
The ELCA Youth Leadership Summit is an annual gathering for high school youth identified as leaders and an adult representative from each synod.
Announcing the 2022 Youth Leadership Summit!
Gathering under the theme of “Beloved! No Matter What”, Nov 3-6 at Carol Joy Holling Camp in Ashland, Nebraska. Together we will learn peer ministry skills deepening our ability to share God’s love and grace through daily connections and living out the Samaritan story.
Who attends? Two youth in grades 9-12 and one adult per synod are invited to attend. Synods are asked to pay attention to gender, ethnic and ability diversity when selecting youth leaders to participate.
All lodging, most meals, and programming are provided by a gracious grant from the ELCA. Your synod’s responsibility is to provide the flights for the two youth and one adult attending from your synod, one meal while youth and their adults explore the city, and any incidentals they might incur during their travels.
The Youth Leadership Summit is a ministry of the ELCA and partners with the Christian Community and Leadership Home Area, the SYMBOL network, the ELCA Youth Gathering, 65 Synods across the United States, ELCA Disability Ministries and ELCA Ethnic Specific Ministries.
2022 YLS Beloved Welcome PacketImportant! Attendees must complete and bring the following two forms to the event and present them at registration.
2022 YLS Housing & Liability Agreement 2022 YLS Medical FormThe following is a PDF for participants to submit to their school as a request for an excused absence:
2022 ELCA Summit Absence Excuse Letter – ParticipantYour Leaders for the Summit
Josh Carlson (Peer Ministry Leader)
Hello! My name is Josh Carlson. I have been doing Youth Ministry for about 8 years, first at St. Andrew’s in Mahtomedi, MN and now in Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley, Arizona. I already miss the Minnesota winter! My first experience with Peer Ministry was in 2009 when I was trained as a High Schooler. Fun fact, that is the same year that Fireflies by Owl City came out! Peer Ministry was transformational for my life! Other important things to know about me; I am married and my wife Nicole and we have an awesome dog named Raleigh, I am currently a Seminary Student at Wartburg Theological Seminary, I am a nerd, I love being outdoors, and road trips. Also, I am so excited to be with everyone at the Summit this November!
Chaplains at the Summit Include:
Christina Montgomery, Libby Denton and Joe Davis
Rev. Christina Marthield Montgomery is a self-described Black Disabled Fat Femme Lesbian Woman who is an End-of-Life Doula and the pastor of First Lutheran Church of the Trinity in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. She received her MDiv in May 2021 from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). She lives in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago overlooking Lake Michigan with her wife Danielle and Danielle’s son, Ezekiel.
Other Special Guests
Anthony Eder (Panelist, Workshop Leader for Adults, DJ Cheddar and Director of Joy!)
After spending several years in Southern California, Anthony is back in the Midwest. He is living life with intention, hope, and curiosity. He is passionate about mental health care, advocating for our purpose, and creating a dance party anywhere we go. Anthony finds joy in knitting, music, laughing, road trips, and connecting with people on a deep level. He is always searching for new music, so send him ALL your suggestions!