Apu Seyenkulo, 17, of Chicago, rehearses a liturgical dance before worship on Sunday evening.

She’s participating in a three-day ELCA multicultural youth event in New Orleans known as MYLE.

“The worship is more diverse,” Seyenkulo said. “The  people that come — it’s like we share more in common with each other.”

(more…)

Talk about a welcome.

The city of New Orleans is displaying street banners along Convention

Center Boulevard that say, “We’re jazzed you’re here!”

Another sign reads: Welcome ELCA Youth. (more…)

Lutherans teens spilled into the fifth floor hallway of the Sheraton Hotel on Sunday night.

Two shy boys from Puerto Rico leaned against a pillar on the right side of the hall. A young woman originally from Taiwan stood next to a pillar on the left side. In between, a  sea of New Jersey teens wearing lime green T-shirts sat on the floor.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into,” said Josiah Williams as he surveyed the diverse crowd.

The teens were waiting to get inside a room for worship. It’s the kickoff to a three-day event known as the MYLE — Multiculture Youth Leadership Event.

Williams, an aspiring actor from Milwaukee, said he needs the MYLE. He loves worship, but doesn’t make it to church every Sunday, he said.

“The MYLE  is a good place to get a closer connection to your spirit and God,” Williams said.

* * *

An airport shuttle driver said Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home four years ago. Everything inside, too, including his dog, Ja.

The driver said that when he fled for safety, he left the pit bull behind. Like many people, he simply didn’t believe the Katrina hype.

“My only regret to this day is that I didn’t take him with me when I left town,” the driver said.

* * *

An estimated 12,000 different ELCA youth will be working across New Orleans on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They will all be wearing orange T-shirts. Not just any orange. The official color: hunter orange.

* * *

Spotted at airport:

• Dozens of ELCA youth from Detroit in matching yellow T-shirts
• Dozens of ELCA youth from New Hampshire and Massachusetts wearing black T-shirts that said: “Jesus, hope for the nations.”
• Several red-shirted ELCA volunteers helping Lutherans at the airport with shuttle rides

Businesses spotted near French Quarter:

• Cajun Encounters (bus tours)
• Dixie Gyros Greek Restaurant
• Cemetery Tours

UPDATE: Stop to help people  in Peoria, Ill., featured in newspaper there.

First stop: Peoria, Ill.

Busses filled with more than 450 ELCA teens and adults are rolling out of northeastern Minnesota today. They’re headed to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans to help in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

On their way down, they’re spending time in Peoria and Memphis to help people there, too. What follows is the story I wrote about these teens in December. You’re welcome to leave them a note in the comments section below. (more…)

With Hurricane Katrina barreling toward New Orleans, 13-year-old Maria Sepas threw her most cherished possessions into a suitcase.

A miniature guitar from a grandmother in Germany. Photos from every vacation. Children’s books by Lemony Snicket  titled “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

Her family’s vehicle was full, so the suitcase was left behind. Maria placed it on top of the pool table “just in case” flood waters came that high.

When the levees broke, water gushed through the city streets, drowning hundreds of residents. At Serpas’ house, the water rose quickly over the pool table up to the ceiling and over the roof.

That was four years ago. Serpas’ family and house are still on the mend. Their spirits are lifted, though, knowing that 37,000 Lutherans will be in New Orleans soon for the July 22-26 ELCA Youth Gathering. (more…)