wfn.org | Lutheran Students To Meet At LSM-USA Gathering In Houston Area

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 14, 2004

Lutheran Students To Meet At LSM-USA Gathering In Houston Area
04-233-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Some 350 college-age students will meet in
the Houston area Dec. 29-Jan. 2, 2005, for the annual gathering
of the Lutheran Student Movement (LSM-USA). The gathering's theme
is "Houston, we have a problem: Endeavoring to more fully
discover our mission as young adults of faith and challenging the
church from within."
     The gathering will take place at The Woodlands Waterway
Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, The Woodlands, Texas, a
northern suburb of Houston.
     LSM-USA is a national organization of college, university
and seminary students who worship in the Lutheran tradition, said
the Rev. Richard F. Zawistoski, co-director for campus ministry
and assistant director for campus ministry/human resources,
Division for Higher Education and Schools (DHES), Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
     Through LSM-USA, Lutheran students promote the active
participation of students in the life and mission of the Lutheran
churches on their campuses and in their communities.  DHES
supports LSM-USA as an active voice of students in the larger
church through financial and organizational support.
     The gathering will feature Bible study, worship, prayer,
learning opportunities, business meetings, plenary sessions
featuring keynote speakers, and an evening at the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Johnson Space
Center.
     "The theme emphasizes how young adults can participate in
the church," said Rebecca Sorensen, LSM-USA intern. "We have
voices to be heard, and we hope to help young adults find their
identity."
     Participants will meet young adults from throughout the
country, and some international students will attend, Sorensen
said.
     LSM-USA's national focus this year is literacy.  Gathering
participants are asked to bring children's books with them for
distribution in the Houston area, Sorensen said.
     Keynote speakers are the Rev. Mary E. Hinkle, associate
professor, New Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and
the Rev. John Nunes, research associate in urban ministries,
Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill.  Hinkle's topic is "Vocation
and Identity," while Nunes' topic is "Young Adults Can be a
Voice," Sorensen said.
     The Bible study leader will be Dr. Jon Pahl, associate
professor of church history, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia (LTSP).  Luther Seminary and LTSP are two of the
ELCA's eight seminaries.
     Guest preachers will be the Rev. Paul J. Blom, bishop of the
ELCA Gulf Coast Synod, Houston; the Rev. Kevin J. Meyer, Lord of
Life Lutheran Church, The Woodlands; and the Rev. Jeremy R.
Gamelin, First Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Va.
     Dakota Road, a contemporary Christian band, will provide
music throughout the gathering, much of it original.
     A number of workshops will focus on subjects of specific
interest for young adults.  Among the topics are "fair trade"
coffee, public policy advocacy, environmental advocacy, concerns
about the church and its relationship with people who are gay and
lesbian, faith-based investing and investing in the church's
mission, Sorensen said.
     Small group meetings will be held throughout the gathering
to discuss topics that emerge throughout the meeting, she said.
Students will discuss and debate topics in proposed resolutions,
amendments, position papers and projects at LSM-USA legislative
sessions.  Resolutions and position papers that are adopted at
the legislative sessions will be forwarded to the ELCA and other
church and government organizations.  LSM-USA officers for 2005
will be elected.
     The next LSM-USA Gathering will be held in San Diego, Dec.
28, 2005-Jan. 1, 2006, at a meeting site to be determined.
---
     Information about LSM-USA, including the 2004 Gathering Dec.
29-Jan. 3, is at http://www.lsm-usa.org/ on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news