When: July 16-20
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Who: High School- 8th Grade- 12th Grade
The pandemic really put a hold on youth gatherings over the past few years, but it’s BACK! There is a long history in New Orleans with ELCA youth gatherings, so it is only appropriate that it’s back in a city that has held so much of its history. I’ll tell you a bit more, but there are few more pre-events that I’d like to start with. MYLE: MYLE is a pre-event to the main event for youth with multicultural backgrounds. This allows youth to gather who have something in common- navigating life in a multicultural family. They can find friends who have similar backgrounds from all over the country to share with, have fun with, praise with, all before the main event.
tAble: tAble is another pre-event to the main event specifically for youth with disabilities. Often, youth with differing abilities feel left out, anxious, and set to the side at bigger events. This pre-event will give them activities that meet their abilities with other youth who have the same unique and wonderful abilities. They can make friends who are like them before the bigger, main event.
Young Adult Gathering: This is BRAND NEW! This is for ages 19-35, for young adults. This is a great way for those who are still young at heart to have a great time gathering as they did as teenagers, together, in a space that a little more mature for them. What scripture inspired the theme this year? Psalm 139, specifically verse 14: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”
There will be themes through the week that will be the main focus each day, based on scripture:
We are created to be brave, based on Psalm 27
We are created to be authentic, based on Matthew 5:14-16
We are created to be free, based on Galatians 5:13-14
We are created to be disruptive, based on Matthew 21:12
We are created to be disciples, based on Matthew 22:36-40
The theme “Created to Be” is going to be the theme for all of the other gatherings connected to the official youth gathering this year, which is fantastic. This is just a teaser for the bigger presentation and informational event happening at Christ the King on August 30th at 6:30 where Sommer will present the general schedule, the timeline leading up to the event, our travel plans, fundraising plans, and give all of the registration details. If we can get the majority of our group to Priority Register, we will have first dibs on a hotel in our price range right in the French Quarter. Also, the earlier you register, the cheaper the deposit! For now, if your child is interested in the main event or even the other events (MYLE, tAble, Young Adult Gathering) please reach out to Sommer Loar at sloar@christ-the-king.org so that Sommer starts to get an idea of how many we have going.
If you are an adult who wants to be a chaperone, we definitely need you! Don’t worry, there will be down time to get out into the city and see what it has to offer too.
You don’t want to miss this! Hope to see you August 30th at 6:30 p.m.
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