If you have never attended an LYF assembly before, you are in for a real treat! This is the one event in our synod that is planned and lead by and for youth. Youth who are presently in grades 8 through 12 – and their advisors –  are welcome to participate. We will gather from June 17-19 at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.

The focus for this year’s assembly is, “God is Greater than Our Ups and Downs.“ Part of our time together will be spent exploring and wondering about Philippians 4:13, “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (The Message)

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

NEW FRIENDS: We make sure we spend a lot of time getting to know one another. As a result, strong friendships are formed with other Lutheran youth from around the synod that last a lifetime!

FUN AND PLAY: We enjoy playing some great group building games – games that we can take back to our home congregations. Saturday night we have a dance in Muhlenberg’s “Red Door Café,” complete with strobe light, a dance floor, tables, and space for playing games and having conversation.

CREATIVE AND MEANINGFUL WORSHIP: Several months before the assembly, a group of youth from the LYF board meet with a chaplain whom they’ve recruited, and work together to plan meaningful worship for the assembly. You never know where we might worship. One year we walked to a local park and moved our worship from one place in the park to another!

OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE CONCERNS: In what ways should the church participate in our world? Are you concerned about the environment? Poverty? World hunger? Other issues? Here is a place where you can talk about your concerns for the world and your hopes for the way that our church can make a difference. We often take some kind of action on the concerns and issues that we raise.

HELPFUL WORKSHOPS: You will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of workshops. In the past, there have been workshops focusing on group building games, yoga, drama in worship, crafts, prayer, learning about our companion synods and much more.  Participating in a workshop is a great way to learn something new – whether it is a skill or an idea or a new way of thinking. This year’s workshops will include one on creation care. One or two workshops will train participants to lead an activity for participants showing up on Sunday for the “pre-youth gathering gathering.”

ELECTING LEADERS: We elect youth to lead our organization. If you have leadership gifts that you would like to use, consider nominating yourself for president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer! Click on these links if you would are interested in serving as one of the Lutheran Youth Fellowship officers. Download and complete the 2016 Nomination Form, ask a friend to complete the  Peer Reference Form, and ask your pastor (or council president/vice president, or an Associate in Ministry if you don’t have a pastor) to complete the Pastor Reference Form.

EXCELLENT MEALS: You won’t go hungry at Muhlenberg! They have the best food (we should know – we’ve had our assemblies at lots of other places) and their staff is wonderful.

CHECK OUT THE NORTHEASTERN PA SYNOD ASSEMBLY: This year the Northeastern PA Synod Assembly will be held at the same time as the LYF Assembly. It, too, will be meeting in Allentown. If you would like to check it out and/or participate in some of the synod assembly, you are invited to take the shuttle from Muhlenberg College to the PPL Center at 11 AM on Friday, June 17. Those who attend will be able to participate in the synod’s “God’s Playground,” observe some of the business that is going on at the assembly, and get to meet some great people.

If this doesn’t interest you, registration will be held from 6-7 PM at Muhlenberg.

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What are you waiting for?  Follow the links in the right side bar to download a registration form, medical release form, and dorm agreement form (all three required for registration). If you need some financial assistance, follow the link for the scholarship form. See you at Muhlenberg College!

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IMPORTANT POLICY FOR ADVISORS: ALL advisors who are present at the assembly MUST have background checks completed within the past three years. For those of you looking for a way to have these completed inexpensively, please check the Lutheran Congregational Services website and talk with your pastor or council to see if your church is already using this program. If you need to have a background check, do it as soon as possible! Everyone – please send a copy of your background checks (criminal and child abuse) with your registration.

Questions? Please contact Karen Matthias-Long.