Branches Youth and Family Ministries

05/18/2022

7th-12th Graders—make plans to join us for COURAGEOUS! We go courageously for God is with us! (Joshua 1:9). We will be stepping out of our comfort zones and adventuring with God and each other on this 53-hour extravaganza! We will leave at noon on July 24 and head to Des Moines to worship at Lutheran Church of Hope. After supper we’ll head to Altoona and stay at an area hotel. Following "first Word," we will head to Adventureland. On Tuesday, July 26, we will spend some time in Iowa City as we make our way back home. Group building games and Bible study will be woven throughout our time together. Those who sign up for the trip will help finalize the itinerary. Cost: $50, plus 5 meals. To sign up, submit your $25 deposit by May 22nd to your congregation.

04/11/2022

2022 Tri Church Summer Trip Survey--open until April 12

Hello 7th - 12th grade families,
Below is a link to a 5 question anonymous survey seeking input about our July 24-26 Tri Church Youth Trip. PLEASE submit your answers by April 12. Youth and adults from each household are encouraged to complete their own survey. You are welcome to share this link with any 7th-12 grader who is interested in journeying with us.
https://forms.gle/gNTskcMJ2LDAzPwQ7

Thank you for participating!

Hello 7th-12th Tri Church Families! We are seeking your honest input about the location of our summer trip--COURAGEOUS! Each trip will involve group building games, Bible Study and adventures! We go courageously for God is with us! (Joshua 1:9). We will leave leave at noon on July 24 and return arou...

04/10/2022

ATTENTION 8TH GRADE ('22-'23) through 12TH GRADE ('21-22) YOUTH! Do you know your summer plans? We'd love for you to be part of our local youth service camp, UNITE JUNE 22-25. We are painting homes for people who need our help and having a ton of fun! Click the following link to register today: https://saukvalleyunite.org/registration/
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 24!!!
Please contact Gerad, Pastor Jacob or Pastor Makayla if you have any questions!

04/08/2022

Hey teen families!

This July, ('22-'23) 8th graders through ('21-22) 12th graders from St Paul, Immanuel and St John's are joining for a time of adventure and building relationships. Please help us decide where we go - We've narrowed it down to:

July 24-26 -- traveling to 1) Waterloo & Cedar Falls IA (theme park, water park, field of dreams, visit local Lutheran college/seminary and more) or 2) Des Moines, IA (Adventureland, and more...) or 3) Wartburg seminary in Dubuque (field of dreams, visit local Lutheran colleges and more...)

These dates coincide with when the ELCA youth gathering was scheduled for before it was cancelled for this summer. Let Gerad, Pastor Jacob or Pastor Makayla know of your preference or if you have questions/suggestions this Sunday, April 10.

03/23/2022

POST - HIGH SCHOOL young adults - check out the ELCA Young Adult Ministries new online small groups. Sign up to join a group for this Spring (meetings begin after Easter and go through the beginning of June). What a great way to meet people across the country and explore your faith and the topic of 'abide.' God bless your journey! Here's a video for more info: https://youtu.be/j4ZCNnXcTs8

03/17/2022

Houston still a contender for 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering host city.

📣 GAME 5: Chicago vs. Houston
We love the Windy City, but Houston took the wind out of Chicago's sails. In all seriousness, Chicago is a great city that we have so much love for. Did you know that the ELCA Churchwide Office is located here? If you're ever in Chicago, be sure to explore Millennium Park and Navy Pier!

03/15/2022

WHERE WILL THE 2024 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING BE? LOOKING TO THE TRI CHURCH BRACKET CITY CHALLENGE, WE ARE NOW 2-2 FOR OUR GROUP'S CITY PICKS.

03/11/2022

Looks like we've missed on the first 2 games... ugh!

📣 GAME 2: Detroit vs. Phoenix
Although Phoenix would be a pretty "hot" place to host a Gathering, we won't be heading in that direction for the 2024 Gathering. If you're looking for something fun to do in Phoenix, maybe go for a hike or just soak in the views of Camelback Mountain. ⛰️

03/09/2022

Looks like we lost on the first round. Our youth guessed Indianapolis. ☹️ Stay tuned as the gathering leaders slowly reveal the location of the 2024 youth gathering later this month.

📣 GAME 1: Indianapolis vs. San Antonio
While Indianapolis has the unofficial nickname of the Crossroads of America because they have six interstate highways crossing through the city, many of us won’t be using those roads to get to the 2024 Gathering location. 🚌

02/25/2022

TRI CHURCH TEENS (8th - 12th grade)! We're getting together at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 501 8th Ave, Rock Falls.

11:15 - 12:45. Free lunch - (pizza, cookies drinks)

Youth gathering cancelled?.... Pandemic has cancelled much?..... We'll spend some time talking about these challenges, and we'll discuss future trip/event possibilities and have some fun together! Please let Gerad know if you'll be there.

02/01/2022

We received this unfortunate news this morning. It is certainly not the news we were hoping for. This is not easy to hear for our young people and adults who have been working for and preparing for this amazing faith-forming, life-giving event. Please know that you are prayed for, and that God is with you. Please stay tuned to opportunities for our high school youth ministry going forward. Gerad will be in touch with all participants to answer any questions and listen to concerns and ideas.

After much prayer, conversation and tears, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 Gathering, MYLE and the tAble due to the ongoing pandemic, the recent COVID-19 surge and public health considerations.

We know there are thousands of young people who will not get to experience the Gathering, and our hearts break for them. This was not an easy decision, and we ask for your prayers and your grace. We understand the impact this decision will have on our youth, volunteers and planning teams, and we hope to return to Minneapolis for a future Gathering.

Registered congregations can visit their registration accounts starting Monday, Feb. 7, to select their desired refund option. For more information and FAQs, please visit elca.org/Gathering.

With God’s power at work in and through us, we can do far more than we dare ask or imagine! The ELCA is fully committed to supporting the young people of our church and to seeing that the ministry of the Gathering, MYLE and the tAble continue for years to come. With that assurance, we are turning our attention toward 2024 for the next Gathering. Stay tuned to Gathering communications for a location announcement this summer.

Grace and peace.

01/28/2022

Calling all 7th - 12th graders and adult volunteers...