Commonly Asked Questions

What are Joint Synod Events?

The Delaware-Maryland/Metro D.C. Synods hold events for Middle School and High School, 3rd-5th grades, and potential Middle School leaders. These are open to any youth within the two synods who is interested in joining an event filled with fun, fellowship, and faith.

 What is LYO?

LYO stands for Lutheran Youth Organization. This is a group of high school youth who apply and are chosen to be leaders for all Joint Delaware-Maryland/Metro D.C. Synod events. The develop as leaders and create content for the three joint synod events. LYO created events are open to all youth in all congregations in the two synods.

Who can attend a Conference Play+Pray?

Anyone and everyone in the age demographic. You do not have to attend a congregation in that conference to sign-up. You are not limited to signing up for just one. You can also bring a friend or two along.

What is the cost for all this?

Costs vary for joint events and are posted on the event page but are kept as low as possible. Both synods believe that cost should NEVER be a factor, so we also have scholarships available.

What else?

We also provide grants to any congregation that wants to team with another congregation. Check out our grant information to get $100 for the initial conversation with any other congregation and up to $1000 for whatever ideas come out of that initial conversation.

Committee

The Committee is currently comprised of youth- Breeze, Robin, Sarah, and Talia, lay leaders Valerie Mayer, Carrie Pritts, and Katharyn Wheeler and pastors Grace Casola, Tony Prinsen, and Eric Randolph. This group represents 5 conferences. We do not yet have representation from the Potomac conference. 

During the 2023 Synod Assembly, Resolution Number: 2023 - 003 was approved to establish a Metro D.C. Synod Youth + Family Ministry Committee. This committee will consist of at least three rostered ministers, three lay youth workers, and three youth/young adults, one each from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. We will also be attentive to other representational principles, including diversity aspirations as outlined in the Synod Constitution (Section 6.04). Members will be appointed by the Synod Council. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Katharyn Wheeler at kwheeler@metrodcelca.org.

You can view the overview of responsibilities of the committee in the document below.