July Mission Minute - Growing in Faith

“Lindsay Williams continues her countdown until she and 50 others from Peace Lutheran Church embark on a 14-hour bus ride to New Orleans for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering — “citizens with the saints” — July 18-22.

“I’m very excited about going again,” Lindsay says of the Gathering, her second since attending three years ago as a freshman in high school.

She and other youth from the ELCA congregation in Beavercreek, Ohio, heard inspiring speakers, participated in lively worship, volunteered in a variety of servant events, and made new friends from all walks of life at the 2009 Gathering.

“It was such a huge gathering with lots of kids my age,” Lindsay recalls. “We got together and praised God. All of the speakers were amazing. The music was great. It was such a cool experience. I got to meet tons of people who shared the same beliefs as me.”

Today, as a high school senior, Lindsay looks forward to experiencing similar events and activities but with a more grown-up perspective.

“As a freshman, I was just a kid,” she says. “But as a senior, I’ve had more world experiences. When I go to New Orleans this time, I will probably see everything differently.”

In fact, Lindsay and the 35,000 other youth might even see “a larger sense of God’s gigantic activity around the world” simply by hearing stories, says Bryan Jaster, director of youth ministries at Peace.

And hearing stories can get youth thinking about vocation, Bryan adds. “Who they are and how they fit into all of the ways God calls people in the world.”

For example, during the last Gathering, Lindsay heard stories of hardship while serving with other youth at a camp for at-risk girls. She heard about the physical, emotional and sexual abuse they endured and of the hope they had because of the care they received.

She also heard stories of how residents, once devastated by Hurricane Katrina, have rebuilt their homes — and lives — thanks to the thousands of compassionate volunteers who have tirelessly given of their time.

One of Lindsay’s favorite memories from 2009 includes how youth “took over the streets,” she says. “There were thousands of us on the sidewalks. We brought hope to the people there. They saw how we were following God’s will and doing it all for him.”

“I went somewhere I’ve never been before to try to make an impact on others’ lives,” Lindsay adds. “The Gathering provided a way for me to stretch and learn more about my faith. It was a real eye-opener.”

During a recent trip to New Orleans, Bryan spoke to people in restaurants, hotels and on the streets. “A lot of people told me, ‘We are excited that you are coming back,’” he recalls. “One woman said, ‘I am so glad you are bringing Jesus here in July.’ I was completely surprised.” ”

-Cindy Novak

As Lutherans, we don’t just practice our faith, we live it. We are a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. That grace will be on display in New Orleans as our high school youth embark on a journey that will change lives- both theirs and the people they will come in contact with.

We are a church that strives to grow up youth in the faith and that gathers youth as citizens with the saints to see what it means to love like Jesus by practicing discipleship, peacemaking and justice.

Thank you for your support of the faith development of our youth!

For more information on the ELCA Youth Gathering and how you can support programs like the Million Books Project or the 100 Wells Challenge, click on the links above.

Christine Donahue
TLGCS ELCA Mission Interpreter Coordinator
cedonahue@gmail.com

May Mission Minute

The ELCA has launched a Malaria Campaign in Africa that has the goal of ending deaths from malaria by 2015. Synods and churches across the country are joining in to be apart of God’s work around the world. And it’s not just bishops, pastors, or congregational leaders starting campaigns, but youth in our own synod are leading the way! Here are 2 stories of inspirational youth that are taking their faith beyond words and putting it into action.

Last summer, camp Lutherhill supported the ELCA Malaria Campaign by educating campers about malaria and giving the campers ideas on how they could help (you may have seen the “Buzz Off” bracelets!).

“One student who attended camp, Haley a ten year old from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, was very engaged in the educational activities led by the counselors about the ELCA Malaria Campaign. In September (many weeks after camp) she shared how important the malaria initiative is with her family and began thinking about ways she could get involved with the project. For several weeks, Haley did research on how malaria impacts children around the world, what can be done to help, and which organizations are doing research and making a difference. She complied her research into a presentation and paper that she presented to her elementary school and to her Sunday School Class at Christ the King. Haley organized several bake sales and lemonade stands and raised over $200 to donate to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Then she spread the word further as she helped with the mission offering at church. Camping at Lutherhill is an important part of Haley’s faith journey as she finds concrete ways to put her faith in action.”

-Alicia Goodrow

Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas

We are a church that stands together, and not divided. Youth of our synod come together from different congregations at camp or synod events to be God’s hands in the world.

“A letter to the Youth Minister at Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy, Texas:

Dear Jason, I understand via Living Word’s website that you are “the high school youth ministry guy.” If possible, I would appreciate your assistance in conveying a thank you to a 16-year-old member of Living Word named Brittany. I don’t have her last name. Brittany sent a letter to me in January regarding the ELCA Malaria Campaign.  Our confirmands had been looking for a group service project and I gave them Brittany’s letter. They sincerely took it as a sign from the Holy Spirit to take Brittany’s invitation to learn more about malaria, pray and help our congregation get involved. Over these last several weeks they have learned, prayed, done a skit for the congregation, created a video on YouTube, and raised money with a Gaga Ball tournament. They raised over $2,100! Though a small amount compared to what is needed, they learned a great deal from the experience and their growth will continue to make a difference in the lives of the people they touch for Jesus’ sake. I wanted to know that her letter was used by the God who loves and calls us all and to thank her for making a difference in the lives of our youth and in the lives of those who will be assisted by the ELCA Malaria Campaign.”

-Pastor Deb Grant

Faith Lutheran Church in Dickinson, Texas

Praise God for the youth leaders, parents, volunteers, and others who are shaping and growing the faith of our youth! Through your gifts, the youth of our synod can experience life-changing moments at camp, synod events, and through their youth leaders. Thank you!

For more information on the ELCA Malaria Campaign, visit www.elca.org/malaria

For more information on how your congregation can start it’s own campaign, click here.

To download a video about the ELCA Malaria Campaign to share with your congregation, click here. 

Our youth cannot be quiet about what they have seen and heard!

-Christine Donahue

TLGCS ELCA Mission Interpreter Coordinator

THRIVENT "CHOICE DOLLARS" OUTREACH PROJECT

What a wonderful day this first Sunday after Easter was for the congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Galilean in LaPlace, LA!

 

Worship and a congregation luncheon was so different this Sunday.  We were honored with the presence of six veteran clients and the activities director, Sonya Hebert, from the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve, LA.  They were there as part of our new community outreach program. 

At a recent church council meeting it was approved to use all the congregation’s Thrivent “Choice Dollars” to fund new community outreach programs.  The first of these outreach programs was inspired by the congregation’s ongoing program to provide used books to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. 

                                                             

It was recently proposed and approved to provide new, large print Bibles to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve, LA.  After contacting the facility, the congregation proceeded to purchase 192 large print Bibles for the facility.  Today, April 15, following worship and lunch, a large group of members visited the veterans home to dedicate and distribute the Bibles.  The members provided refreshments for the veterans, visited with them, and personally delivered to each room a Bible for each client.  Every member who participated in this program came away so touched and filled with spirit of the Lord.  It was obvious that his spirit was present; and, so many of the clients were so touched that someone reached out to remember them.

Beside the congregation in attendance at this event, the local Thrivent Financial For Lutherans representatives and office staff was there with their new Treat Trolley.  They provided popcorn for all the attendees.

The Lutheran Church of the Galilean was so fortunate following Hurricane Katrina to receive financial help from over thirty different congregations throughout the United States.  The congregation is now in a position to use their “Choice Dollars” to create programs of this type for their community and give back.  

Carl L. Hilt