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2009 ELCA Youth Gathering E-News
September 2009 ► Issue 16

Issues of the Gathering E-News are archived. Information about the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Thank you!

ELCA youth gathered in the Superdome.

 There are so many people and organizations to say thank you to for helping make the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering a meaningful, faith-building, service-filled gathering of youth and adults in the presence of God. The long list includes:
  • Youth participants -- ready to learn and serve!
  • Congregations and synods across the ELCA
  • Adult leaders and volunteers from congregations
  • The city of New Orleans
  • People who served us in hotels, restaurants, the Convention Center and Superdome, law enforcement, medical care, and businesses
  • Gathering Synod Coordinators and Ethnic Community Coordinators
  • Thousands of volunteers & Servant Companions
  • Community organizations and ministries that welcomed us into their ongoing recovery work
  • Gathering planning teams
  • The folks who produced the Getting Ready resources and videos leading up to the Gathering
  • And many, many more!
See, hear, and read what happened at the Gathering in New Orleans
Click your way to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering highlights page and find videos, photos, and news for each day of the Gathering.
Where will the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering be held?
As we thank God and all God's people for the Youth Gathering just completed in New Orleans, we're also looking ahead to plans for 2012. At this point, those who direct the ELCA Youth Gathering are prayerfully considering all options for the 2012 site. No decisions have been made; once they have been made, we will communicate them promptly. Stay tuned. And, of course, suggestions and comments are welcome at gathering@elca.org.
Gathering offerings: the sharing of God's gifts for ministry
The Gathering offerings are expressions of our service, abundance, thankfulness, concern, and generosity. The offering totals include:
  • Sunday Offering = $287,517
  • LYO Convention Offering = $1,607
  • MYLE Offerings = $2,057
  • DAYLE Offering = $308
  • Online Giving = $212,578
  • ELCA World Hunger funds = $154,488.96 (The Lutheran Youth Challenge)
Your ELCA World Hunger “change for change” has been counted!
Did you hear the news? The total of the “change for change” offering collected in Jackson Square in New Orleans totaled $154,488.96! Thank you!

When your gifts from New Orleans are added with the others, we’ve raised a grand total of $255,489.00 toward the $1 million goal of the 2009 Lutheran Youth Challenge. Thanks to your gifts, ELCA World Hunger is already providing food, water, health care, and education -- helping fight global poverty. In a world where one out of every 7 people faces hunger, you are making a change.

Remember, the youth gathering isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning. The Lutheran Youth Challenge continues through 2009. Remember what Bishop Hanson said at Sunday morning worship? God is not done with you yet! How will you continue to “be the change” back home?

Finally, did you see your pictures from our space in the Interaction Center? They’re now available for online viewing. Click here to take a look. Thanks for all you do. Be the change!

Highlight DVDs for sale
  • Highlights & More DVD ($10). Includes all the daily highlights plus the Li’l Luther, Bishop Hanson’s Journey to New Orleans, and much more!
  • Gathering to Go DVD ($20). A unique look at Jesus Justice Jazz and what it means for life after the Gathering. Great to share with your entire congregation and community.
  • Gathering Speakers DVD ($25). The main stage Gathering speakers. Includes Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, Don Miller, Spencer West, Michel Chikwanine, Liz McCartney, Venice Williams, Anne Mahlum, Pastor Jay Bakker, Becca Stevens, and Viola Vaughn.
  • The Gathering DVD Package ($45). Your best deal! All 3 DVD sets for one great price!
Take a Global Engagement Survey

Jesus Justice Jazz: The Tour

Concerts and service learning events are happening across the country this year.

You are invited to attend Jesus Justice Jazz: The Tour at one of the concert locations around the country. All are welcome to experience a powerful time of music and storytelling designed to inspire young people to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities and beyond.

Jesus Justice Jazz: The Tour features music by artists Agape, LOST AND FOUND, and Rachel Kurtz, and powerful youth testimonies. These events promise to re-ignite the hearts of Gathering participants and others looking for encouragement on their faith journey.

Donations and proceeds go to ELCA World Hunger.

Gathering facts and impacts:

  • ELCA youth and adults contributed an estimated 244,000 hours of volunteer service in New Orleans during the Gathering.
  • Every K-3rd grade student in New Orleans will receive a school supply kit.
  • Youth and Adults worked with:
    • 79 schools
    • 16 churches
    • 11 organizations building homes
    • 37 parks & playgrounds 
    • 21 community centers
    • 2 major public events
    • 5 reading fairs
  • ServantLife experiences involved:
    • 12,000 Gathering servants per day
    • 360 young adult volunteers per day
    • 300 buses per day
  • President Barack Obama sent a letter that was read to Gathering participants encouraging service and community responsibility.
  • About 300 youth donated their hair for chemotherapy patients.
  • 1,023 units of blood were given during the Gathering -- the most given by an event in The Blood Center's 50 year history!
  • 102,500 books were collected for the children of New Orleans.
  • Lots and lots of people asking, "Who are those people in orange shirts? (Opportunities for sharing the gospel in both word and action!)

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.