July 18, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace,
We have been having a fantastic week at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Together, our group of 8 students and 3 adults have enjoyed exploring the city, boating on the bayou with the local ‘gators, and meeting 16,000 new friends from around the US. In their words, here are some of our favorite experiences from the trip so far:
- “One thing I love about New Orleans is all the wonderful people that make the city come to life. Everyone is so kind and welcoming and the food is amazing. When we go to the gatherings at night it always is so crazy seeing so many people just like us, and so many of them are from Minnesota, which I thought was really cool.” -Kiya L.
- “New Orleans has been a blast so far. It’s been a lot of fun seeing all the other members of the ELCA at mass gatherings. The local food has also been delicious. If you’re looking for a vacation spot, swing by New Orleans.” -Evan W.
- “The first time we went to the mass gathering was eye opening to see how many youth Lutherans there are. Especially from Minnesota! I also love walking around the city and seeing/learning about the history and culture.” -Sofia O.
- “I loved the speakers and the music at the mass gathering both nights. I also enjoyed seeing the city, and trying the amazing foods here! I’ve enjoyed connecting with the group, and experiencing all these things along side this group!” -Elsa O.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we learn more and more about we are “Created To Be”—Brave, Authentic, Free, Disruptive Disciples of God. Scroll down to see a few snapshots of the week so far!
Grace and Peace,
Joe