This is the first in a series of previews on the artists and/or speakers that will be a part of Youth Gathering ’09, and I’d like to take the time to highlight a particular favorite of many veteran Youth Gatherers.  (Gatheringers? Gatherites?  Gatherificators?  People who’ve been at Youth Gatherings.  You make up a name for them.)  I’m referring, of course, to a group named Lost and Found. 

You may be wondering, “Who on Earth are these people?  I’ve never heard of them in my life.”  I’ll be honest–unlike most of the other groups performing in New Orleans, I’d never heard of Lost and Found before I set out to write some previews for you fine blog-type folks (although I had heard one of their songs, but we’ll get to that later).  Lost and Found is a guitar/piano duo that has won many hearts with a musical style that they call speedwood.  This, of course, is “a sub-genre of Heavy Wood,” or so I’m told by their website.

They’ve got a unique sound, warm and familiar and small-coffeeshop folksy, and like all truly fun things in life, they don’t take themselves too seriously.  Lost and Found is definitely worth a listen, with tracks ranging from original material to an energetic rendition of the hymn Holy Holy Holy.  I can only describe that track as the definitive speedwood version, but you’ll have to hear it to know what I mean.

If you want an audible preview, I highly recommend taking 3 minutes and 33 seconds to enjoy Lost and Found’s “The Lutheran Song” on YouTube.  You can also find them online at speedwood.com.

I’ll dip deeper into the list of speakers and performers for next time; until then, enjoy your daily dose of speedwood.

Welcome to the ELCA’s Summer 2009 event blog!  This is your one-stop shop for all things related to Youth Gathering 2009: Jesus, Justice, Jazz.  You’ll find news on the Gathering events, info on speakers and performers, and links to everything you want to know before you go.  (Don’t forget to weigh in and hear from other attendees by commenting here, of course.)  And that’s just before the Gathering gets underway.

Things will get even more interesting around here once JJJ begins.  This very blog will be host to you and everything you do in New Orleans.  Everyone you left behind to tend the home fires can visit the blog (every day–or even more often) to keep up on all the great things you’ll be part of at the Gathering.  Look for the stories of your ServantLife contributions; collections of your feedback on all the speakers, musicians, and other entertainers; and videos of anything and everything happening down on the Bayou.

To start things off, here’s a great collection of JJJ links you might not have visited yet:

• Keep up with everything in New Orleans by following @ELCAYouth on Twitter–updated throughout the Gathering!
• (If you’re into Twitter, you can also keep tabs on all sorts of things related to the Gathering with the hashtag #JJJ09.)
• Join the Gathering group on Facebook.
• Check out the full list of speakers and performers – and come back later for some feature articles on them.
• Be ready to get packed for the trip.
• Print off maps and read up on background info at the ELCA’s Learn about New Orleans page.

Please see blogs.elca.org/assembly for the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly 2009 blog!