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2009 ELCA Youth Gathering E-News
December 2008 ► Issue 8

The Gathering E-News will be sent to you each month and deliver Gathering information and news to you on New Orleans and beyond. Previous issues of the Gathering E-News are archived.

We are not alone!
While the excitement and anticipation grow for our gathering together as the body of Christ present in and with New Orleans, we can't forget that we are deep into the season of anticipating and remembering the birth of the Christ child.

This human expression of God's reconciling love for all people and creation -- Jesus -- is what gives us life, hope, purpose, reconnection with God, and reconnection with each other. What better time than now in the world and history to be reminded that we are loved, forgiven, and not alone!

Listen carefully this Advent to what the angel Gabriel has to say to the pregnant and perplexed Mary in the Gospel of Luke: "The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid. Nothing is impossible with God." Let these be the words we hear in our head, feel deep within, and live boldly in the world.

God's blessings and peace!

Heidi Hagstrom
Director for the ELCA Youth Gathering
 

Registration for the Gathering is closing December 31
The excitement and response for the Gathering in New Orleans has been amazing and inspiring! As a result, registration for the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering will close on December 31, 2008 (New Year's Eve). Please make sure that your group's registration is complete before December 31st. After this date you will not be able to access to your online congregational record.

Please check and complete the following:

  • Final registration changes and corrections.
  • Accuracy of cell phone and emergency numbers in your congregational record.
  • Double-check your congregation's room requests to ensure that it fits your group's needs. The Gathering will do its best to give every group as many 4-person rooms as possible.
  • Payment of the full registration deposit fee.

Send your full registration deposit payment by December 31st or your registration will be canceled so that congregations on the wait-list will be able to attend. Your payment information is provided in your online congregational record.

After registration has closed, housing assignments with balance due information and your list of youth and adult participants will be emailed to each primary leader by the end of January.
 

Getting Ready materials on the way
The most important part of preparing a group for the Gathering is the Getting Ready part. It's working with your group to:
  • Understand the context of New Orleans
  • Explore the meaning of the theme Jesus Justice Jazz
  • Talk about vocation and service learning
  • Prepare for the service you will be doing in your selected Interest Area
  • Make plans for continuing growth and ministry back home after the Gathering.
Each congregation's registered primary leader and adult(s) will receive a special monthly email with Getting Ready materials and lesson plans for January through June. The Getting Ready materials and study for January 2009 will be emailed to primary leaders in mid-December.

We know from past ELCA Youth Gathering evaluations that groups that have done careful, intentional, and prayerful preparation work in advance have strengthened and deepened their Gathering experiences.
 

Donate hair for chemotherapy patients
The Interaction Center in New Orleans will have a donation station for hair that is 8-10 inches in length. Come to the IC with clean, washed hair and a licensed hairstylist will give you a stylish haircut and send the hair to an organization working with cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy treatment. Stay tuned for more information.
 
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Download and use the Gathering logo files to make your own t-shirts, create your newsletters, and add to your Web sites.

Discuss the Gathering logo and what Jesus Justice Jazz means.

You are receiving this e-mail because you subscribed to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering E-News.  Unsubscribe from this list and stop receiving further Gathering E-News.  For general questions contact the ELCA Youth Gathering office at gathering@elca.org or 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2100.