The Lutheran Center is closed July 3 in observance of Independence Day and will reopen July 6, 2009. Happy 4th of July!

2009 ELCA Youth Gathering

Jesus Justice Jazz - New Orleans, July 22-26, 2009

 

Jesus Justice Jazz

A Gathering more like a servant school

Young girls playing drumsBased on Philippians 2:1-8, the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering will look and feel like a servant school. At the center of the Gathering program is a deepening of our awareness of God’s call to servanthood, and a deepening of the basic Christian practices by which we live our baptismal calling to servanthood throughout life.

Programming for the Gathering will follow a gospel-centered service learning model that includes preparation, action, reflection, and celebration.

Go to the Gathering Theme & Program page to learn more about this summer's Gathering and service opportunity. We're looking forward to gathering in New Orleans with over 37,000 young Lutheran youth and adults -- all children of God called to serve with compassion, energy, and excitement!


2009 ELCA Youth Gathering Offerings

An on-line offering catalog for the ELCA Youth Gathering offering is now posted and ready to use!

This on-line giving opportunity allows us to purchase the items youth will use during their service experiences in New Orleans. The best part is that the items will remain in New Orleans when ELCA youth leave. Send your youth, friends, and congregational members to the catalog to purchase items now.

Lutheran youth, their family and members of their congregations and synods have historically been very generous! They come to the Youth Gathering with arms full of gifts to contribute to the offering, items like cans of food, children’s books, or gift cards. The 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering’s focus on service and recovery in New Orleans makes it necessary to gather gifts earlier so that they can be in New Orleans BEFORE youth arrive. Learn more about the Gathering's 3 offering opportunities.


New deadline for paying balance due: June 25

Registration payments are now due by June 25 for the E-Z Check-In option. Final payments can also be made on-site in New Orleans, if you need to do so. To see your balance due, log back into your online congregational registration record and click on "Congregation Details."

Please mail checks for your Gathering registration fees to the following address. Remember to write your Congregational ID # on the memo line at bottom of your check. Send checks to:

ELCA Youth Gathering Registration
P.O. Box #798291
St. Louis, MO 63179-8000

You can also make corrections and substitutions on-line until June 25.

May 25 is the still the last day for making registration cancellations. Send cancellation requests to gathering@elca.org. No refunds are given for cancellations after May 25 or for no-shows in New Orleans.

Special registrations still open:


Youth needed to blog about the Gathering!

If you or someone you know might be interested in blogging from the ELCA Youth Gathering for The Lutheran magazine, please contact:

elizabeth.hunter@thelutheran.org by July 6.

The Lutheran needs youth to blog from the ELCA Youth Gathering for The
Lutheran
magazine. Your blogs may be crafted into a final story for The Lutheran's September issue. Please say if you are willing to blog about one of the following areas: Jesus, Justice, Jazz, Health & Wellness, Literacy, Housing, or Wealth & Poverty.

(For balance, we especially need youth who are male & youth who live west of the Mississippi.)

Gathering updates


GET SOCIAL!
Have you joined the Gathering Facebook Group? Lots of great sharing going on there! While you're at it, why not follow us on Twitter?
@JJJ09 - attendees info
@elcayouth -  home team


EXHIBITORS
We are just a few short weeks away from our 'go live' date in New Orleans
Important information
 

COVENANTS

Here are some thoughts on creating covenants with your group, and links to the Gathering Group Covenant that every group needs to complete.
 

DONATING BLOOD
You may be able to donate blood at the Interaction Center if you are at least 16 years old and pass the donor screening. If you are 16, you need to have a signed parental consent form with you. Information and consent form.PDF Format  
 

PRAYER MINISTRY AT THE GATHERING

Learn more about the power of prayer at the Gathering, and how you can help.


JESUS JUSTICE JAZZ COMMUNION WARE Created especially for the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering.

Pre-order your set now. Pick your set up following closing worship on July 26. If you prefer, Old Lutheran will ship it to you after the Gathering (shipping fee added).

 

BE A HEALTHY SERVANT
The Gathering and Wellplanet.orgare working together to offer tools for being healthy, faithful servants of Christ.
 

NEED AN AIRPORT SHUTTLE IN NEW ORLEANS? 
Flying into New Orleans and need a shuttle to your hotel. Make reservations now at Airport Shuttle New Orleansto get discounted rates.