FUN, FRIENDSHIP, AND CHALLENGE AT "TUESDAYS"

  NEW ORLEANS (ELCA) -- Imagine a world of
fun, friendship, challenge,
teamwork and lots of games, and you have
"Tuesdays," a multi-faceted event
in which all 30,000 young people attending
the triennial Youth Gathering of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
July 23-27, found time to take
part.
  The three major areas were called
"Market," "Signs of the Times," and
"Get a Life."  Each focused on a different
theme.
  Market
  Participants had opportunities to dunk a
peer in a tub of water, design
and decorate Mardi Gras floats, paint their
faces, toss beads, and play
games such as boccie or basketball.  With
glee, teens raced tricycles in
the New Orleans Grand Prix and raced boats
they designed themselves.  The
theme of the Market?  FUN!
  Signs of the Times
  Teens had a chance to learn and play.  The
Blue Planet was their spot
for learning about water and how precious it
is for our existence on earth.
Kids had their picture taken in a Camaro
which uses 39,000 gallons of water
in the manufacturing process and they
juggled water by labeling sandbags
they made themselves with "H, H and O"
(H2O).
  Also in that section, opportunities for
working together in "Family and
Friends" abounded.  One group of kids, after
completing a difficult
balancing exercise together, said teamwork
was the key to accomplishing the
task.  "It was frustrating that we had to
keep starting over, because we
knew we could do it; we have worked together
before.  It just took trust,
patience and some time."
  Dream catchers, masks, colorful origami
and other craft activities also
kept participants busy as did the challenge
of composing music, poetry or a
video show to take home as a souvenir.
  The Fruit of the Spirit Graffiti Wall was
filled with the products of
creativity unleashed, including an artfully
painted Jesus Christ with blue
hair.  Written beside the painting was a
brief, albeit moving prayer,
"Smile on us, Lord, for art is one of our
Father's greatest gifts."

  Get a Life
  Provided opportunities for service and fun
had the kids busy hammering
nails in the house Habitat for Humanity was
building for a family in the
area.  Aid Association for Lutherans, a
fraternal benefits organization,
sponsored the construction.
     For a less strenuous way to give of themselves, kids ironed patches on mini patchwork quilts which would go home with the international students attending the gathering.
     Making bricks to build homes and other buildings as they do in rural Africa offered a  cultural experience. One young woman commented, "I think it helps everyone see that not everyone lives like we do."
     For fun, lessons were offered on ethnic dancing or finding a musical beat on instruments from around the world or a tune on a life-size keyboard.
     After a long day of activities, kids have the opportunity to walk a prayer maze or sit on a giant bean bag near the gentle splashing of a meditation font and quietly reflect on the exciting, rewarding experiences offered at "Tuesdays."

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For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director, News and Information
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html