LUTHERAN YOUTH SEEK TO IMPROVE THE WORLD

NEW ORLEANS (ELCA) -- "Almost one-fourth of our children in the United States live in poverty. That is not an act of God; there is no divine intervention saying that children must live in poverty," Paul Simon told 1,600 young people attending "Pale Blue Dot" -- a "trek" on political solutions to global problems -- offered at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Youth Gathering here July 23-27. Simon, a former U.S. Senator from Illinois, is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
"Poverty exists because of law and policy, and we have to help. You and I are people of hope, and you have to give of yourself and sacrifice some of yourself," said Simon. He offered several ways for young people to help.
"You must begin by studying the issues and write letters to your members of Congress," he said. "When you write a letter, you save a life. Many die before their natural time."
"The two greatest gifts from God are health and time. Use your time appropriately," urged Simon. "You must also be willing to show courage. Explore the area where you live and get acquainted with someone living in parts of the inner city or visit a prison," he said.
Simon challenged young people to answer two questions: "What kind of world do you want? What are you going to do to help build it?"
"I want you to be a person who doesn't walk by. What we need are people to link arms and are willing to reach out and cross barriers," he said.
"I was impressed by Senator Simon," said Jonathan Titus, Bethesda Lutheran Church, Ames, Iowa. "His message -- for us to do our part in our communities and for the world -- was important. I think one person can make a difference, and I am going to do my best," said Titus.
Young people also heard from Charles R. Baquet III, deputy director for the U.S. Peace Corps and former U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti. "I am a citizen of the world. My home is where I choose," he said. Baquet is a native of New Orleans.
Baquet spoke about the "meaning of hope" peace corps volunteers offer to help countless numbers of people around the world prepare for the future. "Any volunteer will tell you that they gain more from their experience than they gave. As a volunteer, I learned about attributes that I thought I never had, like perseverance, dedication, innovation and the ability to solve problems," he said. "It takes a lot of work to become a winner. It takes a lot of work to become a volunteer."
"We need to help support the Peace Corps, because the wealth and size of the United States should allow lots of money to be given for foreign aid," said Matthew Brent, Calvary Lutheran Church, Bronx, New York. "It is ridiculous that other countries, smaller in size like Denmark and Norway, give up to six percent more than the United States in foreign aid. The U.S. only provides one percent of its money to foreign aid," he said.
Participants took part in worship and sang with "Nightmusic," a jazz musical group, and gospel music soloist Romenita Henderson, Washington, D.C. Participants also heard from the Rev. Paul A. Wee, pastor of Reformation Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., and the Rev. Christopher M. Thomforde, president of Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany is one of 28 colleges and universities associated with the ELCA.
The trek included workshop topics such as feeding the world in the 21st century, the future of the church and simple lifestyles that can sustain the environment.

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