labyrinth walk will be experienced differently. Here are some common helpful reminders.

Begin when you are ready. Do not walk if you do not wish to.
Bring your whole self into the labyrinth. Don’t check your mind at the entrance, but do not let it dominate your walk. Let spirit, heart, body, and mind be in balance.
Find your own rhythm and speed, whatever comes naturally or feels right for you.
Stop whenever or wherever you wish or have a desire or pull to linger in a spot.
Since the path is unicursal, if you walk with others, you will encounter others along the way, hopefully walking their own rhythm and speed, stopping where they are drawn. Consideration is appreciated and passing is appropriate.
Generally folks do not speak or touch on the labyrinth. This illustrates that we are both never alone and always alone. Trust the sacred space to take care of you and others. Attend to your journey in order to minimize distractions from and to others.
Use the center as a resting and reflecting place. You may stay there as long as you wish. Do not leave until you are nudged.
Pay attention. All that you notice, experience, and hear are possible entry points into meaning. Use all that occurs as material, but let nothing distract. Do not latch on to anything but rather be present to what is. Be open to find God in all things.
After your walk you may wish to jot down some notes about your experience in a journal.
You may walk with something specific, or just be present to whatever Spirit is giving.

WHY DO LABYRINTHS WORK? Labyrinths work because when we intentionally enter sacred space, we often bring a willingness to connect with the Holy, to listen to the Holy, and attend to the wounds, stories, and joys of our lives. We are there because we desire to give a hearing to our journey and, at some level, desire transformation.

Another reason the labyrinth is so effective is that it allows us to bring our whole self to prayer and the processes of healing, celebrating, and discernment. We are free from the tyranny of anxiety which often snares us when we approach the movements of our lives from an intellectual perspective.

Even if a major revelation or transformation does not occur while walking a labyrinth, most people report a sense of calming and centering. Little scientific research has been done on the effects of walking a labyrinth; however, the back and forth meander pattern may calm an individual by balancing his or her energy or the activity of the two hemispheres of the brain.

A six-circuit peace labyrinth is located in the backyard of Labyrinth House and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are welcome to come and walk any time a group is not scheduled to use the space. Many folks just stop in and walk on a whim.

For more information, visit the website:
http://lifelistening.com/news/programs/the-labyrinth/

If you'd like to join us, just let us know - either Brother Christopher at yfm@atonementrochester.org or kwr221@aol.com, and meet us at Atonement Lutheran Church at 1900 Westfall Road at 7 PM.

Kingdom Bound

2009-06-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

KINGDOM BOUND

Mark your Calendars - Kingdom Bound 2009 is August 2-5!

Western New York's premier Christian music festival at Darien Lake. Kingdom Bound Ministries Inc. exists to present the gospel through a variety of art forms including concerts, outreaches and an annual performing arts festival; to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to encourage believers in their walk with God.

http://www.kingdombound.org

We’re organizing youth groups around Rochester to attend on Monday, August 3^rd – we’d love to have YOU join us! Get in touch with your youth group and tell them you want to go! We'll coordinate details about meeting up at the park.

Tickets for one days admission (including Darien Lake admission) are $49.00 If you have a Darien Lake season pass, you get a $5.00 discount.

Here are the highlights of Monday’s line-up that we're especially excited to see:

Relevant Worship
Casting Crowns
Justin Lookadoo

You can see more info about the artists and speakers on the Kingdom Bound website.

W hy is youth and family ministry important?

2009-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Five Principles for Youth and Family Ministry, identified by Dr. David Anderson of The Youth & Family Institute.

Faith is always passed on relationally and incarnationally, as God demonstrated in Jesus Christ, God’s ultimate gift to humankind, with the Word made flesh.

Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships. Virtually all of us can point to adults who were the first voice and hands and face of Jesus in our lives. We can equip all of our adults to become this God-bearer in the lives of children and youth.

The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and the ministry of the home. The body of Christ is not limited to the building where we worship on Sunday, but is loose in the world, especially evident as we partner congregations and homes to make Christ known.

Where Christ is present in faith, the home is church, too. Home is often the first church for children, where they learn to pray and hear the stories of faith from the people they love most in the world. For those who are not engaged in congregational life, the front door of your congregation may very well be the front doors of the homes of your members. Faith is caught more than it is taught.

Who were the saints who made faith contagious and utterly irresistible to you? How did they do that? Often, it was not by preaching a sermon or having you memorize the Small Catechism, but by loving you, by being the person you wanted to become, by gently sharing that you, too, are beloved of God. If we want Christian children and youth, we need Christian adults and parents. So, we have come full circle. We need to equip adults to be able to have those personal, trusted relationships that the Holy Spirit will use to help children and youth to see Jesus. How will we begin? A friend recently quipped, “Jesus blessed the children and taught the adults. We, in the church, have reversed it.” We need to make sure that we have robust Christian education for all ages and that we connect the generations, so that they will hear one another’s faith stories.

Then, we need to teach all of our adults and youth and children to do the Four Keys for Nurturing Faith, at home, in the congregation, on a walk, in the school cafeteria, in our workplace. These are simple faith practices that can be woven into our everyday life together.

They are:

1. Caring Conversations We need to be available to talk and, especially, to listen to one another. This is the floor under relationships, that allow us to talk about all of the important things in life.

2. Devotions Turn up the faith talk under caring conversations and you have devotions. Help children find themselves in God’s story and
God in their=2 0story. Let Scripture be God’s fresh and living Word for them each day.

3. Rituals and Traditions We all have them; now, just fine tune them to be God-bearing. Light a candle to remind family and friends that we gather around the Light of the World. Make the sign of the cross on each forehead each night, remembering their baptism and God’s love that has claimed them and will not let them go.

4. Service Filled with caring conversation, devotions, rituals and traditions, we are free to pour ourselves out in service, sharing the love of Christ that fills us to overflowing. Make it a part of every day, a natural way of loving God back, not a “got to,” but a “get to.”

God’s in the midst of this shift to Youth and Family Ministry, calling all of us to be about passing on faith in Jesus Christ to all the generations. A friend calls this, “the reformation of our time!”

Picnic in the Park

2009-06-15T09:52:00.001-07:00

Picnic in the Park
Tuesday, August 18th, 6 PM until?

A YOUTH AND FAMILY EVENT
Join us at the Canalside Shelter in Genesee Valley Park for a fun get-together. We'll have a potluck picnic, games, biking/walking on the canal path, fellowship and evening devotions.

Watch for more details here and in the GFL Conference Calendar

Drive-In Movie Night

2009-06-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

Youth Drive-In Movie Night

Thursday, July 23, 2009 at the Vintage Drive-In in Avon, NY

It wouldn't be summer without a trip to the Vintage Drive-In in Avon!

Join us for one or both movies (double-feature, one price). We'll meet up and park near each other and share fellowship and devotions before the movie starts.

More details to come!

Contact office@atonementrochester for more details.

Rochester Red Wings!

2009-06-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

Thrivent Builds Night at the Park

Rochester RedWings vs Lehigh Valley IronPigs

5th Annual Thrivent Lutheran Night at the RedWings.
Picnic 5-6 PM, Gametime 6:05 PM

Adults $13.00 Youth 4-12 $5.00
Game only, no picnic is $2.50 Reservations by July 5th.

This is a fundraiser for the Thrivent Habitat House.
for more info call Frank Dutt 671-2250 or fd516md@rochester.rr.com

Time:5:00PM Saturday, July 11th

Location:Frontier Field

Open to all

2009-03-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

If you work with youth (as a volunteer, advisor or pastor) and would like to post messages, photos or events on this blog, just let me know and I'll add you as a blog administrator.

I'd like to be able to use this site as well as facebook to help churches, youth and their youth groups keep in touch.

Teach Your Kids to Share Event

2009-03-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

THRIVENT "Teach Your Kids to Share Day"

Thrivent* is sponsoring a nationwide "Teach Your Kids to Share Day" on Friday, April 24th, from 5:30-9:00 PM.

The Rochester Chapter is hosting the event at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. The workshops will focus on teaching kids (ages 6-10) a value-based approach to money management.

Families (for a cost of $10.00) can look forward to dinner, activities, educational materials and prizes as well as partaking of the full museum experience. You do NOT have to be a member of Thrivent to join in the fun and no products or services will be sold.

To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/thriventregistration or call 800-236-3736. A $10 per family registration fee includes dinner, activities and educational materials.

Volunteers are needed to assist in this event. If you would like to help; please contact Joel Slesak at 314-1535 (cell) or 1-888-207-5413 (office) by April 1st.

(This would be a great way to serve the church - maybe get some volunteer community service hours for church or school - maybe a great Youth Group project)

*About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities.
Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more.
As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com .

https://www.thrivent.com/shareday/events.html

Winter Weekend!

2009-03-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a great time!

Despite the rain, we all had a wonderful experience at Rotary Sunshine camp for the 2009 Winter Weekend!

if you've got pics you'd like to share, please send them to office @atonementrochester.org and I'll make sure they're included.

What were some of your highlights?

Large group messages?

family small group discussions?

devotions?

food?

the dance?

the limbo contest?

Thank you to Pastor Justin and the planning team for all your hard work!

MLK Sledding at Ellison Park

2009-01-19T16:16:00.001-08:00

14 youth and families from Reformation and Christ the Good Shepherd gathered at Ellison Park for some fun sledding and fellowship and the went back to CGS for hot cocoa and cookies.

Stephen Newbury wipes out!
Trudging up the hill.
Pastor Imani on the way down.

Elizabeth, Katelyn, and Anjelica
Daniel Newbury gaining speed.
Emma snowboarding.
Austin on the way up with a smile.

More Volleyball Pics

2009-01-15T07:28:00.000-08:00

Nice serve, Tina!

Thank you, Ed for the pics!

Who's Going to the ELCA Youth Gathering?

2009-01-14T15:25:00.000-08:00

	2009 ELCA Youth Gathering E-News



	Registration for the Gathering is now closed
	36,650 young people and adults are registered and preparing to participate in Jesus Justice Jazz. Confirmations and housing assignments will be e-mailed to all primary leaders beginning the third week of January 2009. Housing assignments will be prioritized based on registration payments. If your congregation has not yet submitted a deposit payment, you will be one of the last to be assigned.

WiNter WEeKenD

2009-01-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

March 6-8, 2009 is the LYO Winter Weekend at Rotary Camp Sunshine in Rush.

Pastor Justin Johnson from St. Timothy's in Geneseo is working with a group on the planning - any questions, contact him at sttimpastor@yahoo.com

The theme this year called “LiViNg LiFe iN a PrEsSuRe CoOkEr.” The weekend will be focused on stresses of the world, in school, and at home. The message that will be lifted up is that we are not alone in our struggles, but have Christ with us always.

Registrations and a great promotional CD have been mailed out to congregations in the Genesee Finger Lakes Conference. The sign-up deadline is February 16th!

LYO VoLLeyBall NiGhT

2009-01-14T10:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out and had fun at Volleyball night at Reformation Lutheran Church on Friday, January 9th.

Thanks to your generosity, we collected:

30 hats
6 scarves and
20 pairs of gloves and mittens.

These, along with almost $30 will be given to Sister Maggie and the Community Lutheran Ministry on Joseph Avenue.

Over 35 Youth and their Advisors from Our Savior in Chili, Immanuel in Webster, Incarnate Word, Reformation, Christ the Good Shepherd and All Saint's Anglican came out for Volleyball, Twister, Jenga, board games and snacks.
The wonder promotional CD of Winter Weekend highlights was shown throughout the evening and hopefully will be shown at your local churches to drum up excitement and and answer questions about Winter Weekend.

WiNteR WEeKenD dates are March 6-8, 2009 and registration packets have been sent to all churches.

corn maze-lots of fun!

2008-10-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you who came out and had tons of fun at the Corn Maze on Friday night! We lucked out and the weather wasn't too cold, and the rain stayed away.

Thanks to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport for hosting us for the gathering and food before the maze.

We ended up with about 54 people! That was a great turn-out for an event that was planned with about a month's notice.

We'll keep you posted on future GFL events and also let you know what's happening with LYO planning.

2009 ELCA Youth Gathering

2008-10-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

2009 ELCA Youth Gathering E-News
October 2008 ► Issue 6

Watch Bishop Mark Hanson's invitation to service and deepening faith during the Gathering in New Orleans. During the 3 days of the Gathering you'll be guided through:

* A day assigned to explore God's Word
* A day assigned to contemplate God's Word, and
* A day assigned to live God's Word.

We will be guided as a community and in small groups in worship, learning experiences, service, Bible study, prayer, building relationships... all centered in the gospel and living Jesus Justice Jazz.

Registration for the Gathering is still open

Over 32,000 youth and adults have registered so far!

Online registration for the Gathering is open through January 15, 2009, or until it is full. Go to registration information on the Gathering Web site. Registration is also open for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE).

Some things you should know about registering for the Gathering...

1. Registration may close before January 15, 2009. When it closes, congregations will only be able to make substitutions; they won't be able to add to their group.
2. If registration closes and we have to turn people away, we will look at our adult- to-youth ratios. There are some congregations with a very high number of adults. We want to support them in their work with young people, but if we have congregations on a waiting list we want to be fair to them as well.
3. Housing assignments will be made at an earlier date if registration closes early.
4. When registration closes and hotel assignments are made, the registration Web site will no longer be live; online changes or substitutions will no longer be possible. The Gathering office will give sufficient notice so that you have the opportunity to make sure your group's information is complete and up-to-date.

Join the ELCA Youth Gathering Facebook group
1,100 people have joined the ELCA Youth Gathering Facebook group. You'll find discussions and ideas for fundraising, service opportunities before and after the Gathering, volunteer opportunities for young adults, and more. http://www.facebook.com/group.php? gid=12679517425

Jesus Justice Jazz... wear boldly!

Gathering shirts and gear are available from Old Lutheran.

Use the Gathering logo files for your own creative ventures.

Talk about the Gathering logo and what it means.
Did you know?

* "God's work. Our Hands." is the new ELCA tag line.

* New Orleans was named best city for dining and live music
in the United States in Headline News and Travel + Leisure Magazine's annual "America's Favorite Cities" survey.

* Learn more about the ELCA Youth Gathering: http://archive.elca.org/ gathering
* Learn more about Youth Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: http://archive.elca.org/youth
* Learn more about the Lutheran Youth Organization: http://archive.elca.org/lyo/
* Archived Gathering E-News

LYO WInter Weekend

2008-10-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

Mark the date on your calendars

March 6-8, 2009 for the LYO Winter Weekend.

Pastor Justin Johnson from St. Timothy's in Geneseo is working with a group on the planning - any questions, contact him at sttimpastor@yahoo.com

The theme this year called “Living Life in a Pressure Cooker.” The weekend will be focused on stresses of the world, in school, and at home. The message that will be lifted up is that we are not alone in our struggles, but have Christ with us always.

This from PJ:
More than likely the cost of Winter Weekend will be going up by $10 from $65 to $75. I know many of you are planning your budgets right now and I wanted to be up front about this, so congregations can plan accordingly. The reason for this increase is that Rush Sunshine camp raised the price per person per night by $3. This means an increase of $6 per person for the weekend. The extra $4 is to cover the rising cost of food. With that written, think about this increase and what you still get with it. Namely, a two night stay at camp, a dance, fellowship, all meals, and a tee shirt to take home. A one-night stay at a hotel is $120 without any of the rest. So, it is an increase, but not a huge increase.

There is also good news though. It looks as if we have found a new musician to replace Jason Tucker, who also chose to not return as he is looking forward to ordained ministry. We continue to have a strong team who has been working hard on the Winter Weekend program with many of the people on the team who are Winter Weekend planning team veterans. We also continue to have a strong relationship with the Rush Sunshine Camp; the DJ used in the past, and many of the staff members in the kitchen.

Amerks - 2 opportunities for outings

2008-10-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Faith Night at the Amerks
Saturday, November 8th against the Houston Aeros. Game Time is 7:35 PM. Contact jcochol@Amerks.com for discounted tickets - $10.00 for the 200 end tickets and $12.00 for the 100 end tickets.

Thrivent AMERKS Night
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is inviting all Lutherans and their friends to an AMERKS game on December 7 at 6:05 PM. The donation is $8.00 to go to help pay for the 2008 Thrivent Builds House

See your congregational contact or contact Frank Dutt at 671-2250 or fd516md@rochester.rr.com for reservations. Please sign up by November 23. This would be a great fellowship event for GFL Youth and a great bargain!

LYO Corn Maze

2008-10-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's That Time Again!
Date:
Friday, October 24, 2008
Time:
7:00pm - 10:15pm
Location:
Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Long Acre Farms
Fairport, NY
Contact:
4421018
Email:
office@atonementrochester.org

Join youth from around the GFL conference for another fun LYO event.
We'll meet at Bethlehem in Fairport at 7 PM for food, fellowship and faith, and leave at 8:15 for the Corn Maze in Macedon. The last moonlight maze tour starts at 9 PM and take about 75 minutes. Cost is $9 per person + a non-perishable food item.

Youth groups need to provide their own chaperones and drivers. Please sign up by October 21

Come on over to Facebook!

2008-06-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

There's a Rochester ELCA youth group over there - no one seems tio check in here.

But if you go there, you can find out about upcoming events - like the ice cream sundae event at the end of June at St. JOhn's, or the Blessing of the Pets at CHrist the Good SHepherd this Friday (the 13th), or the JUly drive-in movie and lock-in at Reformation.....
or you can emial me at kwr221@aol.com to be on a mailing list of upcoming events.

Kristin

fresh air, exercise and prayer

2008-04-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 20th - Spring Hike at 1000 Acre Swamp in Penfield - 3 PM. Lace up your sneakers or hiking boots and join us for an amble at 1000 Acre Swamp in Penfield. The trails are flat, and there's a boardwalk that goes through the swamp for excellent bird watching opportunities. We'll pause at various spots along the trail for reflection as well as photo opportunities. This walk is good for all ages. Contact Kristin Romell at kwr221@aol.com for more information.

Pizza Night at Reformation

2008-04-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody - Just a reminder that this month's "Make Your Own Pizza" Night is at Reformation at 6:15 PM on Friday, April 11th.

I'll provide pizza dough, sauce and cheese - you bring your favorite toppings - pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach, ham and pineapple - you name it, and either a drink or dessert to share.

After dinner, the youth will play volleyball in the gym and younger children, families and everyone else will play board games, card games, twister, etc.

Let me know if you'll be there so I can buy enough dough! Bring a friend!

This is from PJ - about LTSP - seminary

2008-03-05T13:24:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope the Lenten season is treating you all well and as much as you are experiencing God's grace you are also experiencing Sabbath every now and then.

I am not sure if it got out or not, but if not, I wanted to let everyone know that this Monday at St Timothy, Louise Johnson the director of admissions from LTSP will holding a discussion time with youth and young adults interested in ministry.

It is an open session beginning at 3:00 and going till about 7ish. By open session, I mean come and go as needed. There will be a dinner at 5:00 and worship at 6:00. The purpose of this is to have youth and young adults hear about the seminary experience, ask questions, and just to talk with others who are interested in ministry.

Please talk to those youth or young adults that are interested in this possibility and pass the word. If you have anyone, please let me know, so I can reserve a place at the dinner table. The meal seems to be meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, and beans.

This is an opportunity provided by Project Connect and therefore is not focused on just LTSP, but seminary in general.

Take care. PJ

Winter Weekend Highlights

2008-03-04T14:50:00.001-08:00

Snow!!!!

Friends new and old

Jason Tucker

Pastor Mack

Testamonials

the food!

The dance!!

Pat's amazing tenure of 18 years - wow!

Your turn - what did you enjoy most about Winter Weekend?

Coming Events - Make Your Own Pizza Night

2008-03-04T14:44:00.001-08:00

Join us at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Winton Road at 6 PM this Friday, March 7th for

"Make Your Own Pizza Night".

Here's the deal - I bring the dough, sauce and mozzarella.

You bring your favorite toppings - like ham and pineapple, sausage and mushrooms, peppers, spinach, whatever.

Together we share and make our own personal size pizzas and enjoy good food and fellowship. Feel free to bring something to drink to share with others or maybe dessert. We always end up with plenty of food and people bring whatever they can.

If you'd like to come, email me at kwr221@aol.com for directions, and let me know how many are coming so I can get enough supplies.

Hey Everybody!

2008-03-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

I hope you has an awesome time at Winter Weekend! It was a great time and I hope you all had a chance to make new friends, see old ones and enjoy God's very real presence.

I hope you invite your friends to this blog and use it to spread the word about youth events at your churches.

If you'd like to be added as a contributor, just let me know and then you can add events yourself.

Peace,

Kristin