FAQs

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Lost and Found
Did you lose a valuable item (camera, phone, jewelry, glasses) in New Orleans? If so, there’s a chance we carried it back with us to Chicago. Please e-mail gathering@elca.org with a detailed description (and photo, if available) of what you’re missing, and we’ll see if we have it! Please indicate “Lost and Found” in the subject line of your message.

Can you explain the days – Practice Justice, Practice Peacemaking and Practice Discipleship?
Practice Justice will be the “Service” Day. It will begin in the Superdome with “dwelling in the Word” which is bible study and worship (Learn Justice), followed by a multi-media experience reminding young people about the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina (Walk Justice), followed by boarding a bus which will take groups to their service site (Practice Justice). Some groups will walk to their service site. All will return to the Superdome where they will unpack their experiences (Reflect Justice). Lunch is included. Not all justice experiences will involve physical work. Servants of Christ do whatever other need, and that may be listening and learning.

Practice Peacemaking will be the Interaction Center Day, will begin with “dwelling in the Word” (bible study/worship) in the auditorium at the Convention Center, and then groups are free to go to the Interaction Center and/or participate in other interactive learning opportunities (i.e., workshops) throughout the building.

Practice Discipleship Day will be working together as a SYNOD. Like the other two days, this day will begin with “dwelling in the Word” lead by a team of leaders from the synod, hopefully including the Bishop. Then groups will be sent into the city of New Orleans with guidance to focus on the 7 Faith Practices.

Each day will have 1/3 of the Gathering community assigned to Practice Justice; 1/3 assigned to Practice Peacemaking and 1/3 assigned to Practice Discipleship.  Groups are assigned the days and you will know each prior to coming.

Is there a way to minimize long lines?
No, when you have 36,000 people, plan to have long lines. Plan ahead as to what you are going to do in the long lines, sing songs, play games, meet new people, etc. Eventually there will be suggestions for activities you can use on the Gathering website.

Are buses that are coming to the Gathering going to be used for the Justice Day?
Yes, there will be an opportunity to subcontract your bus with the Youth Gathering. Congregations will be able to give the Gathering information at the time of registration, and you can go back into your registration account at any time an add it.

Where can I find the Director’s Blog?
There is a link to the Director’s blog included in the monthly gNews (e-newsletter), or you can go directly to blogs.elca.org/youthgathering.

Is the PowerPoint presentation available from the 3TC (ELCA Youth Ministry Network Third Tuesday Conversation) with Heidi Hagstrom?
Yes, www.elcaymnet.org/3tc.
 
When are MYLE & DAYLE and what are the costs?
July 16th-18th. Registration for each event is $150 per person and covers housing, food, and program. Both events will be housed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel New Orleans. Due to a great response, registration for both events is closed.
 
What is the Facebook page for the Gathering?
You can get to it from the elca.org/gathering site or directly at www.facebook.com/youthgathering.
 
When can a group sign up to serve (such as communion during the Gathering)?
It should be made available at registration time, and will be posted on the website.
 
Can a group stay in their hotel prior to or after the Gathering for the Gathering Rate cost?
Yes.
 
When is the final payment of the Gathering due?
This is NEW! Registration must be paid in full by May 26, 2012. DO NOT bring payments to the Gathering.
 
Are there going to be service projects?
Yes, but the director prefers to call them “justice experiences.”  They will take place on the assigned Practice Justice day.
 
When will those who applied for financial assistance know?
By the beginning of September. The $400,000 that was allotted is already spoken for. There is a waiting list, and the Youth Gathering staff is constantly seeking more funding.  Financial assistance application is CLOSED.
 
Can the groups stand on the east side of the dome instead of the west side where the sun is beating down on you?
It all depends on what the Superdome will allow for the flow of people into the building. There is a new, public space called “Champions Square” on the east side which includes more shaded areas. The Gathering staff is attending to the issue.
 
Will we have a chance to put in a request for “service” projects or selecting areas like we did in 2009?
No, the “justice experiences” will be assigned, but they will represent the same areas as 2009. There will be a particular focus on environment and literacy (because that is what New Orleans leaders tell us is needed now), but all areas will be represented.
 
Will there be shuttle from the airport to hotels?
Yes, more information on that later.
 
Will there be more food, so that New Orleans doesn’t run out of food again like in 2009?
Yes there will definitely be plenty of food. The food service company had mistakenly based the numbers on the LCMS Youth Gathering rather than the ELCA and that is why they ran out of food on the first night in 2009. The good news is that there is a new area of tailgating on the east side of the dome. www.superdome.com/square.
 
Are the registration forms online?
Yes, you can find a link to them (youth and adults) on the Gathering Facebook page and they are on the Gathering website.
 
If conferences travel together, can they lodge together?
The Gathering staff have made a commitment to housing whole synods together in the same hotel or geographically close hotels. They will TRY to accommodate all requests.
 
How do you get receptions in the Superdome like in 2009?
Heidi says that was something that they hadn’t planned for in 2009 and sort of got out of control for their small staff to manage. If this is offered as an option in 2012, the Gathering staff will give instructions on the website, and synods will have to take care of the arrangements themselves. Stay tuned.
 
How do youth apply to become EMCEES?
There will be an application process and it will be online.
 
How quickly does registration fill up?
In 2009, 10,000 people registered within the first hour and 24,000 people within 24 hours.
 
For the Interaction Center day (i.e., Practice Peacemaking), when do we go in or are we being assigned a time?
Most likely there will be assigned times, however, everyone will begin with “dwelling in the Word” and then be released to make their own choices for the remainder of the day. There will be interactive learning activities, including scheduled workshops, throughout the entire Convention Center, including the Interaction Center.
 
Can we be sure that our church groups are roomed next to each other?
The Gathering staff does the best to communicate with hotels about that, however, that doesn’t always happen and they can’t guarantee it either, so plan accordingly.
 
Will we be able to see some of the sites while at the Extravaganza?
Yes, there will be a bus tour available at the time of the Extravaganza and you will know your hotels prior to the Extravaganza too
 
When was the Gathering E-news (called gNews) started?
The first gNews was made available in May. You can register via the Gathering website and the old ones are archived there, too.
 
Once you have registered online, can you edit, change, delete names?
Yes, you will use your Congregational ID number as your code to get into the registration. You will be able to cancel someone, substitute someone (even adult for youth, which wasn’t available last time), and add someone.
 
Can we pay the deposit via credit card?
No the ELCA site doesn’t utilize credit cards, so you have to pay by check in the mail. And you cannot mail it earlier than Oct. 9th.
 
Can we get a speaker who can tell their story about surviving Hurricane Katrina?
Yes, most definitely.
 
What are Community Life activities going to be like?
Similar to 2009, including inflatables, game rooms, quiet rooms, karaoke, dances, etc.
 
Is Peter Mayer going to lead the houseband?
Yes
 
Is there a way to do an early service project prior to coming to the Gathering?
Yes, there will be some suggestions on the website
 
Will there be a Gathering choir or instrumental ensemble like in 2009?
No, not at this time.
 
Will there be workshops for youth to attend?
Yes, on the Practice Peacemaking day.
 
How can an adult be on a Gathering team?
There are 15 teams that are planning the Gathering, have them email gathering@elca.org and specify their gifts and talents and their name will be given to the appropriate team to consider.
 
Will the keynote speakers have more than 10 minutes of speaking time?
Yes, definitely!