National Youth Gathering, 2009
- This is the Group that traveled to New Orleans.
At the Superdome
Taken on our work day.
Working in New Orleans
From Joey E.:
After what seemed like days on the long bus ride down south, on Tuesday the CLC youth group arrived at six flags in St. Louis. Their entire day was spent running around, taking pictures with Loony Toons characters, riding rides and visiting souvenir shops. The Mr. Freeze ride was a favorite ride of many as it went from 0 to 70 plus mph in the blink of an eye. The group also got a chance to shower up and refresh themselves for the trip from St. Louis to New Orleans, their final destination.
We arrived in New Orleans mid morning. Seeing as all of the groups’ hotel rooms were not yet ready to be used the group got one room that was ready and placed all baggage in that room and decided to head out into the city. On just the short walk over the, oh so familiar Mississippi River, the group had already seen many new things. They walked through the mall and visited the countless souvenir shops purchasing mementos small and larger. A highlight for many at the mall was watching a group of workers at the Fudgery sing and make hot fudge and of course a free sample was in line. The group’s next activity was making the walk over to one of the world’s largest sports domes, the Super Dome. The CLC group arrived early enough to get some of the best seats in the house, right on the floor. This is not an easy task when 38,000 other kids want to sit there as well. The dome continued to fill until all three levels of the dome were packed to the top. As bands played, speakers gave their messages and the group was welcomed to New Orleans, the group was enticed by the enormity of the gathering. Once the service had ended it was back to the hotel and lights out so they would be refreshed for the rest of the week.
Our youth left Monday evening, July 20th and returned the morning of Tuesday, July 28th.
Our Schedule:
Tuesday, July 21
Six Flags in St. Louis – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, July 22
Arrive in New Orleans 11:30
National Gathering officially begins at the Superdome with opening Mass Gathering at 7:00 pm
Thursday, July 23
Our Servant Life “Work Day” is today
Thursday through Saturday there are various activities happening at the Morial Convention Center and the Superdome.
Sunday, July 26
Closing Worship 9:00 – 11:30
We begin our drive home
Monday, July 27
Arrive at Meremec Caves for breakfast and tours at 8:00 am
Arrive at the St Louis Arch for Riverboat Cruise and tour – 1:30 pm
Tuesday, July 28
Arrive home about 6:00 am
Youth Gatherering 2009
JESUS * JUSTICE * JAZZ
New Orleans, Louisiana
July 22-26, 2009
The theme draws from the rich faith history, diverse cultures, and arts of New Orleans. It will stretch our understandings of what it means to live in relationship and service with each other in the manner of Christ – for life!
The Gathering program will be different than Gatherings before. Planning teams and staff are working with local congregations and organizations, young people, and the city to pay attention to what makes the city of New Orleans unique, as well as the changes it is going through as the entire Gulf Coast region continues to recover after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The focus will be on service and justice as we live our shared reality as Christians: Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world.
Visit www.elca.org/gathering for more information.
