Our Gathering Champions are trained by the ELCA Youth Gathering staff, and provide information, help plan Synod Day and are available for questions from their respective Synod's congregations about the Gathering.
Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the ELCA gather for a week of faith formation and fellowship known at the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through inspiring speakers, conversations with partners, Bible study and being immersed in the host city, young people will be inspired, challenged and called to live out their faith in their daily lives.
Additionally, young people will have opportunities to explore their vocation and discern where they are being called into this world. The 2024 Gathering theme is “Created to Be” which is centered around Psalm 139 with emphasis on verse 14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well”. We have been created by the Holy One.
Daily Themes
We are created to be brave, to show up with an open mind and heart, willing to be challenged. (Psalm 27)
We are created to be authentic, to bring our whole selves and know that we are loved by our Creator. (Matthew 5:14-16)
We are created to be free, to be transformed by the gospel. (Romans 12:2)
We are created to be disruptive, to work for justice for all our siblings. (Matthew 21:12)
We are created to be disciples, to be sent out into the world to love our neighbor just as we are loved by God. (Matthew 22:36-40)
MYLE
The event is open to youth of color or whose primary language is not English. Applicants must be in eighth to 12th grade at registration.
the tAble
Youth who are 14 to 18 (or are engaged in a high school youth group or enrolled in high school or the vocational education equivalent), and live with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities are encouraged to attend the tAble.
Young Adult Gathering
In partnership with ELCA Young Adult Ministries, we are thrilled to open the first-ever ELCA Young Adult Gathering to individuals who will be 18 to 35 at the time of the Gathering.
Registration Timeline
Registration opens September 15, 2023
Priority registration closes November 1, 2023
Regular registration closes February 14, 2024
Late registration begins February 15, 2024
We Want to go on to the Gathering...Now what?
Preparing for the Gathering looks like reading through the information available to you online, attending Gathering Information Sessions, reaching out to your Synod's Gathering Champion, and inviting others in your congregation to be responsible for different parts of the trip.
Go ahead and begin promoting the Gathering to your congregation. Talk to your students and parents, send some initial information home to families by text or email, share in any church publications and via social media. Make sure you talk with your council and staff about the Gathering - this will help you learn what questions and potential obstacles exist. Invite students who have attended previous Gatherings to share what their experience was like in person, or through a digital method.
1. Keep your eyes open for gLearn In preparation for the Gathering, rather than a PDF/bound book, the ELCA Youth Gathering will provide gLearn, an online video based tutorial. This will launch mid-April 2023.
2. Subscribe to gNews
Trip Cost, Budgeting and Fundraisers
Below is a chart outlining some potential costs related to the Gathering. There are budget templates available on the Gathering Resources webpage to help you get started.
Digital Media
Planning Resources for Congregational Leaders
- About
- FAQs about MYLE, tAble, and Young Adult Gathering
- Resources (Branding Guidelines, Logo, gNews, Getting Ready Materials, Templates, etc)
Gathering Information for Everyone
Instagram:
@elcayoungadults
Facebook:
fb.com/YouthGathering
fb.com/elcathetAble
fb.com/elcayoungadults
TikTok:
@elcagathering
Snapchat:
@elcagathering
Twitter:
@elcagathering
@elcayoungadults
YouTube:
youtube.com/ELCA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD2BE6D47D7169CB5