Children, Youth, and Family (CYF)

Reaching Those in Children, Youth, and Family Ministries

The Minneapolis Area Synod provides support, networking, and educational opportunities for staff and volunteers who work with Children, Youth, and Family (CYF). A vibrant CYF ministry is critical to a flourishing congregation. At the same time, the work of the CYF leader can be challenging. The synod works to provide companions and support for this important work.

In CYF ministries we support our lay staff and volunteers in churches so they can provide a space where children, youth, and young adults feel at home, are reminded often that they are beloved children of God, can laugh and learn, be with friends, and experience a lively community of faith. This is why First Third ministry leaders are critical to congregational life.

Safe Gatherings

The Minneapolis Area Synod is committed to ensuring that we provide safe places of worship and fellowship to everyone we serve. As part of that commitment we are providing information on Safe Gatherings as a resource for you in this important area.

Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in group settings. When employees and volunteers are trained to identify potential abusers, recognize the signs of abuse, and know how to handle reporting, they are better equipped to prevent abuse.

Upon successful completion of the Safe Gatherings application, background and reference checks, and online training program, each applicant will receive documentation of approval valid for three years, and will have continued access to the online training program for one year.

The price per applicant for the individual church program available through the Safe Gatherings website is $45. This includes processing of two electronic references, a national and multi-county of residence 7-year background check, national and state of residence Sex Offender Registry check, and the 1.5-hour online abuse prevention and boundary awareness training.

More details >

Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods’ CYF Team

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministry in this synod is led by the Minneapolis Area Synod and Saint Paul Area Synod Children, Youth, & Family Team. The mission of the CYF Team is to support, encourage, enhance, and develop children, youth, and family ministries as they effectively share the good news of Jesus Christ.

The CYF Team exists as a resource for congregations, as well as CYFM workers and volunteers. Whether you are just beginning an intentional CYF ministry, or if your congregation already has a robust program, the CYF Team is here to connect with and support you. This is done throughout the year with a number of events, learning opportunities, and meet-and-greets, as well as being a resource for all things CYF.

Questions

Have a question that the resources below can’t answer? One of the CYF Team representatives from this synod can help:

• Dawn Albrecht, Farmington Lutheran, Farmington, dawn@farmingtonlutheran.com
• Paul Erdmann, Immanuel, Eden Prairie, paule@immanuel.us
• Rachelle Gill, Easter Lutheran, Eagan, rgill@easter.org
• Rev. John Hulden, Minneapolis Area Synod, j.hulden@mpls-synod.org
• Rich Holleque, Mt. Olivet, Plymouth, hollr@moply.org
• Rev. Stephanie Luedtke, St. Barnabas, Plymouth, pastorstephanie@stbarnabaslutheran.org
• Sarah Maslowski, CYF Connector (MAS), cyf@mpls-synod.org
• Jen Rome, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, pastorjenrome@gmail.com
• Lisa Sampson, Grace Lutheran, Apple Valley, l.sampson@graceofav.org
• Josh Svenulski, Christus Victor, Apple Valley, josh@christusvictor.org
• Leisha Tays, Our Saviours, East Bethel, ltays@oursaviourslc.org
• Julie Vagle, Trinity Lutheran, Long Lake, juliev@trinitylonglake.org
• Kelsey Young, Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley, kelsey.young@sotv.org