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Please join us in welcoming our companions to the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering!
The 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, La., July 18-22 is approaching. The Gathering provides an incredible experience for ELCA youth to encounter the faith community of 35,000 youth and adults. For 20 years, the International Companion Program has facilitated the presence and participation of youth from our companion churches who add the global dimension to the Gathering.
The program provides an amazing opportunity to extend to our companions the same hospitality, cross-cultural worship, education and celebration that we experience when we visit them. At the same time, ELCA young people will hear the gospel and experience our own community in new ways and will be stretched to understand different world views.
This year the Gathering is focusing on youth engagement with peace, justice and reconciliation. The ELCA will encourage your international companion synods to send youth who will help lift up the important peace-building work being done around the world.
For that reason, we are asking you and your synod's global mission leaders to consider the invitation to participate in the International Companion Program. This description gives more information. If you are interested in this program, please identify the name and email address for your synod's point person for this program and send this information to Sunitha Mortha at sunitha.mortha@elca.org before March 30.
MYLE and DAYLE 2012
July 16 - 18, 2012
Due to a great response, MYLE and DAYLE registrations have reached their capacity and have closed. We are so thrilled to have received such enthusiasm about the MYLE (Multicultural Youth Leadership Event) and DAYLE (Definitely Abled Youth Leadership Event) events this year!
Both MYLE and DAYLE will be held July 16-18, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, La. Those congregations that have already registered for the events will be contacted soon by email with additional event information and details.
For those registered for MYLE, we look forward to seeing you and your congregation at MYLE 2012! For more information, find and “Like” us on Facebook: ELCA MYLE 2012 and follow us on Twitter: @MYLE2012.
For those registered for DAYLE, we look forward to seeing you and your companion at DAYLE 2012! For more information, find and "Like" us on Facebook: ELCADAYLE 2012 and follow us on Twitter: @DAYLE2012.
MYLE young adult volunteers
The MYLE Planning Team will be recruiting young adult volunteers to serve at MYLE 2012. Volunteers will be small group leaders, leading groups of around 10 young people, and may assist with the event in other ways as well. There will be a $25 participation fee if selected to serve. All travel and registration expenses for volunteers will be covered and training will be provided prior to the event. Volunteers must be able to attend from July 15-18 and be at least one year post-high school (age 19-30). Keep an eye out on the MYLE Facebook page and MYLE ELCA website for upcoming application information if you are interested!
Lutheran Disaster Response service opportunities
Is your youth group looking for additional opportunities to serve, either on the way to or from New Orleans? Lutheran Disaster Response is on track to accept 100 volunteers from the Gathering the week before the event and up to 75 the week after. Groups will be collaborating with Transform Joplin, a 501-c3, in Missouri. Having a four to one ratio youth to sponsor is still advisable and the groups having some construction experience would give more flexibility in work placement.
If you are interested in participating in this service opportunity, please contact:
Duane Moudy
Lutheran Disaster Response Regional Coordinator
Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri
2130 N. Glenstone Ave.
Springfield, MO 65803
Direct: 314-422-5520
Fax: 417-862-3276
DuaneM@lfcs.org
Bulletin board
Director's blog -- "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…" (Matthew 25:35).
Matthew 25 is a familiar text to many of us, and because it is so familiar our brains might not fully comprehend its power to refocus our way of living in the world. On the Practice Discipleship day at the Gathering, young people will ponder what it really means to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus.
It is challenging to be a follower, especially since the rise of the extrovert ideal in 20th century U.S. culture. Think about it. Who usually gets rewarded with the best jobs or the most public acclaim and trust, and who gets noticed most often in a classroom, in a committee meeting, even in church? Often it is people who can attract the most attention and/or speak the loudest and most persuasively. It is usually the leader of the pack who fascinates and attracts us. Is this the posture of a follower of Jesus. | Read more »
Next Adult Training Webinar
Topic: "Strategic Planning"
Leader: Rev. Dennis "Tiger" McLuen
Date: Sunday, March 18, 2012
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Description: This session will help you think more clearly about the goals of effective youth ministry. We want to help you get past just having some good intentions for your programs. This will help move you past the busyness of your schedule to some clear plans that will keep you motivated in ministry. We will give you time to talk about your dreams, visions and goals for ministry.
This webinar will be facilitated by Dawn Trautman.
Space is limited to 500 participants. Please register early!
Topic: "Compassionate Justice and Service Learning"
Leaders: Dave Ellingson, Peggy Hahn and Mark Jackson
Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Description: This webinar will explore the concept of compassionate justice as part of "Practicing Justice," one of the ELCA Youth Gathering's central themes. The language of compassion, justice and accompaniment will be introduced, along with a biblical overview of justice and what it means to serve in Christ's name. In addition, leaders will learn a practical, four-step service learning model that can be used in preparing their groups for service and mission experiences, including how to adequately prepare a group, guide meaningful reflection, and share stories and experiences with others. We will end this session with an important conversation about what comes next – the Gathering is not a destination event, it is a preparation for ministry in your own neighborhood and the world around us!
This webinar will be facilitated by Dawn Trautman.
Space is limited to 500 participants. Please register early!
Connecting to the congregation
Is your group interested in serving as communion assistants?
Be a citizen and serve the saints! We are looking for youth groups of 1 person to 100 people to serve the Gathering in this way. If your group is interested in serving communion on Sunday morning during worship in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, please fill out the form below to volunteer for this servant experience. | Learn more and apply »
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$365 per person
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New CWTS fold-flat water bottles and
t-shirts now available.
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Gathering participants will use over 11,000 total hotel rooms in New Orleans.
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Greater New Orleans Foundation announces grants for coastal
coalitions. | Read more »
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800-638-3522, ext. 2100
Send your emails to gathering@elca.org.
ELCA Youth Gathering
8765 W. Higgins Rd. Chicago, IL 60631 |
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