Follow Bethel Youth at the Gathering...

Many thanks to all who have supported the youth throughout the year in the Sunday morning sessions, monthly fellowship meetings, fundraisers and of course, at worship.

At long last, the Gathering trip is about to begin.  And in the spirit of relationship and connectedness, please check out a new sibling youth group blog to follow our Gathering trip:

http://byg-jjj2009.blogspot.com/

In case you need help unpacking that?  It stands for Bethel Youth Group - Jesus Justice Jazz 2009.

Now off for a quick nap before heading to our bus stop (Hope Lutheran - St. Charles)!

What's Still Incomplete?

We're almost ready, but here's a list of what still needs to be completed:

General:

• Everyone -- Read the updates carefully from after the last group meeting.  Click here
• Everyone -- Read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) entry.  Click here

Contact Info:

• Need cell phone numbers for Daniel, Haley, Karl
• Need emergency contacts and numbers for Genevieve, Rebecca and Todd

Forms:

• Need photocopy of insurance form for David Owen
• Need signature from Carson and Haley's mom on one form.  (It's on all the other forms -- just a clerical glitch.)
• Need all forms for Genevieve, Amy, Sherman, Rebecca and Todd.  (*** I'll work on mine as soon as I finish updating the blog! ***)

For the bus:

• DVDs
• Icebreaker activities

Generic stuff to do:

• Wash the t-shirts from Central States Synod, and the STL congregations ("STL NOLA") -- Amy/Sherman to do this
• Mark the Jesus, Justice, Jazz water bottles with Bethel Youth Group labels -- Amy/Sherman to do this.  (Yes, this means you don't need to buy water bottles)
• Make lunches for the outbound bus trip -- Stierholz/Websters to do this
• Buy breakfast/snack supplies -- Pastor Rebecca/Pastor Todd to do this
• Transportation to/from Hope Lutheran Church in St. Charles -- everyone to insure their own transportation or coordinate car pools

Post Lock-In Update (7/7 Meeting)

At 7/7, I learned about "Spoons" and "Sardines", one of which I watched, the other I only heard about.  Sounds like the Lock-in was a blast, and many thanks to Rebecca and Todd for hosting it.

We got lots done at the parents' meeting and we're almost totally ready for getting on the Gathering bus.

But we're not completely ready... so here are a few points, and they're all important:

• We finally know more about our Service Project.  I wish we had one more meeting before the Gathering to discuss, but since we don't, please carefully read our our "Service Project" blog entry.  Please note that we go into New Orleans as partners (with locals) in rebuilding the city, and be prepared to receive God's Spirit as much as we are bringing material supplies and labor.  Click here.
• What are we supposed to bring?  I've cobbled together a Pack List, based on suggestions from the Gathering site, plus what we know our group has discussed.  If I've missed anything, please comment to that blog entry... I'll update the list.  Click here.
• We had many good questions from both parents and youth on 7/7 (and at earlier meetings).  I've captured them in a  FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) entry.  Again, if anything is missing, please comment and I'll to the list.  Click here.
• As much as I've collected everything in blog format for easy reading, I'm also trying to jam everything into an Excel workbook version so it's easier to read/print offline for Ready Reference.  It's the least up-to-date of everything so count on me posting several versions of the document.  Please check for accuracy, especially of contact information (like phone numbers).  Click here.

Pack List

Here's a suggested pack list -- this list started from the Gathering website, click here -- customize where you see fit.

General Stuff to Bring:

• Bible (You'll be receiving a special Gathering Bible when you arrive in New Orleans.)
  
• Journal and pen
  
• Money for meals (about $100 for the week)
  
• Money for Sunday offering
  
• 4-6 outfits
  
• Comfortable walking shoes
  
• Pajamas (be considerate of roommates)
  
• Bathing suit (if your hotel has a pool)
  
• Gathering t-shirt
  
• Sweatshirt for the AC
  
• Any medications prescribed to you that you might need 
  
• Book or magazines to read 
  
• Cards or other free time activity stuff 
  
• Hat and sunglasses (you will be walking outside quite a bit) 
  
• Snacks, cereal bars, etc… 
  

Stuff for Servant Life Day:

• Closed foot shoes (tennis shoes or boots)
  
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
  
• Re-usable water bottle.  [Sherman has purchased aluminum water bottles from the Gathering website and will bring on the bus.  Click here]
  
• Knee-length shorts (no short shorts)
  
• Backpack
  
• Camera (optional)
  
• Work Gloves
  

What NOT to Bring:

• Expensive belongings
  
• Drugs, alcohol, and medications not prescribed to you
  
• Firearms, knives, weapons
  
• Glass bottles
  
• Laser pointers, air horns, matches, lighters
  

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for Youth and Parents

Q:  When do we leave?

A:  We must be at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Charles by 5:30 AM on Tuesday 7/21.  The address is 1975 S Old Highway 94, St Charles, MO 63303.

Q:  When do we return?

A:  We are scheduled to return to Hope Lutheran Church in St. Charles on Monday 7/27 at 2:00 AM.  That's late night Sunday / early Monday morning

Q:  What paperwork do I need to fill out?

A:  See a list of all required forms:  click here 

Q:  What about the group covenant that we worked so hard on?

A:  For the "mandatory" covenant clauses from the ELCA Gathering committee, click here

     For the Bethel-added (or Bonus) Covenant, click here

Q:  What project did we get assigned to for our Service activity?

A:  For our ServantLife project, click here

Q:   What do I need to pack?

A:  See a list of all items we'll need for the trip:  click here (new entry coming soon)

Q:   How much money should each youth pack?

A:   About $100 for meals and souvenirs.

Q:   How many meals will that cover?

A:   Total of  7.  (Tue=1, Wed=0, Thu=1, Fri=2, Sat=2, Sun=1)  Other meals are already included as part of Gathering/Metro St Louis Coalition-Youth planning.  These 7 meals will be fast food stops during the bus trip, or 'open meal times' during the Gathering itself.

Q:  What about breakfasts?

A:  Breakfast is included as part of our hotel stay.  Worst case scenario is that there are long lines at the hotel breakfast.  For that contingency, Bethel will provide cereals, milk and bagels (Thanks to Pastor Rebecca for organizing that.  And thanks to Albert Webster for providing the lunch for the outbound bus trip.)

Q:  What about snacks?

A:  Bethel will also provide some snacks for hotel life, but each youth should feel free to bring their own (and plan to share with others)

Q:  Will the group eat all meals together?

A:  Based on different categories:

• While traveling:  can break out in small groups, but must return to the bus on time
• At the Gathering:  breakfasts -- in our hotel rooms, or at hotel breakfast area, but must meet as group prior to the day's first activity
• At the Gathering:  lunches -- on your own, but must observe the buddy rule
• At the Gathering:  dinners -- the group will dine together every night.  That will be one of the main reflection times each day (along with the "Final 15")

Q:  What should the youth have with them at all times?

A:  Here's a list:

• Emergency Contact Card -- to be provided by Bethel
• Water bottle -- probably to be provided by Bethel
• Energy bar or snack -- something that doesn't melt in the heat (i.e. NOT chocolate) that can help especially during the service event or long time between meals
• Cell phone (or buddy up with someone who has a cell phone)

Q:  What can our youth do in the last days before the Gathering?

A:  Another list:

• Think of a bus icebreaker activity
• Bring DVDs to share on the bus
• Read parts of the Gathering website.  Even with all of our youth events we didn't get to cover everything.  Something we really missed was preparation for the Servant Event.  It's not just us going to give of ourselves to "the needy."  We are needy also, and we get the chance to partner up with people in New Orleans to help reclaim God's Creation (especially since our Interest Area is The Environment).  Look at the special entry on ServantLife:  click here  (provide link)

Q:  What about worship opportunities?

A:  There are two opportunities for full Gathering worship -- at the Opening Worship (Wednesday evening) and Closing Worship (Sunday morning).  There will also be daily worship, also with Communion, at 7:30 am and 9:30 am daily.  We won't be able to that on our ServantLife Day (Thursday).

Q:  What about community life?

A:  There are many activities planned for us, including dances themed by decade, "Generation Idol" based on the "American Idol" format, and much more.  The official Gathering site says it best:  click here

Q:  Can we bring iPods or portable games (Nintendo Gameboy, Sony PSP, etc.)?

A:  Yes, but everyone is responsible for their own property.  And... on the bus you will not be allowed to wired to your device for the entire trip.

Q:  What if my question is not addressed here?

A:  Please comment to this post, and someone will include the question and a response in this FAQ entry.

Our Service Project: Creation Care (#44)

Updates:

• The ELCA Gathering organizers just released details about the service project that Bethel Youth Group has been assigned to:  #44 Creation Care.
• Fortunately we do not have to fill out any additional release forms.
• Please recall that our youth group chose "The Environment".  We did some discussion during the year on this with only part of the group.  Here's the page for the entire lesson: Click here
• Our servant day is Thursday 7/23 (which is the first full day of the Gathering)

Here's the skinny on what we need to read before we leave:

• Read ServantLife information document first:  Click here
• How does my project fit in my interest area:  Click here
• Creation Care (Bethel's project):  Click here

All of the above links are available at the home page for Project Descriptions:  Click here

Here's some important reference information for ServantLife:

• ServantLife Home Page:  Click here
• ServantLife FAQs (frequently asked questions):  Click here
• ServantLife What to Wear:  Click here
• ServantLife Blessing:  Click here

Fundraiser Switch-Around Time

Dear BYG,
Sorry to disappoint, if you were planning on big fun for the car wash, but for several reasons I have decided to cancel it. Instead, we will do a little prep during the lock-in for another easier, faster, simpler fundraiser, if that's okay with your leaders! I will bring everything you need then.
Peace, out,
Deb