Fourteen youth and 5 adults from Bethesda on the Bay participated in this year’s National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The theme for the 2009 gathering was Jesus Justice Jazz, a theme which draws from the rich faith history, diverse cultures and arts of New Orleans. The gathering was designed to challenge each participant to grow in his or her understanding of what it means to live in relationship and service with each other in the manner of Christ... for life... wherever they are!

Youth Gathering planning teams worked with local congregations and organizations, young people and the city. The challenge was to understand both what makes the city of New Orleans unique, as well as the changes the city is going through as the entire Gulf Coast region continues to recover after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The focus was on service and justice as we live our shared reality as Christians.

All together about 37,000 people came to New Orleans as servants rather than customers or tourists. Over 200,000 volunteer hours were contributed in New Orleans over the course of the Gathering. Our Bethesda Youth Group of 19 was assigned a service project while in New Orleans. For 3 days groups of 12,000 were sent out into the community to perform various service projects. Our group worked along with 12,000 other Lutherans in the "Health and Wellness" area that was assigned to us. For more information, photos and videos visit: 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering - Jesus Justice Jazz New Orleans, July 22-26, 2009