Wednesday, 22 of May of 2013
Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
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It’s hard to think of a time in which parents have been more focused on their children – providing them with the best opportunities, the best chance at a good education, the best extra-curricular activities. The term helicopter parent describes this new perspective: moms and dads flying around and over their kids making sure they are getting all the benefits. There are many factors behind this trend: Read more »
Luke 24:32“Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
You may have the heard the song…’We are Young’ by Fun? The chorus goes a little like this…
“Tonight- We are young. So let’s the set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun.”
It got us thinking about our theme. Set the World on Fire. There are many folks talking about how we can change the world and what we each can do to make a difference in our world.
So what drives us as followers of Christ? What encourages and challenges us to be initiators of change? Read more »
It’s not hard to convince any parent of the value of music in their child’s life. Now new research has suggested that in addition to any intellectual benefits or study skills that learning an instrument may provide, participating in music as a group may also teach kids empathy and compassion. The study, which came out of the University of Cambridge, looked at 52 girls and boys – one group were assigned to a music group, and two other groups who weren’t. Researchers found that the kids in the music group, who had to follow their peers and work together, demonstrated higher levels of emotional intelligence – in other words, a stronger sense or awareness and empathy for others. Read more »
We can have conversations with God in many ways: while out enjoying nature, in the car on a long drive (just ask Pastor Riitta), by the side of our bed at night, or watching the sun rise in the morning while we have a cup of coffee. But how often do we write down our prayers? A new book, The God Box, is highlighting the practice of writing down your cares and worries, or your wishes for God – those secrets or concerns that you wish God might hear – and putting them in a box. Read more »
Go on a nature walk in the dark. Climb a tree. Play in the rain. A British charity has create a bucket list for kids – a collection of 50 things they should do before they turn 12 – activities like burying someone in the sands, or making a mud slide.
It started me thinking, in the weekend after Earth Day, how often we take our youth outside to experience God’s Backyard. Many of our youth events, and Sunday schools are composed of classroom activities and indoor discussions, but we may be missing an opportunity to shake things up by taking them outdoors. Read more »
Attention all Anglican and Lutheran youth ages 13-18and Youth Leaders! We invite you to come to the annual Youth Conference which takes place Friday May 25th until Sunday May 27th at Huron Church Camp. Join us for a weekend of getting to know youth from all corners of the diocese, help bring together a vision for the future, and learn about and discuss current issues in the church. Read more »
I went to the 2012 Annual Church Leaders’ Form—World Changers Event hosted by World Vision at the Metropolitan Bible Church here in Ottawa. I was excited to join other youth leaders who are engaging and empowering youth to respond to the needs of their world.
Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottawa
For the last five years we have been hearing about this church ‘The Met’ and I was also looking forward to seeing it. I was not disappointed. As I approached the front door I passed the keystone that read: “To the Glory of God. Not Just a Building”. Wow. This place had it together. Read more »
Looking for an explanation of Good Friday for young children. This video, which is led by the voices and artwork of children, is a wonderful way for families to remember the journey that Jesus made. What a great way to initiate a discussion about our faith and the journey that was taken to get to Easter. http://vimeo.com/39437796
Are you looking for something the youth can lead in your community of faith in preparation for the celebration of Easter. Try this:
Easter Vigil Play: the Tale of the Three Trees
Narrator #1: God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, we don’t know what God has planned for us, and when things don’t work out, we get frustrated. Or when life does work out, we forget in our celebration that God had a part from the start.
Narrator #2: But in Easter, God reveals the greatest mystery of all. Easter teaches us the lesson of eternal life in the story of the resurrection of Jesus. Now, it hasn’t been an easy journey to get here. It’s been full of twists and turns.
Narrator#3: There have been heartwarming moments – like the disciples first choosing to follow Jesus by the sea of Galilee.
Narrator #4: And we have had dangerous plot twists – like the Devil tempting Jesus in the dessert, to use his power for wishes other than what God intended. Read more »
SOC Lighting the Fuse at their most recent event
A final thank you for the SOCcess at our gathering this past weekend at St. Andrew Memorial Anglican and Redeemer Lutheran in London!
In everything we did, we truly lived the theme “Together We Grow.” With so many new friends amongst us, I thought I would provide this summary of the event. Please feel free to use it to share the good news about SOC and your part in it!
We were joined at one point or another in our program from 2pm Saturday until 2pm Sunday by over 80 youth and leaders from across southwest Ontario.
Just so you get the picture, we came from the following churches: Read more »