HSM ELCA Youth Gathering 2018
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The theme of the 2018 gathering. “This Changes Everything.” Our primary scripture will be Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Grace is a foundational and distinctive piece of the Lutheran faith. This gift, undeserved and freely given, changes lives and perspectives as people realize they are enough because of what Christ has done and are called into the world to serve their neighbor and share the good news. The ELCA Youth Gathering for high school-age youth takes place every three years and is about faith formation, worship, study, fellowship, service and play. It is an opportunity for youth to engage with peers from across the United States and the world who share a common commitment and faith in Christ. |
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Upcoming Schedule
Registration Deadline: October 17
Dates: June 27- July 1 (Travel days pending)
Cost: $600- Approximate Cost
Travel: Bus- charter with other congregations
Housing: Hotels
Schedule: Service Learning, Synod Day/Worship, Interactive Learning/Community Life
Contact Michael for more information regarding costs, dates and any other information you would like to know!
Dates: June 27- July 1 (Travel days pending)
Cost: $600- Approximate Cost
Travel: Bus- charter with other congregations
Housing: Hotels
Schedule: Service Learning, Synod Day/Worship, Interactive Learning/Community Life
Contact Michael for more information regarding costs, dates and any other information you would like to know!
Registration Forms
Download both of the forms below and return them to church along with a non-refundable $350 deposit to secure your spot!
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About the ELCA Youth GatheringThe ELCA Youth Gathering for high school-age youth takes place every three years and is about faith formation, worship, study, fellowship, service and play.
It is an opportunity for youth to engage in worship and fellowship with peers from across the United States and the world who share a common commitment and faith in Christ. Many ELCA congregations see their participation in the ministry of the ELCA Youth Gathering as one aspect of their work to fulfill the promise they made around the baptismal font to raise faithful young people who: -Live among God’s faithful people, -Hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, -Proclaim the good news of God in Christ through their words and actions, -Serve and love our neighbors, following the example of Jesus, and -Pursue justice and peace in the world. The Gathering consists of five program areas – Community Life, Interactive Learning, Mass Gathering, Service Learning and Synod Day. Congregational groups will be assigned a to rotation schedule to experience Interactive Learning, Synod Day and Service Learning. All participants gather nightly for Mass Gathering and on Sunday morning for closing worship. Community Life activities are available in several locations throughout the day. |
What Happens at the Gathering?The Youth Gathering is a five-day event that begins on a Wednesday evening and ends with a service of communion the following Sunday morning. The opening night sets the stage for the days ahead in which young people may have an encounter with Jesus that energizes their faith and helps them further discover their call to live and serve in the world — locally and globally.
On the days between Wednesday and Sunday, young people rotate through a variety of service learning experiences in the surrounding community. They explore and strengthen their faith by studying God’s word, serving their neighbor, sharing bread and wine in worship, participating in lively faith discussions and broadening their experience of God’s world and diverse communities through travel. For many young people, traveling to the ELCA Youth Gathering is the first time they have been out of their county or state. When the question “Why work so hard to gather so many young people in one place?” pops up, the response is really quite simple. We were meant to be together, and we are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. So every now and then, we gather young people and adults together to share their unique stories and to experience the larger story that makes up the ELCA; we gather to be inspired, encouraged, strengthened, connected and sent out to do God’s work in the world — together! |
Why Houston?
Houston is a great host city and has excellent venues for all of our Gathering program needs. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the United States and has a rich history we can learn from by being there.