February 21 - 23, 2025

Journey with Jesus:
Inescapable L(o)ve

Synod Youth Gathering for Middle School
& High School Youth 

Register Now
Group of young girls making dough together in a kitchen for a baking activity.
Design with the words 'Inescapable Love' in bold blue letters, with a heart-shaped fingerprint inside the letter 'O', and a Bible verse reference 'Romans 8:38-39' below.

About the Gathering

  • For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Romans 8:38-39 (NRSVUE)

  • God’s love is as much a part of us as the air that we breathe and cells that make up our bodies. The Bible says that NOTHING has the power to separate us from God’s love. This year, the synod youth gathering will explore ways we can know, share, and experience the love God has for us in Christ Jesus. 

Keynote Speaker

Pastor Jenn Pockat, Associate to the Bishop in our synod, will share her faith story with us and lead us in interactive bible study, play, and prayer as we explore the theme. Pastor Jenn grew up going to Sunday School every week with her family - in fact, there’s a sticker chart somewhere that proves it. It wasn’t until finding the Lutheran Church in middle school that she started to experience God’s love in a different way - through other people who taught her about grace for the first time and a worship experience that involved her. Pastor Jenn lives on a little farm in Caroline, Wisconsin with her husband Don and their cats. When she’s not working, she’s playing Nintendo or working in her garden.

A smiling woman wearing a black dress with a clerical collar, standing outdoors with autumn foliage in the background.

Event Details

  • Those in grades 6 -12 in the ECSW

    (and one or more accompanying adult for every eight youth)

  • Journey with Jesus - A synod youth gathering featuring keynote speaker, Pastor Jenn Pockat. Join other youth in the area for play, rest, reflection and making new friends.

  • Imago Dei Village, Clintonville, Wisconsin

  • February 21st, 2025 (6-7pm arrival) to February 23rd, 2025 (departure approximately 11 am)

  • $199 - Early bird registration through January 13th

    $249 - Standard registration January 14th - January 27th

How to Register

The best way to register is as a group. An interest form will invite students and their families to get all of the details you need to create a registration for each participant. Once we get closer to the event, a confirmation email will include all of the necessary permission forms. 

Attendee #1 should be the primary adult. Following each registration, in light gray there is an option to “add attendee.”  (Please note, do not add any punctuation in the phone number line.)

Can’t find a group? That’s okay - register as Attendee #1 and send an email to ecsw@ecsw.org to let us know you’re looking to join up with new friends.

Complete the Interest Form
Register Now

What can Youth Expect?

  • Neither Life nor Death | Jesus: God is with us through thick and thin because of the life and death of Christ. The things he said and the things he did model how our life can look and be. So if it’s about Jesus, who is he? How do we talk about him?

  • Nor Things Present nor Things to Come | Calls: God calls us to share light now through acts of justice and peace and calls us discern a future with purpose. What does God’s call look and sound like? How do you know if it’s a call from God?

  • Nor Height nor Depth nor anything else! | YOU: God is with us through the highs and the lows of life. More than a feeling, God’s presence is faithful and there are a couple of places God promises to be with you… no matter what: Word, Baptism, Meal. How can we experience a deeper, more authentic relationship with God and each other. 

    • Making Music

    • Jesus at the Movies

    • Creative Detour 

    • Communion Bread Baking

    • Spiritual Gifts

    • Service Project

    • Meditation and Relaxation 

    • Taste of Camp

Sponsorship

Don't have youth? Consider sponsoring the cost for one young person to attend. If you or your congregation would like to sponsor one or more youth to attend Journey with Jesus, click below on the registration link and check the “Sponsorship” box in the registration form. Questions? Contact ecsw@ecsw.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The planning team needs to get a sense of how large of a group to plan for - it would greatly help if you could register those whom you do have planning to come as soon as possible. We have some time yet to add those not yet sure about coming! 

  • Yes! Chat with Jeanne Jerks using the contact info below to get everyone registered. Please email ecsw@ecsw.org with your questions.

  • Sure do! Here is a printable PDF poster.

    Here’s a PDF slide and a PNG of the same image.

Questions?

Send an email to ecsw@ecsw.org or call us at (920) 734-5381.