Children are watching as we live out our faith. Rituals and traditions are important in all phases of life but especially for our little ones.
Explore recommended faith formation resources and events for Birth through Grade 5
"Let the children come to me."
- Matthew 19:14
Children's Ministry Resources
ELCA Partnerships: The ELCA also partners with a variety of organizations that publish children’s ministry resources, including:
- Augsburg Fortress — the publishing ministry of the ELCA
- Christian Education Network of the ELCA — supporting lifelong faith formation in the home and congregation
- ELCA World Hunger VBS & Other Educational Resources
- Sparkhouse — resources and curricula to help engage and build faith in your community from birth to adult
ELCA First Third of Life Faith Formation Resources for Children: Visit ministrylinks.online to browse many more ministry and seasonal resources for children! Some highlights include:
Curriculum Resources
Dollar Store Children's Sermons — RCL and Narrative Lectionary Based Children Sermons. Find an idea that will work for you, either as a full flushed out idea, or a springboard to get your creative juices flowing!
Godly Play — an approach to help children explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play
Table Salt Devotions — Lectionary-based family table devotions
- These are the work of Meghan Large Richter and Cassie McIntosh Overcash, former Youth & Family Interns for the NC Synod
- Feel free to copy and use for your congregation
- These are for non-profit use only
- We'd love to hear from you! Please share any stories of the placemats have been helpful — email Tammy Jones West
Other Ministry Resources
Faith Formation with Children — Vibrant Faith Resources for Faith Formation Innovation
Milestones Ministry — Recognizing God's presence in everyday moments
Ministry Architects — Free Tools and Resources for Children's Ministry
Practical Resources for Churches (PRC): Children’s Ministry— The NC Synod is excited to be a member of the PRC to offer you these resources for free! What is the PRC? Their mission is to provide faith communities time- effective, cost-efficient, and results-oriented programs and services to help your congregation fulfill your mission and ministry. Click the link above to have access to a plethora of webinars, materials, and other resources!
- ELCA Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation
- Keep Connected — Understanding Ages & Stages
- Parent Cue — Be the parent you want to be.
- Phase Guides — Make the most of every phase in your child's life.
Children's Faith Formation Events
The North Carolina Synod is one of only a handful of synods that offers programs synodically for 3rd-5th graders. It’s our opportunity to have youth gather with other Lutherans from around the state.
Our annual event is called YouthQuake and usually happens in October.
This age is such an important one to get kids excited about youth programs!
Join us for worship, music, fellowship, devotions and fun as we explore the seven Faith Practices. It’s simply a day to invite these youth into the youth and family ministry program of our synod. High school and college-age youth volunteer to serve as group leaders.
YouthQuake 2023 Details
- Date: TBD Spring 2023
- Time: TBD
- Location: TBD
- Registration Opens August 1
- Cost: TBD
As a synod, we are blessed to have two wonderful ELCA Outdoor Ministry Camps right in our backyard!
Check them both out to learn more about the programs they offer:
Celebrate Camp Month in February to promote summer camp for children, youth, and families! Promotional resources can be requested from both ministries in advance. Inquire about scheduling a camp representative to come visit, too!
Agapé † Kure Beach Ministries’ goal is to keep your youth group strong and growing by laying a foundation for its future members —the 3rd thru 5th graders at your church!
Often when children are old enough to attend a traditional youth group, they have already committed to other activities . . . leaving your church with only one half, one third, or even one quarter of the church's children attending regularly.
Bring your elementary age kids to Camp Agapé for BYG, a fun community building camp experience. Because most BYG weekends are made up of groups from several churches, your group will have fun interacting with others during different camp activities like, canoeing, crafts, hiking, etc.
While you are here, you and your campers will have:
- Caring college age counselors who will work with group leaders and campers to facilitate relationship building experiences.
- Time set aside for group leaders to be with their individual groups to plan, reflect, or simply be together.
- A flexible schedule that allows us to modify activities as needed.
For more information and the current dates of BYG Retreats, check out the Camp Agapé website or email Program Director Christa Hassler.
