wfn.org | Teen dies at LCMS Youth Gathering

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

LCMSNews -- No. 61
July 30, 2001

YOUTH GATHERING PARTICIPANT DIES

NEW ORLEANS -- Cory Selby, a 15-year-old boy from Delmar, Iowa, attending
the 2001 National LCMS Youth Gathering here, died July 28 after collapsing
on a staircase at the Hyatt Hotel near the Louisiana Superdome.

Cory suffered a heart attack, according to a story in today's New Orleans
"Times Picayune" newspaper.  The article cites Orleans Parish Coroner Frank
Minyard about the cause of Cory's death.  Minyard's office conducted an
initial autopsy and determined that the teen had an enlarged heart, a
congenital defect.

Cory is the son of Mike and Jill Selby of Delmar, Iowa.  He was a member of
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Mound, Iowa.

Cory, attending the youth gathering with 35,000 other LCMS teens and adult
leaders from across the United States and 22 other countries, had just
returned to the Hyatt with friends and chaperones following the gathering's
opening event Saturday night at the Superdome.

Word of the boy's death was shared generally with gathering participants at
Sunday morning's worship service at the Superdome, where prayers were said
for his family.

Rev. Tom Rogers, who made the announcement, described how many New Orleans
funerals include the singing of "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," followed by
a victory parade for deceased.  He noted how Cory's victory in Christ had
now brought him to the "highest ground," a reference to the gathering's
"Higher Ground" theme.

Grief counseling will continue to be provided 24 hours a day, both at the
Hyatt and at other gathering locations.  Throughout the five-day event,
youth needing help at any time, for any reason, can call the gathering "Help
Line."  That phone number is imprinted on the identification wristbands worn
by all gathering registrants.

Daily news updates and photos from the 2001 National LCMS Youth Gathering
are available at http://cs.lcms.org/youth/gathering/ or through a link to
the Synod's web site at http://www.lcms.org/.

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