On the YouTube channel for the ELCA there is a playlist of videos from the 2015 National Youth Gathering. Videos of all sorts are there: the big evening gatherings, highlight videos, interviews, and much more. To check it out, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD2BE6D47D7169CB5
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Day 5 - Closing Worship and Our Trip Back Home
This morning we got up and packed up to get ready to travel home, had a quick breakfast, and then loaded up our buses for one final trip to downtown Detroit for closing worship for the 2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering. There was plenty of high-energy music as a part of our worship service included liturgy, scripture reading, a sermon, prayers, and communion. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preached and also presided at communion. At the end of the worship service, they announced the city for the gathering in 2018: Houston, Texas.
Our bus drivers were able to find parking very close to Ford Field, so after the gathering was over, we loaded the buses quickly and got out of downtown amazingly fast, especially considering there were 30,000 other folks trying to leave at the same time, and with a Detroit Tigers baseball game begining across the street at Comerica Park! We drove about 30 miles out of town for a stop for lunch, and headed on the road for home.
The trip was uneventful, yet long, about 14 hours. We had a couple more stops along the way to stretch and to eat, and made it home around 2:00 a.m. Monday morning. The bus was quickly unloaded and we all headed home for much needed sleep.
We truly had a magnificent time, growing in our faith and growing together. Thank you to you all for your faithful prayer support and financial support. People supported us financially in so many ways, including our pizza fundraiser, concessions at the super sale, gifts from the foundation, the lutefisk dinner, the presidents’ dinner, through buy-a-mile, matching gifts, by providing food and gift cards for our breakfasts on the trip, to name just some. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We look forward to sharing our stories with you on August 2nd at the thank you luncheon after the 11:00 worship that day.
Our hotel in Allen Park, nicknamed "The Pink Palace"
Closing worship
Processional
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preached and presided at communion
At the end of worship, location for the 2018 gathering was announced: Houston
A Snapchat from a student during the bus ride home
A Snapchat from a student with gathering bracelets and temporary tattoos!
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Day 4 - Proclaim Story
Today we were able to sleep in a little -- breakfast was at 7:00 a.m. instead of 6:30. A little extra time always is good! After taking the shuttle from the hotel to the convention center, we attended morning worship, then had a little time for fun. We headed off for an early lunch in several groups to get a chance to eat at a restaurant instead of once again in the food court.
We then head back for our "Proclaim Story" day, where we met with all the youth and adults from our Minneapolis Area Synod who are here -- about 800 in all! There was singing and learning time led by youth from the synod. Our own Lucas Manke was one of the emcees, Caleb Birklid read scripture, and both did a great job. We also had a number of students and one of our adults who helped with greeting, ushering, assisting in worship, and serving communion. Our worship service with Holy Communion was led by our synod bishop, Ann Svennungsen.
Following that was the usual dance and supper time, then off to Ford Field for our evening program. The kids decided they wanted to do an extra little service project, so we bought a few cases of bottle water and passed them out along with a little thank you note to police officers and security people we met along the way to Ford Field. These folks have had been extra friendly and have carried out the important function of keeping us safe all week and helping 30,000 people move from place to place efficiently in downtown Detroit.
The theme of tonight's big program was "breaking chains." Once again, great music, singing, and dancing, with a strong selection of speakers. The big highlight for the youth was a special performance by the Christian rock band Skillet. They are a nationally known band. The kids were so excited, and they put on a great (and pretty loud) show.
Tomorrow morning will be closing worship, then we hop on our buses for the long drive home. A reminder to parents: We will be returning home in the wee hours of the morning very late Sunday night (actually Monday very early morning). Our estimated return time at this point is between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m., and we will have the kids call or text sometime on Sunday night to give a more accurate estimate on our arrival time.
Again, thank you the congregation for your prayerful and financial support of this great experience! Our youth have grown in their faith and in their caring for one another, and have a deeper appreciation for the larger church.
"Proclaim Story" session with the Minneapolis Area Synod
We then head back for our "Proclaim Story" day, where we met with all the youth and adults from our Minneapolis Area Synod who are here -- about 800 in all! There was singing and learning time led by youth from the synod. Our own Lucas Manke was one of the emcees, Caleb Birklid read scripture, and both did a great job. We also had a number of students and one of our adults who helped with greeting, ushering, assisting in worship, and serving communion. Our worship service with Holy Communion was led by our synod bishop, Ann Svennungsen.
Following that was the usual dance and supper time, then off to Ford Field for our evening program. The kids decided they wanted to do an extra little service project, so we bought a few cases of bottle water and passed them out along with a little thank you note to police officers and security people we met along the way to Ford Field. These folks have had been extra friendly and have carried out the important function of keeping us safe all week and helping 30,000 people move from place to place efficiently in downtown Detroit.
The theme of tonight's big program was "breaking chains." Once again, great music, singing, and dancing, with a strong selection of speakers. The big highlight for the youth was a special performance by the Christian rock band Skillet. They are a nationally known band. The kids were so excited, and they put on a great (and pretty loud) show.
Tomorrow morning will be closing worship, then we hop on our buses for the long drive home. A reminder to parents: We will be returning home in the wee hours of the morning very late Sunday night (actually Monday very early morning). Our estimated return time at this point is between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m., and we will have the kids call or text sometime on Sunday night to give a more accurate estimate on our arrival time.
Again, thank you the congregation for your prayerful and financial support of this great experience! Our youth have grown in their faith and in their caring for one another, and have a deeper appreciation for the larger church.
Morning worship
"Proclaim Story" session with the Minneapolis Area Synod
Getting ready for the evening program at Ford Field
Here's what 30,000 Lutherans look like!
The Christian rock band Skillet
Friday, July 17, 2015
Day 3 - Proclaim Justice Day
Today started out with morning worship -- hip-hop style once again. Our ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton spoke and also officiated at communion.
We then headed out for "Proclaim Justice Day," the day when participants from the gathering do community service. We headed over to Hart Plaza to wait for our assignment. Well, there was an issue today with the shuttle buses. The good news is that 97% of the 10,000 people for whom today was service day were able to accomplish theirs. The bad news is that our group was in the other 3%. After a very long wait on the plaza, organizers finally brought the remaining groups back to the convention center for lunch and some smaller service projects at the convention center itself, so we didn't actually get out into the Detroit community. The youth were naturally disappointed, but none-the-less upbeat and flexible. We still were able to do some work with moving and maintenance for the gathering itself, as well as make some winter hats that are distributed through local churches to people in need.
Next came supper and dances at the Renaissance Center, followed by our nightly big gathering at Ford Field. There were great speakers and music as usual, but then came the big surprise of the week -- a special surprise appearance by Legends of Motown, with singers from the Temptations and the Miracles! What a show they put on as they sang a 30-minute set of Motown medleys. The crowd roared their approval for the great show.
Our blog has not yet mentioned our breakfasts -- thank you so much to members of the congregation who so generously donated cereal, granola bars, pop tarts, and other for items for our breakfasts, along with donations of Wal-Mart gift cards which we have used to buy milk, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Gathering in the hotel each morning for breakfast has been a good community builder, as well as a way to make sure everyone is out of bed!
Thanks for the support and prayers!
We then headed out for "Proclaim Justice Day," the day when participants from the gathering do community service. We headed over to Hart Plaza to wait for our assignment. Well, there was an issue today with the shuttle buses. The good news is that 97% of the 10,000 people for whom today was service day were able to accomplish theirs. The bad news is that our group was in the other 3%. After a very long wait on the plaza, organizers finally brought the remaining groups back to the convention center for lunch and some smaller service projects at the convention center itself, so we didn't actually get out into the Detroit community. The youth were naturally disappointed, but none-the-less upbeat and flexible. We still were able to do some work with moving and maintenance for the gathering itself, as well as make some winter hats that are distributed through local churches to people in need.
Next came supper and dances at the Renaissance Center, followed by our nightly big gathering at Ford Field. There were great speakers and music as usual, but then came the big surprise of the week -- a special surprise appearance by Legends of Motown, with singers from the Temptations and the Miracles! What a show they put on as they sang a 30-minute set of Motown medleys. The crowd roared their approval for the great show.
Our blog has not yet mentioned our breakfasts -- thank you so much to members of the congregation who so generously donated cereal, granola bars, pop tarts, and other for items for our breakfasts, along with donations of Wal-Mart gift cards which we have used to buy milk, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Gathering in the hotel each morning for breakfast has been a good community builder, as well as a way to make sure everyone is out of bed!
Thanks for the support and prayers!
Making winter hats!
Getting ready for the evening program -- some needing to rest a little first!
The Legends of Motown, including members of the Temptations and the Miracles
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Day 2 - Thursday - Proclaim Community Day
What a day we had today! Today was our "Proclaim Community Day," a day filled with fun and learning around the Cobo Center (Detroit's convention center). We started the morning with worship and Holy Communion (Hip-hop worship! It was great and the kids loved it!).
After worship came the fun and learning time. There were many dozens of activities the students could participate in, including things like a zip line, bumper cars, mini golf, musicians, games of all kinds, meet representatives from all our ELCA Lutheran colleges, "stump the theologian", "water walk" to learn about the need for clean water in developing countries, donate blood, arts and crafts, poetry, prayer, and much, much more!
We took a break for lunch, and a number of students walked about four blocks to take the Coney Island Dog challenge, something Detroit is famous for with two competing "greasy spoon" hot dog shops. Both were excellent, and we were split between which was our favorite!
In the early evening, we returned to the Renaissance Center for dances and games and supper, then off to Ford Field for another evening of music and speakers. We had great seats tonight, so it was extra fun.
The people of Detroit are really starting to notice our presence. Click here if you would like to read a short article from a local newspaper about the impact we are having on the city.
Thank you to Zion for supporting our youth! We are growing in our faith, meeting other Lutheran young people from across the nation, and having a great time!
After worship came the fun and learning time. There were many dozens of activities the students could participate in, including things like a zip line, bumper cars, mini golf, musicians, games of all kinds, meet representatives from all our ELCA Lutheran colleges, "stump the theologian", "water walk" to learn about the need for clean water in developing countries, donate blood, arts and crafts, poetry, prayer, and much, much more!
We took a break for lunch, and a number of students walked about four blocks to take the Coney Island Dog challenge, something Detroit is famous for with two competing "greasy spoon" hot dog shops. Both were excellent, and we were split between which was our favorite!
In the early evening, we returned to the Renaissance Center for dances and games and supper, then off to Ford Field for another evening of music and speakers. We had great seats tonight, so it was extra fun.
The people of Detroit are really starting to notice our presence. Click here if you would like to read a short article from a local newspaper about the impact we are having on the city.
Thank you to Zion for supporting our youth! We are growing in our faith, meeting other Lutheran young people from across the nation, and having a great time!
Some of our Zion kids got to help lead the dancing during hip-hop worship
Coney Island Challenge lunch
Evening program at Ford Field
Yes, we are having fun
So I know Doug already posted but I thought I would add a couple highlights from the day as well. 
THE Rachel Kurtz
The idance
Ford field stage
OUr Zion dancers
With presiding Bishop Eaton
Yesterday was a free day, yet full of lots of STUFF.
From discovering the city, to yummy restaurants for lunch, to dances before heading to Ford Field.
Programming in the evening is always a highlight to the Gathering. With everyone under one roof, the energy is booming and the Holy Spirit is hard at work. Last night we heard from some great speakers- focusing on the topics of making a difference and that a little goes a long way.....we also learned our dance move of the day, voted via social media on whether Kittens or Puppies were liked more, and snag at the top of our lungs with the house band. Needless to say, we had a blast, and can't wait to go back tonight!
This morning, Thursday, we were up and out the door by 7am.... Once we got to Cobo center we started off the morning with worship with Agape..... Music, Gospel lesson, homily, and communion too!
Since then the youth have been in the exhibits, our interactive day, practicing community.....
Donating blood, zip line, painting murals, drinking root beer and talking reformation, basketball, and so so much more! Everyone is taking a break now and eating lunch- stay tune for that post later....
AGAPE
Enjoy our photos from the last few days!
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Day 1 - Opening Day
We had a great day today in Detroit. We had our only sleep-in day of the trip (9:00 am breakfast instead of 6:30 am), then headed downtown. We toured the area on foot to get the lay of the land. By then it was time for lunch. Because the official opening wasn't until evening, we had time to day to have a sit-down lunch. We split into groups - about 30 went to a Greek restaurant, another 20 to another fun American-style restaurant, as well as a couple of smaller groups.
Later we explored the Renaissance Center - a highlight there was the silent dance: all participants received a pair of wireless headphones that could be tuned to one of three channels - a top 40 channel, a Motown channel (we are in Detroit...) and a channel with a DJ who was in the room. The kids had a great time dancing, but the room itself was silent!
After a quick supper, we headed to Ford Field for the opening. It was a high-energy event, with great music and fantastic speakers.
Thanks to all for your prayers and financial support! The trip is a great experience!
Singing at the COBO Center
Ready for the excitement at Ford Field!
Later we explored the Renaissance Center - a highlight there was the silent dance: all participants received a pair of wireless headphones that could be tuned to one of three channels - a top 40 channel, a Motown channel (we are in Detroit...) and a channel with a DJ who was in the room. The kids had a great time dancing, but the room itself was silent!
After a quick supper, we headed to Ford Field for the opening. It was a high-energy event, with great music and fantastic speakers.
Thanks to all for your prayers and financial support! The trip is a great experience!
Singing at the COBO Center
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