Yesterday we got into Houston around 2:00 in the morning. The flight was really nice and calming for me because I had a window seat and I watched lightning outside my window. Going to the hotel I was lucky enough to have Wade in the same car as me and have him sing every song on his playlist on our 30 minute drive to the hotel.
When we got to the hotel it was really big. The elevators have glass idols to look out into the hotel or out onto the garden across the street. Surprisingly me and everyone in my room slept really well, but when we woke up in the morning we realized our door doesn't like to close, but thankfully someone in our room decided to turn the lock on the door. I think around 2:30-3:00 everyone was hopefully asleep. -Emily V
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It's hard to believe that this is the day. The day we have been waiting for since we left Detroit three years ago. The day we have been working toward all year with extra team building, extra service learning and over the top fundraising. The day that God has prepared us for in advance. It is here! It is here and we are filled to the brim with emotions of all sorts ~ excitement, anticipation, exhaustion, apprehension, fear, anxiety, joy, hope, and wonder.
What is it that God has so lovingly prepared us for? Will we know it when we see it? When we hear it? When we meet him or her? Will we be awake enough to hear the good news? Brave enough to cross over our comfort line? Willing enough to speak truth? Loving enough to listen? Will we be changed once we return? Will we shine through our exhaustion? Will we be closer to one another after this shared experience? And exactly what will we do on our service day? The ELCA does an amazing job preparing and training us for this week but the one thing they keep under wraps is where it is we will be serving. This is kept a surprise until we are all loaded up on the bus and heading out. It is then and only then that we will know exactly where it is we will be accompanying others in the amazing city of Houston. This list of where we could land this year is as big as Houston itself. It ranges from hurricane cleanup, to pet rescue, to human trafficking awareness, to book fairs, to park beautification and that is honestly, just to name a few. Regardless of the where, we can't wait to share with you just how God stretched us and grew us and filled us, all the while using us to share His amazing grace and Her unconditional love through all the varying gifts we bring. Yes indeed. This Changes Everything! As we prepare for the gathering each time we go, we inevitably have questions about why we go in the first place. It's an expensive experience, after all, and there are plenty of other ways the church can be engaged in learning and service that are a heck of a lot cheaper. And yet, this is one a few experiences that give a glimpse of what the wider church looks like. The opportunity to worship and fellowship with 30,000 other people from across the ELCA is something that isn't experienced in other ways. If you have the time, take a look at Is it Worth It?, a blog post by Jennifer Shimota Krushas, an ELCA pastor. She describes the impact the National Youth Gathering has on young people. She writes: They will experience the Lutheran Church in a way that many of them never have before. They’ll see how big it is. That their congregation of 50 is part of something so alive and enormous, something that is big enough to say, “Let’s raise a million dollars to dig wells, so God’s children can drink clean water.” And then watch as a million dollars rolls in. That their little Trinity Lutheran in rural Iowa is a part of something so alive and intentional about bringing resurrection life everywhere that their 30 books are stacked on another congregation’s 25 books and the stacks grow until there are semi-trucks filled with books driving toward Houston, so that every child in a huge city can have a leg-up in literacy. The National Youth Gathering gives us all a chance to be part of something bigger. It allows us to see the many ways God is active and working in the world. Through worship and learning, playing and serving, we get to know what it's like to be part of the larger body of Christ. We discover new things about ourselves and see one another in new ways. Jennifer Shimota Krushas concludes: So, here’s the thing: Our kids will tell the story of the church. They will. And the same is true for our little group from Charlottesville. In the big and little things, we will learn about and experience God's love that changes everything. This experience will have a lasting impact on the youth and adults we send to Houston, changing them and changing the world. And that seems more than worth it.
Here's an overview of what our week will look like:
Tuesday, June 26th: Arrive in Houston Wednesday, June 27th: Go to a Houston Astros baseball game; Opening gathering Thursday, June 28th: Interactive learning day; Mass gathering Friday, June 29th: Synod day; Mass gathering Saturday, June 30th: Service learning day; Mass gathering Sunday, July 1st: Closing Worship Monday, July 2nd: Return home In addition to following this blog, check out @ELCAgathering and #ELCAYG2018 on social media to see what others are up to! It's hard to believe, but the National Youth Gathering is almost upon us! In just a week we will be flying out of Charlottesville to begin our journey to Houston. Final preparations are underway! This morning, Jennie and Vicar Melissa packed and organized the first aid kits we will take with us. As a group, we are finishing the cross key chains that we will give to those we meet. We are thrilled to announce that God has abundantly provided and we have raised almost all the money to make this trip possible. So thank you, thank you, thank you to all those who have donated in some way. From buying a donut on a Sunday morning, to hiring a crew of youth to assist with yard work or moving, your support has made this possible. We are so grateful for your partnership with us.
We have just $798.32 left to raise, which is about $66/person. If you are feeling called to contribute in some way, talk to Jennie or drop her a note. We'd be happy to plug you into this opportunity any way we can. We are working on staying hydrated and cool this week as we brace ourselves for the heat and humidity of Houston. We are excited to see how we will experience God's love in this place and look forward to sharing the love that changes everything! We will be posting a few times a day while in Houston, so be sure to check back in for updates. We can't wait to share this experience with all of you! |
Peace Lutheran YouthMiddle School Youth Group (grades 6-8) and a High School Youth Group (grades 9-12) meet weekly and also participate in Virginia Synod and ELCA youth events. Our youth are a vital part of Peace and we welcome all to join us! ArchivesCategories |