Lutheran Students to Focus on Service, Social Justice at LSM-USA

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- More than 250 college-aged students will focus their time and energies on worship, service and social justice when they meet in San Diego Dec. 28-Jan. 1, 2006 for the annual gathering of the Lutheran Student Movement-USA (LSM-USA). The theme of this year's gathering is "Out of the Boat and Into the Water: A Faith Immersion" (Matthew 14: 25-27).
The San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina is the headquarters for the gathering.
LSM-USA is a national organization of college, university and seminary students who worship in the Lutheran tradition. Through LSM-USA, Lutheran students promote active participation of students in the life and mission of the Lutheran churches on their campuses and in their communities. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) supports LSM-USA as an active voice of students in the larger church through financial and organizational support.
In addition to service projects and worship, the gathering will feature Bible study, prayer, learning opportunities, business meetings and plenary sessions featuring keynote speakers.
"LSM-USA is a great place to meet people from around the country, to participate in worship and small groups and build a community," said Rebecca Sorensen, LSM-USA intern, ELCA Vocation and Education.
"This year we will have workshop leaders from the San Diego area representing nonprofit organizations. They will tell us about the work they do and talk about how students can get involved in service projects in their area," she said.
Among the service activities, Sorensen said, students will collect building materials from a demolished building at Carlton Hills Lutheran Church, Santee, Calif. The materials will be shipped to Mexico where they will be used to build orphanages. Other students will participate in a "border experience" during which they will travel to the U.S.-Mexico border and learn from border authorities about the work that goes on there, Sorensen said.
Students attending have been asked to bring used clothing with them for a clothing drive sponsored by the LSM National Council. The clothes will be given to a San Diego-area charity, she said. The drive focuses on homelessness, the organization's social justice concern this year.
Students can also participate in some post-gathering service opportunities in San Diego and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Speakers, worship leaders and preachers are the Rev. Kim Erno, program director, the Lutheran Center, Mexico City; the Rev. Ernie Hinojosa, pastor/developer, Camino Real Christian Fellowship (ELCA); San Antonio; Sunitha Mortha, associate director for global events and mission interpretation, ELCA Global Mission, Chicago; the Rev. Harvard Stephens, Jr., dean, Siebert Chapel, Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis.; the Rev. Maria A. Santa Cruz, Our Saviors Lutheran Church (ELCA), San Diego; and the Rev. William P. Yonker, pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod), East Dundee, Ill.
The Pool Boys, a contemporary Christian band, will provide music throughout the gathering.
Workshops will focus on subjects of specific interest for young adults. Subjects include how congregations serve immigrants and migrant workers, serving impoverished and hungry people, survivors of torture, border tensions, global service possibilities, responding to conflicts, reaching out to the next generation, creating a sustainable world, living a quality life, and Reconciling in Christ congregations and campus ministries.
LSM-USA will hold its annual legislative session during the event, at which students will discuss and debate various issues affecting members, the organization and the church. The organization will also elect officers for the coming year.
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Information about the LSM-USA Gathering is at http://www.lsm-usa.org/ on the Web.


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John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
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