FAQs
ELCA Youth Gathering
What happened to the program rotation (Synod Day, Interactive Learning, Accompaniment)?
After the 2024 Gathering, our team spent months listening to congregational leaders, youth participants, partners and consultants, and reviewing every evaluation we received. One message came through clearly: it’s time to evolve.
To better meet the needs of young people today and live into our vision of inspiring a movement of young people, we’re reimagining the Gathering experience. Groups won’t move through the traditional rotation (Synod Day, Interactive Learning, Accompaniment) as in past cycles, but those experiences will continue in new, creative ways designed for the latest generation.
Change can fuel uncertainty, but we’re confident that this shift will prompt fresh energy, connection and impact. We’re excited for what’s ahead — and we hope you’ll join us in imagining more, together.
What is SERVE?
SERVE is a brand-new, all-day experience during which you’ll get what so many of you have asked for — more time to serve and connect with people in the community. You’ll spend part of Monday doing hands-on service with local partners around the Twin Cities (the kind where you actually get your hands dirty!), then gather with other participants over lunch to reflect on and talk about how we can create real change back home. It’s about more than volunteering — it’s about living out our faith alongside others in authentic, lasting ways.
Spots are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis — so if this sounds like something you’d like your group to participate in, don’t wait to sign up! The cost per person is $100, which covers lunch, supplies, transportation, an interactive workshop, a T-shirt and floor seats during the opening night of the Mass Gathering.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes! Limited funds are available to offset the registration fees for the Gathering. Visit the Congregational Registration page to learn more.
Can I register with another congregation?
We strongly encourage congregations to register under their own individual congregational ID number. We are actively working with our registration company to see if congregational registrations can be linked. More information will be available prior to registration.
My organization is interested in showing up at the Gathering. Whom do I contact?
If your organization’s mission aligns with the Gathering’s vision of inspiring a movement of young people to boldly live out their faith, contact the Gathering office (gathering@elca.org) for consideration.
I know an awesome speaker or musician. How can I suggest them?
We love to learn about awesome speakers and musicians from our attendees. Send your idea to gathering@elca.org, and we’ll be sure to pass it on to our planning team for consideration.
Who will speak at Mass Gathering?
The Mass Gathering team spends nearly two years scouting potential speakers and musicians who align with the daily themes of the Gathering. Through careful planning and discernment, the team works to create a well-rounded lineup that will both inspire and challenge our young people to live out their faith. This process takes time, however, and typically the final lineup is not solidified until several months prior to the event. All speakers will share stories about imaging more love, welcome, grace, joy and courage.
Mass Gatherings are just one small part of the overall Gathering experience. We hope that participants will be inspired by conversations with locals, by our new programming and by the vibrance of the Twin Cities.
How can I volunteer at the Gathering?
We have three different volunteer opportunities for the 2027 Gathering. Individuals can volunteer for the Gathering Volunteer Corps (GVC), serve as a local volunteer or volunteer with the Young Adult Gathering. Responsibilities and commitments vary by category, but every volunteer must agree to a volunteer code of conduct and submit to a background check run by the ELCA.
Serving as a volunteer requires no application fee, but applicants offered a volunteer role will be asked to pay a $50 processing fee to cover a background check and ensure their attendance at the Gathering, MYLE, the tAble or the Young Adult Gathering. If this fee would prohibit you from serving, reach out to the Gathering office. To learn more about application dates, visit the Volunteer page.
Can I bring my baby or child under eighth grade to the Gathering, MYLE or the tAble?
No. Adult leaders are asked not to bring their infants, toddlers or young children to the Gathering. The ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE and the tAble are faith-formation events for youth in grades eight through 12 and their adult leaders. While serving as an adult leader at the Gathering, your full attention should be given to the registered youth participants in your congregational group.
How much does it cost to register for the Gathering?
The ELCA Youth Gathering has three different brackets for registration:
- Priority Registration (Oct. 21–Nov. 11, 2026): $450.
- Regular Registration (Nov. 12, 2026–Feb. 10, 2027): $525.
- Late Registration (Feb. 11–March 17, 2027): $575.
A nonrefundable, per-person deposit of $175 is due at time of registration for the Gathering and Young Adult Gathering and must be paid within the registration rate you expect to pay.
Note that hotel, meals and travel costs are not included in this registration fee. For more information, visit the Congregational Registration page. MYLE and the tAble do not require a registration fee, but participants must secure their spot with a nonrefundable housing deposit of $50. Meals are included in the pre-events, but housing is not. Congregations are encouraged to budget $198 (plus taxes) per room, per night. On average, rooms accommodate three people.
Are meals included in the registration fee?
No. Congregations are responsible for providing their own meals while at the Gathering. Minneapolis is known for its food, and there are plenty of great places to eat downtown, near all our venues. We are working on providing additional meal options such as food trucks and catered meals.
How do I register to attend?
Registration begins Oct. 21, 2026. Participants register as congregational groups, with one adult serving as the primary adult leader. The primary adult leader is the organizer for the group, receiving communications from the Gathering about housing, payments and any other relevant issues. Note that only those attending the event should utilize the registration system.
Who can attend the Gathering?
All ELCA congregations are invited to participate. Ecumenical partners are also encouraged to attend. Contact the Gathering office (gathering@elca.org) for more information.
Youth participants must be in eighth to 12th grade at time of registration (fall 2026). Adult leaders accompanying youth to the Gathering must be at least 21 years old at the time of the Gathering.
What is the theme for the Gathering?
The theme for the 2027 Gathering, MYLE, the tAble and the Young Adult Gathering is "Imagine More,” drawn from Ephesians 3:20 (Inclusive). To learn more about the theme, visit the “About” section.
When and where is the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering?
The 2027 Gathering will take place June 28–July 2, 2027, in Minneapolis, Minn. MYLE and the tAble will take place June 26-28, 2027, also in Minneapolis. The Young Adult Gathering will take place concurrent with the Gathering, June 28–July 2, 2027.
Pre-Events: MYLE and the tAble
Is financial assistance available for MYLE or the tAble?
No. However, congregations attending either event are welcome to apply for financial assistance to offset some of the cost of Gathering registration.
Can we attend only MYLE or the tAble?
MYLE and the tAble are part of the overall Gathering experience. If your group didn’t stay for the whole Gathering, it would be like walking out halfway through a movie! If you are considering attending only MYLE or the tAble, contact the Gathering office (gathering@elca.org).
There is no registration fee to participate in MYLE or the tAble. However, congregations pay a nonrefundable hotel deposit per person as part of their registration.
Meals are included during both pre-events. Housing costs follow the standard Gathering rates (approximately $198 per room, per night, plus tax, with an average of three people per room). We’ve structured costs to make participation accessible — and the more youth you bring, the lower your cost per person. By sharing rooms (up to four participants), you can stretch your budget and open the door for more young people to experience this life-changing pre-event.
Who can attend MYLE or the tAble?
MYLE is open to youth of color or whose primary language is other than English. Attendees must be in eighth to 12th grade at time of registration (fall 2026).
A congregational group may attend MYLE if at least half the group is people of color or whose primary language is other than English. If that is not the case, eligible attendees are encouraged to attend with an adult leader and then join their congregational group at the beginning of the Gathering.
The tAble is an event for youth who are 14 to 18 (or are engaged in a high school youth group or enrolled in high school or the vocational education equivalent) and who live with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. Youth who attend must be accompanied by an adult caregiver, whose registration fee to attend the Gathering afterward will be waived.
What is the theme for MYLE and the tAble?
The theme for MYLE and the tAble is “Imagine More,” centered on Ephesians 3:20 (Inclusive). To learn more about the theme, visit the “Theme” page. Daily themes for each event will vary and be customized to the community gathered.
Young Adult Gathering
Can I bring a baby or child to the Young Adult Gathering?
Young adults attending the ELCA Young Adult Gathering can bring their infants to Minneapolis. Note that infants and toddlers are not allowed to attend Mass Gathering events. Childcare will not be available as part of the event, but parents who would like to connect with other parents should reach out to young.adults@elca.org. Mass Gathering programming will be livestreamed for participants to view from their hotel rooms.
Is financial assistance available for the Young Adult Gathering?
Yes. Details are still being worked out — stay tuned for details on how to apply.
When is the registration fee for the Young Adult Gathering?
The ELCA Young Adult Gathering has three different brackets for registration:
- Priority Registration (Oct. 21–Nov. 11, 2026): $525.
- Regular Registration (Nov. 12, 2026–Feb. 10, 2027): $565.
- Late Registration (Feb. 11–March 17, 2027): $585.
A nonrefundable deposit of $175 per person is due at time of registration for the Young Adult Gathering and must be paid within the registration rate you expect to pay.
Note: this fee covers double occupancy room and some meals. For more information, visit the Young Adult Gathering page.
Who can attend the Young Adult Gathering?
Individuals who will be 18 to 35 at the time of the Gathering are invited to attend the Young Adult Gathering. We recognize that 18-35 is a wide age range and anticipate that most of our programming will be geared toward those 18 to 25 years old. All young-adult participants will be part of an age-based small group with whom they can connect throughout the Gathering.
Young-adult participants will be housed in a separate hotel from youth participants, and except for the Mass Gathering, their programming will be separate from that of the ELCA Youth Gathering.
What is the theme for the Young Adult Gathering?
The theme for the Young Adult Gathering is “Imagine More,” centered on Ephesians 3:20 (Inclusive). To learn more about the theme, visit the “theme” page.
Logistics
How do I find my congregation ID?
Each congregation in the ELCA has a unique, five-digit ID number that must be used to register for the Gathering. You can obtain your congregation’s ID number from your pastor, other church staff, your synod or the Gathering office (gathering@elca.org). If you’re an ecumenical partner, reach out to the Gathering office for a congregational ID.
Will there be an opportunity to check in a day or two early or stay later?
Most likely, yes! Gathering hotel contracts include a limited number of rooms available at the Gathering rate both before and after the event. Instructions for adding additional days to your stay will be included with the reservation.
When will housing assignments go out?
If a majority of your congregation is registered within the Priority Registration period, you will receive your housing assignment by Jan. 15, 2027. This will enable you to preview your hotel property if you are attending the 2027 ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza in Minneapolis. If you register after the priority period or make significant additions to your group after registering, you will receive your housing assignment sometime in the late winter / early spring 2027.
What happens if congregations add participants after housing is assigned?
If participants are added and the addition changes the number of rooms needed to accommodate your group, the Gathering may need to move your group to another hotel. The Gathering will never divide a congregation group between multiple hotel properties.
Can youth and adults share a room?
The Gathering works to honor the safety policies and practices established by individual congregations and synods. We always recommend that adults and youth sleep in separate rooms and never share a bed. Check with your synod for best practices related to safe boundaries between adults and youth.
Will synods be housed together?
No, synods will not be housed together during this cycle. Congregations will be assigned hotels based on how early they register, how many rooms they request and other factors.
Pro-tip: Register early!
Congregations that register the majority of their group during Priority Registration will be able to select their preferred hotel price. Our team will do its best to accommodate these requests but cannot guarantee that they will be met. Hotel accommodations in downtown Minneapolis are limited and in high demand. Congregations that register the majority of their group during Priority Registration will receive priority consideration for downtown assignments.
Can I choose my property or stay somewhere besides my assigned property?
No. To participate in the ELCA Youth Gathering, all registered participants are required to stay in the hotel to which their congregation is assigned. The Gathering requires congregations to stay at their assigned hotel for many reasons, including but not limited to risk management, logistics and agreements with the host city and local law enforcement.
How do I make reservations?
The Gathering assigns each congregation to a hotel during the late winter / early spring of the Gathering year, sharing the assignment via the congregation’s online registration account. This assignment includes: (1) the hotel’s name, address and contact information; (2) a room block assignment with the number of rooms your group has been assigned and a bed configuration for those rooms; and (3) instructions to submit your rooming list. You’ll work directly with our team and within our registration team to secure housing for your congregational group.
Where will we stay?
The Gathering has contracted with a variety of hotels, and they are excited to welcome everyone! Hotel rates will vary, but congregations are encouraged to budget $198 (plus tax) per room, per night. Room types (king, double/double) also vary, but for budgeting purposes you can expect that your congregation’s room block assignment will accommodate an average of three people per room.
