Pictured – Thom Nicla (Youth & Family Ministry); Mary Gorges (Children's & Family Ministry)

We are the Children's, Youth & Family Ministry Team here at First United Lutheran Church . Our door is always open or we can be reached at 912-7221 (Mary) & 946-1465 (Thom) or at the church at 452-2401.

Our Team approach to ministry means that we are constantly building relationships with children and youth and getting to know their parents. Children's & Youth Ministry is about families and relationships. Faith is formed in personal trusted relationships and it usually happens in the home. Children's & Youth Ministry will nurture healthy family relations and help households consider their values, meaning and hope that will lead them into a faith-filled future. Through research done at The Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College, it is evident that there are four keys that can nurture healthy relationships and faith. Those keys are caring conversations, family rituals and traditions, family devotional life and intergenerational service to others that convey the beliefs, values and lifestyles of their home.

These four keys have become the new way to provide youth and family ministry in congregations.

The purpose of children & youth ministry is to help children & youth believe and understand life in Jesus Christ. A recent study by Search Institute in Minneapolis , MN , asked youth of mainline churches to identify the five top religious influences in their lives. Parents ranked as the single most powerful influence in shaping faith. The study emphasizes the role of relationships as a whole in faith formation and helps provide a clear picture of the path to effective youth and family ministry. Young people grow in faith when these four elements support their faith development: parents, other caring adults, peers, and significant retreat/servant/camp events. You can't be a Christian by yourself. Christianity is a communal religion.

First United's Children & Youth Ministry is for Children from birth to 5th Grade and youth in grades 6th through 12th and their peers, though we have many crossover events try as well as family centered events. Many events are planned throughout the year for children & youth to grow in their faith. We recognize that kids come from varied backgrounds and we strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for young people to ask questions and share their stories. All are welcome.

Another key factor in children & youth ministry is to have a balanced program. The youth events offered throughout the year will include worship, outreach, learning and fellowship. We extend an invitation to you to serve on the Children's, Youth and Family Committee and help make this happen. The board usually meets at 6:15 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of each month in the Youth Room at First United Lutheran Church .