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	October 7, 2005 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 67

	LCMS Youth Ministry extends date
	to confirm 2007 Gathering site

	Oct. 12 is now the earliest that the LCMS Youth Ministry staff
plans to announce whether New Orleans is still the site for the 2007
National LCMS Youth Gathering.

	Rev. Terry Dittmer, director for LCMS District and
Congregational Services - Youth Ministry, said that although Oct. 7 was
previously mentioned as "an anticipated decision date," the
youth-ministry office "has agreed to extend the courtesy of this delay
in response to a request by the Louisiana lieutenant governor, Mitch
Landrieu, that Louisiana state officials be allowed opportunity to
further demonstrate the viability of the City of New Orleans in an
effort to remain the host" for the event, which is set for July 28 -
Aug. 1, 2007.

	LCMS Youth Ministry announced at the 2004 Gathering in Orlando
that New Orleans had been selected to host the 2007 Gathering.

	Then last month, Youth Ministry announced that, after Hurricane
Katrina's assault on New Orleans, Gathering planners would reconsider
the question of where to hold the 2007 Gathering, and announce a
decision by no earlier than Oct. 7.

	"With less than 22 months until the event," an Oct. 7 news
release from LCMS Youth Ministry states, "the ... office is working
under the advisement of its Board for District and Congregational
Services and with support from the Gathering executive council to
determine the location for 2007. Gathering program directors convened in
St. Louis Oct. 3-5 to assist in the decision-making process."

	"The Synod needs to be able to reasonably assure parents and
congregations that the Gathering city is safe for youth," Dittmer said.
"We are taking into consideration the availability and viability of
convention facilities; legal liability; the integrity of contracts; the
integrity of established dates; safety and security; support for and
from the local district; the financial viability and implications for
good stewardship; and the ability for any city considered to fully
accommodate the event in keeping with our stated purpose."

	"Answers to these concerns are expected to be addressed by New
Orleans and Louisiana officials early next week," according to the Oct.
7 release.

	"In addition to the logistical stressors, leaving New Orleans
would be an emotionally challenging decision," Dittmer said.

	Noting that 2007 would mark the third time that New Orleans is
the site for a National Youth Gathering, Dittmer said, "The Gathering
has a great affinity for the city - its facilities, its ambience, and
most certainly its people. Should we face the reality of having to leave
the city, it would not be a cavalier choice."

	The news release states that the Youth Ministry office "began a
search for space and dates for the Gathering in six cities" after the
Aug. 29 hurricane hit the Gulf Coast, which led to levee breaches the
next day that flooded a reported 80 percent of New Orleans.

	"Floodwaters did not impact areas of the city used by
conventions," Dittmer explained, "including the Central Business
District and the historic French Quarter."

	"Wherever we find a home for 2007," he said, "the church can be
assured that the Gathering will do what for 30 years it has done by the
grace of God: nurture and affirm young people in the faith and provide
opportunities for youth and adults to boldly come together in the name
of Jesus to witness their salvation in Him."

	Registration for the 2007 Gathering opens in fall 2006. For more
information, visit the Gathering Web site at www.lcmsgathering.com
<http://www.lcmsgathering.com>	. "CHOSEN" is the Gathering's theme.

	***************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

	***************************************

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