The South Dakota Synod at the Youth Gathering
The South Dakota Synod is heading to New Orleans this summer to participate in 2024 ELCA Gathering, July 16-20, 2024. Over 900 youth and adults will hear the Gospel proclaimed in Mass Gatherings and Worship, while learning to live in Christian community and sharing the love of Christ in Accompaniment and Interactive Learning.
What is the Gathering?
“Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.
An important part of the Gathering’s ministry are the two pre-events, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), a faith formation and leadership development event primarily for youth of color, and the tAble, a gathering that brings together, blesses and empowers youth with disabilities.
The ministry of the Gathering is excited to partner with Young Adult Ministries to host the first-ever ELCA Young Adult Gathering for individuals who will be 18-35 at the time of the Gathering.”
The Goal of the Gathering, “Our goal is to create environments and opportunities for faith formation through worship, interactive learning, Bible study, service and fellowship.” The Gathering is a place for young people to encounter the Body Christ in a place unlike any other.
We are so excited to travel to New Orleans to experience the third expression of the church! And, for youth and young adults to see the breadth and depth of God’s love for them and for the whole world!
Find the Gathering on Social Media:
Here is a quick update from SD Synod Champion, Mara Stillson:
Greetings! It’s almost time for the 2024 Gathering in New Orleans! The MYLE and tABLE events begin on July 13th, and the Gathering begins on July 16th. Please continue to hold Gathering staff and volunteers, youth and leaders, bus drivers and pilots, ALL of the people who will be in attendance or connected to the event.
If you have any questions – please reach out to me at mara@losd.org or 605-321-4557. I won’t have all of the answers, but I will gladly talk through them with you. I am here to help.
For those of you who are not attending the Gathering, here are ways you can participate:
Pray for the travelers, share your Gathering stories, Listen to the stories of youth, Support financially, Donate in-kind gifts (Region 3 is bringing Phone Banks for emergency kits.), Learn about the Gathering and follow online at www.elca.church/gathering.