My name is Debra Porowski and I am excited to be serving again as the Gathering Synod Coordinator (GSC) for the NJ Synod for the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, June 29 - July 3, 2021. I currently serve as the Youth Director for Faith Lutheran Church in Hillsborough, as well as the lead of the NJ Synod Youth Ministry Mission Team. This is the fourth Gathering that I will attend and my second Gathering as the GSC for NJ.
Over the upcoming months, I will be providing workshops to help you register in the fall, and then workshops on how to best plan to bring your young people to the Gathering. I will help adult leaders to feel equipped to walk alongside our youth as they experience God’s boundless love for them. I will share information about how to get there, where we will be staying, how the daily schedule will work, where to eat, etc. I am here to answer all your questions (or help you find the answers!) and to provide support to your congregations as you plan for this life changing and faith forming opportunity.
You can reach me via email at youthmin@njsynod.org. Follow us on Facebook at “NJ Minneapolis 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering” for the most up to date information. Thank you for your work to help the youth of the NJ Synod add the Gathering to the timeline of their Faith Journey and dive deeper into the Gathering theme verse from Ephesians 3:19 “I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.”
The ELCA Youth Gathering is for high school-age youth (those currently in 8th-12th grades) and takes place every three years. It’s about faith formation, worship, fellowship, service and play.
The Gathering is a wonderful an opportunity for youth to engage in worship and fellowship with peers from across the United States and the world who share a common commitment and faith in Christ. The next Youth Gathering will be held in Minneapolis, MN.
Visit or join our NJ Synod Youth Gathering Facebook Group to connect with our synod's ELCA Youth Gathering community, see updates, ask questions and share your excitement about the upcoming Gathering!
KEY DATES
April 21, 2019 Planning Team Applications Open
June 21, 2019 Planning Team Applications Open
Fall 2019 Theme Reveal and new Gathering Website Launch
January 2020 New Official Gathering Handbook Available
February 2020 Theme Song Contest Begins
May 2020 Volunteer Applications Open
June 2020 Getting Ready Materials Available
July 2020 Volunteer Applications Close
September 21, 2020 Registration Opens (Earlybird)
November 21, 2020 Regular Registration Begins
January 2021 Hotel Assignments Released
February 21, 2021 Late Registration Begins
April 21, 2021 Registration Closes
June 26-29, 2021 Multicultural Youth Leadership Event.
June 26-29, 2021 The tAble: pre-event for young people with disabilities.
June 29-July 3, 2021 The ELCA Youth Gathering!