Youth Event Registration
September 20-21 2026
Mar Lu Ridge, Jefferson, MD
Join us at Mar-Lu-Ridge for our Confirmation Retreat. We’ll get started on Sunday morning at Mar-Lu-Ridge at 11:00a.m. for worship. Confirmand families are encouraged to worship with us and then join us for lunch in the dining hall. All family members MUST register for lunch here. After lunch, families will depart and Confirmands will continue overnight into Monday(FCPS is off for Rosh Hashanah). The retreat will finish up at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. We will gather for relationship building, scripture study, outdoor adventures, great meals and lots of fun! A packing list will go out to registered participants as we get closer to the retreat! If the cost is a barrier, reach out to Pastor Kelsey scholarships are available.
2026 7th, 8th, and 9th Grade Confirmation Retreat
September 20-21 2026
Join us at Mar-Lu-Ridge for our Confirmation Retreat. We’ll get started on Sunday morning at Mar-Lu-Ridge at 11:00a.m. for worship. Confirmand families are encouraged to worship with us and then join us for lunch in the dining hall. All family members MUST register for lunch here. After lunch, families will depart and Confirmands will continue overnight into Monday(FCPS is off for Rosh Hashanah). The retreat will finish up at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. We will gather for relationship building, scripture study, outdoor adventures, great meals and lots of fun! A packing list will go out to registered participants as we get closer to the retreat! If the cost is a barrier, reach out to Pastor Kelsey scholarships are available.
Join the Confirmands and their families for lunch following worship on Sunday September 20th at Mar-Lu-Ridge. No need to register the confirmation student but please register each family member staying for lunch separately.
Confirmation Retreat Family Lunch
September 20th following 11:00 a.m. worship service
$15.50 per person
Join the Confirmands and their families for lunch following worship on Sunday September 20th at Mar-Lu-Ridge. No need to register the confirmation student but please register each family member staying for lunch separately.
Fields of Fear at Cox Farms
7th-12th grade
October 11, 2026
Meet at church at 6:30p.m. for carpool
Join us for our annual trip to Cox Farms for the spooky and scary “Fields of Fear.” Please RSVP to let us you’re you’re coming by buying this free “item.” All participants, adult chaperones included, will need to purchase their own tickets at fieldsoffear.coxfarmsva.com.
Fields of Fear at Cox Farms
7th-12th grade
October 11, 2026
Meet at church at 6:30p.m. for carpool
Join us for our annual trip to Cox Farms for the spooky and scary “Fields of Fear.” Please RSVP to let us you’re you’re coming by buying this free “item.” All participants, adult chaperones included, will need to purchase their own tickets at fieldsoffear.coxfarmsva.com.
Amazing Race DAY 7th-12th grade
November 2, 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
We're bringing the Amazing Race Camp we all know and love to the school year! On select days that FCPS has off of school, Pastor Kelsey and our youth will head into DC for adventures in service, learning, teamwork and exploring! Just like over the summer, students will meet Pastor Kelsey at the Franconia Springfield Metro at 9:00a.m. and return as close to 4:00p.m. as possible. Students will need to carry their own metro card and their packed lunch. Everyone will be on a team that figures out clues, navigates to destinations, and looks at a bible story together. Parent chaperones will be needed to make this a success.
Amazing Race DAY
7th-12th grade
November 2, 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
We're bringing the Amazing Race Camp we all know and love to the school year! On select days that FCPS has off of school, Pastor Kelsey and our youth will head into DC for adventures in service, learning, teamwork and exploring! Just like over the summer, students will meet Pastor Kelsey at the Franconia Springfield Metro at 9:00a.m. and return as close to 4:00p.m. as possible. Students will need to carry their own metro card and their packed lunch. Everyone will be on a team that figures out clues, navigates to destinations, and looks at a bible story together. Parent chaperones will be needed to make this a success.
If the cost is a barrier, please feel free to use one of our discount codes:
For a full scholarship use ABIDING100
for a 50% scholarship use ABIDING50
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Pastor Kelsey Kresse
7th-12th grade
Gather with middle and high school students from Lutheran Churches across the DC Metro, Maryland, and Delaware areas at Skycroft Retreat Center in Middletown MD November 20-22
This is a small group centered event, where middle and high school youth will be grouped with other youth of the same age/grade.
In addition to the small groups, large group gatherings will introduce the theme progression through worship and music; games will help form the weekend’s community; and service projects will invite youth to apply what they’re learning to hands-on service.
Cost - $200 per person includes program, lodging, meals, activities, and a t-shirt!
2026 Middle and High School Synod Youth Event
6th-12th grade
Gather with middle and high school students from Lutheran Churches across the DC Metro, Maryland, and Delaware areas at Skycroft Retreat Center in Middletown MD November 20-22
This is a small group centered event, where middle and high school youth will be grouped with other youth of the same age/grade.
In addition to the small groups, large group gatherings will introduce the theme progression through worship and music; games will help form the weekend’s community; and service projects will invite youth to apply what they’re learning to hands-on service.
Cost - $200 per person includes program, lodging, meals, activities, and a t-shirt!
10 Commandments of Youth Ministry at Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence
I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.
Enough said!
Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Foul language, curse words, etc. have no place in our youth ministry activities.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
We will remember to rest when appropriate and work when appropriate. When the opportunity arises, we will worship together and remember that we are representing Abiding Presence when we worship at other congregations.
Honor your father and mother.
Remember this covers all in authority, especially the pastor, event staff, and adult youth leaders!
Thou shall not kill
No guns, weapons, knives, etc. will be permitted. Further, no negative comments or insults about activities or people.
Thou shall not commit adultery.
All participants will act appropriately and respectfully towards one another at all times. Separate sleeping areas and personal boundaries will be respected.
Thou shall not steal.
Keep your hands to yourself and your own stuff.
Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
No gossiping or speaking negatively about people.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
We will treat everywhere we visit with the utmost respect remembering that we are guests.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Ok, so hopefully we won’t have too much trouble with the cattle thing!
I promise to abide by the above 10 Commandments for Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence Youth Ministry. While I understand that there is grace and forgiveness for my sins, I will take full responsibility for my actions.