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2015 ELCA Youth Gathering

NE MN Synod Pre-Registration Informational Meetings

April 29, 2015

WELCOME!

OPENING DEVOTIO

Nhttp://www.sermonspice.com/product/37571/big-but

Why Are We Here?• Leadership Development

• Faith Formation

Leadership Development

Framing Youthwww.practicediscipleship.org

What is a Gather ing?• History

• 36,000 youth and adults

• Leadership Development

• Faith Formation

• More than an Event

ELCA Gather ing MissionThe ELCA Youth Gathering, a unique community by size and scope, exists to accompany young people in their faith journey, to claim their baptismal identity and articulate their faith in Jesus Christ.

Welcome to Detroit!Vibrant Detroit

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OAf45aVZXE

Why Detroit?• Not the whole story

• Detroit has much to teach us

• Journey to the cross: Join our brothers and sisters and Rise Up Together

• “In a culture of death, we choose to live the resurrection”

Safety & Securitywww.gatheringleaks.com

“Video Announcements Archive”

Getting Around DetroitAirport Shuttle

•Nearby hotels may have a shuttle

•Gathering is working for other options

If you fly to Detroit•Gathering Transportation will drop you off in the morning and bring you back in the evening

If you drive to Detroit•You will be able to use your vehicles throughout

Housing• Hotels are throughout the city and

suburbs• Budget for $150/room/night with 2-3

people in a room• Synods will not be housed together,

but efforts will be made to be close

Food• Work of the Gathering Teams to

connect with restaurants• Food trucks being contracted• Finding local groceries to support and

utilize for some meals• Cash & carry options at some hotels

Rise Up TogetherGospel of Mark

•Break Chains

•Bear Burdens

•Build Bridges

•Bring Hope

The Gathering Design• Proclaim Community• Proclaim Justice• Proclaim Story

Proclaim CommunityAct in a way that reflects God’s value for everybody, engaging one other’s story with respect and love.

Proclaim JusticeLive boldly in the face of injustice, crisis and suffering

Proclaim StoryDemonstrate the capacity to articulate their unique witness as part of God’s story.

Community LifeCommunity Life happens wherever the community gathers

Mass GatheringsMusic, speakers, dancing, inspiration!

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Gather ing Details

ALL of the GatheringJuly 12-15, 2015

•DAYLE - Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event

•MYLE - Multicultural Youth Leadership Event

July 15-19, 2015•ELCA Youth Gathering

Participant Eligibility(For ELCA Youth Gathering – This is Different for the Synod Journey)

Youth Participants•Must be in 8th-12th grade this Fall

•Youth graduating in 2015 can come!

Adult Participants•Must be at least 21 years old

Adult:Youth Ratio•Recommendation: 1 adult to 5 youth

•Requirement: 1 adult to 10 youth

3 Ways to A ttend in NE MN Synod:1. Register for the NE MN Synod Journey

2. Partner with an Organization Luther Crest Bible Camp

3. Organize Your Own Group

Registration for NON-Synod Journey• Registration Available Online ONLY• Fees

• $325/person program fee (includes $150 non-refundable deposit per person)

• Goes up to $375/person after January 15, 2015

• Participant Worksheets

Volunteer Opportunities• Gathering Volunteer Corps• Servant Companions• Community Life Volunteers

Application Links Open May 15:

www.elca.org/YouthGathering/Volunteer

Financial Assistance• Applications open May 15

• Covers Gathering Registration Fee for YOUTH participants (none available for adults)

Gathering Timeline2014May 15th:

volunteer applications open; financial assistance available; Gathering website goes live

September 15th: soft opening for registration

October 15th:official opening for registration

Gathering Timeline2015January 15th:

early-bird registration closes; registration fee goes up to $375

Late January:housing is assigned to registered congregations

March 15th: begin sending info to hotels

May 15th: registration closes, no additions/substitutions

More Information• ELCA Gathering website:

www.elca.org/gathering• ELCA Gathering Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/youthgathering• Gathering E-News• NE MN Synod Website:

www.nemnsynod.org/SynodJourney

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Questions?

The Synod Journey:Dig Deep and Rise Up

Know the Story

Be the Story

Tell the Story

What is the Synod Journey?

What is the Synod Journey?

•Dig Deep and Rise Up:Dig Deep and Rise Up:• ““Dig Deep” in your faithDig Deep” in your faith• ““Rise Up” as a leaderRise Up” as a leader

•Know the StoryKnow the Story•Be the StoryBe the Story•Tell the StoryTell the Story

Synod Journey Planning Team

Team Manager: Catherine AndersonCoordinator of Youth Ministry, NE MN Synod

Team Leaders:Adult Leader Support: Katie Rich

Luth Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth

Service Learning: Marty HancerTrinity Lutheran Church, Princeton

Worship: Erika NilsenLord of Life Lutheran Church, Baxter

HIGH Expectations!

• Yes, we do have high expectations:Yes, we do have high expectations:• Adult Leaders trained and ready to do ministryAdult Leaders trained and ready to do ministry• Youth who have experienced Bible Studies to help them prepare, Youth who have experienced Bible Studies to help them prepare,

process, and understand God at work.process, and understand God at work.• Cell Phone and Clothing Policies Cell Phone and Clothing Policies

• There are other options with different expectations – “a There are other options with different expectations – “a trip somewhere” vs “a process of development.”trip somewhere” vs “a process of development.”• Luther Crest is a great exampleLuther Crest is a great example• We fully support those programs, especially if it fits your group’s We fully support those programs, especially if it fits your group’s

needs bestneeds best

Who MAY participate?

•Youth in the 9th-12th grades during the 2014-2015 school year

•Adults over the age of 21 by July 2015

•Minimum of 1 adult per 7 youth• Maximum of 1 to 5

Who SHOULD participate?

• This is a big commitment• Journey itself: intense schedule• Financial and Time commitments that should not be

taken lightly• Full Year Including:

• Bible Studies• Trainings• Meetings• Fundraisers

• Participants will be challenged to “dig deep” in their faith and “rise up” as leaders.

Inviting Youth

• Disinterested• If you don’t like church, you probably won’t like this…

• Attending Resister• If your parents “make you go”, you probably won’t like this…

• Status Quo: • They often attend because their friends are involved or it’s the

“normal thing to do”• Really think about this and pray about this – is this a commitment

you’re willing to make? Or are you just interested because your friends are going?

Inviting Youth

• Seeker:• Young person wants to learn and asks a lot of

questions. • Yes! Come! You will love this!

• Committed:• Young person is serious about his/her faith and

tries to live it out on a daily basis• Yes! Come! You will love this!

Inviting Youth

• The spectrum of faith interest levels are only a guide – the Holy Spirit can and does work within everyone!• Consider: Will this be the best way to engage this

young person to grow in faith?• Will the expectations of the Synod Journey/ELCA Youth Gathering

frustrate or inspire this young person on their faith journey?

Bottom Line: We want young people growing in faith! How will that best happen for your youth?

Choosing Adult Leaders

• Be Intentional! • A committed faith centered in Christ• Cares deeply for youth and is able to relate well with youth• Mature• Focused on youth and their needs• Can be firm in setting boundaries and limits• Flexible and patient• Good common sense• Sense of humor• Committed and reliable• Makes good decisions under pressure

Choosing Adult Leaders

• Build a Team!• Male/Female Ratio• Early Risers/Night Owls• Extrovert/Introvert• Big Picture/Detail Oriented• Specific Skills• Organization• Health Care• Safety• Relational Ministry

Choosing Adult Leaders

•Meet with interested adults•Explain everything:• Trainings• Schedule• Their Role as Leader

•Keep them involved•Background Checks

Saturday, July 11Depart Minnesota; Arrive in Lansing

Settle in and Supper at Michigan State University

Adult Leader Meeting; Worship; Family Time

Michigan State UniversityStaying in Dorms; Eating in the Cafeteria

Lounge Areas in dorms; Volleyball and Green Space Outside

Intramural Building: Gyms and Workout Rooms; Pool;

Bookstore; Starbucks; Ice Cream

Sunday, July 12Breakfast at MSU

Worship and Lunch with local congregations

Group Activities; Lansing Lugnuts Baseball Game

Supper, Adult leader meeting, Worship, Family Time

Monday, July 13Breakfast at MSU

Servant Events; Lunch at Worksites

Supper at MSU

Adult Leader Meeting; Worship; Family Time

Tuesday, July 14Breakfast at MSU

Servant Events; Lunch at Work Sites

Supper at MSU; Riverboat Cruise/Dessert

Adult Leader Meeting; Worship; Family Time

Wednesday, July 15Leave Lansing around noon (or earlier, for special activities planned by your bus group.)

Begin ELCA Youth Gathering Schedule

Thursday - SaturdayThursday - SaturdayELCA Youth Gathering ScheduleELCA Youth Gathering Schedule

Sunday, July 19Sunday, July 19Load Buses at Hotel; Attend Closing Worship; Load Buses at Hotel; Attend Closing Worship; Synod Journey LunchSynod Journey Lunch

Depart for Minnesota – Arrive early, early, early July 20Depart for Minnesota – Arrive early, early, early July 20

Housing at MSU

• Two sleeping rooms, plus a small living room, bathroom, and shower• Each sleeping room has two twin beds

• MSU does NOT allow adults to be housed with youth• Adults may be housed with adults from another

congregation• Youth may be housed with youth from another

congregation

Cost and What’s Included:

• $1,050 (youth AND adults)• ELCA Gathering Registration Fee• Transportation• Housing• 12 Meals• Activities/Experiences in Lansing (baseball game;

river boat)• T-Shirt• Speaker and band• Administrative Costs• Adult Leader Trainings/Support• Adult Leader criminal background check fee

Meal Planning

• 12 Meals are included in the cost of the trip• 15 Meals are NOT included in the cost

• Saturday, July 11: Breakfast and Lunch on the Road• Wednesday, July 15: Lunch and Dinner in Detroit• Thursday through Saturday: Three Meals per day in Detroit• Sunday: Breakfast in Detroit, Dinner on the Road (Lunch is

included)• Groups may want to add some of these expenses to the

amount they fundraise

Fundraising

• “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21

We want our congregations filled with people whose hearts are with the youth. We want them to give, not just because we need the money, but because we want them to care about the youth – to care about Detroit – to care about the ministry and what God is doing.

Fundraising

• Inform• Who is going? Where? What will they be doing?

• Motivate• Why are you going? We want kids to grow in their faith.

We want our students to see God at work. • Ask

• Be honest: we need $_______• Thank

• People like to know their gift made a difference• When kids say “Thank You”, that also helps them process and

prepare for the event.

FundraisingPlease share some positive fundraising experiences.

What has worked well for you in your church?

Maybe it will work well for someone else, too!

Start Planning

• What am I going to do next?• Who can I call to help me?• Adults Leaders?• Students?• Parents?• People to help with fundraising?

• When should I start? • Start spreading the word though phone

calls/emails/newsletters• Host an informational meeting

• What information, specifically, do I want to share?

Stop Planning: Start Praying

• On the opposite side of the piece of paper, I want you to stop planning and start praying

Write down a prayer to God:What are you excited about?What are you worried about?Who are some people you want to pray for?

Dear God, please help me…

Planning and PrayingTwo sides of the same paper.

We need both! Do plan. But don’t focus so much on your plans that you forget God’s role in this.

When you are feeling overwhelmed, turn the piece of paper over and pray.

How to Register:

• Registration will be limited to 450 participants• Registration opens September 19• Make sure all forms are complete

• SYNOD Online Forms:• Adult Leader Registration Information• Youth Participant Registration Information• Room Assignment Requests: Lansing & Detroit

• SYNOD Printed forms to mail in:• Group Registration Form• Adult Leader Expectations and Covenant• Youth Participant Expectations and Covenant• Background check information and consent

(adults)• Confirmation letter will be sent by mid-October

If you are registering for the Synod Journey…

DO NOT REGISTER ONLINE WITH THE

ELCA YOUTH GATHERING!!!

Payment Schedule

• September 19, 2014: $250 per participant• with registration

• February 1, 2015: $400 per participant

• May 1, 2015: $400 per participant

Fall Trainings

• October 4: 9:30 – Noon

• October 5: 2:00 – 4:30

• October 12: 2:00 – 4:30

• Locations will be posted in August• Spring training dates/locations will be

announced in the fall

Any questions?