Youth from the Greater Milwaukee Synod had an amazing time at the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. We had over 240 youth from around the synod participating in the Youth Gathering, and seven participants in MYLE (the ELCA Multicultural Youth Leadership Event).
Here are a few notable highlights from the Youth Gathering from around our synod:
- Youth from Christ the Servant, Waukesha enjoyed learning from Pastor Lorie Fuller, founding pastor of Palms Deaf Church in Palm Coast, Florida. They were amazed at how Pastor Laurie held the crowd’s attention with her sign language, and that she reminded us all that none of us are a mistake. (She also taught us how to sign, “you are not a mistake.”)
- Youth from Atonement Lutheran Church, Muskego really appreciated the message from Dr. Jacqueline Bussie. She shared an impactful story of loss in her life and told participants a funny story about a dumpster that gave her a message from God: “You will be happy again!” Sometimes, the most important messages from God come to us in unexpected ways.
- Addie from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Hartland said “it was amazing to get to be with all of the other people that believe and support in God as much as I do, and the energy in the room was always so amazing. Seeing all these other youth that have the same interests as me was amazing, and we all connected to God in such a powerful way.”
- Youth from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Brookfield especially enjoyed serving communion to others on Synod Day. They felt that the Holy Spirit brought people together through the whole event, and especially through singing and dancing together. They saw God’s movement in the way that the community of the Youth Gathering formed in such a small amount of time, and enjoyed their service day project of helping restore an Eagle Scout project back to wholeness.
- Adult leaders from Christ the Servant, Waukesha really appreciated the message from Pastor Sally Azar (first Palestinian woman to be ordained in the Holy Land) and felt that she “opened our eyes to the issues with Israel and Palestine.”
- Pr. Jennifer Rose, All Saints, Wales & 2024 GMS Youth Gathering Champion: As an adult leader, one highlight was Synod/Region Day worship, when several youth from our synod were on stage in the band, leading 1800+ youth/adults in praising God. We also invited Bishop Paul to hang out with our group (and taught him how to wear his fanny pack crossbody style). And I was able to have amazing and holy conversations with youth in such a critical formative time in their lives.
The Gathering was filled with deep and meaningful connections with one another, and the Holy Spirit blew through the gathering in ways that transformed us all. We heard powerful stories of God’s work in the world, danced like crazy, sang at the top of our lungs, tasted amazing food (and ate way too many beignets), and emerged as new people, called and claimed by God.
We look forward to the next ELCA Youth Gathering in 2027 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. And in the meantime, we remember that we are Created to Be – wholly and beautifully loved and beloved children of God!
Do you have a story of curiosity, courage, compassion, or collaboration that you are willing to share? Contact Rev. Matthew Short, Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission, at matt@milwaukeesynod.org.
