CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) who are committed to strengthening the Christian faith lives of youth and young adults will gather for the "Youth Extravaganza 2000" Feb. 4-7 at the Marriott Pavilion Hotel in St. Louis.
"The extravaganza is an annual training event sponsored by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network," said the Rev. Nathan C. Frambach, associate director for youth ministries and leadership, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.
The network is an organization that brings together youth ministry professionals from ELCA congregations and other expressions of the church that provide leadership in youth ministry.
"At the extravaganza youth ministry leaders will gather together for encouragement, support, inspiration and training for the ministry to which they've been called," said Frambach. "The training offered at the event is the kind that will help participants increase their capacity for effective leadership in youth ministries."
Frambach said the network is "gaining momentum and building credibility among youth ministry leaders in the ELCA. It has become a vital asset for youth ministry leaders in the church."
Keynote presentations will be led by Dr. Lorraine Monroe, executive director and founder of the School Leadership Academy at the Center for Educational Innovation, New York; the Rev. Pamela R. Fickenscher, pastor of "The Spirit Garage," Minneapolis, an ELCA congregation of young people; Leonard Sweet, dean of the Theological School at Drew University, Madison, N.J.; the Rev. David R. Ellingson, ELCA congregational ministry coordinator, Seattle; and Frambach.
Youth Extravaganza 2000 will feature more than 30 workshops. Topics range from global mission opportunities for youth to campus ministry.
Bible study will be led by the Rev. Jane Prestbye, Kent Lutheran Church, Kent, Wash. The Rev. Roland D. Martinson, a professor of pastoral care at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., will lead "Breakfast Round Table" discussions.
The event will feature worship and music from Ken Medema, Celia Whitler, Jonathan Rundman, the Peter Eide Band, Buck, The Pool Boys and Removed!.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
