In support of continuing education and equipping our staff with resources for ministry, our youth ministry staff attended the ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s Extravaganza Feb 9th-12th in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is our denomination’s flagship youth ministry training event (to the envy of some other denominations) where 800+ youth ministry professionals from congregations and organizations convene to worship, renew, educate, and connect. Megan, Neal, Russ, Tyler, and RLC youth alumni and volunteer with HS ministries, Alex Loveland, had the opportunity to hear large group presentations from Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, Prof. David Lose, Rev. Dr. Reggie Blount, Alexia Salvatierra, and a wonderful Sunday morning message from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson. There was no shortage of workshops on a substantial variety of topics from fundraising, to faith formation, to age appropriate curriculum development. Our own Megan Moroff led a standing room only, very well received workshop on “Praying in Color” using artistic expression to bring our prayers before God. The fruitfulness of connecting with peers in ministry for learning, encouragement, and renewal proved invaluable and we, the youth staff, are hugely grateful for the opportunity.
“I was very glad that RLC gave me the opportunity and resources to attend the 2012 ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza in New Orleans, LA. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of this event. I am so thankful and filled with joy in the ability to connect with my colleagues in youth ministry of our church and it may take a while to really digest all of the good conversation, worship, networking, speakers, preachers, workshops, late night shenanigans, good eats, music, grace, and most of all inspiration that took place during the Extravaganza. I am so deeply proud of our Lutheran family and the ministry that is God’s work. Our Hands. Thank you for your advocacy in my professional development and education. I was hugely blessed by this opportunity and am excited to continue the ministry that God has called me to at Roseville Lutheran Church!”
~Tyler Moe-Slepica
