The ELCA Youth Gathering is back — and we’re going to New Orleans from July 16-20! (MYLE and tAble pre-events will be July 13-16) Priority registrations began Friday, September 15, 2023 at 12pm CST. (1pm EST) We encourage you to read through the registration materials on the ELCA Youth Gathering’s website: https://www.elca.church/gathering/attend/congregations Here are the...
Category: Youth
September 13, 2023
Are You Ready for the 2024 Youth Gathering?
The ELCA Youth Gathering is back — and we’re going to New Orleans from July 16-20! (MYLE and tAble pre-events will be July 13-16) Priority registrations began Friday, September 15, 2023 at 12pm CST. (1pm EST) We encourage you to read through the registration materials on the ELCA Youth Gathering’s website: https://www.elca.church/gathering/attend/congregations Here are the...
February 16, 2023
Registration Fees Waived for Some MYLE and tAble Participants
It’s with great excitement that we announce the registration fees for the first 1,000 registrants for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the first 200 registrants for the tAble will be waived by the Gathering for the 2024 cycle. “As crucial parts of the ministry of the Gathering, we are thrilled to be able...
February 7, 2023
SEPA Represents at The YMN Extravaganza
SEPA Synod was well represented at The Extravaganza, the annual gathering of children, youth and family ministry leaders from across the ELCA, which just wrapped up (Feb. 3-6) in Anaheim, Calif. The event was hosted by the ELCA’s Youth Ministry Network. Participants in Extravaganza 2023 gathered for one live experience in two expressions, on-site in...
November 23, 2021
Welcome Pastor Stacey-Kyle Rea
The Rev. Stacey-Kyle Rea has been called as Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship, starting December 1, 2021. Currently Pastor Rea serves Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairview Village, as senior pastor. She previously served St. John’s, Phoenixville, and St. John’s, Folcroft. She has been active with Synod youth ministry, leading groups of...
June 2, 2021
Mediator Youth Honored in Tulsa Centennial Writing Contest
Tredon Stevenson, a member of Mediator Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, received second prize in the youth (ages 14-17) division of the ELCA African Descent Lutheran Association’s national writing contest to honor the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre. He is an excellent student and participates in youth programs and choir and is a worship assistant and...
February 3, 2021
Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Virtual Retreat
The Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat planning committee is pleased to announce our first ever Virtual Retreat for youth in grades 6-12 and their leaders, on Saturday, April 10, starting at 10 am on Zoom. Registration fee is $20 per person. Deadline to register is March 7, 2021! Download a flyer for more information: 2021 Tuscaro...
November 13, 2020
Apply Now For Young Adults in Global Mission
Applications for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program are now being accepted, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2021-2022 program year. If you know young adults ages 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline...
November 13, 2020
Tuscarora Youth Retreat 2021 Is On!
APRIL 9 – 11, 2021 GRADES 6 – 12 Registration Fee: TBD Pending the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the retreat will be either inperson or virtual. Date to determine in-person vs. virtual is February 1, 2021 Download a poster Check our website for up to date information https://tuscaroralutheranretreat.weebly.com/
October 28, 2019
2021 Gathering: Boundless
The ELCA Youth Gathering team announces the theme of the 2021 Minneapolis Gathering, “boundless: God beyond measure,” based on Ephesians 3:19 CEV. “I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” What are the stories of...
August 28, 2019
Collaboration Sparks Creative VBS
Vacation Bible School looks a little different, maybe, than it has in years past, especially at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Washington, which was close to closing its doors five years ago when The Rev. Kristie Chandler first arrived. She and the congregation chose to use the God’s abundant gifts to move forward with their...
July 17, 2019
Servants at Work in South Dakota
A cadre of youth, young adults and leaders from SEPA Synod are in South Dakota for our famous Servant Trip. Here’s a peek into some of what they’ve been up to: For today’s service project in South Dakota a group of us converted an old church basement into a beautiful space that will be used...
January 29, 2019
Box City Registration is Open
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 24TH We are excited to join with St. James Limerick for their 10th Annual Box City Event from March 23rd – 24th, 2019. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness about homelessness in Montgomery County and to raise funds to Main St. Homeless Shelter in Pottstown. During...
October 29, 2018
Registration Opens for Tuscarora Youth Retreat
Tuscarora Lutheran Retreat (formerly known as the Harvey Cedars retreat) will be held Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7, 2019. This year’s retreat our theme is Changed for Good, where we will focus on how we’ve been changed by our faith and how that in turn, helps us change the world. Get more information...
June 5, 2018
Youth Calendar 2018-19 Now Available
Be sure to download and save the NEW 2018-19 SEPA Youth Events Calendar with all of the exciting events we have coming up for the next year. We’re looking forward to an exciting year, and we hope to see you at some of these great events! Download PDF
January 4, 2018
5 Things to Consider Engaging Young Adults
Every congregation in the country is trying to figure out how to engage young adults. Many churches struggle because they they focus on their own needs to fill in a missing age group rather than seeking to meet the needs of the young adults they connect with. Living Lutheran offers five things that any congregation that...
February 7, 2017
Youth & Family Ministry Certificate at Bear Creek Camp
VibrantFaith will offer its first East-coast Training School for Children, Youth and Family Ministry this October at Bear Creek Camp. CYF Training School changes lives, equips leaders and helps transform ministries in effective and creative faith formation. After a five-night residency Oct. 15-20, participants will continue with online learning and coaching through June, 2018. Learn...
July 6, 2016
Servants: “We Are All Related”
“Mitakuye Oyas’in” — We Are All Related. Our SEPA Servants at the Rosebud Lakota Reservation are now at work. After an orientation to Native American culture and language, the crews spent Tuesday (July 5) doing demolition, landscape clean-up, and sorting thrift store donations at the Tree of Life warehouse. The day camp had 15...
March 7, 2016
Youth Ignite Service at Helping Hands Day
Youth and adults from across our Synod will fan the flames of service to our neighbors on Helping Hands Day: Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This year’s theme is Ignite – hearkening back to the story of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit’s coming among us in power and fire. We’ll...
September 22, 2015
Bradley Burke Called to Youth, Formation Roles
Dionne Jackson also joins ministry team The Rev. Bradley R. Burke has been appointed Assistant to the Bishop for Youth, Young Adult and Spiritual Formation by Bishop Claire Burkat. Pastor Burke, who is currently serving as executive director of Lutheran Charities in Southeastern Pennsylvania, has been involved in youth and young adult ministry in our...
February 10, 2015
Churches Affected by Child Protection Laws
Pennsylvania recently passed new legislation regarding protection of children that affect all churches. Under state law clergy, paid staff and volunteers who work with children and youth in any capacity are now “mandated reporters” who must report suspected child abuse directly to authorities. The law also now requires all employees and volunteers who work with...
