Report of the Committee for Youth Ministry
Members          Melissa Colquhoun, Chair          Lindsay Byron  
                        Carey Buss                               Christian Robson
                        Troy Miller                                 Pastor Bruce Gelhorn

Pastor Larry Ulrich (assistant to the Bishop)                   
Erin Dojack (2008-2010 planning committee for CLAY Gathering)

Committee meetings are in person.                   

1.  Highlights during the last biennium including information about ecumenical/wider church partnerships as well as tasks and/or events that focus on ministry that is fulfilling in God’s mission in the world, and what God has been doing through our committee work and mandate.

• New annual winter retreat, held “outside the perimeter”

2008- Thompson
2009- Kenora
2010- Gimli

• Assisted youth groups with planning on how to get to Edmonton for the start of the National Bus trip to Whitehorse, Yukon for the 2008 CLYG gathering
• Continuing with the monthly youth services at different churches
• Introduction of new members to the Prairie Fire band
• Welcomed three new members onto the Youth Committee
• Being available and open to conversations with congregations on developing youth work
• Annual leaders training event
• Library of resources available for use at the Synod office
• Ability to connect youth leaders together via e-mail and leadership building events
• Opening monthly youth services to anyone that believes in God
• Encouraging youth groups to open their doors to friends and the community
• Encouraging, supporting and fostering relationships between youth groups both urban and rural
• Encouraging youth to participate in the National and Synodical Church Conventions
• Encouraging the deans of MNO to lift up names of youth (via application process) to attend the National and Synodical Conventions
• Assisting youth groups to answer God’s call to be leaders in their congregation's efforts to become a greener church and to create greener communities, as set out for us at the 2008 Youth Gathering

2.  Mission and Ministry initiatives in the next biennium that address our theme and vision:  In Mission With Others – Led by God’s Word:

• MNO bus trip to London, Ontario for the 2010 youth gathering is happening and we have been asked by different youth groups/Synods, West of MNO to consider admitting non-MNO synod youth; same is being done
• Youth gathering is now called CLAY (Canadian Lutheran and Anglican Youth Gathering), therefore the bus trip will hopefully also contain both Lutheran and Anglican Youth
• Welcome three new members onto the Synod Youth Committee
• Continue to expand “beyond the Perimeter”, with the annual winter retreat and youth services
• Help the youth with the new Youth Project from the 2010 youth gathering and assisting to ensure that the old project “Greener Church” is not forgotten
• Continue to develop and foster relationships with Anglican youth
• Develop more learning opportunities for youth leaders