– Megan Brandsrud
MYLE came to a close with a final worship service that celebrated being “One in Christ,” the theme for the last day. Participants gathered for worship while singing songs in multiple languages with the Glocal musicians, a group of musician educators formed by the ELCA Global Mission Unit that provides music and worship leadership.
After a reading of Ephesians 2:14-19, Yehiel Curry, pastor of Shekinah Chapel Lutheran Church in Riverdale, Ill., gave the message.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity and so grateful to see you,” Curry said.
Curry talked about how he was inspired after seeing the MYLE participants dancing together during their celebration last night. “The world wants you to be divided,” he said. “But when you can lock hands and dance together and say, ‘This is my brother or this is my sister, and I know we don’t look alike but we are family,’ now THAT changes everything.”
“I always say that immersion kills stereotypes,” Curry continued. “If you can change your town, you can change your state. If you can change your state, you can change your nation. And if you can change your nation, you can change the world.” Everyone in attendance rose to their feet with applause and cheers.
Deep connections and relationships were formed during the three and a half days MYLE participants spent together, which were beautifully visible as everyone spent many minutes sharing the peace of the Lord with each other, walking in and out of aisles to give hugs and high-fives.
Trevour, a first-time MYLE participant from Luther Place in Washington, D.C., said his favorite parts of MYLE were the worship services and making connections with people from all over the country. “To be honest, I loved it,” he said. “I got even more out of it than I thought I would. I loved meeting new people who have the same love of God and Jesus that I do.”
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.
