3. Purpose : Serving like Jesus Christ – recognizing the humanity of every person. It is about living a life of compassionate justice. Mission : Christians are called to a life of compassionate justice
4. “ Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:4-5). Photo
5. Serving like Jesus Christ ...invites ...nudges ...challenges ...even compels us to compassionate justice
6. Yes. We will serve the people who are victims of Katrina.
7. We are guests in New Orleans in 2009. We will enter with respect. Are you aware that thousands of people are still displaced from their homes? It’s been more than 2 years.
8. The first point of the New Gathering Design is that we are not the priority. This is more than a fun trip to a new city. More than encountering a huge Lutheran community. And more than stirring consciousness about Jesus and living Christian in the world. Sure, it will be fun. There will be Lutherans everywhere. We will know more about Jesus and what Jesus has done for us. We will know more about the world God created. Yet there is something deeper in 2009. Think about improvising... we are creating a new sound, adding to the basic beat of your own congregation. We believe the young people are ready for this jazz.
9. Re-cap: The Gathering will invite everyone who attends to mature in their faith by encountering Jesus in the humanity of New Orleans and returning home to practice compassionate justice. Photo
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18. JESUS Day: Who’s Jesus and how do we believe in and follow him Expect a cafeteria of choices, tons of learning centers, conversations and safe places to ask questions, wonder about God and our world, discover Biblical perspectives, engage in theological reflection and pray. These are BIG IDEAS ABOUT GOD, YOU AND OUR WORLD! Relax. It won’t be boring. If you already know a lot you will be challenged to think bigger. If you are new at reading the Bible, you will get the basics and a lot more. Either way, this day is going to help you understand Compassionate Justice through engaging, new activities!
19. JAZZ Day: The music becomes part of our very being The world is a messy place and most of the time we don’t even know the half of it! Your Jazz day will make you aware of new things! You will learn some unknowns about your Interest Area, including facts and current concerns in our world. You will hear great music, stories, and speakers. The Interaction Center will be your playground as you encounter a new understanding of your baptismal identity. This will be a day with a bit of listening, tons of conversations and interactive learning so you are wiser and challenged in your compassionate justice . Embrace your power as a Christian!
20. Justice Day: serving like Jesus, making the world holy & whole Imagine this: New Orleans will have three solid days with 12,000 Lutherans making an impact each day! You will be assigned for a particular Compassionate Justice Project in the city within your Interest Area. The city is expecting us to show up! Your day will include driving to & from a project site, working on a project and being part of the recovery in New Orleans. (A transportation plan is in the works!) There is a plan to these projects that is bigger than any one person or that any one congregation can complete. We are using our power as a Christian community to seek justice in our world – this will feel big and small at the same time.
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