Report of Youth and Family Ministries

Amanda Highben
Youth and Family Minister

 

For it was you who formed my inward parts

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

 

Psalm 139, above, expresses a life-giving truth which we seek to communicate to all of the children and youth of Central, and it is this: you are God’s beloved child, worthy of love, knit together by the Creator, and wonderfully made. This belief compels us to partner with our families and parents as, together, we help our children to develop identities deeply rooted in Jesus’ grace and perfect love. Because their identities are bound together with Christ, our youngest disciples are free to live out their vocations in the world God loves and died to save. After all, our ministries are not to our children and youth, but with them in companionship.

 

This is the last annual report I will write as I conclude my time at Central and walk the path ahead. I leave believing that God’s Spirit is alive and active in this place. This is not because of anything we have done but because God is faithful. As in the past, many different people will continue to come and go at Central; leaders are always in flux. However, God’s promise to be with God’s church is unchanging. This is your church, and you belong to God.

 

As always, thank you to all who give so much of their time and talent to serve our children and youth. We are truly blessed by your dedication and love.

 

2008 – 2009 highlights:

 

•Introduction of our new Sunday School curriculum, Akaloo (Augsburg Fortress);

           

•Special Sunday School service-learning projects: Lenten hygiene kits (over 300 assembled) and

sock/diaper collection for Augsburg Nursing Center to give to our community members in need;

           

•Annual Christmas Program, The Good News News, featuring a script written by Pastor Kristen;

           

•Fall parenting workshop series focusing on adolescent spirituality and developmental issues;

           

•Youth participation in service-learning projects: Aliveness Project’s Holiday Basket Program,

Super Bowl of Caring ($1300 raised for Community Ministries), Urban Immersion, and

A Night on the Street;

           

•Fall Confirmation retreat at Gustavus Adolphus College;

           

•Milestone Events: 6 youth and 1 adult Confirmed on Pentecost, 7 children received their First

Communion on Maundy Thursday;

           

•Celebration of Confirmation, “There’s No Place like Home: A Partnership of Hope for

Homeless Youth;

           

•Annual Easter Breakfast, $995 raised to support summer trips (ELCA National Youth Gathering in

New Orleans and canoeing at Camp Amnicon).


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