DE-MD and Metro D.C. Synods Youth + Family Ministry

03/18/2026

Last weekend we got to see God's Garden in full bloom at our Seekers Retreat for 3rd-5th Graders. Our high school LYO leaders helped lead 60 AMAZING elementary youth in games, singing, crafts, conversation and worship to remind them that they are good soil and God is working through them.

Thank you to all of the mentors and parents and adults and camp staff and LYOers who made this weekend at Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Retreat Center possible and showed forth love, joy, peace patience, kindness (and all the other Fruits of the Spirit!) that made this weekend possible!

Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA, Metro D.C. Synod, ELCA

02/26/2026

Seekers registration is open until March 6th. This event for youth grades 3-5 is taking place at Mar-Lu-Ridge March 14-15. The theme this year is "Growing in God's Garden." Register today!!!

Seekers: a retreat for Grades 3-5 March 14-15, 2026 Mar-Lu-Ridge 3200 Mar Lu Ridge Road Jefferson, MD 21755

02/09/2026

Join in the first webinar about the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering this Monday, Feb, 16th at 8pm EST!

Our webinar series starts next week! 🗓️

Join us on Monday, Feb. 16 at 7pm CST for a conversation around 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜.

Register now 👇
https://elcafoundation.zoom.us/webinar/register/8417685152973/WN_Rn0eX5pRTL6qpx--xGYNBg

Not able to attend live? 🙋 No worries, a recording will be available on the Gathering's YouTube playlist a few days after.

01/31/2026

Excited to start getting ready for the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis June 28-July 2, 2027!

11/21/2025

Our site has gone down. If you are looking for the individual registration form for this weekend's MSHS event you can find it here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d_Uh6EafQpLOYicivbILeoorPWUH6rNK6NdLKg8mUXI/edit?usp=sharing.

Youth Event Individual Registration Form please print all information Church name _________________________________________ Church location ____________________________ I am registering for: ▢ Middle School/High School Event ▢ Seekers ▢ Other ________________________ I am: ▢ a yo...

10/09/2025

There is just one month left to register for the Nov 21-23 Middle School/High School Event and you do not want to miss out. Learn more and register at: https://www.youngfaithmatters.com/events-retreats/middle-schoolhigh-school-event

10/04/2025

The musicians are practicing for the MS/HS retreat. Have you registered? The early-bird registration deadline is October 5, TOMORROW! Learn more and register at:
https://www.youngfaithmatters.com/events-retreats/middle-schoolhigh-school-event

07/11/2025

Calling all 9th-12th graders. LYO applications for 2025-26 are due by tomorrow, Friday, July 11th.

LYO is a joint group of high school Lutheran youth leaders from the Delaware-Maryland and Metro D.C. Synods. Each year interested youth from rising 9th graders through 12th graders are invited to apply to be part of LYO gaining Christian leadership experience while planning and implementing joint sy...

06/22/2025

Our final event of the year was completely planned by the senior LYOers. Last night's service ended with us wrapping them in the love of Jesus and our gratitude for their commitment to Y+F ministry as they discern how to use their spiritual gifts in their next chapter. Their impact is already radiating in the rising 9th graders who joined the lock-in.

04/29/2025

Our young folks are invited to join us for songs, worship, crafts and snacks together at Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Retreat Center this Sunday, May 4th at 3:30.

Worship is centered on kids age 3- 3rd grade, but all are welcome!

04/07/2025

These amazing humans came together at Mar-Lu-Ridge this weekend for the Unlikely Leaders "Rooted & Rising: A Journey to Stronger Faith and Identity” leadership retreat. Thank you to participants, parents, adult leaders, LYOers, mentors, and everyone at MLR who helped make this event possible. Check out the video in the comments of the group's favorite song.
Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA, Metro D.C. Synod, ELCA