wfn.org | Youth Gathering Participants Engage in Social Justice at Interaction Center

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Title: Youth Gathering Participants Engage in Social Justice at Interaction Center
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>July 24, 2009  

Youth Gathering Participants Engage in Social Justice at Interaction Center
09-158-JB

NEW ORLEANS (ELCA) -- Participants in the Youth Gathering of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) engaged in a variety of
social justice activities at the gathering's "Interaction Center," open
daily at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Some 37,000 Lutheran teenagers, adult leaders and other volunteers
are here July 22-26 for the 2009 Youth Gathering. "Jesus Justice Jazz" is
the theme of activities at the convention center and the Louisiana
Superdome. Participants are also fanning out across the area to nearly
200 community service sites.

Congregational youth groups were asked to choose one of six interest
areas on which to focus attention during their work here: the
environment, health and wellness, art and culture, housing, literacy, and
wealth and poverty.  The themes were reflected in interactive exhibits
which the participants visited in shifts.  Some of the exhibits were:
+ "Justice Town," sponsored by the ELCA Church in Society program.
Activity areas in this exhibit included such subjects as juvenile
detention, access to water supplies, housing and peace issues.  Youth
could videotape their ideas for a documentary on how to move toward a
just society, and write postcards to members of Congress on topics such
as climate change, human trafficking, youth homelessness, reauthorization
of child nutrition programs, peace and criminal justice.  They also
posted pledges on placards about what they will do to promote social
justice at the gathering and beyond.
+ Quilt making -- Volunteers at the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) station
invited youth to make quilts for domestic and international distribution,
a longtime ministry of LWR. "We're hoping the youth will make 75 quilts,"
said Pat Martin, Palestine Lutheran Church, Huxley, Iowa.  "You don't
have to be an expert," she said, inviting youth to try cutting and
fitting, taping, pinning and sewing quilts.  Volunteers also handed out
stickers with Bible verses, Martin said.
+ Joint Urban Ministries in Praise (J.U.M.P) -- This exhibit featured
performances of the J.U.M.P. Christian rap group from Redeemer Lutheran
Church, Minneapolis.  Thanks to a loan from the ELCA Mission Investment
Fund to build a recording studio at the church, the group records songs,
mentors with youth and works to build self-confidence.  According to an
exhibit sign, "It's single-handedly getting young people off the street
and into the recording booth."
+ Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity -- Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans, Minneapolis, working with Habitat for Humanity, invited
participants to build a frame for a soon-to-be New Orleans home.  The
Rev. Christopher Heavner, University Lutheran Church, Clemson, S.C, said
students at Clemson University have built homes over the past 16 years.
Using that experience, youth here are building a full-size house
frame. "New Orleans Habitat will finish this house and it will be located
in the Lower Ninth Ward," Heavner said. "The participants learn about
Habitat and get a great sense of accomplishment."  Flooding in the Lower
Ninth Ward following Hurricane Katrina caused widespread destruction.
+ "Path of Hope," Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF) -- Youth viewed this
traveling exhibit featuring photos and drawings from a variety of
nonviolent responses to violence and injustice around the world.  "The
exhibit chronicles people, events and movements for social change," said
Carol Jensen, LPF chair, Seattle.  "We hope this inspires young people to
become actors for peace."  Youth made and posted peace flags to express
their own commitments to peace and justice, Jensen said.

Other exhibits focused on literacy through stories about youth who
are homeless in Iowa; an obstacle course to dramatize everyday life for
people who use wheelchairs; ELCA colleges and universities; ELCA
seminaries; plus a risk-taking activity involving a 30-foot tower from
which youth jumped using a "zip" line.

>---

Information about the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering is at
http://www.ELCA.org/gathering on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog