A major part of growing up is defining who you are. Just as confirmation is our first public declaration of responsibility for our faith, there comes a time when you take responsibility for defining your identity. It goes beyond what others have told you and means you must truly embrace who you are and who you are becoming. This process of maturing is tough for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for people of multiethnic heritage. The decision to embrace and claim the richness of your heritage can be both empowering and isolating. When faced with merging faith and identity, the task can sometimes seem impossible.

If you have felt this way, you are not alone. The ELCA boasts NUMBER?!? members who say they are of multiethnic heritage. In June, the ELCA will sponsor Joys, Struggles, Discoveries: You Welcome Me, a leadership event for young adults of multiethnic heritage. Through this weekend event, you will meet with other young adults of multiethnic heritage while exploring and affirming the leadership gifts of this diverse, dynamic community.

Based on the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus gives advice on shaping a spiritual identity in and through him, Joys, Struggles, Discoveries will offer a safe place to talk about your identity-shaping experiences. In addition beginning the conversation about what it means to be a person of multiethnic heritage in the ELCA and in our pluralistic society, this event will establish mentoring relationships, identify existing and emerging leaders and create a network of multiethnic persons. We will explore successful strategies for multiracial leadership formation and ministry, vocation and community building.

Among the opportunities offered by the multimedia, interactive event are affinity groups that will discuss topics raised in large group sessions; vocational discussion; workshops; keynote presenters; discussions of what it means to claim multiethnic heritage; Bible study; contemporary worship; and other leadership development activities. We will also enjoy varied cuisines from across the globe.

This event is designed for a group of 30 young adults of multiethnic heritage from a broad variety of ethnic communities. Other attendees may include leaders of the ELCA program units for Multicultural Ministries, Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission, Vocation and Education and young adult staff members. The goal is to give staffers the opportunity to hear firsthand the unique experiences of event attendees.

This event is funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Multicultural Ministries, Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission, Vocation and Education, and Church in Society.

For more information about registration please contact:
Joseph Villalon, ELCA Multicultural Ministries, telephone, 800-638-3522, ext. 2465
or e-mail, joseph.villalon@elca.org