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Talking FAQs
for the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA
(rev. 05/08/08)
What is
the ELCA Youth Gathering?
The Gathering, with its sister leadership events, is a major
ministry of journeying and new life in community for high
school-age youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. Every three years, the Spirit calls diverse and
gifted young people and adults to this transforming way of
being Church and living in God's amazing grace. The ministry
and sister events of the Gathering include two youth
leadership events (MYLE and DAYLE) preceding the Gathering,
the Gathering, and the Lutheran Youth Organization
Convention. Each offers unique youth ministry gifts,
blessings, and resources for the church’s mission in the
world.
Young people are renewed in baptism, strengthened for wise
leadership, and empowered as public witnesses to the gospel
in music and worship, in compelling stories and testimony,
in Christ-like serving and seeking justice, and in biblical
reflection and learning. Learn more on the "About
the Gathering" page and the
Theological Statement for the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering
(http://www.elca.org/youth/gathering_theological09.html).
What’s the Gathering
theme for 2009?
The theme,
Jesus Justice Jazz,
blends the rich faith history, diverse cultures, and arts of
New Orleans. It will stretch our understandings of what it
means to live in relationship and service with each other in
the manner of Christ—for life!
The Gathering program will be different than Gatherings
before. Planning teams and staff are working with local
congregations and organizations, young people, and the city
to pay attention to what makes The City of New Orleans
unique, as well the changes it is going through as it
continues to recover after Hurricane Katrina. The focus will
be on
service and justice as we live our shared reality as
Christians: Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are
claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world.
(Mission Statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America)
What are the dates for the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering and
other events?
July 19-22, 2009 Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE),
New Orleans, LA
July 19-22, 2009 Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE),
New Orleans, LA
July 22-26, 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering (1 week),
New Orleans, LA
July 26-30, 2009 Triennial Convention of the Lutheran Youth
Organization, Hattiesburg, MS
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What is MYLE?
MYLE, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event, is a
pre-Gathering youth leadership event designed for youth of
color or whose primary language is other than English, and
for members of their congregations who are also attending
the Gathering. MYLE is a powerful time to celebrate cultural
and ethnic diversity while lifting up a variety of
leadership development experiences so that the ELCA may
better meet its goal of being a fully multicultural and
anti-racist church. MYLE will take place at the Sheraton
Hotel in downtown New Orleans.
What is DAYLE?
DAYLE is the Definitely Abled Youth Leadership Event, a
pre-Gathering leadership event designed for youth with
disabilities (cognitive or physical) and their caregivers.
DAYLE is a blessed time for developing and enhancing the
leadership skills of youth with disabilities, recognizing
that their participation in the leadership of the church
can, does, and will make a difference! DAYLE will take place
at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown New Orleans.
What is the Lutheran
Youth Organization Convention?
The Eight Triennial Convention of the
Lutheran Youth
Organization (LYO) will be held
in Hattiesburg, MS,
July 26-29, 2009
after the Gathering. This convention is a gathering of the
elected youth delegates from across all ELCA synods that
will make decisions and elect new leaders for the LYO.
Embraced by a network of adult advisors from across the
ELCA, the LYO Convention is a time for community learning
and sharing about issues of church and society that matter
most to youth who are already leaders in the ELCA. The
location for the LYO Convention is to be announced. There is no
registration fee for youth delegates and their adult
advisors. There will be a registration fee for Convention
visitors.
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Why New Orleans? Can
New Orleans handle a large Gathering?
New Orleans has been host city to previous youth gatherings
(1976 and 1997) and was in consideration for 2009 prior to
Hurricane Katrina (2005). After many meetings and
discussions with city and convention officials, consulting
with congregational leaders, and careful consideration, we
faced the question, “Why not New Orleans?” The question that
followed was, “How can we not go to New Orleans?” The Morial
Convention Center, Louisiana Superdome, and downtown areas
have all been rebuilt and improved since 2005; the city is
ready to go and has already been successfully hosting large
conventions.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other
denominations have been instrumental in the relief and
community recovery work in New Orleans since Hurricane
Katrina. It’s work that will need to continue for many years
to come. The commitment to hold the 2009 ELCA Youth
Gathering in New Orleans was made with these underlying
convictions: that the wider church needs to listen and dwell
with those who live in the Gulf Coast area; that there is
much for us to learn about being servants in Jesus’ name and
manner; that we have many powers and gifts to share as
partners in the ongoing work, and; it is a city ready and
eager to host us.
“While many in the country already may have forgotten or
want the nation to forget the tragedy and move on, some of
us recognize that a great human tragedy is still unfolding,”
(Heather L. Feltman, executive director for Lutheran
Disaster Response and director for ELCA Domestic Disaster
Response)
“Open your Bible and read again about how God repeatedly
chooses a special place to live, among the poor and
oppressed. Open it and read the challenge to us, as to the
prophets, to speak to those in power on behalf of those who
are not heard. As Christians, we cannot stand to ignore the
cries of people who have nothing. As Christians, we cannot
remain silent when our voices could mean a world of
difference to those in need.” (Andrew Genszler, director for
domestic policy, ELCA Washington Office)
For more information about the City of New Orleans go to The
New Orleans Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Web site at:
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/index.cfm
and the page of New Orleans links on the Gathering Web site
at: http://www.elca.org/youth/gathering_links.html
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What goes into
choosing a Gathering location?
A lot of research, discussions, and prayer! The process
begins about 6 years before the actual Gathering. Factors
that guide the decision include ample hotel and convention
center space, proximity of hotels to a convention center, a
covered
arena for mass gatherings, public transportation, a major
airport, the ability to work with city officials,
negotiating reasonable hotel prices and room blocks, and
availability of specific summer dates. About 4-5 cities in
the U.S. can currently accommodate the needs of the ELCA
Youth Gathering due to our size and programmatic needs. One
of those cities is New Orleans, a city that calls us in a
compelling way and has deepened our research, discussions,
and prayer.
Is New Orleans safe?
Tourist areas in New Orleans are as safe as those in any
large city. The safety and well-being of Gathering
participants—youth and adults—is of primary concern at every
Gathering. The police department and the City of New Orleans
are dedicated to providing thorough safety, security, and
emergency measures for participants. As was the practice of
previous Gatherings, ELCA staff and volunteers will be
present at all Gathering venues and hotels, community
service sites, and can also be reached through a 24-hour,
toll-free, information phone line. Adult leaders
accompanying groups will be required to attend a special
orientation at the beginning of the Gathering. Gathering
participants in the past have rarely encountered safety or
health problems, and we have no reason to expect anything
different in 2009. Read
more about safety in New Orleans at
http://www.elca.org/youth/gathering_safety.html .
We have a shared responsibility in making the Gathering a
safe and meaningful experience of God’s people gathered in a
particular place and time. When preparing with your youth
and parents, create covenants and guidelines that include
safety concerns, such as:
-
What to do in an emergency.
-
Exchange cell phone numbers.
-
Use the same common sense as you would when traveling in
any city.
-
Always walk or travel in a group of 3 or more.
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Let adult leaders know where you are going and who you are
with.
-
Be mindful of surroundings and what’s going on.
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Refrain from venturing into areas that are sparsely
populated, particularly after dark.
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Adhere to curfews.
-
Rely on the hotel concierge and front desk staff,
restaurant managers, Gathering staff and volunteers for
local recommendations or directions.
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Listen to your common sense and intuition.
-
Follow Gathering guidelines and procedures that will
include a detailed orientation to the city and suggestions
related to touring the city as respectful guests and
reflective disciples. An excellent resource for responsible
travel is Welcome Forward: A Field Guide for Global
Travelers
http://www.elca.org/globalmission/welcomeforward/
.
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How do we get to New
Orleans?
A growing number of congregational groups are choosing to
arrive by air. In New Orleans, you can fly into the Louis
Armstrong International Airport, 10 miles from the downtown
area. If you arrive in New Orleans by car, van or bus, the
Transportation Team is working to arrange a system that will
allow you to use and park your vehicle throughout the
Gathering. More information will be available as planning
details are finalized. Another popular option is for
neighboring congregations or synods to share in the cost of
chartering one or more busses with professional drivers.
New Orleans is known
for its wild French Quarter.
We don’t want our kids around the French Quarter. What
do we do?
The French Quarter and Bourbon Street are part of New
Orleans’ character and life. It’s a place of celebration and
also rich cultural history, restaurants, and music. It’s
also probably not the best place to turn young people loose
unsupervised in the evenings. The French Quarter isn’t the
only area of interest and activity in New Orleans. The
Gathering program will offer many options throughout the day
and evening for activities, music, dancing, worship,
service, learning, relaxing, and socializing in hotels and
other venues where Gathering staff and trained volunteers
will be present. It’s a full schedule!
As always, adult leaders set the tone and guidelines for
where groups go and what they do in the city. It is critical
that adult leaders initiate open and honest discussions with
parents and youth about what you will be doing, what kind of
witness your presence will be to the local community, and what you consider to be
appropriate in the city and during your entire experience,
including traveling to New Orleans and back. The Gathering
gives adult leaders the opportunity to help young people
process new experiences and the world through the lens of
the gospel, a practice youth will take with them into the
rest of their life.
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Will we be doing
service projects in New Orleans?
The Gathering program will involve community experiences and
volunteer service (see
Theological Statement). As with other program activities, these
experiences will be led and supervised by staff and
volunteers in addition to the people representing local
partner agencies such as Lutheran Disaster Response. Our
goals include:
-
Offering safe community service and learning
experiences through which young people will hear the life
stories of local residents
-
Moving deeper into community
issues and needs
-
Receiving and sharing the gospel
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Serving with compassion and imagination as God has done for
us.
Everything we do will strive to:
-
Look to Christ as our model of servanthood and love
-
Engage in doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly
with God. (Micah 6:8)
-
Work from an
understanding of “accompaniment”
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Build relationships that are mutual and respectful
-
Listen to the unique needs and stories of communities and
individuals
-
Develop understanding and awareness
-
Focus on justice and healing
-
Envision long-term relief and solutions as interdependent
communities
-
Create long-term partnerships beyond the immediate
experience in New Orleans
-
Understand service as more than physical labor or fixing
things
-
Inspire participants for lives of service and learning as
part of their baptismal vocation, including bold engagement
and witness in their local communities.
ELCA resources for learning more about the concept of
accompaniment:
Will New Orleans still
need assistance in their recovery in 2009?
Definitely, but not necessarily in the ways we imagine or are
accustomed to. Rebuilding and recovery will stretch over decades and also involves:
-
Emotional healing
-
Concerns of faith and spirituality
-
Economic redevelopment over many years
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Working with and being sensitive to cultural,
racial/ethnic, demographic, and socioeconomic changes
occurring
-
Developing new relationships and identities as
changing neighborhoods and communities
-
Being remembered and honoring memories
-
Creative imagination for what the future will be
-
Working for justice
-
Caring for thousands of people who are still displaced or
will never return to New Orleans
-
Rebuilding homes and reestablishing households
-
Paying attention to unanticipated needs or concerns that
arise over time
-
Flood and disaster prevention and response work
-
Supporting old and new businesses
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What about other
opportunities for service projects and volunteer work before
and after the Gathering?
Service learning as part of your travel is a great idea. Be sure to
do some research on the following Web sites if you are
interested in service learning on your way to or from New
Orleans:
Who is working on
planning the Gathering, DAYLE, and MYLE?
The people, organizations, and networks working together to
plan a spiritually rich, safe, and meaningful experience for
youth include:
-
ELCA Youth Gathering and Youth Ministry staff
-
Gathering, MYLE, and DAYLE planning teams and volunteers
selected from across the country
-
Board of the Lutheran Youth Organization
-
ELCA Youth Ministry Network
-
Local congregational leaders in New Orleans
-
Synod youth and family ministry staff
-
ELCA churchwide staff representing a variety of programs
and units
-
New Orleans city officials
What age youth can
attend the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering?
Young people entering
high school by
September 2009, those already in high school, and those who
will graduate in 2009. (Yes, that includes youth going into
the 9th, 10th, 11th,
and 12th grades)
How many adult leaders
can we bring for our group?
You must have at least one adult for every nine youth. Most
groups find that having one adult for every five youth
provides better supervision and support. If your group has a
mix of genders, you must have both female and male adult
leaders. Adult leaders must be 21 years of age at the time
of the Gathering. The Gathering Web site has some
suggestions for
recruiting and selecting adult counselors.
Is financial assistance available for helping youth attend
the Gathering?
Yes! The ELCA Youth Gathering is committed to helping any
young person who wants to participate in the Gathering find
the financial resources to do so. The ELCA Youth Gathering
can provide financial assistance (the full registration fee)
for up to 1000 young people.
To request financial
assistance, please print, complete, sign, and mail or
fax in a Financial Assistance Application for each young
person for whom financial assistance is being requested.
The deadline for submitting request forms is July 31, 2008.
When does registration
open and close?
There is a unified
online registration
process for MYLE, DAYLE, and the Gathering. Online
registration instructions will be included in the Gathering
registration brochure to be mailed to all ELCA congregations
in April 2008.
Registration opens on September 15, 2008 and closes on
January 15, 2009 for each of these events
so that hotel lodging space and other local arrangements can
be finalized and confirmed in advance. Registration for the
LYO Convention opens January 1, 2009 and closes April 15,
2009.
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Can we open MIF
accounts to put our money into?
Yes, the
ELCA Mission Investment Fund will again be working
with congregations interested in opening Youth Ministry
MissionPlus investment accounts to save
money for the Gathering, MYLE and DAYLE, pay registration
fees, and provide access to funds during your time in New Orleans.
Your funds will also help support a variety of ELCA mission
and ministry efforts.
http://www.missioninvestmentfund.org/services/youthministry_plus.html
How can I volunteer
for the Gathering?
Opportunities
and information about volunteering for the Gathering are posted
at
www.elca.org/youth/gathering_volunteers. To volunteer, you must be at
least 19 years of age and out of high school for at least
one year. All volunteers must complete an application
process and a background check.
How do I pronounce
“New Orleans”?
According to the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau,
“New Orleans” is pronounced noo aw-lins or new or-lins or
new or-lee-yuns, but not new orleens (unless referring to
the actual street or the parish of or-leens, or when you're
singing). Confused yet?
How do I contact
someone about the Gathering, MYLE, DAYLE, or the LYO
Convention?
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(rev. 05/08/08)
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