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Day 2 - Wednesday: "Into the chaos
and the fun"
Tonight's theme at the Superdome centered on the
Truth in Christ and the truth we see around us.
After a quiet morning and departure from Mobile, we
entered New Orleans and were confronted with a harsh
truth: on both sides of I-10 were abandoned homes
and buildings in disrepair from Hurricane Katrina.
We would hear more about that tonight.
For Gathering veterans, today's check in actually
went very smooth. It's still noisy, chaotic,
confusing, and at times bewildering, but our group
did a great job in jumping into this experience with
both feet. One of the first lessons of the Gathering
is patience - hurry up and wait. But while we wait,
you might as well enjoy the company you are in -
with new friends or old.
Our group proudly wore their bright lime green Mount
Hermon shirts with pride, but we realize quickly
that we are part of a tapestry of many colors of
shirts from all over this large church as we checked
in and registered.
"Where are you from?" is asked a lot and
conversations go from there. "South Carolina!" is
shouted across a room or street when we recognize a
group from the synod. And yes, our youth group
started some cheers on the way to the dome: Mount!
... Hermon! ... Martin! ... Luther! ... And it was
contagious.
After a quick tour of the Interaction Center (we
will get the full experience tomorrow), we made our
way to the opening gathering at the Superdome. That
was a highlight for all - the music (Peter Mayer
House Band and Agape), the lights, the cheers,
Presiding Bishop Anderson riding to the stage in a
bathtub (he really did!), the celebration, the
challenges, and the inspiration set the tone for the
experience that lie ahead.
Both speakers spoke to the church daring to be
idealistic and bold through serving others - locally
and globally. In confronting the harsh realities of
the human condition and responding with grace and
service. That is what is first given to us in
Christ. From the beginning, we are being asked to
bring something home.
37,000 youth and adults answered the call to come to
New Orleans, to be leaders in the church and to make
a difference in the name of Jesus.
Peace.
Mount Hermon LCY
Jesus+Justice+Jazz |
