1. Spring 2015 Info Session Upstate New York Synod 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Rise Up Together

2. 46 DAYS until the Gathering begins! It’s getting close!

3. Introduce yourself, sharing your: – Name – Church and city – What aspect of the Gathering are you and your group most excited about? Introductions

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Getting there & Getting around

8. 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

9. Our Synod Getting there

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Hotels Getting there

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Brush St. Canada

19. Renaissance Center Where do things happen

20. Ford Field Where do things happen

21. Greektown Getting around

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. While downtown – Check out: Campus Martius Riverwalk Renaissance Center Public monuments Hart Plaza Getting around

30. Brush St. Canada

31. 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

32. 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering When do things happen?

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering How do things happen?

37. Ford Field – Evening Events Wednesday-Saturday – Closing Eucharist Sunday How do things happen

38. Ford Field – Entry though designated gates – Water bottles, backpacks are allowed – Bags will be searched How do things happen

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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

43. Thursday: Proclaim Story (Synod Day) Friday: Proclaim Community Saturday: Proclaim Justice (Service Day) How do things happen

44. The day our Synod comes together Synod T-shirt Day See schedule for timing Dave Ekimoff – Synod Day details How do things happen Proclaim Story Day - Thursday

45. 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 happen Proclaim Community Day - Friday

46. Happens at Cobo Center Cobo Center open 9-5 See Proclaim Community sheet 4 pm: programs at Renaissance Center How do things happen Proclaim Community Day - Friday

47. 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 happen Proclaim Justice Day - Saturday

48. 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 happen Proclaim Justice Day - Saturday

49. 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 happen Proclaim Justice Day - Saturday

50. 6 Interest Areas: – Care in Communities – Cultural Immersion/Arts – Education – Environmental Sustainability – Food/Food Justice – Housing How do things happen Proclaim Justice Day - Saturday

51. 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 happen Proclaim Justice Day - Saturday

52. 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 happen Final Day - Sunday

53. 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Pro Tips

54. 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

55. 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

56. 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

57. 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

58. Tips from other pros… Pro Tips

59. 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Questions?

60. Resources to Check out: – “Belle Isle to 8 Mile: An Insiders Guide to Detroit” ($22 + $6 s&h)Belle Isle to 8 Mile – www.downtowndetroit.com www.downtowndetroit.com – www.visitdetroit.com www.visitdetroit.com – www.dhivedetroit.com (great map!) www.dhivedetroit.com Gathering Overview Out and About in Detroit

61. Other Details Stay Connected & Get Swag

62. 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 Details Stay Connected

63. Synod Connections: – www.unytothegathering.wordpress.com 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 Details Stay Connected

64. Old Lutheran (www.oldlutheran.com)www.oldlutheran.com Will have a store at the Gathering Other Details Get Swag

65. Closing Prayer Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!