Spring 2015 Info SessionUpstate New York Synod

2015 ELCA Youth GatheringRise Up Together

46 DAYSuntil the Gathering

begins!

It’s getting close!

• Introduce yourself, sharing your:– Name– Church and city–What aspect of the Gathering are you

and your group most excited about?

Introductions

• Getting there and Getting around• When do things happen• Where do things happen• How do things happen• Pro Tips for the Gathering• Questions

All the Things to cover

• Enter into Gathering with:– Positive Attitude: see EVERYTHING as an opportunity

for the Holy Spirit to work– Servants Heart: be ready to serve, no matter how

menial or insignificant the task– Respectful behavior: Detroit is someone’s home! Real

human beings live there! Let’s care for them…and the youth in our care…all 30,000 of them!

• Especially for Adult Leaders: this is NOT vacation!

First things first

• From “What’s in it for me” to “What can I offer”– Be a non-anxious presence– Be completely open, interested and including

other’s thoughts and needs, sharing and listening– Waiting your turn, engage intentionally in ways that

promote mutual respect, discovery and growth…– …and have a blast doing it!

First things first

2015 ELCA Youth GatheringGetting there & Getting around

• Our Synod:– 39 congregations sending youth– 357 youth and adult leaders (up from

2012)– Every conference represented–We will see each other Thursday on

Proclaim Story Day

Getting there

• Our Synod

Getting there

• By now your group should have:– Registered for the Gathering– Sent along your hotel rooming list and deposit– Begun group-building activities, working

through Getting Ready Materials– Begun passing out forms needed to be

completed for the Gathering (medical, liability)

Getting there

• Right now, what your group should focus on:

– Final Getting Ready materials (ESPECIALLY LESSON 6)

– Organizing spending money (food, etc.)– Ordering any group t-shirts you need– Ordering Synod t-shirts (see flyer)– Creating a packing list for your group (see flyer)– Exploring Detroit online to get a sense of where places are at,

where to go to eat, etc.– Gathering t-shirts will be shipped before you go

Getting there

• Packing List– See printout for things other than everyday

“common-sense” needs– Everyday needs: clothes, toiletries, sleeping

bag?, meds (be sure to have Prescription info!), cell phones, cameras, etc.

– Reusable water bottle!– Closed-toe shoes away from hotel!

Getting there

• Travelling to Detroit– All in our Synod are going by ground–Most are taking charter buses, some are

using their own vehicles– At least one bus is going through

Canada

Getting there

• Hotels

Getting there

• Hotels– A few groups are staying downtown

• Smaller groups with their own transportation

– Most are in the suburbs, 15-25 miles away from downtown• Larger groups travelling by bus

– Our Synod is spread among 14 hotels• Nature of area with few large downtown hotels• We are using a lot of smaller highway exit hotels

Getting there

• Registration– Gathering registration happens at your

hotel by video orientation• Begins 1 pm Tuesday, 8 am-8 pm Wednesday

– Adult Leader guide, Bibles & wristbands for your group will be given at hotel orientation

– No Gathering backpacks this time

Getting around

• Wristbands– Your admission ticket into ALL Gathering functions– Since our whole Synod is on the same program track, they will

be orange– Includes a Gathering 800 number to contact in case of

questions, emergencies– Will get you discounts to some restaurants (see Show It & Save)– This or an additional wristband will also have your transportation

details on it– Wear them 24/7 while at the Gathering– Try not to lose/damage wristbands

Getting around

Getting around

Brush St.Canada

• Renaissance Center

Where do things happen

• Ford Field

Where do things happen

• Greektown

Getting around

• Transportation– Staying downtown? Best to get around on

foot• Be prepared to pay for parking (see next slide)• People Mover: downtown elevated light rail

– Runs one-way on a loop around downtown locations– 75 cents a ride– More of a “do once” thing than something to rely on

for regular travel

Getting around

• Transportation– Suburban hotels:

• Using your own vehicle(s): Come downtown in the AM, find your own parking (recommended lots will be forthcoming)

• Be prepared to pay in the range of $20-25/day to park downtown

• Head to Cobo Center, walk for the day, return to your vehicle after evening event at Ford Field

• Use your vehicles (or not) at your discretion

Getting around

• Transportation– Suburban hotels:

• Using your own bus? Come downtown once in the AM, drop off at Cobo Center

• Parking will be provided, details coming soon• After Ford Field evening event: walk to bus staging

area for pick-up and return to hotel (Brush St.)• You will only need your bus to get to and from hotel

as noted above

Getting around

• Transportation– Suburban hotels:

• Using Gathering Transportation: a bus will pick you up at your hotel at set time each day for trip downtown

• Operates on a loop akin to how city buses operate• Drop off will be at Cobo Center, pick-up after evening

event at designated area• Be sure to be ready for your bus at the scheduled time for

your hotel!• Bus only picks up once in the AM, returns once in PM

Getting around

• Transportation– Suburban hotels:• For bus users (Gathering or your own) you

will get a wristband at registration that will have details on where to meet your bus after evening event• Gathering transportation users will have a

bus/route number as well

Getting around

• While downtown– MANY places to get food

• Food trucks and restaurants around Cobo/Hart Plaza• Food Court in Renaissance Center lowest level• Greektown (Monroe St.)• Coney Island hot dogs• Ford Field: stadium concessions open 5:30-7:30 pm• Tim Hortons at Ford Field & across from Ren. Ctr.

– Have your youth do some research!

Getting around

• Speaking of food…– Check with your hotel: some sites may

provide a continental breakfast…or not– Lunch on Proclaim Justice Day (Saturday) is

provided– Opportunity in the works for option to order

box lunches for your bus on the way home

Getting around

• While downtown– Check out:• Campus Martius• Riverwalk• Renaissance Center• Public monuments• Hart Plaza

Getting around

Getting around

Brush St.Canada

• While downtown– Distances & approx. walk times:• Cobo Center–Renaissance Center: 1/3 mi. (6-8

min)• Hart Plaza is in between Cobo & Ren. Ctr.• Renaissance Center – Ford Field: 2/3 mi. (13-15

min)• Cobo Center – Ford Field: 1 mi. (20-25 min)

Getting around

2015 ELCA Youth GatheringWhen do things happen?

• See schedule• Tuesday-Wednesday: arrive, register, settle in,

explore• Lights out: midnight• Schedule does not account for your particular

transportation needs– BE SURE to coordinate with your bus so that you

leave/arrive to places on time…ESPECIALLY on Proclaim Justice Day (Saturday)!

When do things happen

• Other things to account for in your daily schedule:– Meals– Walk times– Traffic– Detroit Tigers (Fri-Sat evening, Sunday after worship)– Lines (for some restaurants, Ford Field, etc.)– Chill time if needed

• Gathering programs happen promptly on time

When do things happen

• Detroit has a nighttime curfew:– For youth 15 and under: 10 pm-6 am– 16-17 y.o. youth 11 pm-6 am

• It is VITAL to stick together as a group when leaving Ford Field to head back to buses and hotels!

When do things happen

2015 ELCA Youth GatheringHow do things happen?

• Ford Field– Evening Events Wednesday-Saturday– Closing Eucharist Sunday

How do things happen

• Ford Field– Entry though designated gates–Water bottles, backpacks are allowed– Bags will be searched

How do things happen

• Ford Field– All seating is general admission – including floor– Music and food service at concessions begin at 5:30 pm

• Food is stadium pricing and can only be eaten in concourse areas

– Live music begins at 7 pm– Concessions close promptly at 7:30 pm, even if you are

in line– Main Program begins at 8 pm

How do things happen

• Ford Field–Main program ends around 9:30 pm– Exit to Brush St., follow route to bus

staging lot (approx. ½ mile walk) or return to your vehicle or hotel

– Be conscious of city curfew!

How do things happen

• Final 15– Day ending devotions printed in your

Bibles you get at registration– Designed to re-center your group at the

end of the day– Designed to be done wherever you are

(hotel, bus, etc.)

How do things happen

• Final 15– Day ending devotions printed in your

Bibles you get at registration– Designed to re-center your group at the

end of the day– Designed to be done wherever you are

(hotel, bus, etc.)

How do things happen

• Thursday: Proclaim Story (Synod Day)

• Friday: Proclaim Community• Saturday: Proclaim Justice (Service

Day)

How do things happen

• The day our Synod comes together• Synod T-shirt Day• See schedule for timing• Dave Ekimoff – Synod Day details

How do things happenProclaim Story Day - Thursday

• Happens at Cobo Center• Cobo Center open 9-5• See 8 Things to Know about Proclaim

Community sheet• 4 pm: programs at Renaissance

Center

How do things happenProclaim Community Day - Friday

• Happens at Cobo Center• Cobo Center open 9-5• See Proclaim Community sheet• 4 pm: programs at Renaissance

Center

How do things happenProclaim Community Day - Friday

• Service project day• Wear your orange Gathering t-shirts• Note items needed for this day on

Packing List–Work gloves, longer pants, sunscreen,

water bottle, etc.

How do things happenProclaim Justice Day - Saturday

• You will be assigned one of two launch times– 1: arrive at Hart Plaza 8:45 am– 2: arrive at Hart Plaza 10:15 am

• Either time, you go through orientation, get your box lunch, board bus, find out your service project, and go!

• You will use a Gathering bus, not your own wheels

How do things happenProclaim Justice Day - Saturday

• Why not find out your service project before you go?

• Remember “What can I offer” mindset– Not all service activities may be hands-

on, “down and dirty”– Head into experience with open

expectations, allow the Spirit to work

How do things happenProclaim Justice Day - Saturday

• 6 Interest Areas:– Care in Communities– Cultural Immersion/Arts– Education– Environmental Sustainability– Food/Food Justice– Housing

How do things happenProclaim Justice Day - Saturday

• Your Gathering bus will return and drop off at Hart Plaza by 5 pm

• After drop off, find dinner, head to Ford Field or Renaissance Center (depending on time)

How do things happenProclaim Justice Day - Saturday

• Get to Ford Field for Closing at 8:30 am• Closing Eucharist with Bishop Eaton– Offering collected

• After worship, head to your bus/vehicle and head home– Note: Tigers game at 1 pm

• Box lunch option to order for your bus?

How do things happenFinal Day - Sunday

2015 ELCA Youth GatheringPro Tips

• Gathering info comes in bits through G-News, Getting There lessons (especially Lesson 6)

• Top 2 safety concerns:–Walking (shoes, paying attention)– Hydration (do it early and often)

Pro Tips

• Have a system to gather your group in places with lots of people– Some groups have a unique “icon” to hold up

for group members to spot where to meet

• Prepare a daily snack pack for your group• Each Adult Leader should pack what’s on

the packing list!

Pro Tips

• Be ready with activities for wait times– Lines, bus commute, etc.

• Run through expectations of how to do things as a group:– Walking the streets, getting food, hotel living,

positive behavior, etc.– Important to go through things that seem like routine

daily life things for you!– Lesson 6 will help you with this!

Pro Tips

• Have expectations of how to handle money

• Go through what-if’s:– Someone gets hurt or sick, how to handle

covenant violations, something/someone goes missing, someone on the street asks for food or money, _________________

Pro Tips

• Tips from other pros…

Pro Tips

2015 ELCA Youth GatheringQuestions?

• Resources to Check out:– “Belle Isle to 8 Mile: An Insiders

Guide to Detroit” ($22 + $6 s&h)– www.downtowndetroit.com– www.visitdetroit.com– www.dhivedetroit.com (great

map!)

Gathering OverviewOut and About in Detroit

Other DetailsStay Connected & Get Swag

• www.elca.org/youthgathering– Sign up for “gNews” monthly emails!!!– Back issues of gNews have info under

Resources tab

• Find “ELCA Youth Gathering” on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

• Guidebook app

Other DetailsStay Connected

• Synod Connections:– www.unytothegathering.wordpress.com

• This PowerPoint and handouts will be posted there on the “Online Connections and Resources” page

– “Upstate New York Synod Rises Up Together” Facebook group

– Rick Mollenkopf-Grill: Synod Coordinator• (716) 465-1321 (cell)• rick@organic-youth.org

Other DetailsStay Connected

• Old Lutheran (www.oldlutheran.com)

• Will have a store at the Gathering

Other DetailsGet Swag

Closing PrayerGo in peace to love and serve the Lord!