What Does a National Youth Gathering Look Like?

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Every three years we have the opportunity to attend this event, making it a triennial gathering. Over 30,000 youth and 5,000 leaders and presenters will attend. The upcoming gathering dates are July 14-19, 2015 in Detroit.

There are five major components to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering daily programming. Each day, youth, volunteers and their Adult Leaders will gather in Ford Field to hear the day’s Scripture text articulated by engaging speakers and Christian musicians, as well as stimulating video and interpretive dance. During the middle of the day, congregational groups will participate in a three-day activity rotation that includes a day of service in the Detroit metropolitan area (Proclaim Justice Day), a day of exploratory learning with other groups from their synod (Proclaim Story Day), and a day of interactive learning in the Convention Center (Proclaim Community Day).

The fifth program component is called Community Life, which takes place in various venues, including some hotels. The Community Life activities include dances, game rooms, prayer stations, and an activity called Final 15. The Final 15 was introduced at the 2006 ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio, and has been a program staple ever since. It is a 15-minute time period where everyone at the Gathering, regardless of where they are located, stops to pray and reflect on the Scripture of the day.

Check out the website to learn more: http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering. We are sending a great group of kids and adult leaders so please take note when you see fundraising opportunities to support this endeavor.