The ELCA's National Youth Gathering opened today. Although I have been to one Gathering in the past (also in New Orleans, although I went as a youth), it still amazes me to see 37,000 Lutherans together in one place. The horrified/amazed looks on drivers' faces as masses of people walked down the streets, said it all! I'm sure that for onlookers, the sight of all of us tromping our way through the city was quite a sight to behold!


The theme of the Gathering is "Jesus, Justice, Jazz". Tonight's opening service was energizing and uplifting. The speakers focused their talks on subjects related to justice issues, specifically housing in New Orleans and advocacy work related to children in developing countries. I left the Gathering with a renewed sense of hope for the future after hearing inspiring stories of young people who have achieved great things in their short lifetimes. I am mindful of the difficulties which have faced youth and young adults since the beginning of time: most especially the belief of many that idealism is foolishness. The youth of our Church are full of idealistic beliefs and ideas about the world and their place in it. It is the Church's responsibility and gift to care for and nurture these dreams, passions, and visions for the sake of the Church, the world, and God's mission. These youth are not just the future of the Church, they are the Church right now. They have the will and ability to do great things today with our support, love, and encouragement.

The youth who are attending this Gathering from our congregations (St. Paul's and Grace) are no exception. They all have dreams and ambitions for their future. They are looking toward us, their Church families, to support, love, and encourage them today, tomorrow, and always. I am grateful for the opportunity God has given me to get to know these youth more personally. They are a blessing to me.

-Pr. Emily Leitzke

july 22, alyssa mosely

Tonight was our first night at the super dome. it started out with just everyone walking around getting to know different people. there was music going and then started the conga line. it was entertaining to watch but our group wasn't really up for it after the shopping and with us having our first experience of the rain in New Orleans. first it starts with little drops of water and the weather goes from really hot to really windy. stops and then you see one side of a building getting rained on then it pours, with all of us in the streets. it was funny and crazy all at the same time. we were running all down the streets to get to our hotel. we got to hear couple of peoples stories from volunteers building homes for the people that got hit with the disaster in 2004 to volunteers helping building schools for all over the world, whom aren't lucky enough to afford many things. we had lots of fun with the jazz music, "rock" concert and the hip hop dancing. with all the many people we hope to meet.
11:36

7/22/09 Casey Edsall

The day started off with a trip to Cafe Du Monde. Due to registering yesterday, we had off until tonight"s gathering session. The cafe was very historic and had very good coffee and beignet ( donut and funnel cake combined). From there we saw we walked across the city to the riverwalk ferry. We rode the river and back and headed to eat. Lunch was ate at The Gumbo Shop. The resturant mainly served different forms of gumbo, along with jumbalaya. The group split up and some went shopping while others came back and slept after a long morning. As a group we decided to swim and cool down and eat dinner at the superdome. However, there were only 4 food vendors for the 37,000 youth and adults. The group decided to wait for dinner after the welcoming gathering.

A christian rock band started off the gathering with some of their own songs, along with well-known christian songs. Next was a brass/jazz band, which was very good. The band was unique because they had a young boy around 7 years old, playing the trombone. After the band was a speaker that was recognized as the CNN Hero Of The Year in 2008. She has provided over 200 houses the Katrina victims. The next speaker were brothers that formed the organization Free The Children and have provided over 500 schools across the world. They told a few very good and memorable stories about poverty in countries they have visited. The gathering ended with the opening band and a mad rush of people on the streets of New Orleans. We are currently waiting for pizza and discussing the day we had.

Overall, our trip has been very good. We safely made it here and nothing has gone wrong other then the pouring that soaked us after lunch. The city is great and people are very nice. We are looking forward to continuing to have fun and being safe

Casey Edsall 10:45

Counting Down the Days...

Well, in exactly nine days and five minutes, a plane will be taking off from BWI, bound for New Orleans, Louisiana, and we'll be on it!

We've been tying up lots of loose ends here, and saying little prayers that we haven't forgotten anything major. (God gave me a few gifts and talents, but sadly, remembering small details doesn't seem to be one of them!)

If you do not yet have a list of "what to bring" to New Orleans, now is the time to call Grace or St. Paul's and ask for a reminder! We have a "trip booklet" that we'll be handing out on Sunday the 19th, as well as a description of our service project and the ELCA's "Gathering Guidebook". Please take a look at all three as soon as you get them, so we can all be "on the same page."

Also, both Grace and St. Paul's are planning to "comission" our New Orleans trippers at worship on the 19th, so if just being in worship isn't motivation enough, THIS is the Sunday to come!

Stay tuned in...more details to follow...

Welcome!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You have reached the one, the only, 2009 Grace/St. Paul's Youth Group Blog!

You must be so proud. :-)

Please tune in to this url from time to time as we prepare for the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana. And from July 21st to the 27th, you can hear the exciting stories of our voyage firsthand, from us: the youth and adult leaders of Grace and St. Paul's Lutheran Church!

We can't wait to go and represent our congregations in this nation-wide event, and we're thankful to have you following along with us and praying for us. Keep in touch!


--Pastor Tim