Guidebook: Adult Leader Guide

Adult Leader Resource | Table of Contents General Info 97 Transportation 101 Health, Safety, & Security 102 Emergency Medical Response 104 Non-Emergency Medical Needs 105 Community Group Info 106 Community Life Resources 110 Adult Leader Interest Centers 112 Worship Service 116

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Still have a question? Ask one of the Yellow Shirts – Community Life Builders (CLBs) or call the 24-hour Gathering HelpLine 210-582-7021.

Adult Leaders, please read this entire section!

Adult Leader Orientation – CC Rooms 206 and 207 Sunday, June 30 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm Monday, July 1 | 10:00am – 6:30pm After registering on-site, send an adult from your group to an Adult Leader Orientation session. These sessions are quick, harmless, and helpful for setting up your group for an enjoyable Gathering experience.

Jump in on one of these 30 minute sessions that start every 15 minutes.

Communion Ware The Communion Ware for the 2013 National LCMS Youth Gathering incorporates hand blown glassware from Mexico with a confetti pattern.

The glass blowers who created these pieces used 100% lead-free glass from recycled soda bottles and although the glassware is very similar in height and width, no two pieces are identical. The Live Love(d) Gathering logo is engraved on the flagon (pitcher). These sets may be reserved in the Youth Booth located in the CC Bridge Hall on a first available basis for a cost of $125 including packaging and shipping costs. Purchased Communion Ware will be available for pickup on Friday morning from the Info Booth on the floor of the Alamodome in back of the floor seating in front of Section 101.

Donation Drop-Off Bring donation items to the Convention Center during registration and place them in the marked containers in the open area in West Registration by the Information Booth or in Hall A when the Experiential area is open. Please DO NOT bring donated items to the Alamodome.

For a list of items to donate, see page 49. Remember to buy local in San Antonio if possible!

Evaluation At Gathering Registration, Primary Adult Leaders will receive an evaluation packet including directions for distributing, completing, and returning the evaluation. Evaluations will be collected after the final Mass Event on Friday, July 5. Also, for those that have the app, please encourage rating of speakers and other program elements of the event.

Food Options San Antonio offers many great food options walkable in the downtown area and along the River Walk. Concession stand areas are available at the Convention Center. Refer to the Convention Center map on page 46 for areas where meal and snack options are located. Don’t overlook visiting a local grocery or convenience store to stock up on food and water. Find specific restaurant locations and information on the Gathering website (San Antonio tab), Gathering App (San Antonio CVB List) or consult hotel information services. A San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau booth is also located in the main lobby of the Convention Center. If your group chooses to eat at a restaurant, we recommend making reservations in advance.

HelpLine 210 582 7021

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leader table of contents

General Event Information

Adult Leaders with registration issues (damaged wristband, etc.) can visit the office after late registration closes on Monday. The Gathering Office is not designated as an Info Booth. For program-related questions, please visit any of the designated Info Booths located in the Convention Center and Alamodome.

HelpLine: 210-582-7021 The HelpLine is available 24 hours a day from noon on June 29 until noon on July 6. The HelpLine provides immediate information about events, program times, or other needs participants may have at the Gathering.

Info Booths Convention Center East Registration outside Room 1109 Fountain Terrace - Concourse level, open area close to Room 208 Alamodome On the floor of the Alamodome in back of the floor seating in front of Section 101 On the North Concourse (Plaza Level), near the main entrance of the Alamodome

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Cyber Café Post on Facebook or Twitter, read the Spur online, check your email, etc. all at the Cyber Café located in the Youth Booth in CC Bridge Hall and in the Adult Rest Area CC Room 001.

LCEF Exchange – CC West Registration If you need cash while in San Antonio, visit the LCEF Exchange, a free service, to redeem traveler’s checks and withdraw funds from your LCEF account.

Hours of Operation: Monday, July 1 Tuesday, July 2 Wednesday, July 3 Thursday, July 4

10am to 5pm 9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm 11am to 4pm

Lost and Found All lost and found items will be gathered and secured in the Convention Center, Room 1109, located in East Registration next to the Info Booth.

Lost and Found hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 8:45am – 6:00pm. On Friday, Lost and Found will be located on the floor of the Dome in front of Section 101 from 8:00 am - noon and in the Convention Center from 12:30pm - 2:00pm.

Lost Cell Phones Participants are encouraged to add the term ‘AL’ as a contact in their cell phone that dials their Community Group Adult Leader’s phone. If a cell phone is found, the Adult Leader contact will be dialed, and phone can be returned. Lost items are always deposited at the Lost and Found Room.

Offering As part of Thursday Worship, participants will have the opportunity to present their monetary gifts to the glory of God. Gathering offerings will be used in service to ministry across The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and throughout the world. A portion of the offering will support Gathering Grants for Youth Outreach. Stop by the Youth Booth (CC Bridge Hall) to learn more about these grants.

Servant Events Check out the Experiential Center in CC Halls A & C for various opportunities to serve with your group. Groups who have been notified of an off-site service opportunity should follow the instructions they have received. If you have questions, you may stop by the Servant Event Info Booth located in West Registration near the LCEF Exchange during hours of Registration on Sunday and Monday.

Wristband Replacement All participants will receive a Gathering wristband. The wristband is the participant’s ticket into all Gathering activities and events. Participants must wear their wristband at all times.

If a wristband is damaged, Primary Adult Leaders can exchange it for a new wristband at the Gathering Office (CC Room 204). Both the participant and the Primary Adult Leader must visit the Gathering Office. The damaged wristband will be collected and a new wristband will be given to the participant. Additional wristbands will not be provided without exchanging your damaged wristband.

Special Needs Participants needing to rent a wheelchair, crutches, or other healthcare aid are encouraged to consult local vendors under ‘Medical Equipment and Supplies’ in the local phone directory or search online.

Most companies are able to make deliveries to and pick-ups from hotels.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Special Needs Advisor through any Gathering Info Booth or calling the Gathering HelpLine.

Items may be turned into ANY Info Booth or to the Lost and Found Room. To report a lost item, participants can call the HelpLine or stop by any Info Booth. Lost items at the Alamodome will be taken to the Lost and Found room at the Convention Center. Lost and Found is in an adultonly area. All youth coming to Lost and Found must be accompanied by an adult.

HelpLine 210 582 7021

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general information

Gathering Office – CC Room 204 Open 8:00 am – 5:00pm; Friday, June 28 to Friday, July 5.

Gathering Shuttle Schedule

Gathering shuttles will transport participants staying at airport properties and Market Square properties (limited). A special flyer will be available for these participants at registration and each shuttling property. Please connect with your Community Life Builder (CLB) each day at the Sunshine Stop location for updated shuttling information.

Shuttle times and drop-off locations at Gathering facilities differ on a daily basis.

Gathering shuttles are ONLY for participants staying at shuttling properties.

• Participants at shuttling properties will receive a red wristband at registration. (On Monday, participants at airport properties will be allowed to board shuttles without a wristband.)

• To return to hotel, participants must board correct route number.

(Numerous routes to airport properties exist.)

• Check with your CLB about special shuttling for Gathering Worship Rehearsals and the 5K.

Shuttle Etiquette and Guidelines

Only participants with shuttle wristbands will be allowed to ride Gathering shuttles. There are absolutely no exceptions to this policy.

Shuttling hotels have a shuttle route bus number. Be sure to write your shuttle route number (available in your hotel lobby) on your red wristband. Community Life Builders and the Gathering HelpLine can also provide necessary shuttle information.

Expect to wait and plan accordingly. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. This is especially true if you return to the hotel during the day as there is limited shuttling during off-peak times.

Be patient. Be courteous (live love). Please remember that everyone wants to get back to their hotels. Crowding at the front of the lines makes it difficult to board shuttles in a timely way. Please follow the directions of the Young Adult Volunteers, Community Life Builders and the Gathering Shuttle Team.

HelpLine 210 582 7021

Private Transportation: Motor Coach/Automobile It is highly recommended to not use private transportation such as motor coaches or automobiles during the days of the Gathering. Private vehicles (motor coaches, automobiles, etc.) will receive no access to vehicle drop-off points at the Convention Center or the Alamodome.

This is simply for the safety of pedestrian traffic.

Parking Parking is available throughout the city of San Antonio. For more information, visit the city’s website: www.sanantonio.gov/dtops/ parking/. Other private lots are also available for vehicle parking.

The convention center has no parking lots for visitors on its premises.

The nearest lots/garages are at the Grand Hyatt, the corner of Bowie Street and Market Street (Marina Garage), and Institute of Texan Cultures lot behind the Convention Center off of Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

The lots at the Alamodome are not available for participant or public parking. The nearest lot for parking is at the Institute of Texan Cultures lot behind the Convention Center off of Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

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Friday Morning To expedite your departure from the Gathering on Friday, it is suggested that groups return to and depart from their assigned hotels following the conclusion of the Mass Event. Groups are NOT allowed to bring luggage into the Alamodome at any time! Confirm your hotel’s checkout time and policy. Hotels with an earlier check-out time may provide a luggage holding room for your convenience. If you have questions, contact your Community Life Builder.

Groups who are leaving directly from the Alamodome on a private motor coach may plan pick-ups from Alamodome Parking Lot C (east side of Alamodome). Please plan to load your luggage on your private bus prior to leaving your hotel for the Friday Mass Event and do not bring luggage into the Alamodome. In case of extraordinary circumstances, a bag check will be provided at the Alamodome Info Booth on Plaza Level. It is located inside the dome to the left (east) of the glass door entrance.

Participants MAY NOT take luggage with them into the seating area of the Alamodome!

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transportation

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Transportation

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City Sense • Please maintain groups of at least three or four, with an Adult Leader, for safety reasons. Never travel alone!

• Follow suggested walking routes. Do not wander into areas that are dark or void of people.

• Proper footwear should be worn by all participants. Flip flops or other open-toed footwear is not recommended for the service experiences or walking around the city and inside the Alamodome.

• The suggested walking route between the Convention Center and the Alamodome is a pedestrian walkway that provides an underpass of Interstate 37. Market Street and Commerce Street are the two major routes to get to and from most downtown hotels and the Convention Center.

• Walk confidently; be courteous and respectful to people you meet on t he s t r ee t . San An t onio has an 11:00 p.m. cur f e w f or unaccompanied minors. It is imperative that all youth have nearby Adult Leader supervision following the evening Mass Events.

• Unfolding a map in public can be an invitation for help – wanted or unwanted.

• If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and move to a safer area.

• C arry your purse close to your body and your wallet in your front pocket.

• Do not display or count large amounts of cash in public places. Be very cautious about using outdoor ATM cash machines.

• Adult Leaders should know where each group of youth is going.

Designate a pre-arranged meeting spot for your group in the event that someone becomes separated.

• Hydration (drinking water), light-colored clothing, and balanced diet and sleep are the best preventions for heat exhaustion and dehydration.

• Watch out for each other, care for each other, and have the servant heart and mind of Jesus when it comes to how you treat all people.

• Put phones away while walking and be aware of the traffic around you.

Safety Tips • Each Gathering participant should bring photo identification and a completed Gathering Medical Release and Liability Waiver to the Gathering. Each participant should carry a photo ID and copy of these forms at all times. A designated Adult Leader should also carry a copy of each group member’s forms.

• The backpack provided by the Gathering is the primary bag participants should use for transporting personal items into the Convention Center and Alamodome. Each participant should place his/her name on the INSIDE of the backpack. DO NOT put personal information on the outside.

• Random searches of all backpacks, bags, containers, purses, etc. may take place at entry areas and other designated areas in the Convention Center and Alamodome. Security personnel reserve the right to question and search participants and their personal effects when suspicious activity is observed.

• Expect for each backpack or bag to be searched when entering the Alamodome. This activity is for the protection of Gathering participants.

HelpLine 210 582 7021

• Refrain from bringing valuables to any Gathering activity. Remember to check the Gathering Lost and Found office (CC 1109, East Registration) for items that may have been misplaced during the Gathering.

• Before entering any Gathering event have a realistic plan of where your group might sit. Designate a pre-arranged meeting spot for members in case someone becomes separated from your group. To avoid injuries, refrain from running when the doors open for any Gathering event.

• If you are participating in an off-site Interest Center or servant event, board buses as a group to avoid losing people.

• If your group has access to cell phones during the Gathering, maintain a list of cell phone numbers for the members of the group. Program the Adult Leader’s cell phone number and the Gathering HelpLine on all cell phones. Remind participants to be courteous of others when using cell phones. Please silence cell phones during Mass Events, Bible studies, Worship, Interest Centers, and Concerts.

• Designate one Adult Leader who will carry a basic first aid kit.

• Lasers, fireworks, and weapons of any type are not permitted at Gathering activities and will be confiscated. Do not joke about weapons, violent acts, or terrorism.

Separated Persons To prevent being separated from your group, PLAN AHEAD! Establish a meeting place to reconnect in both the Convention Center and the Alamodome. In an emergency, call the Gathering HelpLine 210-582-7021. The Info Booth located at CC East Registration is a designated “Holding Area” for separated persons.

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Staying Safe in Summer Sun Below are some safety tips that will help you stay safe during your time in the hot, summer climate of San Antonio: • Drink plenty of water! Your body needs water to keep cool. You should drink at least eight, eight ounce glasses of water (64 oz.) each day to avoid dehydration. More may be necessary depending upon whether you are used to heat, are sick, or have special medical conditions. Sports drinks (such as Gatorade) are okay in moderation in addition to your daily water intake.

• Dress for summer. Light-weight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body remain cool.

• Slow down/spend as much time as possible in air conditioning. Plan ahead to allow yourself plenty of time for each day’s activities. If you are feeling the effects of the heat, seek the coolest locations possible (this may not necessarily be indoors) and rest.

• Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult for your body. Wear sunscreen during the day, reapplying frequently and liberally.

• Don’t overeat. The more food (protein) you place in your body, the more heat energy the human body will create during the digestive process.

2013 National LCMS Youth Gathering

heath, safety, & security

heath, safety, & security

Health, Safety & Security

Heat Illness Symptoms SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by a physician.

HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale, and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing.

Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness.

First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment. Reduce body temperature with cold water or sponging.

Use extreme caution. Use fans and air conditioners.

If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

Emergency Medical Response

Convention Center If inside or immediately outside the Convention Center, use your cell phone or Convention Center house phone and dial 911. Then, notify the Gathering HelpLine 210-582-7021.

In an emergency situation, be prepared to provide: 1. Your Name 2. Your Location 3. Your contact information (if cell phone is available) 4. A description of the situation: Is the patient breathing? Is the patient responsive? How did the injury occur (if known)? What is the patient’s complaint?

Alamodome In case of an emergency, contact a Gathering staff member (CLB or usher) or Alamodome staff member (wearing a blue blazer). Alamodome Security Control can be reached at 210-207-3680.

HelpLine 210 582 7021

Hotels Your Community Life Builder (CLB) and hotel staff are key resources in case of emergency. When you check into your hotel, familiarize yourself with your hotel’s phone system for emergency response. Again, please call the Gathering HelpLine 210-582-7021 as quickly as the situation allows.

Non-Emergency Medical Needs First Aid CC Medical Services H –35 - located in the back of Hall C by the escalators 1019A - located in the hallway going into Ballroom A and across from

entrance into Hall A Alamodome O utside on the North Plaza Level before the doors open F loor Level - West Side P laza Level - Section 101 C lub Level - Section 242

At the Alamodome, contact a CLB, Alamodome personnel (wearing a blue blazer), or Mass Event personnel (usher, etc.) if you have a medical problem, and they will call medical assistance or direct you to the nearest first aid station.

Participants in need of medical treatment for injury or illness while at a hotel should contact their Community Group Adult Leader, hotel Community Life Builder (CLB), or hotel staff to determine the location of the nearest medical facility. Participants are reminded to carry a copy of their medical release form at all times.

At the Convention Center, go a first aid station or contact a CLB or YAV, and they will call medical assistance or direct you to a medical station.

Crisis Intervention The Crisis Intervention Team is on-site throughout the Gathering and is available to help individuals and groups experiencing severe crisis situations such as notification of death in the family, legal issues, substance abuse, depression or suicidal feelings, or issues of violence or abuse.

The Crisis Intervention Team consoles and counsels as needed and provides referrals as appropriate while maintaining confidentiality.

Crisis Intervention Team members are obligated to report incidents in accordance with mandatory reporting laws. The Crisis Intervention Team can be contacted through the Gathering HelpLine 210-582-7021.

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non-emergency medical needs

emergency medical response

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San Antonio July Weather: • The average high temperature is 95.6° F. • The average low temperature is 73.9° F. • The average precipitation is 1.69 inches.

Community Life Information CLB Sunshine Stop Starting Tuesday, your hotel will have a Community Life Builder (CLB) available from 8:00-8:30am. Check the confirmation board in your hotel lobby for location. The Community Life Builder is there to connect with Adult Leaders to provide Gathering updates and answer questions as needed. The CLB will also provide a copy of the Spur, the Adult Leader newsletter, and any hotel specific information. Please connect with your hotel CLB each morning!

Adult Leader Rest Area | CC Room 001 | Open during CC hours For Adult Leaders Only Keeping you rested and encouraged is important as groups navigate the Gathering. A little “down time” can go a long way. Take a nap, chat with other adults, get answers from CLBs, or check your email. The Adult Rest Area is a place for Adult Leaders to relax, be encouraged, and rejuvenate on-site at the Gathering.

Community Life Builders (CLBs) Community Life Builders (CLBs) are here to serve Adult Leaders! Their yellow shirts, yellow backpacks and general yellow appearance make CLBs easy to identify. Find them at the Gathering hotels, Convention Center, and Alamodome. Do not hesitate to ask them any questions.

CLBs have been trained and resourced for emergency or crisis procedures. While they are unable to serve as emergency personnel, they will contact the Gathering’s Crisis Intervention Team.

Please know that CLBs are not there to monitor behavior but are available to help you as you work with your youth.

There are some important things CLBs cannot do for Adult Leaders.

CLBs are not empowered to serve as a liaison between the hotel management and congregational groups unless an arbitrator is required. They are unable to assist with room assignments, billing, room or hotel damages. CLBs have no authority to commit The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in issues that demand the expenditure of money to hotels or to congregational groups. Despite these limitations, CLBs are here to serve!

HelpLine 210 582 7021

Young Adult Volunteers | the orange nation Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) can be identified by their orange shirts and extreme enthusiasm. YAVs play a huge role in making the Gathering a successful and memorable experience! They serve as role models while working in specific areas of the Gathering in the Convention Center, Alamodome, Gathering hotels, and off-site servant events.

Not only is the Gathering the largest gathering of LCMS high school youth, it is also the largest gathering of young adults between the ages of 18-25. Are you a young adult (18-25 years old) attending the Gathering with your youth group? We would love for you to join our young adult community during the evening Night Life. Join us at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Convention Center on Blum every night after the Mass Event.

Think you have what it takes? If you’ll be 18–25 in 2016, we would love to have you serve at the 2016 Gathering!

Community Group Meeting Space Throughout the Gathering, you will find great places to connect as a community group. These spaces might be around a table for a meal, in your hotel lobby, in a hotel room before “lights out”, or around the Convention Center. The Convention Center has a few designated places such as East & West Registration and Tower View on the Concourse level (Tuesday-Thursday) and tables around the concession stands in each Hall. Utilize this time to review the Gathering Bible study or ask the discussion starter questions found on page 109.

the Spur the Spur is the daily Adult Leader newsletter with a secret agent complex and a dash of playfulness. Known to be ‘news that gets to the point,’ the Spur provides Gathering information, updates, tips, and more.

Pick one up from a CLB at the Sunshine Stop in your hotel or at the Adult Rest Area. You’ll find additional and extended articles online too on the Gathering website. Watch for additional online issues of the Spur to be published post-Gathering.

Post-Gathering Bible Studies Find the ‘Ride Home’ Bible study in the Gathering Bible to use while you travel back home. An additional post-Gathering Bible study will be made available shortly thereafter on the Gathering website and on the Post-Gathering DVD. The Post-Gathering DVD will be mailed to each congregation.

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community group info

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Secondary Insurance Information Registrants are covered by a very limited accident and medical insurance policy that provides reimbursement up to a minimal dollar amount for emergency medical expenses incurred as a result of purely accidental injuries sustained while at the Gathering. This coverage is secondary to all other personal insurance coverage available to the participant and will make payment only if such other insurance is not adequate to cover the medical expenses resulting from an accidental injury sustained while at the Gathering.

Play the Yellow Shirt Game!

Join the fun! Stop one of the Yellow Shirts and ask to play the game.

Quick, hilarious and changing each day of the Gathering, game-play is exciting and helps you connect with the Gathering community and San Antonio! Each day some participants will be winners of a “Golden (Yellow Gold that is) Ticket.” These winners will get to have front row seats at the Mass Events. (Winners receive three seats; one for themselves, a friend and an Adult Leader.) Play for fun! Play as a group! Play often….the Yellow Shirt Game!

The Gathering program is only a catalyst for ongoing growth in the Christian faith for young people and adults. Community Groups provide the intimate setting necessary for the Gathering to have a lasting impact in the lives of participants. Seeing thousands of people together is exciting and perhaps even inspirational, but Community Group time provides youth the opportunity to talk things through and make new discoveries about life in Christ and life in the Church.

In addition to other benefits, Community Groups at the Gathering help participants: • Grow closer in relationships with one another • Review, debrief, and talk about experiences of the day • Reflect on spiritual topics and daily Gathering themes • Plan and organize each day Community Group time will happen at different times throughout the day, morning to night. Specifically, Gathering planners suggest you find time to recap each day. Bible studies have been provided to guide your study and discussion each morning and throughout the day. The Bible studies and subtheme conversation starters are found in your Gathering Bible.

Additional information on the following pages provides good starting points and encourages continued growth in your Community Groups: How Engaging with a group naturally is not as intimidating as it might seem.

Remember to nurture the youth in your Community Group by: • Respecting yourself and others; no put downs.

• Listening; each person has value and should be heard.

• Honesty, trust, and love; God tells us to “speak the truth in love.”

Where Community Group sessions happen in a variety of settings and places.

Some may take place in the Adult Leader’s hotel room before the group goes to sleep at night. Others may occur at a designated meeting place between your hotel and the Convention Center.

However you structure your time with your students, keep it centered on Jesus as you nurture, listen, and care. God bless your work with His children!

Discussion Starter Questions | Useful Anytime Consider using these basic questions in your daily discussion & community building: Everyday • What is one thing you are looking forward to today?

• Share your highs/lows for the day.

Monday • What would you be doing today if you weren’t at the Gathering? Do you like the change in your daily routine? Why or why not?

• How does the friendliness of the San Antonio community compare to where you live?

• What does love look like in your community back home (family, youth group, church, school, etc.)?

Tuesday • Who do you miss the most while you are away from family and friends here at the Gathering?

• What is the biggest distraction in your life right now? Why? • Electronic devices are often big distractions in our lives. Think of one way these items may be used to share what it means to Live Love[d].

When Community Group time may need to be adapted to meet the needs of your group. Discussing a few items thoroughly and providing a safe place to talk honestly about faith is better than rushing through all the material.

Wednesday • How are you feeling halfway through the week? Tired? Excited? How do you think the week is going?

• What was your favorite moment with your group today?

• Talk about a way “love” was demonstrated today by a friend, fellow Gathering participant, or Adult Leader.

Evening Discussion Time We strongly encourage Community Groups to end their day in prayer and discussion together. It can be led by anyone. It can happen in a huge ballroom, at a district event, in a restaurant, or a hotel room—anywhere!

While you can use these questions anytime during the day, you are encouraged to end each day with a Community Group connection time. Some hotels will have a Community Life Builder available to help facilitate this time.

Thursday • What have you learned about the life of a believer today? How does this fit with your life back home?

• What is one thing that you will do differently or add to your routine when you get home because of this Gathering?

• How will you tell friends, family, and other youth group members about Living Love[d] when you get home?

Morning Bible Study Bible study material is included in the Gathering Bible. Community Groups are encouraged to start their morning gathered around God’s Word.

HelpLine 210 582 7021

Subtheme Conversation Starters Use the questions that correspond with the daily theme to guide your group’s discussion and process the events of the day. The daily theme questions can be found in the front ancillary pages of the Gathering Bible.

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community group info

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Guide for Effective Community Group Time

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One of your primary responsibilities as an Adult Leader is to develop significant relationships with your youth. Below are some ways to initiate these relationships and take personal interest in your youth.

Either/Or This is a forced value/choice game. Explain that participants may sometimes feel like they are neither, but they “get” to choose one or the other. You can do this casually at a meal or involve the team physically by having them move to opposite sides of the room. Either way, have people share with a small group or with the whole group for what reason they chose what they did. You may preface each choice with a question (i.e. - Would you rather travel in a...hot air balloon or sports car? Or...when you shop for groceries are you...random or deliberate?) or simply read the two items and let their minds fly with the reasons why they might be either/or:

10 Conversation-Starting Questions Here are some great questions to start 100 Questions: 1. What is your favorite...food? sport? music?

2. Which is better: the mountains or the beach? Video games or sports? (pull from the either/or game) 3. What’s your family like? How many brothers/sisters do you have?

4. Who’s your best friend? What do you do together?

5. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

6. What’s the best movie you’ve watched lately?

Morning/Night Planner/Wing-er

7. If the earth was destroyed and you were able to escape, which three people and what three things would you take with you?

Plain/Jelly-filled donut Ninja/Pirate

8. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

Mac/PC Harry Potter/Twilight

9. What activities are you involved in at school?

Rock/HipHop

Hot air balloon/sports car

10. If you could do anything this year, what would you do?

Mountain cabin/Ocean view cottage

Sunset/Sunrise

To Continue the Conversations...

10 Questions to Take Your Conversation to the Next Level:

Come up with your own creative Either/Or choices. The possibilities are endless! You can find “Would you rather...” questions from a quick Google search. Youth are filled with creative ideas too.

100 Questions This ‘game’ is extremely effective when talking to adults or youth. It is affectionately known as 100 Questions. It often doesn’t feel like a game and ends up resulting in great conversation! When playing, start off by asking a basic question. For example, “Sarah, what is something you like to do?” Then after she responds, take a bit of information from what she said and ask another question about that. Follow the example below: Sarah: I like to play basketball.

You: Who are your favorite players to watch?

Sarah: Brittney Griner, Lebron James, Derrick Rose...lots of good players. (Note: take 1 piece of information and ask about it) You: Oh yeah, what do you like about Brittney Griner?

Sarah: She can dunk!

Continue the game by asking more questions about the things she tells you. The great thing about this game is that you can truly invest in a relationship and not know a thing about basketball, specific players, or anything else the youth are talking about, but you can show interest in their life by caring and learning about them. You’re committed to asking questions as long as the response provides more to ask about. Keep away from yes/no type questions. Students typically love to talk about themselves once they get going. If you keep asking, they’ll keep talking!

HelpLine 210 582 7021

1. What is your big dream in life?

2. What hurdles are preventing you from reaching that goal, and how do you plan to overcome them?

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3. What has recently impacted how you think about life?

4. What life-lessons have you learned in the last year?

5. Do your friends challenge you to be better? Do you challenge them?

6. In what ways have you been involved in church? Do you see your spiritual gifts being used? Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?

7. What things in life worry you?

8. What are your greatest joys?

9. Do you see God working in your life?

10. What are you hoping to learn on this trip? Why do you want to go?

Resource provided by the Youth E-Source. Find additional youth ministry resources at www.youthesource.com.

2013 National LCMS Youth Gathering

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community life resources

Group Building Games