The 2025 Equipping Congregations Day has been cancelled due to low registration numbers. We are grateful to Pr. Todd Buegler, the Synod Youth Band, and the Workshop Presenters who have planned and prepared for this day. We are working to host future Zoom gatherings or capture recordings on topics of the ECD sessions. Please stay tuned for further information.

Full Refunds will be given.

Congregations of every size and context can nurture faith, create welcome, and embrace ministry with youth and young adults.

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Todd Buegler, Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna MN
Attend your choice of 2 out of 6 Workshops! Workshop descriptions and schedule will be posted soon!
-Lunch catered by Qdoba!
-$30 per person.

Share this event! Click here to view and download a bulletin insert.

Schedule
8:30 – 9:00 AM Coffee and Registration
9:00 – 9:30 Welcome/Hymn Sing – Synod Youth Band
9:30 – 10:20 Keynote Speaker Session 1 – Pr. Todd Buegler
10:20 – 10:30 Transition Time
10:30 – 11:30 Workshop 1
11:30 – 12:15 PM Lunch
12:15 – 1:15 Workshop 2
1:15 – 1:30 Transition Time
1:30 – 2:15 Keynote Speaker Session 2 – Todd Buegler
2:15 – 3:00 Worship and Sending – Synod Youth Band

Workshops
Attend your choice of 2 out of 4 Workshops!

Relationship Building
Presenter: Sophia Culuris, Luther Crest Day Camp Coordinator
Develop fun, hands-on skills to better engage with children and youth.

Engaging the Gifts of Young People in Worship
Presenter: Pr. Hans Peterson, Pastor at River of Hope in Hutchinson
Hans passionately agrees with Paul that “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Too often the gifts of the youngest members of our churches are not utilized in worship, the central way people of faith express reverence or allegiance to God. Hans and the SW MN Synod Youth Band will present some practical examples of ways to tap into the gifts of young people. Come prepared to sing, move and play instruments.

But Wait! We Don’t Have Many Children!”: Creative Ideas for Worship with ALL Ages
Presenters: Deacon Brenda Handel-Johnson, Deacon at First, St. Peter and Pr. Sherri Larson, Pastor at Ebenezer and Tripolis, Kandiyohi
Here is a chance to learn and share kid-friendly ideas and proven ways to involve children in worship, even if you don’t regularly have kids in worship!

Ushering, greeting, holding the door, counting worshipers, and other “behind the scenes” tasks can be shared among people of all ages. Creative ways to share the gospel might be centered on children but can be easily adapted and enjoyed by adults.

Participants will be invited to share their own best ideas for involving children, and we’ll brainstorm how those plans can be adapted for all God’s children from age 2 to 92!

Boundaries and Safety in Youth and Family Ministry
Pastor Heather Culuris, Synod Minister
Gather to consider best practices and safe boundaries in working with youth and families in ministry. How do our intentional practices open doors for ministry so that all God’s children can feel a sense of safety and belonging?