ELCA Youth Gathering Guidebook by ELCA Youth Ministry Network

Mission Statement Mission The 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering, a unique community by size and scope, serves as a distinctive sign of the ELCA’s evangelical mission as it works with synods and congregations to accompany young people in their faith journey to understand their vocation and articulate their faith in Jesus Christ.

Vision The 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering will invite participants to return to New Orleans to dwell together as “one new humanity,” remembering who we are in Christ and acting in response by forming faithful, wise and courageous leaders who will… 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 words and deed, Serve all people, following the example of Jesus, Strive for justice and peace in all the earth. (ELW, Page 236)

Learning Outcomes Participants will….. Practice Discipleship* Demonstrate the capacity to articulate their unique witness. That witness will include… Claiming and valuing their baptismal identity The ability to talk about the grace that Jesus offers Allowing themselves to wrestle with questions of faith Demonstrating openness to the movement of the Spirit in their life Practice Peacemaking* Act in a way that reflects God’s value for everybody, particularly those who are marginalized by society. Behavioral evidence will include… Recognizing when they hold the power in relationships with people who are marginalized, and freely giving that power away Being able to take a back seat comfortably (i.e. deny self, to reach a point where their self is no longer the most important thing in the world) Listening before speaking Working toward reconciliation in Christ in all relationships Practice Justice* Live boldly in the face of injustice, crisis and suffering Evidence of “living boldly” includes… Realizing that daily choices make a difference that benefit the thriving of all God’s creation Being able to differentiate between accompaniment and charity, and commit to reflecting a posture of accompaniment in their daily lives with others Knowing that it is Jesus who makes us able, not our efforts

Table Of Contents

Mission Statement.................................................................................page 2 Table of Contents.................................................................................page 3 Overview Of and Welcome To The Gathering................page 4 Daily Schedule.......................................................................................page 5 - 6 Practice Discipleship...........................................................................page 7 - 9 Practice Justice.......................................................................................page 10 Practice Peacemaking......................................................................page 11 - 18 Mercedes-Benz Superdome...........................................................page 20 - 26 Community Life.....................................................................................page 28 - 30 Offering and Benevolence Opportunities.............................page 31 - 33 Transportation.........................................................................................page 35 Accessibility..............................................................................................page 36 - 37 Safety and Security.............................................................................page 38 - 41 Thank Yous...............................................................................................page 42 Final 15.......................................................................................................page 44 - 49 Final 15 Prayer Requests..................................................................page 44 - 49

Jesus is our peace. In his life and death on the cross, Jesus broke down the dividing walls so that we are no longer strangers and outsiders, but we are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God. The foundation of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house was built of apostles and prophets, and Jesus, the cornerstone, holds it all together. -- Ephesians 2:14â&#x20AC;&#x201C;20

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Overview And Welcome To The Gathering When the people who loved you brought you to the waters of baptism, they chose to set your life on a path toward discipleship. When you affirmed your baptism, you agreed to make your own choices about living as a disciple of Jesus Christ. How is that going for you? The ELCA Youth Gathering is designed to help you grow as a disciple of Jesus. Father Henri Nouwen says that to be a disciple of Jesus is to allow oneself to be loved. You don’t have to explain the great mysteries of faith or even have perfect attendance at church. Just allow yourself to be loved…and then respond to that love. We have been praying for two years that you will experience in New Orleans an intimacy with Jesus that is similar to the intimacy that Jesus shared with God. This intense, personal relationship, like the very best of friends, is one marker of discipleship in Christ. A more public marker of our discipleship is our response to God’s love in Christ. We would like you to think about both the public and private aspects of discipleship this week. Consider how you are developing an intensely personal relationship with Jesus, as well as how you are reflecting that relationship by how you live in the world. We suggest that you start by surrendering to the very real possibility that the Holy Spirit will come to you this week. The scales may fall from your eyes when you explore the seven faith practices on the Practice Discipleship day, and you may continue to use the practices to deepen your relationship with Jesus when you go home. Or, the Holy Spirit may use an encounter with someone on the Practice Peacemaking day, someone who is serving neighbors on the other side of a wall that separates them emotionally, physically and/or politically, to open you to your own capacity to reach out with the love of Christ to those considered “strangers and aliens” (Ephesians 2:19b). Or you just may get a glimpse of Jesus in a person you meet on your Practice Justice day, and return home with a new commitment to look for Jesus in others. However you are encountered by the Spirit this week, we hope that you will be open to surrendering to her advances. Pay attention; listen deeply; follow your heart; surrender — every day — to the Spirit’s presence through practice, practice, practice!

Daily Schedule REPLACING LOST OR DAMAGED WRISTBANDS Your Gathering wristband is your key to everything and the Gathering program venues â&#x20AC;&#x201D; wear it at all times. The Gathering InfoLine number is also printed on it. The fee for replacing a lost wristband is $365 per wristband. If the wristband is damaged during your service experience, you must bring in whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left of the damaged wristband to the Gathering Office in Room 224 of the convention center. Youth must be accompanied by an adult leader. The staff will replace it, charging a fee based on a case-by-case determination.

Tuesday, July 17

Noon to 5:30 p.m. Early Registration Convention center

Wednesday, July 18

8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Registration Convention center 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tailgating Champions Square 5:25 p.m. Early Dome opening for guests with special needs Gate A 5:30 p.m. Mercedes-Benz Superdome open for general seating Gate assigned by wristband 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Opening Dome Mercedes-Benz Superdome 9:00 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Community Life Gathering Hotels 10:45 p.m. Final 15 & Group Time wherever you are! Midnight Lights out

Thursday, July 19 through Saturday, July 21 Practice Discipleship: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Synod Gatherings Hotel Ballrooms 12:30 p.m. to1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own 1:30 p.m. Discipleship Tour around New Orleans

Practice Justice: 6:30 a.m. to11 a.m. Groups begin six-hour-long Practice Justice experiences Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Practice Peacemaking: 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Groups in Practice Peacemaking Convention center 1:00 p.m. Interaction Center Opens to Gathering Public Convention center

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tailgating Champions Square 5:25 p.m. Early Dome opening for guests with special needs Gate A 5:30 p.m. Designated Gate opens early for floor/first bowl seating Gate assigned by wristband Thursday - Gold Friday - Green Saturday - Purple continued next page...

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Daily Schedule continued from previous page...

Thursday, July 19 through Saturday, July 21

6 p.m. Mercedes-Benz Superdome opens for general seating 7 p.m. Mass Gathering Mercedes-Benz Superdome 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Champions Square open for food only

Evening Activities

9 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Community Life Gathering Hotels 10:45 p.m. Final Fifteen & Group Time wherever you are! Midnight Lights out

Sunday, July 22

9:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Closing Worship Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Mission Investment Fund Service Center 2012 Hours of Operation : Located in Ticket Office 1, Lobby Hall A, of the Convention Center. Monday, July 16

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday, July 17

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Wednesday, July 18

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, July 19

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Friday, July 20

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday, July 21

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sunday, July 22 CLOSED Please note: Youth leaders who want to cash checks on a congregation’s Youth Ministry MissionPlus investment during the Gathering must be registered signatories on the Mission Investment Fund account.

Are you making a dent in the universe? Lots of random pokes in many different spots are unlikely to leave much of an impact. And hiding out is surely not going to work at all. - Seth Godin But together - in Jesus’ name – we can make a difference!

Practice Discipleship Gather with your synod for worship and learning in small groups to love like Jesus! Then go out into the city with your congregation to practice what you learned with the Discipleship Tour.

Arrival Time: 8:30 a.m.

Where to Go: The grid on page 9 designates the property in which your synod is assigned to meet. See your confirmation letter for the specific ballroom. Directional signs will be posted in each property.

What to Bring: Each Participant: Bible Pen/Pencil The Discipleship Tour Brochure will be given to each participant on your Practice Discipleship Day

Each Congregational Group: A journal or paper to record your Discipleship Tour experience

Each Leader: Bring your small group leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s materials

Helpful Tips: Come with a full stomach! The morning does not conclude until 12:45 p.m.! For those meeting in the convention center, plan extra walking time! It can be an additional 15 minutes to get from the entry doors to your assigned ballroom.

Tweeting If you use Twitter, bookmark and visit http://twitter.com/ elcagathering for daily updates and reminders for everything pertaining to the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. Twitter users can follow @elcagathering and use the hashtag #cwts12 in all Gathering-related tweets. RSS feed users can receive automatic updates by using the http://twitter.com/elcagathering url. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a Twitter account to access the updates or reminders.

www.elca.org/gathering

800-638-3522, ex 2100

Practice Discipleship

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Property Key: A - Hyatt Regency B - Intercontinental F - New Orleans Marriott CC - Convention Center

G - Sheraton H - Marriott Convention Center I - Hilton Riverside

The Love of God makes such a unity in us that when we see this unity no one is able to separate oneself from another. - Julian of Norwich

Practice Discipleship GOLD (Thursday)

GREEN

PURPLE

(Friday)

(Saturday) NW Washington Synod

Montana Synod

Alaska Synod

SW California Synod

E Washington-Idaho Synod

SW Washington Synod F F

Pacifica Synod

Oregon Synod

Rocky Mountain Synod

South Dakota Synod

Sierra Pacific Synod

Minneapolis Area Synod

NW Minnesota Synod

Grand Canyon Synod

St. Paul Area Synod

NE Minnesota Synod

Western North Dakota Synod

Nebraska Synod

SW Minnesota Synod

Eastern North Dakota Synod

Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod

Central States Synod

SE Minnesota Synod

Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod

Northern Great Lakes Synod

N Texas - N Louisiana Synod

Metro Chicago Synod

NW Synod of Wisconsin

SW Texas Synod

N Illinois Synod

East-Central Synod of Wisconsin

Greater Milwaukee Synod

Central/Southern Illinois Synod

South-Central Synod of Wisconsin

SE Michigan Synod

SE Iowa Synod

Southern Ohio Synod

Western Iowa Synod

Metro New York Synod

NE Iowa Synod

Upstate New York Synod

La Crosse Area Synod

NE Pennsylvania Synod

Indiana-Kentucky Synod

NW Pennsylvania Synod

NE Ohio Synod

SW Pennsylvania Synod

SE Penn Synod

Allegheny Synod

Delaware-Maryland Synod

Metro Washington, DC Synod

Southeastern Synod

Virginia Synod

Caribbean Synod

N/W Lower Michigan Synod F

NW Ohio Synod

New Jersey Synod

New England Synod

Lower Susquehanna Synod

Upper Susquehanna Synod

W Virginia-W Maryland Synod

North Carolina Synod

South Carolina Synod

Florida-Bahamas Synod

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800-638-3522, ex 2100

Practice Justice It’s Your Practice Justice Day! For the past two years, we have met with over 200 organizations, schools and community leaders in the city of New Orleans. We have listened to joys, struggles and needs and have responded by addressing needs they have identified as a priority for their community. On your Practice Justice Day, you will respond by showing up to learn justice, walk justice and then practice justice experience out in the community in various ways. You may have the privilege of working with children at literacy camps, help with a neighborhood cleanup, learn about injustices in the City, experience the unique culture of this community, paint a mural, build a backyard garden for a family or one of many other Practice Justice experiences. All of these experiences matter to the larger picture of Practice Justice, because we are responding to the needs the community has identified! You get to walk your Christian faith by “doing justice.”

Before your Practice Justice Day: 1. 2.

Make sure you know your ASSIGNED day, launch, arrival time, gate and bus number! Every detail is important to getting you to the right place. All of this information is on your congregational page. http://www.conferencebuilders.com/elca2012 If your group’s project requires any additional forms, be certain that you have these completed, signed, and with you when you leave for your launch.

On Your Practice Justice Day: 1. Show up with an open-mind and a servant’s heart – the City of New Orleans is counting on you! 2. Eat breakfast – you will need energy for your day. Lunch is provided, but our day may start early, and we want you fully prepared! Feel free to bring snacks and your own lunch if you have special needs. Some vegetarian sandwiches are available. There are no vegan meals. 3. Bring any additional forms your project may require. If you lost or forget your release forms, call the Info Line at 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA). We want everyone to participate. 4. Make sure your group is wearing their ORANGE Practice Justice shirts (pick up at registration), knee-length shorts, closed toe and closed heel shoes, sunscreen and bug spray. 5. Everyone needs a filled water bottle. You can refill them on site while you are working. Bottles will not be provided by the Gathering or the Practice Justice sites. 6. You are welcome to bring a light backpack with additional snacks, sunscreen, water and bug spray.

The Flow of Your Practice Justice Day

Learn Justice: Live music, Scripture, conversation and video prepare you for the day and what it means to Practice Justice. Walk Justice: Get a glimpse of what is going on in the different project areas in New Orleans through art, video and other imagery. Practice Justice: Go into the community to practice what you have learned. Reflect Justice: On the way back to the MercedesBenz Superdome, reflect on where you saw God that day. Who are the Servant Companions? In order to allow 11,000 people to serve in the city at one time, we utilize a specially trained group of younger adults called Servant Companions to be your guides on this journey. You will meet them at the start of your Practice Justice Day, and they will travel with you throughout the experience. Their role is to lead the groups, troubleshoot any problems and help you process the experience.

Practice Peacemaking

Welcome to Practice Peacemaking, the interactive learning component of the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. The Practice Peacemaking day will help you become more conscious of your own call through focusing on how you can strive for justice and peace within yourselves, your community and the world. Paul writes in Ephesians 2 that Jesus is our peace. For it is Jesus’ reconciling work on the cross that heals all relationships. This peace brings groups together, removes the hostility that divides us, and allows us to be called citizens with the saints. Practicing Peacemaking, therefore, is more than the absence of warfare, violence and conflict. Rather Practicing Peacemaking is participating in God’s restorative work, which brings grace, forgiveness and wholeness that reflects God’s intent for creation. During the Practice Peacemaking day, the ELCA Youth Gathering will turn the New Orleans Ernest M. Morial Convention Center into a space for Interactive Learning. In this space, you will engage in multisensory opportunities that will invite you to reflect on God’s value for everyone, particularly those who are marginalized by society. You will discern how you can participate in the church’s efforts to express God’s love and actually practice peacemaking. Together, we will learn how God gives us the capacity to live God’s vision of one new humanity through the cross of Christ.

Places to Gather:

Hot Spots: These large areas are located in four spots across the convention center. Take a moment to listen to a great band, enjoy a bite to eat and use your phones to share your experiences with the rest of the world with free Wi-Fi. Hosted by Lutheran Colleges and Universities, ELCA Seminaries, and the Women of the ELCA.

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. - Helen Keller

Hot Spot Challenge Booths: This digital scavenger hunt is a new addition to the Gathering. At each Hot Spot Challenge booth, your team (3-5 people) will log into the challenge station and retrieve a task. When the team completes the mission, log in again for the follow-up question. Upon submission of a tweet-length answer, you will be ready to take on the next challenge. Complete ten challenges to be Take note of your assigned arrival time; this is when the doors open. Plan on a 15 minute walk in the convention center to get to the auditorium for worship.

www.elca.org/gathering

800-638-3522, ex 2100

Practice Peacemaking entered into a drawing for prizes. The Hot Spot Challenge website will be accessible via your web enabled device or phone.

Rest Areas: Take a break to rest, relax and share your experiences of practicing peacemaking through colorful journals. There are six rest areas around the convention center with couches for your group to gather and regroup.

Practice Peacemaking through Giving:

100 Wells: Giving water The 100 Wells Challenge unites the hopes of Lutheran youth across the country to raise $250,000 and build 100 wells or support water projects where they are needed most. Bring your money to the Globe in the convention center. Blood Donation: Donating blood is an opportunity for you to practice peacemaking by sharing God’s love and your selflessness. By donating blood, you are sharing your good health with other members of the household of God. If you are at least 17 years old, you may donate blood if you weigh at least 110 lbs. Visit www.thebloodcenter.org and click on “Am I Eligible?” to view all the criteria.

Hair Donation: Children with Hairloss’ mission is to help cover young heads to heal young hearts. They are focused on offering free quality wigs to children who have medically related hair loss and who may be financially challenged. Hair needs to be clean, dry and at least 8 inches.

Ask your group throughout the day: What does it mean to be a peacemaker?

Practice Peacemaking Zone 1: Yellow

Bethesda Lutheran Communities seeks to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that share the good news of Jesus Christ. Check out their display, and join in the conversation. Look for the three big canopies. Sports: Peacemaking is an attitude we bring to our daily lives. Even in the height of competition, we can be peacemakers. Practice this attitude by playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, dodge ball, kickball, table tennis, four square, tether ball or floor hockey.

Tinkletown: An obstacle course for participants who do not use wheelchairs to see what it’s like to have to use a wheelchair. It starts with a non-ADA approved ramp, you must go over thresholds, through rock/ gravel, through sand, across thick carpeting, maneuver around corners, open and go through a springloaded door, and make your way through a narrow “bathroom”— hence the name Tinkletown!

Zone 2: Blue

High Ropes Course: Test your limits of trust, fear and safety. Climb to heights unknown, cross the thin line and, then, zoom down the zip line. Inflatables: Bounce, laugh and get moving on these giant playgrounds.

Lantern on the Hill: Breaking the cycle of poverty with love, care, education and unlimited opportunities for children and families in and around Ensenada, Mexico.

Portico Benefit Services: Providing retirement, health and related benefits and services to enhance the well-being of nearly 50,000 rostered individuals, employees and their families. Find out more about this important ministry.

Thrivent: What one thing can you change today that can improve your financial situation? Most of us know we should do something, but we just haven’t taken the first step. Since everyone’s “one thing” is different, there is something for all ages and stages of life. Stop by to see how you can make peace through your financial stewardship. Presented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Camp Restore: Recovery Assistance, Inc. Ministries restores faith, home and community in the Name of Jesus Christ through the operation of Camp Restore, a volunteer camp in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our volunteer groups and staff physically rebuild family dwellings, churches and schools, and participate in numerous community.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Zone 3: Fuchsia Church World Service works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. They reach out to neighbors in need near and far—not with a hand out, but a hand up. So, if you’re looking to help build a better world—a world where there’s enough for all—you’ve come to the right place!

Habitat for Humanity: During the Gathering, youth will have the opportunity to extend “Shalom” to three local families by starting construction on three homes. The wall sections for the houses will be framed under the guidance of Lutheran Campus Ministry staff and students. No special training is required. www.elca.org/gathering

Plan the locations and times for your group to check in with each other. Rest areas and hot spots will be well marked places for your group to gather. 800-638-3522, ex 2100

Practice Peacemaking Justice for Women: For the church, sexism is a theological issue. We are each called through baptism to respect and protect each person made in the image of God. Human trafficking, the second largest and fastest growing illegal trade in the world, is modern-day slavery where people are in bondage through fraud, force or coercion. Stop by our van to hear and respond to this important issue.

Lutherans Concerned: Write and draw stories of bullying or anti-bullying in your congregation and school. Discuss the full inclusion of LGBT in the life of the Lutheran church.

Zone 4: Green

GoodWeave: GoodWeave works to end child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in Nepal, India and Afghanistan. Check out the “Faces of Freedom Exhibit” to see this ministry at work. Old Lutheran: Need a shopping fix? Check out all the great books, clothes and Gathering gear at Old Lutheran. The mission of Old Lutheran is to provide unique products and services that help its customers express their Lutheran identity. ELCA Malaria Campaign: Join hands with eleven Lutheran church bodies in Africa and become part of a historic global movement to say, “enough is enough!” No child, no person, should die of a disease that is both preventable and treatable. Bring cellphones or web enabled devices. Many activities will be enhanced through texting and internet access.

Practice Peacemaking Zone 5: Orange

Artistic Expression: We are God’s Masterpiece: A creative journey through a space with eight areas designed for you to experience the meaning of Ephesians 2. Explore what it means to break down walls, make peace and strive to live with God-like character. Then reflect on your special gifts, pray visually, honor Jesus as our cornerstone, witness to others and be one body in Christ.

Bumper Cars: Need to bump some peace ideas off your friends? Join the Lutheran Men in Mission for some fun times at the bumper cars. Their vision is that every man has a growing relationship with Jesus Christ through an effective men’s ministry in every congregation.

Foot washing: Have you been walking a lot? Take a break with Lutheran Deaconess Association. Witness the humble yet bold and faithful ministry of foot washing. With towel and basin, deaconesses and deacons reach out to those at the margins of society, providing hospitality, hope and care for physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Gardening: Help plant a community garden for a local New Orleans congregation at this experience sponsored by Community Development Services. They accompany and assist ELCA congregations, social ministry organizations and grassroots community-based nonprofits that address poverty and social justice issues.

Mini Golf: Personal peacemaking can be done through fun games such as mini golf. Being able to enjoy time with friends, participate in friendly mini golf competitions and finding interesting challenges on each hole of the mini golf course gives participants the opportunity to reflect and find peace in themselves.

Mission Investment Fund: Step right up for a group photo taken by a professional photographer. These will be a great keepsake for your congregation. The Mission Investment Fund is a ministry of the ELCA that uses the investments of congregations and their members to fund building and renovation loans for ELCA ministries.

Pan Flutes: Music touches hearts and unites people regardless of their cultural, social or religious

Ropes

Habitat For Humanity

MALARIA CAMPAIGN

YOUTH LIVE INTERVIEWS MURAL WILLIAM BUTLER

RESTROOMS

PORTICO

INFO

DINING AREA

Hot Spot

LANTERN ON THE HILL

GARDENING

RESTROOMS

ELCA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES MAIN ENTRANCE

BETHESDA

PM ENTRANCE

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GOOD WEAVE CAMP RESTORE

Artistic Expression

100 Wells

R TINKLE TOWN

Mini Golf

MISSION ENCOUNTER

Blood Drive R

Hot Spot

Sports

Bumper Cars

GATHERING STORE

PAN FLUTES

Inflatables

Old Lutheran

RECONCILING WORKS

SEMINARIES

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William Butler, Live Art: William Butler is an

DONATE HAIR

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FOOT WASHING

Jesus

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Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 UP Zone

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established, nationally known artist. He will be doing a live painting during Practice Peacemaking. Each live art experience is unique and tailored to the message and theme of the event. William paints many distinct layers on the canvas transforming the painting many times before completion. In about 60-90 minutes, the painting is complete. Although the finished art is awe inspiring, it is the process involved in the live painting that makes the experience even more remarkable. William brings more than 20 years of experience as an artist and a graphic designer to each painting.

Practice Peacemaking Zones 1-6

MISSION INVESTMENT FUND

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background. People playing music together are therefore active constructors of peace. Build your own pan flute, and learn how to play. Bring 10 pennies with you.

Concessions

Hot Spot Challenge Booths

Live Stage

Old Lutheran Gathering Stores

www.elca.org/gathering

800-638-3522, ex 2100

INFO

Information Booths Shuttle Path

More Practice Peacemaking in the UP Zone!

Practice Peacemaking Zone 6: Purple

Mission Encounter: Experience ministries using story, song and art to spread the gospel. Be informed and transformed by what God already is doing in our midst. Return home “freed in Christ to serve” and energized for mission where you live.

Peace poles: Add your mark on the peace poles by answering how will you be a peacemaker and what peace means to you. Presented by the Women of the ELCA.

The Wall: Explores stories of God breaking through in times of war, conflict and post-conflict. Hear stories and have in-depth conversations with young people living in Palestine, Bosnia, Mexico and Africa. Discover where the ELCA is practicing peacemaking in the world and be a part of the discernment of where the ELCA should be. Learning is the first step toward peacemaking. Take the next step in the Making Us Whole area, where you will have a place to reflect, react and become better equipped to act.

Zone UP: Olive

Mission Investment Fund (Up Zone Lobby) Grab old or new friends and take a small group or individual photo at a contemporary version of the old-fashioned booth. The Mission Investment Fund is a ministry of the ELCA that uses the investments of congregations and their members to fund building and renovation loans for ELCA ministries.

Leader Resource/Respite Rooms (Rm. 238, 239, 240) Sponsored by sparkhouse and the Women of the ELCA.

Justice Role Play (Rm. 242) Create justice and peace in situations of bullying, peer pressure, inconsistent parenting, objectification of girls and more. Presented by the Women of the ELCA.

Labyrinth (Rm. 243, 244) Experience an ancient prayer practice where you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees. Ponder how God is calling you to be a peacemaker.

Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association (Rm. 245) Gain a better appreciation for people who have physical conditions including arthritis, blindness and deafness that challenge them on a day-to -day basis.

Experience and explore the complexities of Life Together shaped by differing and sometimes competing histories, narratives, experiences, peoples and lives in this powerful “game.”

Jesus

243

245

ESCALATORS

Ballroom Hot Spot

260 261 262

263

264

ESCALATO

270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277

RESTROOM

Worship AUDITORIUM

265 266 267 268 269

235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242

278 279 280 281 282

RESTROOMS

UP Zone 238 239 240 242 243 244 245 252 253 254 255 256 257

Leader Resource/Respite Room, sparkhouse Leader Resource/Respite Room, sparkhouse Leader Resource/Respite Room, Women of the ELCA Justice Role Play, Women of the ELCA Prayer Labyrinth Prayer Labyrinth Increasing Disability Sensitivity, Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association The Wall: Stories of War and Peace The Wall: Stories of War and Peace The Wall: Stories of War and Peace The Wall: Life Together The Wall: Terrible Great Game The Wall: Terrible Great Game

Worship

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REST ROOMS

RESTROOMS

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REST ROOMS

love like

ESCALATORS

The Wall: Life Together (Rm. 255)

Practice Peacemaking UP Zone S

CIPLESHIP DIS

(Rm. 256,257) Experience the ethnic cleansing of a village as a part of the realities of the war in Bosnia in this very intense “game.”

AKING EM AC

The Wall: The Terrible Great Game

RESTROOM

TICE JUS

260 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271

Sojourners Theater, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Yoga Yoga Communication Challenge, Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch Opinion Editorial Writing Workshop, The Lutheran The Ally Inside You, ReconcilingWorks The Ally Inside You, ReconcilingWorks Know Trash, Lutherans Restoring Creation/ Lutheran Community Foundation Mission Encounter GoodWeave Disability Awareness Workshop, Dr. Jensen Seyenkulo

Hot Spot Challenge Booths

Concessions

273 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 Auditorium Ballroom Ballroom Lobby

Tools for Community Organizing, Congregation-based Organizing ELCA Advocacy Road to Shalom, Book of Faith Initiative Road to Shalom, Book of Faith Initiative Meditation Space Meditation Space We Are God’s Masterpiece Workshops Creative Arts Ministry Display We Are God’s Masterpiece Art Gallery Practice Peacemaking Worship Hot Spot with Youth Musicians Hot Spot Challenge Group Photo Sponsored by Mission Investment Fund

Live Stage

Group Photo

Practice Peacemaking The Wall: Stories of War and Peace Stories of War and Peace (Rm. 252, 253, 254) Come hear stories of war and peace from around the world. Join in conversation with folks living the stories of God tearing down walls. Sojourners Theater (Rm. 260, 261) Walk in the footsteps of migrants and refugees through acting and watching skits. Presented by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Yoga (Rm. 262,263) Peacemaking begins within yourself before it can be applied in the world — and the yoga mat is the perfect place to start! Learn breathing exercises that calm the mind and the body, and stretch out those kinks from all your hard community work!

Communication Challenge (Rm. 264) Visit Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch’s area to participate in a team communication challenge!

Opinion Editorial Writing Workshop (Rm. 265) Learn how to write an opinion piece and actually write it. Your piece could be selected to be published in The Lutheran. The Ally Inside You (Rm. 266,267) Intensive workshop on preventing bullying, harassment and related violence by changing bystander behavior into ally behavior. Presented by Pacific Violence Prevention Institute.

Lutheran Community Foundations (Rm. 268) Reduce, reuse and recycle: how can your youth group be eco-friendly at the congregational level?

Mission Encounter (Rm. 269) Experience ministries using story, song and art to spread the gospel. Be informed and transformed by what God already is doing in our midst. Return home “freed in Christ to serve” and energized for mission where you live.

GoodWeave (Rm. 270) How do your daily purchases impact lives on the other end of the supply chain in the developing world? Watch and discuss a CNN news report on GoodWeave’s efforts to end childhood slavery in the carpet industries in Nepal.

Disability Workshop (Rm. 271) We are all one body in Christ. Discover your abilities/disabilities and your attitudes toward others’ abilities/disabilities. Presented by Dr. Jensen Seyenkulo

Tools from Community Organizing (Rm. 273) Go in-depth on one specific tool for organizing your community by practicing natural but uncommon conversations focused on deep listening and courageous inquiry. Presented by Congregational Based Organizing.

ELCA Advocacy Ministry (Rm. 275) Hear firsthand stories of two important issues facing our country: the environmental crisis in the Appalachian region involving Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining and how living in poverty affects one’s access to food, health care, housing and more. If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

Tag your videos and pictures with the official Gathering hashtag: #cwts12.

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Practice Peacemaking The Road to Shalom (Rm. 276, 277) Come journey through the Bible and experience the breadth and depth of biblical shalom — peace. Biblical insights into the nature of peace, of well-being and wholeness, take us deep into the life that God would have us lead; the road God would have us travel. Join us for this interactive experience.

Meditation Space (Rm. 278, 279) This sacred space for quiet reflection, meditation and prayer includes a font. A spiritual director will also be available for conversation.

We Are God’s Masterpiece Workshops (Rm. 280)

The Creative Church: Beyond Weekend Worship: Join our discussion to learn and share organizational strategies and programming ideas for starting a creative arts ministry at your congregation. Learn ways to empower all creative ability levels and number of participants interested in sharing their gifts.

Creating Art Opportunities Specifically for High School Youth: Learn ways for youth to experience God’s word by expressing their faith, thoughts and feelings through their art.

Visual Prayer Workshop: Learn a variety of methods of praying including how to incorporate creative art forms to add personal meaning and significance to our conversation with our Creator.

Express Your Feelings: God has wired you with specific gifts and passions. We often let fear and self-doubt get in the way of being free to live out of this unique design. Join us for this discussion as we explore ways to build resilience to these pressures and how to live authentically. God Gave You Creative Gifts, Use Them: Artists from the Artistic Expression: We Are God’s Masterpiece team will share their personal stories of how their faith influences their artwork to empower you to use your creative gifts.

Creative Arts Ministry Display (Rm. 281) A self-guided display that will share information about why artists and the arts should be an important part of every church. Types of art programming and organizational ideas will be Don’t forget to drink LOTS of water and wear good shared. shoes. Many activities require close toed shoes, so We Are God’s Masterpiece Art Gallery (Rm. 282)

leave your flip flops and sandals at your hotel.

Come view art inspired by Ephesians 2:14-20. This art was created by a variety of artists who visually expressed their faith, feelings and thoughts about the Bible verses through their artwork.

Check out all the interesting, unique, and exciting opportunities in the Up Zone. We recommend you spend at least one hour in the Up Zone before going to Zones 1-6.

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. - Saint Augustine (354-430)

Practice Peacemaking happens on multiple floors, so make sure you explore all the great activities throughout the convention center. Looking for a way to organize your time? Form small groups and take the Hot Spot Challenge. Challenges will send you throughout the convention center and give you a glimpse at everything. Please note all activities are subject to change.

Mercedes-Benz Superdome Evening Mass Gatherings in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome We will gather together by the thousands every evening in the coolness of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for rockin’ Christian music, worship, video, celebration and inspiring speakers who will touch our hearts and souls — people of faith sharing their stories. Mass gatherings in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are where we celebrate the experiences we’ve had during the day in the presence of God, the people of New Orleans and with each other. And it’s from here each evening that we are sent out with renewed faith in Christ, hope, passion for justice, energy for service, and encouragement as people of God. God’s Spirit is at work here and everywhere!

Some Things You Should Know About the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Superdome entrances: ADA entrance - Gate A, street level Green Wristbands - Gate A, top of ramp Purple Wristbands - Gate C Gold Wristbands - Gate G

Assisted hearing devices (10 available): Pick up at Guest Services, between aisles 150-152 on the concourse level of the Superdome. Need a restroom on the main floor of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome? Please use the restrooms located in your section of the floor. Participants who leave the floor level may not be permitted back until the close of the show. Please use every available empty seat. Fill in seats between groups and between individuals. Access to the main floor seating of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome will be through staircases at the end of designated aisles. Groups will have early access to the main floor on the day they participate in Practice Discipleship. No food is permitted in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Water bottles and food required for medical reasons will be allowed. (e.g., diabetic) Hungry? Thirsty? Check out the Tailgate Party in Champions Square before you go inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Food vendors will be there. Please don’t call or shout out state names.

Mercedes-Benz Superdome Emcees Kaelie Lund Kaelie just finished her senior year and is looking forward to beginning college studying Sociology and Gender Studies. While balancing theater, music and school, Kaelie enjoys longboarding, indie music, thrift stores, being caffeinated, vintage clothing and Audrey Hepburn. She hopes that the Gathering will help to further spirituality, encourage open-mindedness and to spread peace. Josiah Williams Josiah is an aspiring creative artist and a Theater Performance major in college. He grew up in the Lutheran church and in 2009 was elected the African Descent Male Rep for the former Lutheran Youth Organization’s Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC). Josiah is a hip-hop artist and lyrical writer; he recently released 20

Mercedes-Benz Superdome “Treading the Path” musical collection, which focuses on growth in self-esteem, friendships/relationships and artistry; it also questions the challenges currently being faced in the hip-hop community.

Mercedes-Benz Superdome House Band House Band leader, Peter Mayer Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Peter Mayer has melded a unique and multifaceted writing style, a distinctive voice and inspired musicianship to create compelling and accessible music that is electrifying in live performance. Mayer has culled influences from his childhood in India that ranged from traditional Indian music to The Beatles, and from his studying and teaching jazz guitar at Webster University in St. Louis, Mo. Add the many years that he has shared the stage with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, James Taylor, Mac McAnally, Sonny Landreth, Don Henley and many others.

House Band Student Vocalists

Lance Cooper enjoys participating in the church choir at Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has also spent time working with folk at Centerstage Theatre in downtown Baltimore. Lance has shared his voice and talents with many others locally and in many other places around the United States. Lance is excited to be attending the ELCA Youth Gathering and to share this experience with all of the citizens with the saints!

Alyssa Fleming is a college student studying animal science. Alyssa loves horseback riding, photography, singing and playing her guitar. She has been singing ever since she can remember and is now singing in the contemporary worship band at her church, King of Kings. Alyssa loved attending the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering and is thrilled to return this year and to sing with the House Band!

Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. - Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Lindsay Rutledge started singing when she was only 8 years old. Since then she has participated in over seven honors choirs, studied four instruments and, in the summer after her senior year of high school, toured Europe in the Sound of America Honors Band and Choir. Lindsay currently works at House of the Rock and Lutheran Campus Ministries in Atlanta, where she is the liturgical worship artist and lead vocalis.

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Mercedes-Benz Superdome Reed Pedersen is an applied music major at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He is a tenor and loves singing whenever possible. This is his first ELCA Youth Gathering, and he is anxious to share the word of God through song with everyone in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome!

Mercedes-Benz Superdome Speakers, Performer and Musicians Wednesday, July 18, 2012 Speakers The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber Rev. Nadia is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado. She is the author of “Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television” (Seabury 2008) and blogs at www.sarcasticlutheran.com and Jim Wallis’ www.Godspolitics.com. Her writings can be found in the Christian Century, The Lutheran magazine and Patheos.com. Nobody really believes she’s an ordained pastor in the ELCA. Maybe it’s the sleeve tattoos or the fact that she swears like a truck driver. Either way … she’s fine with it. Nadia lives in Denver with her family of four where she can be found writing bios in the third person and chasing chickens around the backyard with her kids.

The Rev. Yehiel Curry Rev. Yehiel is a servant. He has provided mental health counseling to youth and adults with a concentration on the impact of drugs, violence and poverty on communities. His dedication to his church and obedience to the will of God led him to serve as lay Mission Developer/Pastor of Shekinah Chapel Lutheran Church in Riverdale, Ill. in 2007. He also lives out his call as camp director for Safe In My Brother’s Arms Camp, Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation and Riverdale Organized for Change. Rev. Yehiel is married to Lashonda Curry, and they have three daughters, Shemiah 18, Ashirah 15 and Shekinah 14.

Bishop Michael Rinehart Bishop Mike is the bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the ELCA. Bishop Mike enjoys working with many gifted pastors and committed people of faith who are dedicated to creating communities that make disciples in Jesus’ name. Over the past few years, Bishop Mike has been devoted to helping congregations get back on their feet after devastating hurricanes in New Orleans and the surrounding areas.

Artists

AGAPE*

AGAPE* (Dave Scherer) has inspired youth from Brooklyn to Bosnia with his relational ministry, Hip Hop Outreach. Combining rap, dance, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish, this Minneapolis-bred music minister connects with his listeners in a way that they really “get it.” In recent years, AGAPE* has worked with critically-acclaimed producer Ant (Atmosphere, Brother Ali) and Grammy award winning Billy Steele. On his recent CD “Rise Up”, he tackles issues of faith and justice with help from Chris Brown’s producer Ra Charm. While AGAPE* loves performing in football stadiums, his main gig is rocking church basements and youth gatherings.

Mercedes-Benz Superdome Rachel Kurtz Rachel Kurtz is a Minnesota-based singer/songwriter whose distinctive voice infuses her organic instrumentation to wash over and through the listener. Her subtle blend of style reveals folk pop sensibilities with a healthy dose of soul. Audiences across the country resonate with Rachel’s music. It gets inside of people, calls them friend, and lets them know they are not alone. citizens with the saints, get ready to sing with Rachel!

Roots of Music The Roots of Music program fills a void in music education programs in New Orleans educational institutions. Before Katrina, marching bands were an integral part of the New Orleans middle schools, but, due to lack of funding, many music programs have been cut. Roots of Music serves over 100 students, ranging in age from 9-14 years old. The program provides free music education in history, theory, instrumental instruction and ensemble performance.

Thursday, July 19, 2012 Speakers

Shane Claiborne Shane Claiborne will speak to the risks of practicing discipleship. Shane is the co-founder of the Simple Way, a faith community in innercity Philadelphia that has helped to birth and connect radical faith communities around the world. His ministry experience is varied, from a 10-week stint working alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta to a year spent serving a wealthy mega-congregation called Willow Creek Community Church outside of Chicago. Shane is the author of several books including “The Irresistible Revolution”, “Jesus for President” and “Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers.”

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson The Rev. Mark Hanson is presiding bishop of the ELCA. Originally from Minneapolis and a life-long Lutheran, Bishop Hanson was educated at Augsburg College, Union Theological Seminary, Luther Seminary and Harvard Divinity School. Prior to his election as bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod in 1995 and as presiding bishop in 2001, he served congregations in Minnesota for over 20 years. Bishop Hanson is the author of “Faithful Yet Changing: The Church in Challenging Times.”

Valerie Rivas Valerie is an adventurous and fun-loving gal from Texas. She is currently studying to become a physician’s assistant and feels called to serve those who do not have access to adequate health care. Valerie participated in a year of service in South Africa with the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission Program (2010-2011).

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One can give nothing whatever without giving onself -- that is to say, risking oneself. If one cannot risk oneself, then one is simply incapable of giving. -- James Baldwin The Fire Next Time

Mercedes Benz Superdome Megan Stubbs Megan Stubbs is an 18-year-old student and has lived in Tanzania for the past six years where she has been sharing in music ministry with her parents who are ELCA missionaries. She enjoys playing the cello, singing, drumming and participating in African dance. She also tutors young Tanzanians in English and math and helps her mother with the youth music program. She especially enjoys the Tanzanian culture and people and considers Tanzania her home.

Artists

Elijah Furquan Elijah “Genesis Renji” Furquan writes hip-hop and poetry. He is working to become a recognizable hip-hop artist not only in the Midwest, but worldwide. His poetry has led him to numerous opportunities, among them are as a previous team member of the 2010 Wisconsin Brave New Voices International teen poetry team, and a member of the 2011 Milwaukee National Poetry Slam team. Genesis also uses his music and poetry to minister to youth and adults.

Tony Memmel Tony Memmel is a songwriter and performer with unique charisma and creativity. He was born missing his left forearm and taught himself to play the guitar, piano and harmonica. He’s been featured in the Boston Globe and Chicago Tribune, was selected as a grand-prize winner in a Counting Crows cover contest by The Counting Crows themselves and was recently honored to take first place in a prestigious singer-songwriter competition in Boston.

Aaron Strumpel Aaron Strumpel is an internationally recognized singer-songwriter whose heart beats for leading others deeper into worship, justice and peace. Since 2006, Aaron’s creative energy has been at the center of seven full-length albums and four EPs including Elephants (2009) and Birds (2011). His work has been featured in Christianity Today, Relevant Magazine and Paste Magazine. Born and raised in Iowa and a graduate of Wartburg College, he now resides in Boulder, Colorado.

Friday, July 20, 2012 Speakers

Leymah Gbowee 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, trained social worker and women’s rights advocate. She is founder and president of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, head of the Liberia Reconciliation Initiative and co-founder and executive director of Women Peace and Security Network Africa. Gbowee’s leadership of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace — which brought together Christian and Muslim women in a nonviolent movement that played a pivotal role in ending Liberia’s civil war in 2003 — is chronicled in her memoir, “Mighty Be Our Powers,” and in the documentary, “Pray the Devil Back to Hell.” In addition, Gbowee is the Newsweek Daily Beast’s Africa columnist. 24

Mercedes Benz Superdome Diane Latiker Amid rampant gang violence in a Chicago South Side neighborhood, a grandmother has an open door policy. Roseland resident Diane Latiker, 54, started a nonprofit community with 10 kids in her living room in 2003. The program, Kids Off The Block, has grown to become a successful mentoring site and haven for Chicago’s youth, serving 300 kids last year and well over 1500 since its inception. Latiker, who has eight kids and 13 grandkids of her own, was recognized as a Top Ten 2011 CNN Hero.

Jamie Nabozny Nabozny suffered severe harassment at the hands of his classmates, while his school administrators did nothing to protect him. Jamie sued his school for failing to stop the abuse and won a landmark case that established for the first time that all students have a right to be safe in school. The Southern Poverty Law Center made Jamie’s story into a documentary called “Bullied.”

Artists Lost and Found Lost and Found is a band (albeit a small band) made up of Michael Bridges and George Baum. They have been playing together since high school, and have no intention of stopping any time soon. Their unique musical style is called “speedwood” (speed metal on wooden instruments), or sometimes “acoustic thrash.”

Rhema Soul Like any group worth mentioning, Rhema Soul is innovative to the core. From worship to pop and hip-hop, the South Florida trio has managed to create a path entirely their own. Ultimately, the heartbeat of Rhema Soul is ministry, communicating a message of love and hope, through the medium of music.

Saturday, July 21, 2012 Speakers

The Rev. Andrena Ingram Rev. Ingram is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, with a Masters of Divinity. For the last five years she has been the pastor of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. She is a member of Neighborhood Interfaith Movement, Mt Airy USA, and the chaplain of the LYO Board of Southeastern Pa. She also sits on the Ryan White Planning Council of Philadelphia and is a board member of Philadelphia Fight. Rev. Ingram’s church hosts HIV Testing in partnership with Philadelphia Fight and is well received by the community.

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Mercedes-Benz Superdome Greg Von Wald Greg is 18 years old and will be attending James Madison University next fall. He will be majoring in Integrated Science and Technology and hopes to change the world through clean energy technology. He attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in 2009 with his home congregation, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and is excited to return this year as a participant and a speaker.

Artists

Heatherlyn Heatherlyn is a singer and song artist with a soul — roots — rock vibe from Minneapolis, Minn., awarded the 2010 and 2011 Midwest “People’s Choice” on NPR’s Mountain Stage NewSong Performance Contest. Her soulful, honest voice resonates with people from various walks of life. In concerts, Heatherlyn leads participants on a refreshing journey of connection – from whimsical laughter to deeper thoughtfulness about life and love. Heatherlyn will help us consider how we each are conduits of peace and hope in the world.

Preservation Hall Junior Jazz and Heritage Brass Band Open to students between the ages of 10 and 17, The Preservation Hall Junior Jazz and Heritage Brass Band is a free, weekly class where students are taught repertoire, parade marching and dress, instrument techniques and music theory as it relates to traditional brass band music. In addition, the program performs at a variety of musical outlets throughout the city, including second-lines, festivals and alongside their mentors at Preservation Hall.

Switchfoot Switchfoot is a popular band that has transcended Christian and mainstream labels. Switchfoot first gained mainstream recognition with the inclusion of four of their songs in the 2002 movie “A Walk to Remember.” This recognition led to their major label debut, “The Beautiful Letdown,” which was released in 2003. They have since been noted for their energetic live shows, and their seventh studio album “Hello Hurricane” received a Grammy award in 2011 for Best Rock Gospel Album.

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Community Life What is Community Life? Community Life happens anywhere participants from the ELCA Youth Gathering come together. This could be in a hotel, on a bus, in a restaurant, in the convention center or even in the French Quarter or Jackson Square. There are nine specific hotels that have been designated as sites for Community Life activities. Champions Square will also host an event each afternoon prior to the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. God’s word reminds us that where two or three are gathered in Christ’s name, Christ is present. Fellowship with our sisters and brothers is at the heart of Community Life. Each hotel will have a Community Life team. Their role is one of hospitality and help. They will be a resource for you in passing along Gathering information, assisting with problem solving and communicating concerns and questions to the hotel staff.

What Hotels will Host Community Life Events? Every hotel will have a Community Life team, but might not host events. Check with your team, and look for signs bearing the Community Life event icons. Familiarize yourself with the icons, so when you see them, you will know that you can find that event somewhere in that hotel. You can attend Community Life events at any hotel property — as long as you are wearing a Gathering wristband.

Curfew Gathering curfew is midnight. Everyone is expected to be back in their hotel rooms by that time. The hour from 11p.m. until midnight is a time that you may want to spend reflecting on your day, traveling back to your hotel or maybe getting some extra sleep. The city of New Orleans has its own curfew for young people. That curfew is 8 p.m. for any young person not accompanied by an adult.

Some Final Thoughts from Community Life As you consider your practice of Discipleship, Justice and Peacemaking, remember we can help all our neighbors have enough of the earth’s resources to sustain daily life. Instead of getting new towels each day, hang up damp towels so they dry and can be reused. You can also choose to reuse your bedding. By not changing our towels and sheets every day, we significantly save energy and water. We will also use less detergent and generate less wastewater. Also, we encourage you to keep a full reuseable water bottle with you. You can drink lots of water and avoid buying individual plastic bottles. The less we throw away, the better. Please practice hospitality by recognizing and thanking those who serve us while we are here. Be sure to tip the servers in restaurants (15-20 percent of the bill), the people at the hotel who help with bags ($2 per bag recommended), taxi drivers ($2 per person recommended) and the housekeeping staff who clean up after us each day ($1 per person per day recommended). Above all, be considerate and respectful in the way you treat those around you. This includes your fellow Gathering participants, as well as those who serve us during our stay in New Orleans. Remember to smile, say thank you, and take a moment to get to know the ones who serve us. Let them know how much you appreciate their service! For the following Community Life programs, you can find the host properties on the map using the letter that follows the property name.

Community Life Concerts 9 p.m. - 10:45 p.m. nightly Marriott New Orleans (F): Grand Ballroom Wednesday • Peter Eide Thursday • Rachel Kurtz Friday • AGAPE* Saturday • Lost & Found Rock out with your favorite bands every night. These huge concert environments will fill your ears with heart-pumping bass, music you can dance to, worship-filled lyrics, and lots of room to spin off your energy. Our large concert stages will be your chance to experience the artists you love for a full show.

Dances 9 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. nightly Hyatt Regency (A): Celestial Royal Sonesta (E): Grand Hilton Riverside (I): Grand Salon Sheraton New Orleans (G): Grand JW Marriott (D): Ile de France Intercontinental (B): La Salle Marriott Convention Center (H): Blaine Kern Our DJs play the best of today’s dance music and take requests. Nobody hugs the walls and everybody has a good time, but remember to leave room for the Holy Spirit. Various dances around the city offer different styles, types and sounds — something for everyone.

“Generations” Dance 9 p.m. - 10:45 p.m. nightly Wednesday - ‘50s, Thursday - ‘60s, Friday - ‘70s, Saturday - ‘80s Hilton Riverside (I): Napoleon This dance venue features ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s music that will change every night. Era-specific clothing is encouraged and grabbing something from your parents’ closet may be a good idea! Come and learn something about each generation.

Christian Music Dance 9 p.m. - 10:45 p.m. nightly Marriott New Orleans (F): Mardi Gras Our DJ mixes the best of today’s radio favorites with the top contemporary Christian tunes in a venue that will make you praise the Lord with dancing. Join your friends at this popular event held each night at the Marriott New Orleans.

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At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Community Life Fun Club and Karaoke 9 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. nightly Hilton Riverside (I): Grand Salon Ballroom Hyatt Regency (A): Storyville Ballroom Sheraton New Orleans (G): Napoleon Ballroom Feel the need to watch your friends battle in inflatable sumo suits? Maybe you’d rather play the Wii on the big screen? Fun Clubs have dozens of inflatable games including inflatable sumo wrestling, jousting and bungee cord runs through crazy obstacle courses. You can play video games or sing karaoke for your friends while they jump onto the Velcro wall. Come and enjoy the chaos!

Gathering Idol 9 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. nightly Hilton Riverside (I): Versailles Every night, contestants will compete to be the “Gathering Idol.” Youth have the chance to present their gift of music to our celebrity panel of judges and be crowned the “Gathering Idol” winner for the evening. Tangled Blue will play and host our version of the popular TV show.

New Orleans Lounge 9 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. nightly Intercontinental (B): Pelican I & II Royal Sonesta (E): Acadia Hilton Riverside (I): Jefferson Want to sit down, cool down or play around? Stop by the “New Orleans Lounges.” Enjoy an evening chilling in comfortable seating, or play a game while enjoying cool beverages.

Taize Evening Prayer Services 9 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. Astor Crowne (C): St. Charles Ballroom Come to a service of quiet meditation, reﬂection, scripture and prayers, spoken and sung. Help quiet your mind and soul, making a place where the Holy Spirit may dwell and God’s voice may be heard.

The Final 15 Wherever you find yourself and your group at 10:45 p.m. each evening. Printed in the front of your Gathering Bible and the back of this Guidebook. The Final 15 is the Gathering community’s way of closing the day in God’s care with scripture and prayer. It is a time to quiet your mind and body, and intentionally listen for God’s voice. Parents and other congregational members can join the Gathering community online. We have heard of the Final 15 happening in restaurants, on streetcars, in city parks, at ballroom venues and in hotel hallways. Wherever you are, know God is with you.

Offering and Benevolence Opportunities Four Gathering Offering Opportunities Online Offering Catalog The Gathering’s online giving catalog did not produce the level of support we had planned for the justice experiences. Maybe it is a sign of the times, but because we were counting on that support to purchase supplies for the justice experiences we are leaving it up. This giving opportunity will be made available to those who watch the live web broadcast from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome each night. Be sure to invite your congregation to share in this support of ministry and service.

100 Wells Challenge Giving to build wells and provide clean water Every day, millions of women and children in developing countries walk several hours to collect water that is safe for their families to drink. Sadly, too often the water that they find is contaminated. Unclean water causes millions of people, especially young children, to contract preventable deadly diseases every year. One in eight people still do not have access to safe drinking water and more than half of the diseases in the world are caused by unclean water. ELCA World Hunger is concerned about the growing lack of clean water, especially among people who live in poverty around the world and in the United States. Yes, there are people in the United States who don’t always have access to clean water. ELCA youth have the opportunity to support the clean water challenge by donating to the “100 Wells Challenge” in conjunction with the Gathering. Just $2500 will build a well that can bring clean water to as many as 500 families at a time. The 100 Wells Challenge unites the hopes of Lutheran youth across the country to raise $250,000 and build 100 wells or support water projects where they are needed most. Think about how many times you rely on clean water during the day, and give what you can to meet this challenge. You can drop off your offering at the convention center within Interactive Learning, or you can send a check at any time to ELCA World Hunger, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764. Be sure to put “100 Wells Challenge” in the memo line so that it can be totaled with other gifts.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

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Offering and Benevolence Opportunities The Million Book Project

The mission: To flood New Orleans with 1 million books for children and families. Why does this matter? The average child in Louisiana is 2.5 years behind grade level. Children often lose as much as a whole grade level when they do not read over the summer. By encouraging reading through the partnership of the Gathering, the New Orleans Recreation Department, Communities in Schools and local schools we will reduce this gap. Literacy can be directly linked to future earnings as an adult and is related to a person’s capacity to escape systemic poverty. This is one way we will practice compassionate justice as a church this summer in New Orleans.

Where will the books go? MPB Book Festivals – The books you bring will be sorted and boxed. The boxes of books will be delivered to Book Festivals we are hosting all over the city of New Orleans as part of the MBP on Saturday during the Gathering. Any books not given away at the Book Festivals will be distributed to children through the New Orleans Recreation Department and Communities in Schools over the next few months. MBP Reading Camps – The Gathering will host MBP Reading Camps at multiple sites during the Gathering in partnership with New Orleans Recreation Department. All the children attending these camps will receive books to take home after practicing reading the books. MBP Libraries – The Gathering will be building libraries in New Orleans Recreation Department centers and in local schools, so books can be made available throughout the year. Some of these libraries will expand to include Baton Rouge and other cities near New Orleans.

Sunday Morning Offering The offering collected during the closing worship on Sunday, July 22, will benefit four specific causes. These ministries are an example of our church’s mission domestically and internationally, mission made possible because of the sharing of our collective prayers and resources.

1. New and emerging ministries in New Orleans The church is too important as a counter-cultural way of living to not risk new manifestations. Long after the ELCA Youth Gathering is gone, there will still be people from the ELCA in New Orleans identifying and growing new communities of faith within which the word will be proclaimed and sacraments shared. The Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod is especially interested in serving the growing Latino/a population in New Orleans. Your contribution to the offering on Sunday morning will be an investment in the development of a new worshipping community.

2. The Young Adults in Global Mission site work in Southern Africa Every year, the ELCA sends young adults to various locations around the world through the Young Adults in Global Mission program. Many young adults choose to offer a year of service through this program after college and before they begin to focus on their career. Others see a year or more of global service as their vocation. In a typical year,

Offering and Benevolence Opportunities

several young adults will be assigned to serve alongside the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (which consists of Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland). Even though apartheid officially ended in the mid-90s, issues related to race and class still shroud the culture of Southern Africa. Added pressure from globalization and ongoing poverty prevent children and youth from reaching their full potential as citizens of Africa and the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa is committed to lifting families out of the systems of poverty and racism and to claim their full humanity in Christ.

3. ELCA World Hunger See the previous 100 Wells Challenge summary for details.

4. The ELCA Malaria Campaign Do you ever complain about those pesky mosquitoes that make your time outside miserable? In some parts of the world, especially in Africa, mosquitoes arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just annoying, they are deadly. Mosquitoes can carry a disease called malaria, the cause of an estimated 655,000 deaths in 2010, mostly among African children. The good news is that malaria is preventable and curable, and the ELCA is committed to seeing that happen. By working through Lutheran churches in Africa, the ELCA Malaria Campaign provides mosquito nets, insecticides, medication, health care, education and more to help eliminate deaths from this disease â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for good. www.elca.org/malaria Need a Tax Receipt for Your Offering? If you would like to receive a tax receipt letter for your offering, simply write a check and make sure your name and address are on the check. You can also pick up an envelope during adult leader orientation in the convention center. Fill in the information completely, and place your check and cash offerings inside the envelope. Bring your offering envelope to Sunday morning worship, and add it to the offering that will be collected.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Transportation and Parking Free Long-term Parking available We have secured a lot at the corner of Convention Center Boulevard and Henderson Street to park buses, vans and vehicles during the Gathering. There is no cost for this parking. It is a fenced lot with access by permit only. The lot is patrolled randomly by convention center security and the Transportation Team. However, it is not protected 24/7. The Gathering is not liable for any loss or damage to the vehicles while they are parked in the lot. Long-term parking permits can be picked up in New Orleans during on-site registration or at any Community Life Info Booth located in either the convention center or the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Obey parking regulations, signs and curb colors! The New Orleans Police Department will be ticketing and towing vehicles and buses for violations. Here are two phone numbers we hope you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to use: Towing and recovery, 504-658-5543; Parking tickets, 504-658-8200.

Cellphone Laws Using a cellphone while driving without a hands-free device (e.g., earpiece or headset) is prohibited. Texting while driving is also against the law.

Buses and Departure of Groups after Sunday Morning Worship There is no bus parking available adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Superdome unlike past Gatherings. Congregations are expected to depart from their hotel, the Gathering long-term parking lot (see above), or pre-arranged locations around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome or downtown area as determined between your driver and your group leader. There is no parking around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and there are no lots available to the Gathering where we can stage bus parking. There is covered parking connected to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for vehicles smaller than an SUV (There are height restrictions. WARNING: 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;passenger vans will not fit!). Motorcoaches may be able to drop off groups around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but they will not be allowed to park there. Some have chosen to load their buses from their hotel before worship, have their driver drop them off near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and return to be picked up at the same spot the driver dropped them off. The driver can then go the Gathering long-term parking lot to wait until a pre-arranged pick-up time or you call them. It is assumed that all drivers have a cell phone you can call when you are ready to be picked up. Congregation and synod buses can park in the Gathering long-term parking lot located across from Hall J of the convention center. Please pick up a permit for your vehicles during registration or at the Community Info Booth in either the convention center or the Superdome.

www.elca.org/gathering

There is in the soul a something in which God dwells, and there is in the soul a something in which the soul dwells in God. - Meister Echkart German theologian and mystic c.1260 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; c.1328

800-638-3522, ex 2100

Accessibility Accessibility in New Orleans The City of New Orleansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Central Business District, within which the majority of our hotels, the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are located, has become increasingly accessible for individuals with physical challenges. The planners of the Gathering have visited all of the hotels and are convinced the local hosts share our commitment to serving those with special accessibility needs. The Gathering InfoLine should be your first resource for questions and assistance regarding accessibility: 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA).

Transportation The Gathering Transportation Team has once again made a strong commitment to meeting the transportation needs of definitely-abled participants. Accessible vans will be available by reservation for those with mobility and other special needs by calling 1-866-521-7729 (toll free). This service is available for transport between hotels and the MercedesBenz Superdome or convention center, as well as for Community Life activities. Whenever possible, a reservation for a person who uses a wheelchair may include space for at least one, or no more than two, companions. Please take care to confirm the precise location of the pick-up, location of your destination, pick-up times, and number of people.

Entering the Mercedes-Benz Superdome The Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been rated ADA compliant, and access for the definitely-abled has been carefully planned. The accessible entrance for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is Gate A Street Level. This entrance is on the north side (Poydras Street) of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and our event staff will be prepared for admitting you there. The Transportation Team will provide drop-offs near that entrance. In case persons may be driving and needing to park vehicles displaying handicapped plates/designations, there are handicapped spaces in the four garages nearest the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (Garage 1 and Garage 6 on the north side are closest to Gate A). More information on special parking at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, including costs, can be obtained by calling 504-587-3805.

Seating at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome The doors to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for special needs seating will open at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday of the Gathering, and at 7:50 a.m. on Sunday, July 23. Ample reserved seating has

ENTRY/EXIT

STAGE

FIRST AID

CHAMPIONS SQUARE

11 4

SUGAR BOWL DRIVE

POYDRAS STREET

SMALL PIZZA

$8.50

JAMBALAYA/SAUSAGE SAND.

TREATS

$3 - $5

4/5 SODAS, BOTTLED WATER

FOOD/BEVERAGE HOURS: 4 - 6 pm 8:30 - 9 pm

RESTROOMS

HOT DOG, HAMBURGER

$4, $5

VEGAN/VEGETARIAN

OCEANA

COOL FRUIT SENSATIONS

10 SMALL PIZZA

$4 - $5

ENTRY/EXIT

RESTROOMS

$8.50

11 HOT DOG, HAMBURGER

$4, $5

12 PULLED PORK SAND.

$8.50

SMOKED BRISKET SAND.

BBQ SMOKED & PORK SAND.

$8.50

SNOW CONES

$3, $4, $5

ENTRY/EXIT

USE GATE A RAMP FOR PRACTICE JUSTICE DAY STREET LEVEL ENTRANCE

LASALLE STREET

MERCEDES-BENZ SUPERDOME Please enter the gate that corresponds to your wristband color for all events.

GIROD STREET

Stand out or fit in. Not all the time, and never at the same time, but it's always a choice. Those who choose to fit in should expect to avoid criticism (and be ignored). Those who stand out should expect neither. -- Seth Godin

Champions Square

Accessibility been blocked out and will be maintained from the time the doors open until 10 minutes before the mass gathering program begins (7 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday; 9 a.m. for closing worship on Sunday morning). Participants in DAYLE who are also taking part in the Gathering will receive reserved tickets through the DAYLE staff. All participants with special needs, those who indicated special needs on the original Gathering registration and those for whom significant special needs have arisen more recently, must come in person to the Information Booth in the convention center to request tickets for access to reserved seating in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Each person who needs special seating is permitted to bring up to two members from her or his congregation.

Assistive Listening Devices Assistive listening devices can be obtained in person at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Guest Relations Center, located just inside Gate A on the Plaza Level. Equipment is in limited supply and will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is also rated ADA compliant, and has numerous entrances that are fully accessible. Most folks will be entering near Hall E. The Gathering is making use of Halls B through J, and there are at least five elevators that serve these halls, though not all elevators serve all floors.

Renting Wheelchairs and Scooters Individuals or congregations are responsible for all arrangements for wheelchair or scooter rentals, including reservations, pick-up, dropoff, payment and liability for damages. The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau has recommended these two firms for rentals of scooters and manual wheelchairs:

RHINO Business Center (scooters only) Conveniently located in the Lobby F of the convention center. www.rhinobiz.com 504-232-1158 Scootaround Wheelchair and Scooter Rental (manual chairs and scooters) www.scootaround.com 1-888-441-7575

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800-638-3522, ex 2100

Safety Security Safety on the Streets of New Orleans:

Always travel in groups of at least three or four persons, including an adult leader, for safety reasons. Never travel alone! Follow suggested walking routes. Do not wander into any area that is dark or void of people. Walk confidently and be courteous. If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and move to a safer area. Carry your purse close to your body and your wallet in your front pocket. Do not display large amounts of cash in public places. Don’t hesitate to approach a police officer, security officer or Gathering staff for help. Always let your adult leaders know where you are going. Designate a pre-arranged meeting spot for your group in the event someone becomes separated from the others. Each Gathering participant should carry photo identification at all times. A designated adult should also carry a copy of each group member’s medical release form. Hydration, light-colored clothing, balanced diet and sleep are the best prevention for heat exhaustion in New Orleans. It is recommended that participants carry water bottles and drink the equivalent of between 8 – 10 glasses of water daily. Proper footwear should be worn by all participants. “Flip flops” or other open-toed footwear is not recommended for the servant events, walking around the city and inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Each group should possess a basic first aid kit, which includes bandages for unexpected blisters. Notify the New Orleans Police Department (911) and the Gathering InfoLine 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA) if you become the victim of a crime. Call Gathering InfoLine 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA) to report ANY unsafe condition in addition to an actual crime or injury.

Street Scams and Con Games Watch out for street scams, especially in the French Quarter. Be wary of strangers who seem overly anxious to help you or offering you the “chance of a lifetime” for a little gamble, and if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Simply smile and walk past them. The favorite street scam is for someone to approach you and offer to bet you $5 that they can tell you “Where’d you get them shoes.” If you display any interest at all, someone may start shining your shoes while continuing a rapid fire discourse for a couple of minutes or for as long as you let them. The tag line is that this person knows you “got them shoes” on your feet. Now, since you’ve been entertained and had your shoes shined (quality not withstanding), this person will naturally expect you to pay up. Some other popular scams are: “Bet I can spell your last name” Answer: “Y-O-U-R L-A-S-T N-A-M-E” Someone will try to get you to follow them to enroll in special deals. Somebody hands you a “free” New Orleans souvenir — then wants a donation for a worthy-sounding cause.

Safety Security Curfew The City of New Orleans has the following curfew in effect: A minor (person under the age of 17) shall not remain in a public place or on the premises of an establishment without being accompanied by parent, guardian or other designated adult from: 1.) 9 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 6 a.m. of the following day from June 1 through August 31. 2.) 11 p.m. on any Friday or Saturday until 6 a.m. of the following day. Since Gathering activities end later than these hours, it is of utmost importance that group leaders accompany their groups at all times when traveling back to your hotels. Violations of this curfew could result in summonses to both the participant and group leader.

Cellphones It is recommended that all participants who own cellphones bring them to the Gathering. Although cellphones can be a distraction, for safety reasons they can become an important tool in communicating with others should someone become separated from the rest of the group. Even though New Orleans is a safe city, there are still areas that should be avoided, and cellphones offer a fast means of communication in the event of an emergency. Maintain a printed list of cell phone numbers to distribute to members of your group. Program the group leader/s cell number and the Gathering InfoLine number 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA) on all cellphones. In addition, the following should be programmed into all cellphones: “ICE” (In case of emergency) – The cell phone number of the group leader. Include in the group’s covenant a statement regarding cell phone usage during the trip.

Safety and Behavior in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome For your safety and security, all backpacks, bags, containers, purses, etc., may be inspected prior to you being admitted to the dome. Laser pointers, glass containers, any type of weapon or anything else that poses a safety or health risk will be confiscated. Do not joke about weapons, violent acts or terrorism. “Mosh Pits” and “Body Surfing” are strictly prohibited. Anyone forming or participating in these activities could risk removal from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. No open flames (lighters, candles, matches, etc.). No throwing items, such as beach balls, toilet paper, coins, etc.

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800-638-3522, ex 2100

Safety Security No saving seats. No laser pointers. All cellphones and pagers should be turned off. Soft drinks and food are not permitted in the seating areas of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Before entering the dome, have a realistic plan of where your group may sit, in case someone gets separated. To avoid injuries, refrain from running when the doors open. Designate a pre-arranged meeting spot for your group to meet after the program has ended.

Lost & Found Items Items can be claimed at the Info Booth near Hall D of the convention center. If you have found that you have lost an item, contact the Gathering InfoLine at 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA). If you find an item that someone has lost, turn the item over to any volunteer.

Health Care Information and Addresses

What to do in an emergency For all emergencies call 911, then call the Gathering InfoLine at 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA) to report the illness, injury, or incidence. For general health information Call the Gathering InfoLine at 1-888-411-3522 (ELCA) and ask for one of our Gathering volunteer nurses. They will be able to assist with your health care questions and/or refer you to the appropriate facility. During events in the convention center from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Two first aid stations will be open on the 1st Level. During events in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: A first aid station will be open on the street level. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.: First aid stations will be open on each level. Emergency Facilities Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, 200 Henry Clay, 504-896-9554 East Jefferson Hospital, 4200 Houma Blvd., 504-454-4000 Kenner Regional Medical Center, 200 W. Esplanade 504-468-8600 Meadowcrest Hospital, 1020 Hancock St, 504-366-2229 Oschner Foundation Hospital, 1516 Jefferson Highway, 504-842-3000 Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, 1415 Tulane Avenue, 504-988-5800 Touro Infirmary, 1401 Foucher Street, 504-897-7011 West Jefferson Hospital, 1101 Medical Center Blvd., 504-347-5511 LSU University Hospital, 2021 Perdido Street, 504-903-3144 (Trauma Center)

Safety Security Urgent Care Facilities New Orleans Urgent Care, 900 Magazine Street, 504-552-2433 (M-F 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sat: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Woessner Clinic, 750 Camp Street, 504-525-5262 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. by appointment only) East Jefferson After Hours, 2215 Veterans Blvd, 504-461-9660 (M-F 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.) Westbank Urgent Care, 148 Wall Blvd, Gretna, LA, 504-838-3524 (M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

24-Hour Pharmacies Walgreens: 1801 St. Charles Avenue, 504-561-8331 4421 Airline Highway, 504-836-2059 4545 W. Esplanade, 504-888-0125 4110 General DeGaulle, 504-433-9956 CVS: 820 W. Esplanade, 504-467-8313 4901 Prytania Street, 504-891-6307 3535 Severn Avenue, 504-885-9955

Non 24-hour Pharmacies Walgreens: 134 Royal Street, 504-525-3280 (no pharmacy) (7 a.m. - 10 p.m.) 900 Canal Street, 504-568-1271 (7 a.m. - Midnight) Sav-A-Center: 717 Clearview Parkway, 504-828-8889 (no pharmacy)(7 a.m. - 11 p.m.) Aspen Pharmacy: 5745 Plauche Court, 504-734-0333 (M-F 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) Bradleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poydras Pharmacy: Saint Bernard, LA, 504-682-5236 (M-F 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat 9:30 a.m. - Noon) CVS / Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Discount Pharmacy / C & C Pharmacies: 3345 Metairie Road, 504-832-1765 (M-F 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) 1107 Veterans Memorial Blvd, 504-837-2516 (M-F 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) 1401 Veterans Memorial Blvd, 504-834-1570 (M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.) 4650 W. Esplanade Avenue, 504-455-6780 (M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) 8108 W. Judge Perez Drive, 504-279-0446 (M-F 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Dental Clinic CBD Dental Care, 504-525-9990 (M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only)

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Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. - Mother Teresa

800-638-3522, ex 2100

Thank Yous City of New Orleans and its residents www.cityofno.com New Orleans Convention & Visitor Bureau (especially Lyn, Marybeth and Tara. We love you.) www.neworleanscvb.com ELCA congregations, pastors, staff and volunteers of the greater New Orleans area Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA www.gulfcoastsynod.org Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn (for providing 1,700 loaves of bread for communion) www.luthersem.edu Michael David Winery in Lodi, CA (for providing 20 cases of wine for communion at a significant discount) www.michaeldavidwinery.com Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA (for making it possible for 18 congregations to attend the Gathering, and for providing the Mission Investment Fund Service Center, and for believing in the ministry of the Gathering) www.elca.org/mif Office of the Presiding Bishop (for providing the orange t-shirts) www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Officeof-the-presiding-bishop Wartburg Seminary (for their leadership of the Practice Peacemaking day) www.wartburgseminary.edu ELCA Conference of Bishops (for spending the week with us in New Orleans) Our fifteen planning team leaders, their families and employers (for giving two years of their lives to shepherd this ministry) Staff of the Churchwide Organization, especially Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit (where the Gathering is located), and the hardworking staff in the Office of the Treasurer (whose workloads dramatically increase every three years)

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Final 15 The Final 15 was introduced at the 2003 ELCA Youth Gathering in Atlanta, Ga., and has become a valued part of the Gathering experience for many. It was originally intended to be the last thing a group did together each day at the Gathering, but in 2012 planners have scheduled time for groups to “take 15” earlier in the evening. Take the time, every night, to dwell in God’s word, reflect on the day, care for each other and pray. There is encouragement and strength in knowing that thousands of other young people and adults are engaging in the same practice here and at home in the presence of God. You may also choose to revisit these devotions in/with your congregation when you get home, or you may even find yourself going back to them years later when you use this Bible. In a verse just before the Ephesians text around which the Gathering was built (Ephesians 2:14-20), the apostle Paul writes “For we are what [God] has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10). Take this Bible with you as you move about the world as a follower of Jesus. Wherever God takes you from here, we know it will not be a place beyond questions or growing. This book will ground you when you feel like you are drifting; it will center you when the moments you never wanted, never expected, never thought would happen seem to pull you off course; it will remind you where you come from, who your ancestors are, and how they moved through life with a fundamental trust in the God who accompanies them wherever life takes them. In and through these family stories you will remember that as a disciple you are freed in Christ to live differently, to make a difference in the world, and to make a different world for all of creation.

Final 15 Prayer Requests Lord, teach us to pray. (Luke 11:1) The structure for prayer we offer here is just a suggestion, but we strongly encourage you to use this pattern through the week where you pray for the church, the world, your neighborhood/community, yourself/group, and then end with thanksgivings. In fact, this might be a good pattern to use when practicing your communal prayer life when you get home. One of the many joys of the Final 15 is the fact that Gathering folks all over New Orleans are praying for the same things at the same time. We have also posted these prayers online and encourage those at home to join you in lifting these concerns before the Lord. If your group is not comfortable verbalizing prayers, adult leaders can invite youth to write prayers and read them following the order below. An appropriate ending to each petition can be “Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.”

Final 15 Day 1

God is always communicating with God’s world, and with us, but we aren’t always tuned in to hear God’s voice. How were you/were you aware of God’s presence today? How were you tuned in to God today? In the 17th century, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection lived a lowly life, mostly in the kitchen of a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Even though he was uneducated, people were drawn to Brother Lawrence because of his peaceful nature. Brother Lawrence encouraged people who wanted to experience deep peace to practice God’s presence by continually conversing with God. “It seems,” he wrote, “like a world of trouble to bring oneself into the consciousness of God’s presence.” But it is really very simple. He kept his attention riveted on God no matter how mundane a task he was doing. He did everything for the love of God. After his death in 1691, a book was written about Brother Lawrence called “The Practice of the Presence of God.” You will be learning much about the practice of faith this week at the Gathering. Practicing your faith is like developing any relationship. You have to give it time and attention. It requires you to see, hear, feel and constantly remember your partner, God. And, like Brother Lawrence, you have the opportunity to do everything, even the most mundane things, for the love of God. Discuss how you will attempt to keep your mind on Christ (Romans 8:6) this week, even when you are doing the most mundane of tasks like eating or standing in line to get into the Superdome, or taking a shower. Talk to each other about your struggle to keep God at the forefront of your consciousness throughout the day. What is distracting you? What practice helps enliven your awareness of God’s presence? Ask God for the grace to keep your mind focused on Jesus as you attempt to live your life in the way of Christ.

Day 1

Church: Pray for the Peruvian Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Central African Republic companion churches of the Texas, Louisiana Gulf Coast synod, the Gathering’s host synod. World: Pray for the International Companions who will be with us this week from nineteen countries. New Orleans: Pray for the New Orleans police department and other security personnel who will keep us safe this week. Self/Group: Ask God for the grace to keep everyone in your group focused on Jesus this week. Thanks: Give thanks for the bus driver(s) or pilots or engineers who brought you safely to New Orleans.

The best way to have the last word is to apologize. - Unknown

www.elca.org/gathering

800-638-3522, ex 2100

Final 15 Day 2

God is holding all of us responsible for each other. As followers of Jesus, we give ourselves for the welfare of the rest of the world, not to dominate the world with our wealth, our intellect, our scientific capabilities, our products or our weapons, but to love the world – all of creation – like Jesus. Loving like Jesus might take the form of listening before speaking, giving power away rather than clinging to it for our own gain, taking a backseat so another can be in the spotlight, turning the other cheek. Self-giving love can feel like defeat in a world filled with messages that promote victory over the enemy, power over weakness, new over used, an eye for an eye, selfishness over selflessness, us over them. You have been called to acts of faith that help you tune in to the world immediately around you and the world far away. That kind of faith involves risk, especially in a world that functions most comfortably within clearly articulated walls. The faith to which you have been called risks seeing God at work in others – in their needs, and ideas, their hopes and plans, their failures and successes – as well as in ourselves. That kind of faith will appear risky, even threatening to some. It is hard to let go of the belief that we are the be-all and end-all of the universe; that the world revolves around us. In a me-first culture, it isn’t always our first inclination to step aside and let another go first, or stoop down and wash the feet of another like Jesus did. As disciples of Christ our posture should be one of humility. Talk about ways you can practice a posture of humility at the Gathering, in your school, in your family, in your congregation. No one gave more than Jesus. In his death and resurrection, Jesus makes it possible for you to give yourself away for the love of God. Did you risk giving yourself for another today? What risk are you willing to take for the sake of Christ when you go home?

Day 2

Church: Pray for the Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land whose members, along with all Palestinians, are humiliated and harassed every time they have to pass more than 500 check points in their own land. World: Pray for the citizens of countries in the world who are oppressed by their governments. New Orleans: Pray for the young people who are bullied in New Orleans, and pray for those doing the bullying. Self/Group: Pray that you/your group has the courage to respond when God calls you to risk something for your faith. Thanks: Give thanks for the people who will be serving you/your group this week like housekeepers, wait staff, other hotel staff, and the 2,000 ELCA volunteers who give up vacations and family time to serve the ministry of the Gathering.

Final 15 Day 3

Bullies pose a threat. Nations stock pile weapons for war. Genocide ravages entire villages. Prejudice distorts power. Fear makes everything out of whack, broken, sideways, wrong ways. Fear grabs ahold of you and me and we are paralyzed and paranoid. Fear deadens our ability to trust and can quickly turn neighbors into bitter enemies. How many wars could have been avoided if leaders were not afraid to compromise? How many friendships could have remained if someone had the nerve to say, “I’m sorry.” Fear locks us away. Isolates us. Brick by brick we convince ourselves that it is best to just take care of number one. Make sure we are safe and happy. So, we build a wall. Put on a mask. Smile and pretend everything is A-OK. Even though we know it is a lie, we answer “everything is fine” when everything is not.

Day 3

Church: Pray for the Lutheran Church in Liberia and their new bishop, Jensen Seyenkulo. World: Pray for people throughout the world who take great risks to work for peace. New Orleans: Pray for the people of New Orleans who don’t enjoy the privileges of citizenship. Self/Group: Pray that you/your group has the courage to respond when God calls you to risk something for your faith. Thanks: Give thanks for the people in your life who inspire you by the way they advocate for people who are different or who don’t have a voice. Seyenkulo. World: Pray for people throughout the world who take great risks to work for peace. New Orleans: Pray for the people of New Orleans who don’t enjoy the privileges of citizenship. Self/Group: Pray that you/your group has the courage to respond when God calls you to risk something for your faith. Thanks: Give thanks for the people in your life who inspire you by the way they advocate for people who are different or who don’t have a voice.

And then Jesus shows up, walks right through our fortified walls of fear, pulls off our ridiculous masks, stands smack dab in the middle of our hatred and racism, self-loathing and violent leanings and says – be still – I am peace. I bring peace. Peace be with you. This gives new meaning to those moments when we sit in doubt and fear and pain. Be still, peace is with you. Our God is a God of peace. Where there is division, walls, hostility, God reconciles us together. Heals us. Our God is a God who mends. Making what was once a million pieces into one complete whole. Our God is a God of comfort. When we are afraid, scared of our own shadow, God is close. Closer to us than the air we breathe. Speaking words of peace, “Be still, dear one.” Peace is with you. Our God is a God of life, calling each of us to live in the hope of a new humanity shaped not by fear, but by the peace of Christ. Truth is: you may still be afraid and that’s okay. Truth is: God is with you, claiming you, comforting you, calling you to look past your fear, to find in this life the deep peace of God and hear the words you need so desperately to believe: “Be still my child. Be still.” Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

www.elca.org/gathering

800-638-3522, ex 2100

Final 15 Day 4

The recovery crews have moved on. Government officials are holding news conferences in other areas of conflict. On the surface, life seems to have settled into a new normal in New Orleans. So why have ELCA youth and adults come back? Surely there are other areas of the country that could use the assistance of 30,000+ eager workers. Here’s the deal: New Orleans still needs us to tell the truth about what happened here in 2005, and what continues to happen here every day. The scab that was ripped off by Hurricane Katrina exposed a generational, systemic cancer of poverty that desperately needs healing. We can’t stop telling the truth until all of God’s people are free from the bondage of poverty. We have returned to New Orleans not to replicate what we did in 2009, that makes it about us. We return bearing witness to a God who stands with God’s people in their suffering, and in so doing, we learn about our own suffering and our own need for conversion. Our coming back says to the people of New Orleans, we are with you as Jesus is with you. We learn that we need a change of attitude that softens our hearts toward one another, and opens our arms to life in all its shapes and forms. So we stand with New Orleans in our mutual need for conversion, on the verge of a totally new life. A life in which all enjoy freedom from the burdens of racism and poverty, and freedom that knows mutual welfare and security that true citizenship affords. New Orleanians told us they need people who will tell the truth about this systemic, generation poverty they are attempting to overcome. New Orleans is everywhere if only we have eyes to see. Where is the injustice in your community? How can you set your neighbors free by exposing the truth about their bondage? A church in mission like ours is a church that tells the truth about what we see. About what is God calling you to tell the truth?

Lord, help me to spend as much time making sure the world doesn’t change me as I spend trying to change the world - Marian Wright Edelman Founder and President of the Chidren’s Defense Fund

Day 4

Church: Pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the 21 hospitals and 47 secondary schools it operates. World: Pray for people around the world who have to worry about retribution if they express an opinion different than the ruling power. New Orleans: Pray for the children and adults whose poor literacy skills contribute to their engagement in criminal behavior. Self/Group: Pray for the courage to speak truth in love and not judgment. Thanks: Give thanks for the people you know who work to correct unfair or harmful situations.

Final 15 Day 5

Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Do you know what we really wanted to say at the end of the worship service in the Superdome? “Get the hell out of here.” God did not intend for us to stay in the upper room like the disciples (Luke 24:36-43), held captive by fear that Jesus had been abandoned them. Nor did God intend for us to remain on the mountain top, (Mark 9:2-8) basking in Jesus’ glory. We were created to live in the midst of a groaning creation (Romans 8:22). Disciples of Christ stand with each other in the midst of life’s struggles. Disciples are companions on the journey of life that includes gain and loss, joy and sorrow, pain and healing, victory and failure, not life that consists only of success and satisfaction, security and self-gratification. When you arrived in New Orleans you were asked to listen for the divine whisper. What has God whispered in your ear this week? You were invited to be present to what God is up to New Orleans and in our own lives. How will you practice that kind of presence in the days, weeks and months to come? We invited you to hear God’s call on your life and to get real about following Jesus. What if we quit playing the game of faith and actually lived this life of faith with every twist and turn? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, and to take the risk of following the one who died on the cross? How will you tell others about your encounter with Jesus this week?

Day 5

Church: Pray for The Lutheran World Federation, of which the ELCA is a member, as they prepare to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017. World: Pray for all of the countries of the world separated by walls of any kind – physical, spiritual, political or economic. New Orleans: Pray for the people who are held captive by the systems that perpetuate poverty. Self/Group: Pray that you will be accepted back into your congregation as leaders who will inspire a stronger commitment to mission. Thanks: Give thanks for the adult leaders who spent the week with you in New Orleans.

The world knows us by our actions. The cross traced on our foreheads at baptism is only visible when we follow, when we take the risk to challenge the prevailing signs and images. How will you take seriously the promise you made at your confirmation to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth” (ELW page 236)?

www.elca.org/gathering

800-638-3522, ex 2100

Adult Leader Training Notes

Where Our Group Meets

www.elca.org/gathering

800-638-3522, ex 2100

DAvE SchErEr (AGAPE*), MAStEr of ArtS StuDEnt By embracing an attitude of â&#x20AC;&#x153;come as you areâ&#x20AC;?, Dave Scherer, aka AGAPE*, shares the gospel with teens through his hip-hop outreach ministry. As a Luther Seminary student, Scherer has developed a deeper theological understanding which allows him to better equip young people with the message that God loves them and is active in their lives.

Innovate

the delIvery.

Innovate

the dIscovery.

www.luthersem.edu

ON CAMPUS | ONLINE Youth leaders, visit www.firstThird.org to register to win free books!

Missional

engaging

expansive

innovative

faithful

just chill...

board games

trivia

s u m l o co

cool conversation movie c lips

Ad_LoungeGatheringIdol.indd 1

6/12/2012 12:39:06 PM

Hyatt Regency(A)• Celestial Royal Sonesta(E)• Grand Hilton Riverside(I)• Grand Salon Sheraton New Orleans(G)• Grand JW Marriott(D)• Ile de France Intercontinental(B)• La Salle Marriott Convention Center(H)• Blaine Kern

Generations Dance

Wed 50’s, Thur 60’s, Fri 70’s & Sat 80’s Hilton Riverside(I)• Napolean

Christian Music Dance

Marriott New Orleans(F)• Mardi Gras

9PM - 10:45PM • W/Th/F/Sat Ad_Dances.indd 1

6/12/2012 10:49:57 AM