Dear Synod Journey Leaders,
Earlier today the ELCA Youth Gathering announced that they have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 Gathering, MYLE, and the tAble due to the ongoing pandemic, the recent COVID-19 surge and safety considerations. If you missed the announcement, you can read it here.
My heart breaks with you over this news. I know the excitement that has been building in your groups as you have been meeting for Bible studies, fundraisers and group builders. I also know how much has been taken away from our youth the last couple of years, and this is just one more added to the pile. The good news, though…
We still plan to move forward with the Synod Journey!
The Synod Journey Planning Team has been discussing contingencies plans in case this was the news that resulted from the “pause” they announced earlier in January. We will be meeting the end of this week to start working on those details in a more concrete form. We plan to share with you the updated plan no later than February 21. In the meantime,
What we know:
- We will keep the same dates: Thursday, July 21 – Sunday, July 24.
- We will keep the same location, with Duluth/Superior as the destination and housing at UWS.
- We will do servant events in the Duluth/Superior area.
- We will have worship with our speaker, the Rev. Mike Carlson.
- We also plan to include more small group time with peer-led Bible studies. (One of our planning team members imagined it as, “Cardia Deo on steroids”.)
What we are still working on:
- The updated cost.
- How we will do transportation.
- If we are able to open registration up to additional participants from your congregation, and/or add other congregations.
We also know that this might not be what you signed up for.
Heading to the Gathering is the huge draw for some youth and congregations, and the Synod Journey is a bonus to take care of the logistics and an added experience. We want youth, adults and congregations to be part of the Synod Journey because God is calling them to the experience…not because of non-refundable deposits! So we will be offering congregations/participants the choice to continue or to opt-out and receive a full refund.
What about our payments to the Gathering?
You will notice in the Gathering announcement that Congregational Accounts will re-open on February 7 for congregations to indicate their refund preference. PLEASE DO NOT GO INTO YOUR ACCOUNTS TO DO THAT!! Catherine will request full refunds, and that amount will go back to the account from which they were paid…which is the synod youth ministry checking account. From there, Catherine will refund congregations based on their choice.
- If you continue with the Synod Journey, the full $250 per person you have paid will be applied to your final payment. We anticipate only one more payment later this spring,
- If you cancel, your congregation will be refunded $250 per person who cancels.
Next Steps:
1. A member of the Synod Journey Adult Leader Support Team will call Primary Leaders within the next couple of days to make sure you have received the news that the Gathering has canceled, that the Synod Journey will continue, and to answer any preliminary questions you may have.
2. Share the news with your group and their parents that the Gathering has cancelled, but the Synod Journey will continue. Let them know they will have the opportunity to back out and receive a full refund.
3. Ignore emails you may receive from the ELCA Youth Gathering inviting you to go into your Congregational Accounts to indicate your refund preference. Catherine is taking care of that for you!
4. Watch for an update to be sent no later than February 21 with the new plan, costs, and a link to a form to “Register” your group. It won’t be as extensive as the first one! But this will be the easiest way for you to indicate who still plans to attend…and if we are able, to add youth to your registration.
5. We will hold two Zoom meetings on February 22 to share the new plan and answer questions. The meetings will be at 11:00am and 7:00pm. Links will be shared in the update sent by February 21. The meeting will be recorded for those not able to attend.
6. A member of the Synod Journey Adult Leader Support Team will also call Primary Leaders once the new plan has been sent out to make sure Primary Leaders have received the information and answer any questions.
7. We anticipate that the new “registration” period will be open from February 21 – March 15 to give you time to meet with your group and discuss their options.
One of the questions the Synod Journey Planning Team will be discussing this week is how to best do transportation. We know we will provide transportation during the event to servant events and activities. We are curious if you would prefer to drive yourself to Duluth/Superior or to have transportation provided from your congregation to Duluth/Superior and back. Please take a minute to fill out this quick poll as we consider the options!
I have been thinking of our theme for the Synod Journey, that we are “Deeply Rooted to be Connected to a Boundless God Beyond Measure.” I am grateful we are deeply rooted in a God that holds us in times of change. I am grateful we are connected as a synod so we can still be gathered. I am grateful for a boundless God whose imagination for what the Spirit is up to in all this is far greater than mine, and already at work preparing our hearts for what the Spirit will be up to in July. I pray that you are held in that hope as you digest this news and share it with your young people.
Together in Christ,
Catherine Anderson and the Synod Journey Planning Team
