New Orleans
Students currently in grades 9-12 (School year 2023-24)
Expected cost per person after fundraising = $700
January 28th – First Pre-trip Meeting (12-2pm at Immanuel Lutheran in Eden Prairie, lunch included)
April 21st- Second Pre-Trip Meeting (12-2pm at Mount Olivet in Plymouth, lunch included)
July 7th- Final Pre-Trip Meeting and details meeting (6-8pm) (Location TBD)
Late Registrations will be accepted after October 25, 2023. Costs will increase after 10/25/23 (+$50 registration fee increase and potential additional flight cost as we add to our group reservation)
Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their 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.
We have been created to be ourselves. Created by the Holy One. Since the last time the ELCA came together for an ELCA Youth Gathering, our young people have experienced several major life events. Still today, we are experiencing an ongoing public health crisis mixed with an economic and political crisis. However, we can rest assured that we are created to be in relationship with one another.
We are created to be brave, to show up with an open mind and heart, willing to be challenged.
We are created to be authentic, to bring our whole selves and know that we are loved by our Creator.
We are created to be free, to be transformed by the gospel.
We are created to be disruptive, to work for justice for all our siblings.
We are created to be disciples, to be sent out into the world to love our neighbor just as we are loved by God.
Our host city, New Orleans, has always been its true, authentic self. Our theme, “Created to Be,” highlights the arts, music and soul of this beautiful, vibrant and resilient city. New Orleans was built to host and be a city where all God’s children come together.
We plan to dive deeper into justice, mental health and anti-racism conversations throughout the Gathering. These are hard conversations, but our church desperately needs to have them. We also hope to foster relationships and be a sanctuary for one another. We are saint and sinner simultaneously, and we need forgiveness when we aren’t or can’t be brave, authentic, free, disruptive disciples.
Registration - $375*
*this assumes PRIORITY (Sept. 15-Oct. 25). As a congregation, PRIORITY (early bird) registration gives us first choice at hotel locations & price points
Transportation - $450-550*
*this is a price estimate because flights are not yet available from all airlines (typical schedule is 240 days in advance)
Lodging - $310*
*this is a price estimate based on 3-4 people per hotel room for 6 nights (July 15-20)
Food - $180*
*this is a price estimate based on 3 meals a day, averaging $10/meal for 6 days
Estimated total is $1,365. NOTE: We will have SEVERAL fundraising opportunities and our goal is to raise $700/student to offset costs. Scholarships are also available. At Immanuel we believe cost should not prevent a student from these life changing trips. Contact Paul Erdmann for more information or include your request on the registration.
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America