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.
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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! Every three years as we gear up for the ELCA National Youth Gathering, we spend a lot of time preparing for the experience. Fundraising efforts get much of the attention, but we also use our youth group time to get ready for what we will encounter. This fall, we began talking about single stories. Single stories tell part of a story, but not the whole story, leaving out nuance and detail. To help further explain this concept, we watched a TED Talk given by Chimamanda Adichie who said it this way: "The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story." After watching this video, we shared with one another examples of single stories that we have heard and believed. We talked about single stories that have been used to define us or those we know. We explored questions like "What are moments that define your view of the world?" and "How might you hear different stories?". We wrestled with the danger of assuming a single story of people we have encountered (or will encounter) through service. We shared how we would look for more than a single story, both in our own Charlottesville community and in Houston. As we get ready for our day of service learning in Houston, we invite you to grapple with these questions along with us. When has a single story affected your perception of someone? When has a single story you held been wrong? How are you seeking out other voices to hear different stories? Thanks for joining us on this journey. Sending Prayer: Dear God, as people of faith we are called to move beyond charity and enter into relationships with people who are different from us, to walk alongside them in their mission, and to join them in building a better world. Guide us in our efforts to do this. Open our hearts and minds to hear the multitude of stories, not just one. In Jesus name. Amen. We're going to Houston! Stay tuned for more! For By GRACE You Have Been Save Through Faith, And This Is Not Your Own Doing; It is the Gift Of God. - Ephesians 2:8 |
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 |