ELCA Youth 'Chill' at Bishops' Beach House and Other ''Hoods'

ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- With some dressed in straw hats, shorts and Hawaiian shirts, eight of the 65 synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) spoke with thousands of high- school-age Lutherans about abortion, capital punishment, homosexuality and other topics at the "Bishops' Beach House" held here at the ELCA Youth Gathering.
The ELCA Youth Gathering met at the America's Center June 28- July 2 and July 5-9. The two events brought together some 40,000 Lutheran young people and adults who engaged in worship, Bible study, community service and fun.
The Bishops' Beach House was part of the Youth Gathering's "G2K Learning Community," an afternoon program organized into "'Hoods." The 'Hoods were designed for the young people to share and exercise their God-given talents and gifts. Activities in the 'Hoods included Bible study, conversation, "interactive experiences," keynote presentations, singing and dancing, workshops and writing opportunities. Thousands of young Lutherans visited the Bishops' Beach House July 6-8.
"I don't believe that people should condemn gay, lesbian and bisexual people," said a young participant at the Bishops' Beach House July 7. "I have many friends that are gay or lesbian, and they go to church every Sunday. They tell me that they have found God," she said.
Another young participant asked the bishops their "position" on homosexuality. Homosexuality "is about who people are," said the Rev. E. Roy Riley, bishop of the ELCA New Jersey Synod, Trenton. "I have friends who are gay and lesbian, and they are faithful and committed people." Riley said the church has made it very clear about being "a welcoming place to all people. However, in some congregations and places, we are still working on becoming welcoming."
Other bishops at the Bishops' Beach House were the Rev. Paul J. Blom, ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Houston; the Rev. Juan Cobrda, ELCA Slovak Zion Synod, Niles, Ill.; the Rev. Duane C. Danielson, ELCA Western North Dakota Synod, Bismarck; the Rev. Ralph W. Dunkin, ELCA West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, Fairmont, W.Va.; the Rev. April Ulring Larson, ELCA La Crosse Area (Wis.) Synod; the Rev. Charles H. Maahs, ELCA Central States Synod, Shawnee Mission, Kan.; and the Rev. James F. Mauney, ELCA Virginia Synod, Salem.
The "African American Tent Revival" was a highlight of the G2K Learning Community. The revival featured The Straight Company, an a capella music group, and Bible study led by the Rev. O. Dennis Mims, St. James Lutheran Church, East Cleveland, Ohio.
"It's important that young people know about movin' on," said Mims. "How high can you fly? How far can you go in your faith life? School? How much better can you become from who you are now? We can dream bigger and better dreams. Dream, young people, dream. Make change happen in the world. Go beyond the barriers to make positive change in the world. You are now at the 'Cross Roads.'"
Mims told the young people to "move on" in life with the mind- set of accomplishment. "God has given you everything you need in Christ Jesus. You have so much power. Realize it," he said.
Hundreds of the young people made their way through "The Labyrinth" at the G2K Learning Community. The labyrinth is an ancient tool for reflection on one's life and one's spiritual journey. Its circumference was 40 feet. One young participant said, "The labyrinth is an active way of praying." After making their way through the labyrinth, participants reflected on their experience by discussing it with other walkers.
Six workshops for adult participants were offered at the G2K Learning Community. Workshops were called Timeless Principles for Youth Ministry; Faith Factors in Youth and Young Adults: Implications for Congregations, Outdoor Ministries, Campus Ministry and Families; Asset-building Games and Activities for Youth Groups; New Paradigms for Youth and Family Ministry; Absent in the Pews: Ministry with Young Adults; and Beyond Sardines: Nurturing Faith in Young People.
"Your job is to create a safe place where young people are encouraged to be themselves," said Rodger Nishioka, associate professor of Christian education, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga. Nishioka led the workshop called "Beyond Sardines: Nurturing Faith in Young People."
People at age 13 change their loyalties, said Nishioka. "They shift their allegiance from parents to peers. God is responsible for that shift. It is suppose to happen. Be grateful for it."
Nishioka said peers become the authority, "but the reality is parents still remain critical. They have power in culture. Peers are likely to desert in times of trouble, because they do not want to get in trouble. That is the time when parents step in."
"Ultimately God saves, not youth leaders. Faithful youth leaders help young people grow in their faith in Jesus Christ," said Nishioka. He offered "six tasks to help young people develop a mature faith" based on the book, "Faith Shaping," written by Stephen Jones.
The six tasks are "experiencing," religious experiences that have awakened a sense of mystery and wonder; "sorting," the ability of a young person to make sense of religious experiences and the complexities of the world; "claiming," the decision made by a young person about what is important in life; "deepening," the ability for a young person to deepen convictions, commitments and understandings; "separating," a process of examining alternatives; and "responding," the ability for a young person to discern a sense of his or her life calling.
"Growth in faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, but research tells us that what youth leaders say and do can either help or hinder a young person's openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit," Nishioka said.
Other G2K Learning opportunities included praying in small groups, learning how the Internet can be a "faith tool," and interpreting the Holy Bible from an international perspective.
Each day of the gathering began and ended with a mass gathering at the Trans World Dome, part of the America's Center. Morning mass gatherings featured Bible study; evening gatherings featured guest speakers; and both included music, dance, drama, video, storytelling, audience participation and worship.
Afternoon activities at "Dancing at the Cross Roads" were organized under four categories: "The Beat," an interaction center featuring sports, music and "the largest indoor adventure course ever built at a youth gathering," said the Rev. William "Bill" Kees, director for the ELCA Youth Gathering; "Two-Step Service in St. Louis," community service projects; "Hip Hoppin' Around St. Louis," activities designed for participants to learn about the history of St. Louis; and the G2K Learning Community.

For information contact:
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