Reflections from a newbie at the ELCA National Youth Gathering

Whew!  What a whirlwind!  I had the pleasure of attending the tAble, MYLE, and the National Youth Gathering this past July in New Orleans.  Honestly I am still processing all of it a month later because there was so much to take in. 

I did not grow up Lutheran so this was actually my first time at these ELCA gatherings.  The entire time through the pre-gatherings and the main youth gathering I was filled with wonder watching and participating in activities with the youth, young adults, and leaders of the La Crosse Area Synod and beyond.

The tAble pre-gathering was a time for young people who live with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities to gather together for intentional community events, activities, and worship.  Bishop Felix and I were able to meet these wonderful youth and some of the caregivers who came with them.  We were able to worship together and I was brought to tears to see the love they had for one another and for worship as they danced, read prayers/scripture, and made joyful music.

The MYLE (Multicultural Youth Leadership Event) was also a pre-gathering were youth of color within the ELCA were able to meet together for learning opportunities, relationship building and again some amazing worships.  These inspiring youth, as well as the speakers who took the stage, shared profound stories of faith and hope for the future.  It was beautiful to see these youth grow and support each other as they explored the theme of Created to Be.

Then as the main Youth Gathering was starting it was so cool to see how thousands of ELCA youth started filling the city of New Orleans.  The energy and excitement was something you could feel walking down the street!  Throughout the next few days we dug deeper into who we are Created to Be.  We are all created by the Holy One to be brave, authentic, free, disruptive, and disciples.  To show up with open minds and hearts as our true selves.  To work for justice for all people and to show the love of God to all.  There were moments of relationship building with each other, with Synods, and with Regions. As well as accompany moments where we learned stories, and helped with projects in and around the city of New Orleans. It was amazing to hear speakers who shared their emotional journeys, the voices of the youth as they sang and talked, and the enthusiasm to be part of something bigger.  Watching a dark stadium fill up with light from cell phone flashlights as around 17,000 youth, young adults, and leaders sang and swayed together filled me with hope for the church.  If we give space for our young people to share who they are Created to Be our communities, churches, worship spaces, and the world will be more richly filled with the love of God.

In Peace and Love ~Jessica Malpica