Where y’at? 
This standard New Orleans greeting means simply “How are you?” or “What’s going on?” So don’t say where you are. Just say you’re doing all right!
Our team is gearing up for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), the tAble and the new Young Adult Gathering next summer. The Gathering and Young Adult Gathering will take place in New Orleans July 16-20, and our pre-events will take place July 13-16. We have over 12,000 young people and their adult leaders registered for this life-changing faith formation event, coming from over 1,200 congregations!
We’ve heard from many groups that they feel behind and don’t even know where to begin. We’ve also learned that the days of early registration are a thing of the past. Organizers of other large events have noticed that registrations are trending toward the final deadline rather than the priority rate. With all that said, it’s certainly not too late to join us next summer, so here are a few tips to get you started on your journey to the bayou! 
STEP 1: Get your krewe together!
Using the Gathering’s promotional materials, invite those currently in eighth through 12th grade to participate in the Gathering next summer!
Got only a few interested? That’s OK! Let’s get you connected to your Gathering Synod Champion to see if there are others in the same boat that you might partner with.
STEP 2: Let’s do some fundraising.
We have a full course in the gLearn Handbook Series filled with ideas and suggestions for raising some money to help you get to the Big Easy. You can access a sample budget, which can be found via the magical link below. This might feel overwhelming right now, but we hear time and time again that the Gathering belongs on the timeline of your faith journey.
STEP 3: Register for the Gathering 101 webinar.
Gathering leadership will be hosting a Gathering webinar on December 5 at 7pm Central. Bring your questions! We’re here to help you as you discern whether to bring a group to the Gathering, the MYLE and the tAble next summer. We’ll share exciting updates about the Gathering program, what to expect and tips for planning. Can’t make it? Still sign up– we’ll email a recording after.
We hope that you’ll consider bringing your young people to the Gathering for this life-changing experience. We are confident that it will be a Gathering to remember. 
