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Prayers and Grace For Youth Gathering Cancellation
Date posted: Sunday 13 February 2022
Hello Amazing Folks of the Saint Paul Area Synod,
This is your ELCA Youth Gathering Synod Coordinator, Sister Tashina Good. If you were not registered for The ELCA Youth Gathering yet and/or are not on social media, you might not have heard the news that the 2022 Gathering has been canceled.
Here is the message from the Gathering Leadership that went out Feb. 1:
After much prayer, conversation and tears, we 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 public health considerations.
We know there are thousands of young people who will not get to experience the Gathering, and our hearts break for them. This was not an easy decision, and we ask for your prayers and your grace. We understand the impact this decision will have on our youth, volunteers and planning teams, and we hope to return to Minneapolis for a future Gathering.
Registered congregations can visit their registration accounts starting Monday, Feb. 7, to select their desired refund option. For more information and FAQs, please visit elca.org/Gathering.
With God’s power at work in and through us, we can do far more than we dare ask or imagine! The ELCA is fully committed to supporting the young people of our church and to seeing that the ministry of the Gathering, MYLE and the tAble continue for years to come. With that assurance, we are turning our attention toward 2024 for the next Gathering. Stay tuned to Gathering communications for a location announcement this summer.
This was truly a difficult decision and although I do not have more information beyond that which is stated above, I would be happy to have a conversation and to listen if anyone is struggling or has wonderings. Do not hesitate to reach out. My email is SisterTashina@ShepherdShoreview.org.
With this you might be wondering what is next. And I invite you to take a moment to breathe and wonder. Even Jesus paused and took naps amid the chaos of his ministry (Luke 8:22-25). There may be opportunities for talking about summer youth ministry possibilities and looking forward soon. Please, be on the look out for communications to come. If you had registered for The Gathering, now is the time to log in and access your accounts for potential refunds. Though if you have the means to donate some of your registration funds to The Gathering, I encourage you to prayerfully consider that. Here is the message from The Gathering Leadership about registration refunds:
Registered congregations are now able to log into their registration accounts and request a refund. All refunds will be made by direct deposit and will require additional bank account information to be entered. Please log into your accounts before March 4.
Thanks for your patience as we experienced a few issues this morning with our system. If you are still experiencing issues, please email gathering@elca.org with your congregational ID.
In the midst of all of this, please, know you are not alone. You and your ministry are important and being prayed for by The Gathering Leadership and myself.
Blessings dear friends,
Sister Tashina Good
Saint Paul Area Synod 2022 Gathering Synod Coordinator
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