 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans
ELCA Youth Gatherings are big national gatherings of Lutheran Youth in America. They happen every 3 years and are attended by thousands of young people. The last National Youth Gathering (NYG) was in San Antonio, TX and our congregation had 31 members of our youth there.
The 2009 NYG is in New Orleans, LA and of course we’re going to be there. This year we’re bringing 13 kids.
This kind of major trip requires a lot of planning, preparations and fundraising. Every participant will be responsible for the registration fee, which is $275, due around the beginning of September, 2008.
To find out more about Fundraisers check out this link.
But what is the upcoming 2009 NYG in New Orleans about?
In 2009, youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have the opportunity to enter into the stories of God’s activity in New Orleans, and recognize themselves as participants in God's story. Youth will have the opportunity to be public witnesses of their faith by learning about and practicing compassionate justice. Compassionate justice includes studying scripture, praying, knowing the world around us, actively helping, and truly caring about others.
As with each Gathering, the most important part of the experience is the blessing and sending that happens at the end. While the goal of our presence and service in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is to be part of the ongoing recovery of the community and people’s lives, what happens in New Orleans will not stay in New Orleans—we are sent home and into the world jazzed for justice, for kindness, and for humble walking with God.
By exploring God’s Word together and serving in New Orleans, young people will mature in faith, grow more confident in their witness of the gospel, and find themselves part of God’s unfolding story. They will make it their own story wherever they are and throughout their lives.
It’s all about serving like Jesus
We had an amazing time in New Orleans. Here are some pictures from our trip:
To find out more about 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans check out the official website of the gathering. |