LYO

Lutheran Youth Organization of Upstate New York.

By Rev. Marie C. Jerge, Bishop

Walking Wet is an image that describes our lives as baptized children of God. It took on new meaning here in New Orleans when the rains hit and the hordes of youth in colored t-shirts wandered the city streets soaked to the skin. But they did not let it dampen their enthusiasm for learning what it means to be Citizens with the Saints, and practicing discipleship, peacemaking and justice.

I have shared some images and stories throughout this week. They are posted on our website... but here are just a couple God moments:

Upstate New York Synod groups were housed in a hotel on Bourbon Street. That was a concern, but our youth and adults handled it well and turned it into opportunities for conversation. The surprise came when a homeless man stopped one group and prayed with them and for them!

While working out in the community, one of our young women had some trouble with the heat and needed a trip to the hospital. After treatment, the doctor offered her (and those with her) a ride back to the hotel.

Each community service group was shepherded by a young adult called a servant leader. One servant leader told us that he volunteered for the gathering because his friend was coming. After working with the Lutherans for a few days, he said that when he returns home, he's going to find an ELCA congregation and get confirmed, because we're a church that combines preaching the Word with action.

The program was fabulous, the music astounding, the leaders did an amazing job - but the image that remains in my mind is those groups of colored shirts packing the dome and taking to the streets - rain or shine - learning and living their faith in community and service.They are an inspiration! Amazing grace indeed!

Pin It

CONVO: On the road together

by Tara Lamont Eastman

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Exodus 13:21 (NIV)

Youth and adults have gathered for another year of CONVO! This year we have been learning and living the Exodus story. We have been using a nine by twelve foot walkable labyrinth, creating personal travel labyrinths, and our “family” shirts feature a seven-circuit labyrinth as a reminder that God goes with us wherever we go.

Labyrinths are prayer tools that allow the walker to move towards the center—closer to God—and move out being renewed by God’s continual presence. According to an article written by the Sisters of Providence, Christian labyrinths may have arisen as a substitute for pilgrimages to the Holy Land. People who could not travel imitated the real journey, but they were also engaged in a spiritual journey that was still very real. The cathedrals at Rheims, Amiens, and Chartres had labyrinths, all located in the nave. Moving out of the labyrinth has traditionally been a symbol of rebirth or resurrection.

Saron Lutheran Church, a ELCA church in Ashland, Wis., describes the process of walking a labyrinth to be a threefold process:

Release: walking into the labyrinth is a time to release your troubles, clear and quiet your mind. Open your heart to whatever it might feel.

Receive: reaching the center. This can be a place of meditation and prayer. Pause and open yourself to the Holy Spirit. Listen to that small inner voice.

Return: reconnecting with the outer world. As you follow the path out, experience the sense of well being, healing, excitement, calm or peace.

It is with a thankful heart that I have been serving as chaplain for this awesome group of youth and adults. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we gather alongside you. If you would like to pray and walk our labyrinth while attending the assembly, just ask people wearing the labyrinth pattern t-shirts and we’d be happy to show you the way. Connected in prayer, we travel this journey together!

Pin It

CONVO 2012

The 2012 CONVO Registration is open. This event is open to youth in grades 9-12. You may register online or download and return the registration form by May 1st and the cost is $225, $250 thereafter. No registrations will be taken after May 8, 2012. Pastors please download and display the flyer.

Watch this video about our synod.

The Synod in (Approximately) 60 seconds

For questions about CONVO and financial aid contact Pastor Laurie Carson 716-799-4017 (Cell or text) or by email pastorlcn@gmail.com.

For questions about registration contact Rick Mollenkopf-Grill 716-465-1321 or by email rick@nfclyo.org.

Pin It

Getting Ready - 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering

By Rick Mollenkopf-Grill, Synod Coordinator for the 2012 Youth Gathering

The 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans next summer is a mere 216 days away! Our Synod thus far has over 300 youth and adults, and 22 congregations registered and eager to get there! Here's the latest if your church is planning on going (or not) or if you're still on the fence:

Get Ready

Registration for the Gathering remains open through May 26! Registration is now on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner you register the better. As for travelling to the Gathering, that's up to you how you want to get there, but there are several churches interested in sharing transportation. Let us know if your group would be interested in "cooperative travel" or if you already have travel plans and would like to share your bus/plane/train/helicopters...whatever! The "Getting Ready" materials, to prepare your group, debut in January. And starting on March 18, you can begin communicating with your assigned hotel to arrange rooming and payments.

Get Gear...or better yet...design it!

You can go to www.oldlutheran.org now to shop online for advance Gathering "bling!" We are also having a contest to design a Synod t-shirt to wear at the Gathering! Here's how it works: Submit a design that incorporates some Upstate New York element(s), plays on the 2012 Gathering theme, and would be able to be printed in a single color. Submit design entries by December 31, 2011 to: 2012 Gathering T-shirt Designs, c/o NFCLYO, 55 Pleasant Ave., Lancaster, NY 14086 or to rick@nfclyo.org. The winning entry will be selected by January 15, and by February 1 we hope to have the final t-shirt ready to go for ordering for your group.

Get Trained

The ELCA continues to roll with the "Practice Discipleship: the ELCA Youth Ministry Training Project!" It's a series of in-person seminars, online webinars and national youth worker gatherings to not only prepare you for the Gathering, but to train you in your ministry right here at home, right now! The final third phase of the in-person seminars begin next Spring, so stay tuned for details. The online webinars are a series of 7 workshops happening on Sunday afternoons this fall and winter, and will repeat beginning on January 22.

Not Going?!

Your church can still support this ministry! There are several ways your church can help make this ministry happen through offerings and donations to various pieces of the Gathering and the causes the Gathering is supporting! See the Gathering website for details.

Get in Touch

There's a ton of resources to get info and be in touch with others about the 2012 Gathering!

On the Web: www.elca.org/gathering

Facebook: ELCA Youth Gathering page

Twitter: @elcagathering, or #cwts12

And...there's Synod-wide ways to stay connected with local people going...GREAT way to find out about travel opportunities!

Facebook: Upstate NY Synod National Youth Gathering 2012 Attendees group

Upstate NY Synod National Youth Gathering (Adult Youth Leaders) group

Feel free to get in touch with either of us as well for all things Gathering:

Rick Mollenkopf-Grill, Synod Coordinator (for Gathering info and questions): (716) 465-1321 or rick@nfclyo.org

Pastor Justin Johnson, Synod Coach (for Training info and questions): (585) 243-4490 or sttimpastor@yahoo.com

Have a fantastic Christmas, and blessings and prayers as you prepare for next summer in New Orleans!

Pin It

More Articles...

<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next > End >>

Page 3 of 7