Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson has been an enthusiastic participant in this year's ELCA Youth Gathering. Held every three years, the Gathering draws tens of thousands of energetic Lutheran youth together for a week of worship, music, Bible study, service, learning, play, prayer, the witness of faithful leaders from around the world, reflection, caring for others and new friendships.
Here are some images of Bishop Hanson at the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering. |
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Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson meets a participant at the Definitely Abled Youth Leadership Event. The leadership development ministry known as DAYLE is designed to bless and empower gifted young people with a wide range of physical and cognitive/emotional differences so that they might grow as faithful, wise and courageous witnesses. (July 22, 2009) |
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Enjoying the experience, Bishop Hanson participates in a worship event at the DAYLE event. The ELCA invites all youth, no matter their abilities, into deeper participation in the ministries of their congregations, synods and the churchwide organization. (July 22, 2009) |
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Bishop Hanson address the participants of the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event. MYLE, as it is known, is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational event whose purpose is to equip young leaders across the ELCA of all ethnic backgrounds to help lead their congregations into fuller inclusion as a diverse church in a diverse world. (July 22, 2009) |
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Bishop Hanson anoints a young woman with the oil of Confirmation at the MYLE event. The scripture passage for the day was Jeremiah 31:33-34, “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” (July 22, 2009) |
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A humorous video showed Bishop Hanson making his way to New Orleans, participating in volunteer events the whole way, and ends with young adults rousing him from his bath, telling him "You're on!" The bishop proceeded to make a splash with his unique entrance to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering. (July 22, 2009) |
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Amid the roar of 37,000 youth, Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson exits his mobile bathtub. The presiding bishop of the ELCA is elected to a six-year term by the Churchwide Assembly. In addition to fulfilling such roles as preacher, teacher and administrator of the sacraments, he occasionally emcees an event almost too large for the Superdome! (July 22, 2009) |
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Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson greets the participants of the 2008 ELCA Youth Gathering. Jesus Justice Jazz, the theme for the gathering, draws from the rich faith history, diverse cultures and arts of New Orleans. The theme stretches participants' understanding of what it means to live in relationship and service with each other in the manner of Christ ... for life ... wherever they are. (July 22, 2009) |
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ELCA youth make Bishop Hanson an ad hoc King of the Carnival, a Mardi Gras tradition, during the opening of the Interaction Center at the Morial Convention Center. Participants can learn about global poverty and literacy, the environment, try their hands at a rope course, or relax at one of the many free cafes sponsored by churchwide units. (July 23, 2009) |
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Bishop Hanson obviously enjoys interacting with young people and embraces their enthusiasm and sense of play! (July 23, 2009) |
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Participants were led in word, song, and sacrament by Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson at the ELCA Youth Gathering's closing worship. "God is not finished with you yet," Hanson told those gathered, "God is calling you and God is counting on you." (July 26, 2009) |
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View more images and videos from the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering! |