What is the ELCA Youth Gathering?
The ELCA Youth Gathering is a ministry of the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to, with and for high school-aged youth and their adult leaders. The Gathering, as it is known, is a triennial event that takes place over five days – Wednesday to Sunday – and includes opportunities for worship, service, fellowship, study and holy play.
When is the next Gathering?
The next ELCA Youth Gathering is July 15-19, 2015, in Detroit, Michigan.
Who can attend the Gathering?
The Gathering welcomes youth entering the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in the fall of 2015, and 2015 high school graduates.
How do we register?
Congregations register and attend the ELCA Youth Gathering as a group. There will be a “soft opening” on Sept. 15, 2014. This means that you will be able to set up your congregational account by entering your congregation’s information into the Gathering database. Beginning Oct. 15, 2014, you may go back into your congregational account and click the submit button to register!
How much does it cost?
If you register before Jan. 15, 2015, the early-bird, discounted registration rate is $325 per person. After Jan. 15, 2015, the Gathering registration fee is $375 per person. Congregations are assigned to hotels and should budget for housing costs of $150 per night per room. Food is also on your own, so depending on your group, this could be an additional $40 per person per day expense.
Is Detroit safe?
While its population has declined dramatically over the last few years, Detroit is still considered a major city, not unlike Chicago, Philadelphia or Los Angeles. Visitors to any large city need to make wise choices. The ELCA Youth Gathering’s Safety and Security planning team will help participants make wise choices by providing safe walking routes and by arranging for private and public security personnel at all venues utilized by Gathering participants.
The Safety and Security planning team is already working with local, state and federal officials to prepare for our visit. Every precaution will be taken to ensure your safety in the city and surrounding suburbs. Gathering participants will again receive T-shirts that will make them easily identifiable to local law enforcement officials, especially when participating in a visible service experience.
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