Eighth Triennial Convention of the Lutheran Youth Organization

1
Eighth Triennial Convention of the Lutheran Youth
Organization

• July 26-30, 2009
• University of Southern Mississippi
• Hattiesburg

2
What is the LYO Convention about?

• Young people sharing in the oneness of Christ
• One place where the voices of young people are
  lifted up in the ELCA to be agents of change
• Where young leaders gather to network and
  exchange ideas

3
2009 LYO Convention theme

• Open Eyes, Open Minds, Open Hearts
• Jeremiah 2911-13
• 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares
  the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm
  you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then
  you will call upon me and come and pray to me,
  and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and
  find me when you seek me with all your heart.
  (NIV)

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LYO Convention Program

• Days 1 and 2 Open eyes see what has happened
  here / intentional reflection from Gathering
  experience
• Day 3 Open mind learning about Mississippi
  Freedom Schools
• Days 4 and 5 Open hearts taking action for
  change / when your heart is opened, you want to
  do something to help
• - developed by the Board of the LYO and the LYO
  Convention planning team

5
Block schedule

• DAY ONE
• Movement to Hattiesburg (2 hours north of New
  Orleans buses will depart from the Dome)
• Re-settling, resting, reflection
• Opening worship ... thats it!
• DAYS 2-3-4
• Daily Worship
• Plenary sessions where youth speak, engage in
  conversation about issues, and listen to series
  of storytellers
• Whole afternoon dedicated to Freedom School for
  everyone!
• DAY 5 Closing worship and travel home (buses
  will return to New Orleans)

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Learning and Listening

• Most of the participants will see the
  devastation in New Orleans it is important to
  see how the rest of the area reacted
  Hattiesburg was the shoulder despite the fact
  that they were hit hard by the winds. It is
  important to recognize the important role that
  Mississippi had in helping to house and rebuild
  the area.
• Hattiesburg is centrally located between
  Jackson, the Gulf Coast, Mobile, AL and New
  Orleans. The city has been a place of
  intersection for people for work, transportation,
  rest and food, education, Civil Rights and much
  more. It even has a nickname of being a Hub
  City. The convention will be the Hub for their
  open hearts. But, New Orleans and Hattiesburg are
  only the beginning their home churches, synods,
  communities, and lives are the places where the
  burning hearts of youth will work for justice and
  change.

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And then responding!

• Messages / Calls for Action / Statements ...
  Boldly!
• Major changes in LYO mission and structure will
  be acted on at this Convention
• Previews of changes will be available for synods
  November 2008 at the Council of Synod LYO
  Presidents meeting
• January July 2009 time for review and
  discernment for synod LYOs on proposed changes in
  preparation for Convention

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Registration, Cost, Transportation

• Registration
• Opens January 1, 2009 and closes April 1, 2009
• Cost
• No cost for housing or meals for synod youth
  delegates or adult advisors
• Transportation
• Buses from New Orleans on day 1 and back to New
  Orleans on day 5

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Who can come to the LYO Convention?

• Register by synod allowed up to a certain
  number of youth voting members and adult advisors
  per synod
• Goal is to have every synod represented
• Dont have to have a constituted synod LYO in
  place to participate
• Its about lifting up young leaders who are
  interested in influencing the present and future
  shape of youth leadership development and mission
  in the ELCA

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• Synod LYO Advisors will receive more Convention
  information and registration forms in the fall of
  2008
• www.elca.org/lyo
• Dianha.ortega_at_elca.org