ELCA youth returning to New Orleans in 2012

The Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will return to New Orleans July 18-22, 2012. The triennial gathering, the largest event organized by the 4.6 million-member denomination, brings together tens of thousands of high school Lutherans from across the country for leadership development, faith formation and service opportunities. This is the first time in the history of the ELCA Youth Gathering that the event is returning to a host city consecutively.

“I don’t think that we have learned all we can from New Orleans yet,” says Heidi Hagstrom, director for youth gatherings. “New Orleans has so much to teach us about practicing God’s hospitality. By paying attention to the spirit’s activity in and through New Orleanians, I think we get a glimpse of God’s intention for the whole world.”

In the summer of 2009, 37,000 Lutheran teenagers and adult leaders gathered in New Orleans to make home repairs and experience the faith of those who live there. The 2012 event will return to the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.