CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Archbishop Desmond Tutu will address 45,000 high-school-age and adult Lutherans at the Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) this summer. Tutu will be among several speakers at the gathering's two back-to-back events: June 28-July 2, and July 5-9 at the America's Center in St. Louis.
"We know from our denominational partners that young people make an immediate connection with the Archbishop," said Heidi Hagstrom, ELCA associate director for the gathering.
Tutu will address the gathering on June 30 and July 7. Participants will focus on forgiveness and reconciliation those days.
"The impressive and courageous work that Archbishop Tutu accomplished on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and his leadership as chairperson of the Human Rights Violations Committee makes him the most significant and admired speaker on topics of forgiveness and reconciliation. Our young people need to hear his words of wisdom and encouragement as they seek to live out the gospel of Jesus Christ as Tutu has," Hagstrom said.
Tutu was ordained in the Anglican church in 1961. From 1978 to 1985 he served as general secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), a subsidiary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). The ELCA is a member of WCC. While general secretary, SACC became a vital institution in South African spiritual and political life, voicing the ideals and aspiration of millions of South African Christians.
Tutu's contribution to the cause of racial justice in South Africa was recognized when he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He is the Robert W. Woodruff Visiting Professor at Emory University in Atlanta.
Other presenters at the Youth Gathering include the Rev. Pamela R. Fickenscher, pastor of The Spirit Garage, Minneapolis, an ELCA congregation of people between the ages of 20 and 35; and Mike Yaconelli, Yreka, Calif., co-founder and owner of Youth Specialities, an international organization that trains and provides resources for more than 100,000 youth workers worldwide. Yaconelli is also a lay minister for Grace Community Church, a small church "for those who don't like church much," he said.
Bible study leaders include the Rev. Craig J. Lewis, senior pastor at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Paula Sturgeon, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Sunitha Mortha, a student at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. Luther is one of eight seminaries of the ELCA.
Along with presentations and Bible studies, the Gathering will feature more than 20 musicians and bands.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
