ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 18, 2003 Youth Learn About Apartheid, South Africa 03-YG-04-JAC* ATLANTA (ELCA) -- High-school-age youth and adult Lutherans at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Youth Gathering can learn about South Africa through a workshop called "The Real Story" at the Georgia World Congress Center and the Georgia Dome here. There are several workshops on a variety of topics throughout the Gathering. The ELCA Youth Gathering is meeting in two back-to-back events: July 16-20 and July 23-27. The Gathering, "Do Life! Ubuntu," is bringing together some 40,000 Lutherans who are engaging in worship, Bible study, community service and fun. A musical play by Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta taught workshop participants about apartheid through the story of the Soweto (South Africa) uprising. "We are rising, we are fighting, we are dying, we are crying," sang performers. "We are treated like dogs." The musical play was about injustice and the plight for Soweto students to break through apartheid oppression. "It is not right to be judged by your skin but by your mind, by your soul," one female soloist sang. After the performance, a group of Gathering youth and adults who traveled to Cape Town, South Africa in April to experience first-hand the meaning of the Youth Gathering theme, "Do Life! Ubuntu," told of their journey through pictures, video and stories. "As we traveled out to the rural areas, we saw what apartheid was like," said Sharon Rogers, associate in ministry, Sycamore, Ill. Other workshops during the Gathering include meeting ELCA bishops, creating art, learning about economic impact, health and fitness, peace and justice advocacy and more. Information about the gathering is located at http://www.elca.org/gathering/home.html on the Web. *Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. This summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news