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Hello! We are so glad you are here. Welcome to the Parish Professionals (Commissioned and Non-Commissioned church workers) page! Here you can find an updated calendar of events, access the directory, and find resources to support you in your professional growth. Our Parish Professionals executive board loves supporting you, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything, or have questions!
Click on the photo above to write an email to the Executive Board!
MN South District Youth Day
October 11, 2025
Concordia University, St. Paul
On Saturday, October 11th, over 220 youth in grades 6-12 and adults from 22 churches came together at Concordia St. Paul (CSP) for the first ever Minnesota South District Youth Day under the theme, “Remade.” The Day focused on 2 Corinthians 5:17 and how “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Rev. Craig McCourt spoke at the opening and closing mass events on how we are remade in Christ and remade with purpose. A band led by DPM Noah Gundermann and many CSP students and faculty, pointed to our identity in Christ with songs like “United in Christ,” “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” and “In Christ Alone.”
Youth had time to get to meet other youth from around Minnesota in the interactive zone where there were games like 9 Square, inflatable unicorn races, Bible trivia, and a coloring and craft room.
The afternoon was spent in breakout sessions where churches experienced a rotation of three sessions. The breakout session “Immanuel Journalling,” led by Heather Dimmel of Hosanna, Mankato, led students through an introduction to a unique journalling style. Using prompts to consider not only what you need to say to God, but also how God would see you and respond to you. This allows the practitioner to go deeper into journalling than solely writing their own thoughts and feelings. Centering the useful practice of journalling in God, and what He says, allows youth and adults alike to ensure they focus on what matters most—what God has to say. Youth were encouraged to find answers to what God says in Scripture and what it tells about God. Concordia St. Paul generously donated journals so each youth and adult in attendance was able to walk out of the District Youth Day prepared. Hosanna Lutheran Church also gave each person a sticker containing the various prompts needed for this style of journalling.
At another one of the breakout sessions, youth and adults got to work with the St. Paul Outreach Center (SPOC.) The mission was formed by the MN South District to serve the needs of the least of these, namely those recently released from prison and the homeless in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
During the breakout session Jim Seeman and David Mennicke shared powerful pictures and stories while students and adults got to assemble bags full of food and snacks that will be passed out to the homeless camps. Some got to make fire extinguishers (salt water in gallon water jugs). Many of the people that live in homeless camps use tarps as their shelter, and during the winter months it’s very common for them to build fires. Sadly, some of those fires can get out of hand and they use the fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
The St. Paul Outreach Center is a wonderful reflection of working as Jesus’ hands and feet. They are always looking for support and supplies. If you are interested in helping, please contact spoc@jehovahlutheran.org.
The last breakout session was a Church Worker Student Q&A led by CSP Director of Church Relations, Kristi Bauer, and CSP students. There were representatives of six CSP church worker programs: pre-deaconess, director of Christian outreach, director of Christian education, teacher, pre-seminary, and director of parish music. Students shared the basic idea of what each church work vocation does and their paths of how God called them into ministry.
The District Youth Day was planned by a volunteer group of Parish Professionals from the Minnesota South District whose mission statement was, “Through fellowship, worship, and service activities, the youth of the LCMS Minnesota South district will be strengthened in their identity in Christ.” There is a plan to continue with another District Youth Day next year and a “Save the Date” will be sent out as soon as possible.
Click on the image above for descriptions of each night’s presentation!
Click on the image above for more information!
The Gospel of John (ESV)
This annual event will be held on April 18, 2026, at Concordia University, St. Paul. There is a team competition AND an individual competition. Read more about it and start forming your teams!
You can check out the Parish Professionals directory here. Please know a password is required. You can reach out to the board or to the district office for this password: Christina Krentz.
