Children and youth are the future of our church, and in the Minnesota Conference UCC they are a valued part of our present.
We engage youth in mission and worship through faith formation activities and leadership development. We also support clergy and lay leaders who work with youth through training and resources.
FourTHursdays (and second, too!) – Conversations with clergy, lay staff, and volunteers engaged in faith formation
Second & Fourth Thursdays, noon-1:30 pm via Zoom
Gather on Zoom for conversation, questioning, and shared resourcing within a supportive community of colleagues. Registered participants for each gathering will receive a free book or other ministry resource. The sessions this fall will focus on five key spiritual practices essential for adaptive leadership in this chaotic, anxious, and challenging season of ministry with children, youth, and families.
October 22: Practicing Strength – Building resilience and supporting mental wellness for those you serve and you too! Presenter: Lori Alford, LAMFT
Register
November 12: Practicing Gratitude – Helping families nurture compassion and connection during challenging times
Presenter: Jenny Friedman, PhD, Founder/Executive Director of Doing Good Together
Register
Registration is currently open for each of these gatherings. There is no registration fee so feel free to register for as many as you can attend. Please contact Rev. Kevin Brown, Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation for Children & Youth, via email for more information or with any questions.
Other Resources
This fall, the Conference will offer toolkits for both families and faith formation leaders. The toolkit will be available electronically in weekly installments (released on Wednesdays), Oct 7–Nov 18 (fall) and Nov 25–Dec 23 (Advent).
The fall toolkit will focus on two important spiritual practices for this season of life:
- Each week of October will invite folks to “Practice Paying Attention: Be Still, Listen, Wonder, Remember.”
- November will invite folks to “Practice Gratitude: Humility, Kindness, Blessing.”
Each toolkit will provide a thoughtfully focused and curated collection of video reflections, music, spiritual practices, readings, creative/art activities, games, community service projects, justice and advocacy opportunities, and more.
