WHAT IS THE YOUTH GATHERING? Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.
WHERE: New Orleans, Louisiana
WHEN: July 16 - 20, 2024 (with a day or two before and after for travel)
WHO: youth in 8th thru 12th grade (school year 2023-2024)
THEME: Created to Be We are created to be… ...brave, to show up with an open mind and heart, willing to be challenged. ...authentic, to bring our whole selves and know that we are loved by our Creator. ...free, to be transformed by the gospel. ...disruptive, to work for justice for all our siblings. ...disciples, to be sent out into the world to love our neighbor just as we are loved by God.
COSTS:
$375 registration if registered by 10/31/23 ($425 if register 11/1/23-2/14/24) ($475 if register 2/15-4/15/24) (registration amounts include non-refundable $150 registration fee)
$175 for hotel
$70/day for meals (approximation)
tbd for bus
?? for souvenirs
DEADLINE: October 31, 2023 for registration with non-refundable $150 registration fee
FUNDRAISERS: Thanksgiving pies, Lenten dinners, Easter Breakfast, Syttende Meatball Dinner, maple syrup sales, others may be added.
OPTIONAL FUNDRAISER: sell shares in the youth program People who purchase shares receive: a shareholder meal (on a Sunday evening), 1 pint of maple syrup, pictures of the group and the trip, 2 postcards from New Orleans about the Gathering experience, a thank you note.
EXPECTATIONS FROM PARTICIPANTS: 1. come to worship once or twice a month 2. help with worship before and after for a trip response 3. help with all fundraisers
