Tag: gathering
Charting a New Path: Strategic Planning Updates from the Network
As ministry continues to evolve, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network is walking forward with intention. In response to feedback from our community and in the spirit of deep listening, we’ve launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to guide our future. The Network’s board of directors has identified four focus areas for our plan: Membership the ...
How Did the Gathering Expedition Come to Be?
How did the Gathering Expedition come to be? Ministry with young people continues to change, morph and innovate. Even the larger, “flagship” programs, like the ELCA Youth Gathering do the same. The Gathering has created “Expedition” experiences to accompany the gathering, and to deepen the ministry of the Gathering. There are lots of questions about where this ...
Why It’s Important that the ELCA Youth Gathering Go to Minneapolis in 2027
Today, at the closing worship service of the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, it was announced that the ELCA Youth Gathering will go to the city of Minneapolis in 2027. I’ve been to enough youth gatherings to know that when the next Gathering city is announced at a closing worship, there is always a mixed reaction ...
Changes for Gathering Bus Tour at the Extravaganza
There is an important change regarding the “Gathering Bus Tour” being held at the 2024 Extravaganza in New Orleans next month. The public bus tour of Gathering sites and locations is being replaced by a different event that will serve the same purpose, introduce adult leaders to a tool that we will use during the ...
What the Gathering’s Cancellation Means
Hello friends, By now, you have probably seen the notification from the ELCA Youth Gathering, letting the community know that the 2022 Youth Gathering in Minneapolis will not take place. Instead, the Gathering leadership will pivot and begin working on the 2024 event. We want to let you know that the 2022 Extravaganza, scheduled for ...
Giving Thanks for the Life of Heidi Hagstrom
Dear friends, It is with deep sadness that I write to share the news of the death of Rev. Heidi Hagstrom. Heidi died last night around midnight, in the presence of her family members. Heidi had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer last year. Heidi served most recently as the pastor of Fields ...
The Holy Spirit is Apparently “Boundless”
Sometimes you just can’t make this stuff up. When “coincidences” like this happen, my eyes widen a bit, and then I catch my breath and realize that the Holy Spirit is at work. Let me start at the beginning: So 3 years ago, the Extravaganza team leaders were together for their regular March meeting to ...
Why the ELCA Youth Gathering is Worth the Cost
Ok, I’m just going to put it out there and say it: I think every ELCA congregation should participate in the ELCA Youth Gathering. Every three years, the conversation kicks back up: “How can we justify spending (pick a number here…$1000…$1300…even $1600) to send kids to stay in a hotel for a week? What if ...
Network is a Verb 