Hello AAA Adults,
If you are reading this letter you are a AAA (triple A) adult? What is a AAA adult? You are someone who is authentic, available and affirming in the life of a young person here in the congregation. Recently I had a group of JR and SR High youth gather together and identify AAA adults. You were named by at least one young person!! The youth want to invite you to be active in their events and lives in the coming year as a caring, AAA adult. Over the past year I have gained much insight into the value of cross-generational relationships, especially in faith formation! It is not so much what the youth do when they gather but more who they gather with.
Enclosed is a description of many opportunities on the calendar for the coming year. Some are overnight events, some week-long, and others are just a few hours. Some are here at the church building and others are at different ministry sites. Some are ongoing opportunities that can be done right in your home. Please prayerfully consider where you can be involved. Place an X by the activities that interest you and return the activity sheet to Bethany. Thank you for being a positive presence for our youth.
God Bless,

Your Name______________________________Phone#_______________

___ JR High Game Nights – Third Friday of each month beginning
in September 6:30-8:00PM
6th-8th graders join together for dinner and games. Some game nights are very active and others are quieter, indoor games. Caring adults could help plan games or just show up to enjoy.

___ Confirmation Guide – Wednesdays September – May 6:00-8:00PM
You will join a group of Confirmation students as their leader for the year. You will learn along side them during lesson time and also share time with them serving and playing. You will also have time each evening to talk with them about their everyday life and pray together. This is a great way to have a huge impact on our young people.

___ Luther Park JR and SR High Retreat – September 30-October 2
Join Immanuel youth at Luther Park’s welcoming Shalom retreat center for a weekend retreat. Bethany leads this retreat complete with Bible study, games, worship, music, food and more! This is a good way to escape the distractions of everyday life and get to know the youth.

___ Luther Park Recharge Dates October 7-8 (for 3-5 graders)
December 2-3 (for 6-8 graders)
Take 24 hours to recharge your spirit at Luther Park. Camp counselors lead this event that runs from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. A recharge is a taste of camp with music, Bible study, service projects and fellowship. This is a great way to experience Luther Park and spend time with Immanuel kids

___ Godstock: SR High Synod Youth Gathering – November 11-13
This is an annual gathering of SR High youth from the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin at the Plaza Hotel right here in Eau Claire. Although the event is close to home all participants and caring adults stay at the hotel for the weekend. You will experience two great Christian bands; Peder Eide and Lost and Found! Also, attend informative workshops and learn more about the youth activity in our synod.

___ Service Blitz – February 4
Purposely planned during Super Bowl weekend, this ELCA sponsored Souper Bowl of Caring event is a community-based service project. Caring adults will plan and facilitate a service project alongside Immanuel Youth. There are a lot of ways and places to serve in Eau Claire.

___ SR High Luther Park Retreat – February 17-20
Join Immanuel SR High youth at Luther Park’s Farmhouse. This quaint dwelling is a comfortable, cozy place to retreat for a few days. We enjoy Bible study, lots of conversation, games, and if weather permits…a good snowball fight! You will have the chance to really see the personalities of the youth who attend.

___ Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feast – February 28 3:30-7:30PM
Help Immanuel youth set up, serve and clean up a pancake dinner right in Luther Hall. This is a tasty celebration for the congregation before Lent begins.

___ Telemark: JR High Synod Youth Gathering April 28-29
This is an annual gathering of JR High youth from the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin at the Telemark Lodge in Cable, WI. The event is planned and led by the members of our synod’s Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO). You will experience great Christian music, workshops and relevant speakers.

___ 2006 SR High Mission Trip (Dates and service site to be announced)
If you want to get involved in one of the most life changing experiences, you should consider being a caring adult for the 2006 Mission Trip. We will once again serve through YouthWorks. Our site will be in one of the following places: Coastal Maine, Maine; Cortez, Colorado; Eastern Shore, Virginia, or Wind River Reservation, Wyoming. Youth will be selecting the site and trip date in August and the team will be formed in September. Caring adults will be expected to attend the monthly team meetings, help plan and run fundraisers and of course enjoy the trip!

___ 2006 ELCA National Youth Gathering July 8-13
Travel by bus with SR High youth to San Antonio, Texas for the National Youth Gathering. Four youth will be selected to represent Immanuel. You will join them in attending huge worship services with dynamic speakers and great music. You will spend days attending different workshops and an interaction center. This is an amazing experience where over 20,000 Lutherans gather to praise God! Caring adults will be expected to attend monthly team meetings beginning in February and of course enjoy the trip!

___ People in Prayer
God hears our prayers! We would like adults to pray for our youth and their life activities at church, home and school. Would you be willing to pray weekly for our young people as their faith is formed?

___ Hello and How are you?
Would you be willing to make young people feel welcome on Sunday mornings? A simple hello and how are you will go a long way in making them feel valued and important.

___ Baptismal Celebration
We would like to begin remembering and recognizing the baptismal dates of our young people. We will supply you with a list of names, baptismal dates, cards and mailing supplies. You will send a card with a personal note to each youth on the anniversary of their baptism as a special reminder of God’s love.

___ Rides To Worship
Some youth have said that they would come to worship more often on Sunday mornings if they had a ride. Are you able to offer them one? If so from which side of town? __ North __ South __East __West__ Altoona

___ Last Minute Caring Adult
Occasionally a worthwhile event will present itself with very little notice. Usually these events are passed up because it is too difficult to organize caring adults to assist. If you might be available to be called on short notice please mark the days below when you might be able to attend an event, usually in the evenings.
__Monday __Tuesday __Wed __Thursday __Friday __Sat __Sunday

___ Youth Mission Trip Mentor
As a mentor you meet one on one once a month with a youth to share faith conversation. Also you are invited to attend a mission team meeting every other month. This opportunity allows you to connect more deeply with one specific youth. The youth choose their own mentors, but sometimes they like to know who would be willing. Would you?

___ Youth Committee Member – 3rd Tuesday of the month 6-7PM
As a Youth Committee member you will attend a monthly meeting with other Immanuel adults and youth to shape and guide Immanuel’s youth ministry.