OVERVIEW OF 2022 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING TRIP

Unsure about the ELCA Youth Gathering? Do you not even know enough to decide if you should come to the information meeting right after worship on Sunday, July 25th? 

If that is you, then check out this brief overview put together by Brad Simplot.

Photo by Devin Avery on Unsplash

---

2022 ELCA Youth Gathering Overview
Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering.  Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.  The Gathering operates multiple programs over five days together.  To ensure that each participant has an opportunity to fully participate, we rotate groups through programs.

Interactive Learning is a space for participants to engage and be immersed in the life and breadth of the church, the community of God.  Through a variety of mediums, participants will engage in learning opportunities that support the mission of the Gathering and its theme, and that lift up partner organizations or groups, all in the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Synod Day is when you will gather with congregations in your geographic area for worship, conversation, communion, music and learning about how boundless our God really is.  In the past, Synod Day was held in hotel ballrooms; however, for this cycle we are excited to be hosted by local congregations.  Participants will be transported with their synods to their host congregation for this program day.

Service Learning is an opportunity to take part in the Twin Cities’ great story and live out our Lutheran faith by being God’s hands and feet in the community.  Participants will work alongside our neighbors in the Twin Cities and share meaningful conversations with them.  Participants will be transported to their Service Learning site that morning.

Mass Gathering is a time for all participants to gather and experience church at U.S. Bank Stadium.  This provides a unique experience for participants to come together to sing, dance, pray, learn, and ponder their faith.  Everyone will come together for worship, blessings and safe travels as well as an opportunity to share communion with 30,000 other people.
 
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, groups rotate through Interactive Learning, Service Learning, and Synod Day. We will end each evening together at our Mass Gathering in U.S. Bank Stadium.  Below is a tentative schedule for the 2022 Gathering. It will be updated as more information is available.

• July 24 Sunday

6 p.m. — Doors open for Mass Gathering
8 p.m.-9:45 p.m. — Mass Gathering
Evening — Final 15

• July 25-27 Monday - Wednesday

8 a.m.-3 p.m. — Service Learning
10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Interactive Learning and Bible study
11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Synod Day
6 p.m. — Doors open for Mass Gathering
8 p.m.-9:45 p.m. — Mass Gathering
Evening — Final 15

• July 28 Thursday

8:30 a.m. — Doors open for Closing Worship
9:30-11:30 a.m. — Closing Worship