Summer 2015 had two big events for the youth of the South Dakota Synod.
The first was the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. In July, nearly 30,000 Lutherans gathered in Detroit for worship, service, and fellowship. South Dakota had 1,100 youth in attendance, more than any other synod in the ELCA. Way to go, South Dakota Synod!
One particularly exciting day for the South Dakota Synod was the day we spent together as a synod for “Proclaim Story.” All 1,100 youth and adults gathered in a ballroom to worship, sing together, and discover ways to proclaim that Jesus is the good news to the world! The band, bible study leaders, and worship assistants all included South Dakota youth. It was a great day to be synod together!
In August, South Dakota youth gathered again for “Rise Up, South Dakota.” AGAPE and Rachel Kurtz, popular musicians from the youth gathering gave a concert, the youth collected trash around the Big Sioux River, and Bishop Dave grilled burgers for supper. It was a beautiful evening!
The event was to bring us together, but to also raise money and awareness for ELCA World Hunger: Walk for Water. Globally, 1.8 billion people – that’s about one out of every four people – drink from contaminated water sources. Unsafe water leads to illnesses that claim the lives of 840,000 people each year, almost half of whom are children under the age of five. The “Rise Up SD” event included a “Walk for Water” course where youth could get a glimpse of what it is like to carry five gallons of water,weighing 41.5 pounds, just a fraction of the distance youth their age and younger carry around the world. Along the course, they read about real life situations around the world,learned eye-opening water facts, and experienced the dangers of drinking contaminated water. Together, participants raised nearly $1,000 for Walk for Water!
We give thanks for the youth and leaders of this church! Stay tuned for more opportunities for fellowship and growth with the young people of our church.
Photos
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