ELCA Youth Gathering Information Meeting
Who: Current 8th-12th grade students and adult leaders
What: ELCA Youth Gathering! The theme for this year is “This Changes Everything” and we’ll be talking about Ephesians 2:8-9 to understand how God’s gospel of grace changes everything in our lives.
When: June 24-July 2, 2018
Where: Houston, TX We will be stopping overnight on the way to TX and on our return to MN – most likely in Joplin, MO both directions.
Why: The ELCA Youth Gathering is held once every three years and is an opportunity for Lutheran teens across the country (and some internationally!) to gather together to learn from and serve our host city. Each day provides a different opportunity and focus for students to grow in faith, meet new people, worship together, and learn from the community and the people around us. What this means for us is a chance to understand our own faith and beliefs more deeply and to learn from the experiences of our host partners and Gathering speakers about advocacy, privilege, poverty, injustice, and faith.
Estimated Cost: $1,250; $200 deposit due to reserve your space. Cost includes transportation, housing, Gathering registration, meals except travel days, and activities during the week. Cost does not include spending money, offering for Sunday worship, or meals on travel days.
Travel: With fewer than 30 students attending, we will take 15-passenger vans. With more than 30 students attending, we will take a coach bus.
Leaders: We will cover 1/3 of leaders cost. Sometimes additional funds are raised that can reduce the cost of the trip further. If you are interested in being a leader please contact Kelsey Battleson for an application and additional information.
Fundraising: Partial fundraising is available. Holiday Boutique is December 2nd. Gerten’s Spring Plant Sale information goes out in February. Flowers are delivered during training on April 28th. Lions Garage Sale is the week of May 7th-12th. Students may send letters of support to family/friends at any time. Resources are available for assistance. Tentative Itinerary: 6/24 – Sunday – Travel Day to Joplin, MO 6/25 - Monday – Travel Day to San Antonio, TX 6/26 - Tuesday – Day of Fun & Travel Day to Houston, TX 6/27 - Wednesday – Gathering Check in and Worship at NRG Stadium. 6/28-6/30 – Thursday, Friday, Saturday – Proclaim Community/Proclaim Story/Proclaim Justice, Worship at NRG Stadium. Proclaim Community – Synod Day! Gather with all the teens from St. Paul Synod attending the gathering for a half-day of worship, activities, and community building. Proclaim Story – Experiential Learning Day! Head to the NRG Conference Center for service opportunities, games, donation opportunities, learning experiences, etc. Seven football fields of fun! Proclaim Justice – Service Day! We won’t know where we’re serving until we get on the bus, but be prepared for anything from relationship building/service learning, working at the food bank, reading with kids, painting, putting up a fence, clearing a trail, etc. 7/1 - Sunday – Morning worship at NRG Stadium & Travel Day to Joplin, MO 7/2 - Monday – Travel Day to King of Kings
Pre-trip & Post-trip Events: 8 Trainings - before we leave, beginning in November and going through June. Approximately 2 hours, 1x month. Participation in trainings is a requirement to travel. If you are unable to attend a training, you are expected to contact Kelsey to make up the training you’ve missed. Trainings will consist of: Bible Study Team Building Preparation for Service Trip Details (packing list, covenant, free day planning, etc.) Prayer Partners
Sending Blessing Event – Saturday, June 23rd (if less than 30 travelers), Sunday, June 24th (if more than 30 travelers).
Return Bible Study 3-4 opportunities to gather, serve, have fun, and debrief our experiences upon returning home.
Trip Calendar 11/5 – Training #1 12/3 – Training #2 1/7 – Training #3 2/3 – Training #4 3/4 – Training #5 4/15 – Training #6 4/28 – Training #7 Sometime in May/June – Pre-Trip Fun Day & Training #8! 6/23 or 6/24 – Traveler Sending & Prayer Partner Blessing (Pack the Vans if <30) 7/15 – Storytelling & Prayer Partner Gathering (Tentative)