– Megan Brandsrud

“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2). On the last full day of MYLE, participants gathered under the daily theme of “One household, many rooms” and talked about how there is a place for everyone in God’s house.

Part of the discussion took place in affinity groups (African descent, Latino/a, European American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Multiracial/Multiethnic, American Indian/Alaska Native) where participants shared reflections, joys and struggles with each other.

During Discovery Worship, MYLE participants went through a series of stations designed to help them build their personal faith life and learn how they are all connected through their relationship with God. Some of the stations included writing a letter of encouragement to a modern-day social justice activist and walking a labyrinth to focus on personal reflection and centering oneself.

Beyonnie, a MYLE participant from St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., walked the labyrinth during the Discovery Worship time. “We walked in a circle and reflected on life and getting rid of negativity,” she said. “When you hit the middle, you release negativity and stress, and I only felt filled with positive thoughts and feelings.”

In the afternoon, MYLE participants also chose different skill shops to attend that focused on finding and understanding their place and their path. Workshops ranged from social justice theater, which focused on activities to help break down walls and build bridges, to a simulation where participants pretended aliens came to earth to learn how to help see themselves from the outside and see what values shape their behavior.

Ciara, a MYLE participant from Christ Lutheran Church in Upper Darby, Pa., attended a session called “Preparing for college.”

“I’m going to be a senior and I want to go to college, so I thought it would be good to hear what they had to say,” she said. “It was really helpful in explaining some things I need to know in preparing to apply to schools.”

Many participants said that the music during worship and the morning Jumpstart has been their favorite part of MYLE so far, and that they’re connecting with the theme of “ONE” and feeling like it’s an important message for today.

“It’s very encouraging,” said Joshua, a MYLE participant from Toledo, Ohio. “It’s all about bringing in all different groups and seeing that together we are strong. Today’s theme is all about that, I think. There’s one household and many rooms—just like there’s God’s kingdom and we are all God’s children. It doesn’t matter what ethnicity you are.”

The third day’s theme for the tAble was “Your gifts belong at the tAble. How do you belong?” The day began centering in a Bible study. Participants then headed to the NRG Center and NRG Stadium for a private tour. The tour of the NRG facilities helped participants get acquainted with the entrances and spaces because Mass Gathering can sometimes be over-stimulating. Lunch was at the Stadium, with visits with emcees, a Mass Gathering speaker, and a Mass Gathering musician.

tAble participants got a sneak peak of the Interactive Learning space, getting to try out the ropes course. The course provided an opportunity for some nervous excitement; the operators have everyone’s safety in mind and they were both patient and encouraging. The spirit of belonging was evident with cheering and overt support from people watching from the ground. Participants also hid kindness rocks throughout the Interactive Center space. The rocks were created on the second day of the tAble, and are to be found as pieces of love for the finders to keep.

After sharing a meal, the community gathered for a concert held by Ginny Owens. Ginny will also be sharing her music on the Mass Gathering stage, connecting the tAble to the Gathering. Her music and conversation encompassed a variety of emotions including grace, beauty, and humor. Keeping with the day’s theme, Ginny reminded everyone at the concert of the book of Exodus, that we are like Moses, called to go out into the world with our gifts.

The evening then transitioned to evening prayer. Bishop Eaton shared the message based on the 14^th chapter of Luke’s Gospel, sharing stories of invitations at gatherings. Bishop Eaton reminded everyone there that in this world, “This is God’s table, and you are the party.”

In the spirit of parties and celebrating gifts, the evening concluded with sharing gifts with one another at “the tAble’s Got Talent.” Participants shared their talents, including singing, dancing, reading a poem, sharing games, and a self-defense demonstration, with the community.

Follow the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering on social media:

• Facebook for MYLE, the tAble, and the ELCA Youth Gathering;
• Snapchat (elcagathering);
• Instagram; and
• Twitter for MYLE and the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Don’t forget to follow the hashtag #ELCAYG2018!

Follow instructions to download the ELCA Youth Gathering app here.

When the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering met for the last time in Detroit’s Ford Field, there was anticipation in the air waiting for the reveal. Where would the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering be held? Where would over 30,000 ELCA youth meet in three years to be engaged in intense faith formation? When Houston was announced as the home for the 2018 Gathering, three years felt like a long time away.

In those three years, there has been a lot of preparation. Faith communities and youth groups had car washes, bake sales, flockings of flamingos, talent shows, spaghetti dinners, and a number of additional creative fundraisers. There was also preparation in faith and community building; getting to know youth and chaperones who would be journeying in this formative experience together, checking travel arrangements, taking a deep breath, saying a prayer, then journeying onward to Houston.

The city of Houston with Gathering teams and staff have also spent the last three years in intensive preparation. The theme, “This Changes Everything,” was born out of evaluations and conversations following the 2015 Gathering. NRG Park, where many of the events are being held, hosted many of the teams to understand the space for Bible studies, ELCA carpool karaoke, zip lining, Synod Day, framing homes, donating hair, Mass Gathering, and more. Throughout the city of Houston, there are a number of Service Learning partners working with the Gathering. The youth and Service Learning partners will be forming relationships on what it means to embody learning, community building, and accompaniment.

The next five days will be filled with a number of experiences and emotions rooted in faith in Christ and in one another.

Welcome to Houston, y’all! Let’s get this party started today!

Follow the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering on social media:

• Facebook for MYLE, the tAble, and the ELCA Youth Gathering;
• Snapchat (elcagathering);
• Instagram; and
• Twitter for MYLE and the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Don’t forget to follow the hashtag #ELCAYG2018!

Follow instructions to download the ELCA Youth Gathering app here.

What does it mean to be one in community, but to have a variety of gifts expressed in a group of people? On the second day of MYLE, the theme was “One mission, many gifts,” which explored how to be unified as a people of faith that come a diversity of talent and skill.

The day’s theme was embodied as MYLE participants traveled around Houston for Service Learning projects. Ten sites were selected around the Houston area where participants could not only offer the city their gifts as people of faith, but could also learn about accompaniment and service.

Stephen, 18, of All Peoples Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI, felt energized by Jumpstart (the opening worship service at MYLE). He said it wasn’t just fun and a chance to feel hyped up in the morning, but it was also a wake-up call to start his day of service, which was at The Life Center. MYLE participants at The Life Center worked with residents of the homeless shelter to paint, landscape, and beautify the facility. Stephen was looking forward to what he could do to help the community. His hope for his time at MYLE is to “show equality for what this nation could be and that no matter what race or color, we are as one.”

The day was also filled with intense conversations. Over dinner in the University of Houston dining hall, participants from the East Bay Lutheran Youth Program in Oakland, CA, had very honest conversations on identity, who we are as created in God’s image, and defying stereotypes. They reflected on their Service Learning experience that took place at the Star of Hope, a non-profit organization that works with people experiencing homelessness in Houston. They were joined at dinner from new friends they made from Christ Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C.

After sharing a meal, participants went to worship. Worship was filled with songs of love, justice, prayer, and liberation. Jennifer and Noah from Mediator Lutheran Church in Philadelphia shared their experiences at their Service Learning site, Spring High School. Jennifer talked about making the school’s campus look beautiful through gardening. Noah expressed that it was God’s work through their hands to bring hope to the school’s campus. Rev. Patrick Gahagen spoke at worship, taking about gifts and passions in a life rooted in faith.

The overall theme of ONE continues to resonate strongly at MYLE. The second day was filled with a multitude of gifts and unified as one community.

Follow the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering on social media:

• Facebook for MYLE, the tAble, and the ELCA Youth Gathering;
• Snapchat (elcagathering);
• Instagram; and
• Twitter for MYLE and the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Don’t forget to follow the hashtag #ELCAYG2018!

Follow instructions to download the ELCA Youth Gathering app here.

– Megan Brandsrud

“You belong!” shouted Sarah Mayer-Flatt, team leader of the tAble. “I belong!” responded the tAble participants, shouting as loud as they could. Today the tAble further explored its theme, “You Belong,” as it focused on today’s theme question, “Why do you belong?”

Joey Baar, a participant of the tAble and member of Living Lord Lutheran Church in Bradenton, Fla., responded to today’s theme question by writing, “I belong because Jesus loves me,” on a strip of paper, which he then added to a paper chain. The paper chain, which is quickly growing, lists participants’ responses to the questions of why they belong and how they belong.

During their service learning time today, the tAble participants put together “Grace Bags.” The bags, which contained items such as water bottles, tissues, socks and non-perishable food, will be distributed to people who are experiencing homelessness. As participants worked on compiling 200 Grace Bags, they were reminded that everyone is called to serve, and everyone has gifts and talents to contribute.

the tAble participants practiced their artistic talents by painting “Kindness Rocks”—rocks that they decorated with fun pictures and inspirational messages. the tAble participants will hide the rocks during their tour of the NRG Complex tomorrow for ELCA Youth Gathering participants to find throughout the week.

Anna Lynch, a participant of the tAble from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, Ill., painted a rock with a smiley face and a heart because she thought they were happy messages for people to find. She also filled a Grace Bag, saying she’d done something similar before with her home church.

Sarah Mayer-Flatt said these two service learning activities helped connect the tAble participants to the Houston community, to the Gathering and further.

Some Gathering participants might have never heard about the tAble but may find one of the Kindness Rocks and will now be able to spread the message of the tAble back to their home church, she said.

Throughout the day, the nearly 80 tAble participants were reminded that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” drawing from Psalm 139. They also talked about how God can be revealed through their talents, strengths and gifts.

And the gifts that the tAble participants used today in their filling of Grace Bags and their painting of Kindness Rocks demonstrated just some of the many answers to “Why do you belong?”

Follow the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering on social media:

• Facebook for MYLE, the tAble, and the ELCA Youth Gathering;
• Snapchat (elcagathering);
• Instagram; and
• Twitter for MYLE and the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Don’t forget to follow the hashtag #ELCAYG2018!

Follow instructions to download the ELCA Youth Gathering app here.

The overall theme of “ONE” resonated strongly on the first day of MYLE. The theme for the first day, “One body, many parts” was truly embodied as people traveled from across the country to gather as one community at the University of Houston for the Gathering pre-event. On the first day, there was time to begin forming relationships at community life and breaking bread with one another over dinner. Worship began with greetings from Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Bishop Michael Rinehart. The Assistant to the Bishop for the Metropolitan D.C. Synod, Rev. Leila Ortíz, preached at opening worship, reminding everyone attending MYLE that as being one in the body of Christ, we matter, we are necessary, and we make the body of faith whole.

“You Belong” was the theme for the tAble, held at the Crowne Plaza. Participants traveled from around the country to come together for this pre-event to the Gathering. The theme for the first day, “Who do you belong to?” was asked throughout the day. During registration and afternoon activities, Bishop Eaton stopped by to spend time with participants. The time together began in worship, centering in the space by reflecting on the day’s theme. Rev. Leslie Welton the assistant to the bishop in the Rocky Mountain Synod and pre-event chaplain, presided over worship. She reminded participants to center themselves in their bodies to experience worship however it would be meaningful and comfortable. The first day at the tAble was also a time to establish and build trust with one another in the space, living into a full and embodied experience. At the end of a busy day concluding in evening prayer, participants gathered together.

Follow the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering on social media:

• Facebook for MYLE, the tAble, and the ELCA Youth Gathering;
• Snapchat (elcagathering);
• Instagram; and
• Twitter for MYLE and the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Don’t forget to follow the hashtag #ELCAYG2018!

Follow instructions to download the ELCA Youth Gathering app here.

What does it mean to truly belong? What does it mean to be a part of the one body of Christ in the midst of the diversity of God’s creation? These questions are a part of the foundations for the tAble and MYLE, the pre-events to the ELCA Youth Gathering. The pre-events embody the full expression of inclusivity within the church.

The theme for the tAble is “You Belong.” With this theme, there are a series of questions for young people who live with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities within our church to ask, “where do I fit in?”, “why am I different than others?”, and “what gifts could I possibly bring?”.

the tAble reminds us that we are all welcome at Christ’s Table and that we all belong in the fullness of who God created us to be. The daily themes, questions will be the areas of wonder to be explored during the pre-event are:

• Who do you belong to?,
• Why do you belong?,
• Your gifts belong at the table. How do you belong?, and
• Who belongs with you?.

MYLE’s theme is “ONE,” with the foundation in Ephesians 2:14-19. What does it mean to be a part of the one body of Christ when God expresses the fullness of God’s diversity in cultures and languages? How is unity in God expressed within the many people around the world who follow Christ in a number of beautiful and meaningful ways?

Each day, MYLE will focus on “ONE” in a number of ways:

• One body, many parts (1 Corinthians 12:14-26);
• One mission, many gifts (1 Corinthians 12: 4-11);
• One household, many rooms (John 14:2); and
• ONE in CHRIST (Ephesians 2:14-19).

MYLE and the tAble express and embody that You Belong at Christ’s Table, and that we are unified as ONE in the beauty and diversity of God’s creation. These are vital pre-events to express the fullness of expression of God’s church, and there is reason to rejoice as these pre-events begin today.

Follow the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering on social media:

• Facebook for MYLE, the tAble, and the ELCA Youth Gathering;
• Snapchat (elcagathering);
• Instagram; and
• Twitter for MYLE and the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Don’t forget to follow the hashtag #ELCAYG2018!

Follow instructions to download the ELCA Youth Gathering app here.

The time has come! The ELCA Youth Gathering is just days away, and MYLE and the tAble begin programming tomorrow.

After bake sales, car washes, crab feed dinners, parent meetings, planning meetings, laughter, maybe some nervousness, definitely a lot of excitement, and time of intensive planning and prayer, it is now the appointed time. Team leaders have been in Houston putting the plans and activities they’ve been working on for the past two to three years to life. Youth are beginning to arrive. The city of Houston is prepared to welcome us.

Make sure to follow us in a number of ways on social media. Find information and follow the faith formation and fun at the following places:

• The ELCA Youth Gathering Blog (updated in the mornings and evenings of event days);
• Facebook for MYLE, the tAble, and the ELCA Youth Gathering;
• Snapchat (elcagathering);
• Instagram; and
• Twitter for MYLE and the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Don’t forget to follow the hashtag #ELCAYG2018 on social media.

You can also follow instructions to download the ELCA Youth Gathering app here.

For those who have offered your prayers, your resources, and of so much more to provide the youth from your faith communities a unique and formative experience, make sure to continue to connect to what is happening in Houston!

– Rozella Haydée White

I am from Houston, Texas and I grew up celebrating Juneteenth. When I left Houston in 2007, l lived in three different cities over the course of 10 years. Imagine my surprise when most people in these places (Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago) had never heard of Juneteenth. I was astonished! How could such an important part of American history be known by so few people?

Photo from Emancipation Park Conservancy

On January 1, 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, abolishing slavery after 400 years. This changed federal legal status of more than 3.5 million slaves. Many, including myself, wonder about the intent and signing of the Proclamation. It happened during the American Civil War and the north needed more people to fight against the south. Releasing slaves was seen as a political move to increase people power for the war rather than a moral move to grant human beings their freedom.

However, the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t reach the people in Texas until June 19, 1865. As Texas was not a battleground state in the Civil War, the initial proclamation did not apply. Slaves in Texas didn’t find out their status had changed until two years after the fact. The Proclamation was shared in Galveston, an island 60 miles southeast of Houston. Freed slaves rejoiced.

The following year, Juneteenth was born.

Last year marked an important part of history in Houston. Emancipation Park, purchased in the historic Black community of Third Ward by freed slaves in 1870, underwent major renovations. It reopened last June after a multi-million dollar project aimed to restore and revitalize an integral piece of history of the Black community and the wider city of Houston.

Here’s the thing – we don’t know what we don’t know. But at some point, we have to ask ourselves, who is telling the story of history we cling to? What perspectives are informing our viewpoints? How are we listening to a plethora of voices, bringing to bear the variety of experiences that make up a reality? This is why the Gathering has partnered with Folklore Films to prepare service learning materials. You’ll get to hear from the founder of this amazing organization, Marlon Hall, on the main stage.

So much of the history I thought of as THE history turned out to be written from one point of view. I love Chimamanda Adichie’s Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story.” It reminds us that history is often written from the point of view of the most powerful. What history have missed because we haven’t listened to the voices of the oppressed?

As you prepare to enter into my beloved city, take time to consider the history of this extraordinary place. We are the most diverse city in the United States, with a largely integrated population. We are a hospitable people, having a deep love and respect for Texas history. We welcome all, simply asking that folks be open minded and caring of our community and of our people.

Happy Juneteenth and welcome to Texas, y’all.

Rozella Haydée White is a spiritual life coach, leadership consultant and inspirational speaker and writer. She is the owner of RHW Consulting which seeks to restore hearts to wholeness and empower women to create and live a meaningful life. She believes that everyone is gifted and has the power to transform themselves, their communities and the world when they tap into their most authentic self.

– Misael Fajardo-Perez

I am privileged to be part of the commissioning service for the ELCA Youth Gathering volunteers for the second time in a row. Nearly 800 volunteers are gathering in Houston a few days before they engage with over 30,000 youth and their leaders coming from various corners of our country and from our global church partners.

I will serve as one of the chaplains for the nearly 800 volunteers during the Gathering. Chaplains will share worship responsibilities for the commissioning service for volunteers and will be accompanied by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Easton and Bishop Michael Rinehart of the Gulf Coast Synod. Musician Rachel Kurtz will lead us in music, and at the end of the service, volunteers will be sent to the Gathering with words of blessings and affirmation.

One of the most powerful moments in this service is will begin at the baptismal font. It is at the font where we remember our common identity, which holds us together as a community of faith. The most meaningful moment to which I am looking forward is when various items from each corner of the space will be brought forth to the center of the room to be connected together to create a base for the baptismal bowl. This imagery is so meaningful for me because it acknowledges the various journeys that come together as they have for generations to receive the one Spirit poured out at Pentecost, upon the Gentiles, and now upon us.

It is the one Spirit that connects us to each other, becoming equal recipients, crafted by this same God of Love.

Thanks be to God for the continued work of transformation by the Spirit, who continues to call all people from all corners of our world to the divine purpose of sharing love. God be with all of our volunteers.

Rev. Misael Fajardo-Perez is a Mission Developer with the Wenatchee Valley Lutheran Latino Ministry.