ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 28, 2003 ELCA Youth Discuss Topics Important To Them 03-149-MR/JC* ATLANTA (ELCA) -- Human sexuality and ethnic diversity were among a variety of topics addressed by some 255 high-school-age Lutherans at the Sixth Triennial Convention of the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) here July 20-23 at Georgia Institute of Technology. The LYO is the youth organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Chicago. Under the convention theme, "N-2-1: Joining in Weakness, We are Strong," delegates -- Lutherans between the ages of 15 and 18 or who are in grades 10 through 12 -- from the 65 synods of the church conducted the business of the LYO. The organization represents 500,000 young Lutherans from across the country, U.S. Virgin Islands and Caribbean. The organization's board provides a link between young people and churchwide units, bringing youth representation to traditionally adult-led boards and groups. Business sessions, led by the board of LYO, included the election of officers, action on resolutions submitted by delegates representing synods and congregations of the ELCA, and reception of reports from the board and its three advisory committees -- Multicultural Advisory Committee, Definitely Abled Advisory Committee and Council of Synod LYO Presidents. Other highlights of the convention included a keynote presentation, workshops, music and worship. The LYO held its triennial convention in conjunction with the 2003 ELCA Youth Gathering -- held in two back-to-back events July 16-23 and July 23-27 -- at the Georgia Dome and Georgia World Congress Center. ELECTIONS Maren Hulden was elected LYO president on the third ballot July 22. Hulden, 17, has just completed her first year at the University of Chicago and is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Minn. "I'm elated," Hulden told the ELCA News Service after her election. "I'm looking forward to the next three years. It's going to be awesome." Kwau Kuntu III, Calumet City, Ill., was elected vice president; Penny Kelly, Viborg, S.D., secretary; Sean Allen, Spokane, Wa., Region One delegate-at-large; Mara Brosy, Reno, Nev., Region Two delegate-at-large; Tyler Hauger, Bismarch, N.D., Region Three delegate-at-large; Sara Humphrey, Tusla, Okla., Region Four delegate-at-large; Hannah Wallisch, Waupun, Wis., delegate-at-large; Rachel Meade, Lake Odessa, Mich., Region Six delegate-at-large; Nathaniel Preisinger, Scotia, N.Y., Region Seven delegate-at-large; Courtney Zimmerman, Navron, Pa., Region Eight delegate-at-large; and Megan Quarles, Columbia, S.C., Region Nine delegate-at-large. The ELCA has 65 synods in nine regions in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Caribbean. RESOLUTIONS Delegates passed resolutions on a variety of topics, including human sexuality. At the convention, youth discussed education about human sexuality in the church, the blessing of same-gender unions, and the welcoming of people of all sexual orientations into the organization. Delegates called for the LYO board to advocate for the development of educational programs promoting disability awareness and urged congregations and synods of the ELCA to hold events in facilities that meet the needs of definitely-abled participants. Resolutions passed at the sixth triennial convention call for LYO members to: + encourage discussion on the topic of human sexuality in confirmation classes and at synod-led youth events. Delegates also adopted a resolution supporting the blessing of "same-sex unions" and the ordination of "non-celibate individuals" of "all sexual orientations" in "committed relationships." In a separate resolution, delegates moved to welcome people of all sexual orientations, encouraging youth of all sexual orientations to share in the life of the organization. They also voted to seek formal recognition as a "Reconciling in Christ" organization. + support congregations, synods, the ELCA churchwide office and institutions to continue their awareness of the needs of individuals with disabilities, advocate for definitely-abled individuals to serve on synod councils, develop educational programs that promote disability awareness and support for events to be held in facilities that meet the needs of people with disabilities. + encourage synods to hold Lutheran youth gatherings in the ELCA's nine regions, 65 synods and 10,716 congregations. The resolution also called for the LYO board to develop resources to aid in event planning and execution. + invite a youth representative from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) Program Committee for Youth Ministry to serve as a "liaison" to the LYO board. The resolution also calls for the LYO board to elect a member from its board to serve as a liaison to the ELCIC Program Committee for Youth Ministry. + call for the LYO board, in conjunction with its Multicultural Advisory Committee, to develop resources for multicultural youth ministry. Delegates adopted a resolution that calls for the 2003-2006 LYO board to work with ELCA churchwide units to make the Youth Gathering a more inclusive event. KEYNOTE PRESENTATION "When God calls you, God knows all the stuff no one else knows about you. To me, that's good news. And, that's what I love about God. I can come to God with my heart broken and tears running down my cheek. There's no one in your life that will love you like that," the Rev. Sean McMillan, Shekinah Chapel, Chicago, told delegates. McMillan, who delivered the keynote presentation, talked about "leadership from behind the scenes." "Leadership is not about impressing people," McMillan said. "Leadership is about when I am able to love myself and impress myself. You have to be yourself. When you know the truth about yourself . that's when you become a leader." "God came to us because we were broken, not because we were perfect," he said. "God extended love to us. Perfection is not part of the deal because, if it were, no one would be in this room. Love brought you to Atlanta," said McMillan. WORKSHOPS The convention featured more than 25 workshops on topics ranging from the church and homosexuality to HIV/AIDS and hunger in Africa, from politics to war and human rights. Monica Fisk, youth coordinator, Lutheran Peace Fellowship led a workshop called, "War, Human Rights and Justice." In an interview, Fisk said she hopes young people "think more deeply about war from a moral, faith-based perspective." COMMUNITY TIME At the July 22 business session Leota Thomas-Breitfeld, St. Paul, Minn., LYO president, informed delegates about a "racist" remark allegedly made by a member of the LYO delegation. Breitfeld said the remark was heard by several other delegates seated nearby. She called for a "community lock down," asking adult counselors and advisors to account for delegates and instructed all to remain in the room until the delegate who made the remark came forth. Members of the convention prayed together, shared personal reflections and encouraged the delegate who made the remark to come forward. Breitfeld told the convention that "this is a community problem" that must be dealt with together. She reminded delegates that the LYO is an "inclusive" organization committed to diversity. In an interview with the ELCA News Service, Jon L. Vehar, Albuquerque, N.M., LYO vice president, said, "The significance of the LYO convention was that we took a comment made by one member, hurtful to the community, and dealt with it as a community. As a result of the process and as an organization that gathers in the name of Christ, it became an incredible learning experience for all involved." Delegates remained in their seats for more than hour before recessing for the evening. The delegate who allegedly made the remark did not come forth. A dance scheduled for the evening was cancelled. *Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. She is an intern this summer with ELCA News and Media Production. Information about the 2003 ELCA Youth Gathering is maintained at http://www.elca.org/gathering/home.html on the Internet. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news