ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 30, 2008  

Lutheran Teens Say God's Justice Goes Beyond 'Just Us'
08-211-SHA

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Amanda Kurtz is a ninth grader who loves
math, dreams of being an architect and participates on tennis and
dance teams at her high school in Aitkin, Minn., a one-stoplight
town of 2,000 best known for its annual parade of decorated ice
fishing houses.
     She also volunteers at a soup kitchen 30 miles away and at a
weekly community meal served by her Aitkin congregation, First
Lutheran Church. Her plans for 2009 include several days of
volunteer work in Illinois, Louisiana and Tennessee.
     "I've never had the experience of traveling somewhere to
help people for a while," said 15-year-old Amanda.  "It's
important to do this and understand why God wants me to."
     Amanda is one of 461 teens and adult leaders from the
Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) attending the 4.7-million member denomination's
July 22-26 youth gathering in New Orleans.
     As preparation, synod participants are involved in a
yearlong justice awareness program.  "The Synod Journey," as the
program is called, involves prayer, biblical reflection and
service projects, such as clothing drives.
     "We encourage congregations to take a whole year for
leadership development and justice immersion," said Catherine
Anderson, synod youth ministry coordinator.
     Amanda said the word "justice" makes her think of the
police, courtrooms and Judge Judy.  She's eager to learn how it
applies to God and issues such as hunger and poverty.
     "The kids are very curious to know what it means to follow
the justice of Jesus," said Kurt Hagesteun, youth and family
minister, First Lutheran Church.
     Up to 36,000 teens and youth leaders are expected in New
Orleans. Part of the event includes volunteer work across the
city, demonstrating the ELCA theme: "God's work, our hands."  The
beneficiaries include residents still recovering from Hurricane
Katrina, the 2005 storm that battered the Gulf Coast.
     "You can change people's lives a lot by helping a little,"
said Kristi Hoge, 16, another Aitkin participant. "So when you
see people in need, you need to help."
     Lutherans account for more than 50,000 volunteers in the
Katrina recovery effort to date, according to the Rev. Kevin A.
Massey, who directs Lutheran Disaster Response, a collaborative
ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
     "We're excited that the national youth gathering will
continue this witness," Massey said. "It sends a message to the
people of New Orleans that we will not forget you."
     Mary Beth Romig, spokeswoman for the New Orleans Convention
& Visitors Bureau, said the ELCA Youth Gathering is the largest
effort mounted to assist the city since Katrina.
     "It's a wonderful expression of humanity," Romig said. "I
can't wait to see all of these young people engaged in our city."
     Ten buses will carry the Northeastern Minnesota Synod
contingent 1,400 miles to New Orleans. On the way, they'll engage
in volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and other
organizations in Peoria, Ill., and Memphis, Tenn. In Memphis
they'll also visit the National Civil Rights Museum and the Slave
Haven Underground Railroad Museum.
     The goal is not only to help but to be transformed through
listening to residents and learning about local history, arts and
culture.
     "What we do in New Orleans is stuff we need to do everywhere
in the world," Amanda said.  "For me, it starts here in Aitkin."

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