Youth Gathering 2015

Perhaps the most influential experience while in Detroit was our “Proclaim Justice Day” where we had the opportunity to get our hands dirty working in a local neighborhood’s community garden. We got to know a neighborhood resident named Eugene who was a former Detroit police officer who had lived in his home for 27 years. Eugene was the driving force behind keeping the neighborhood connected and with the help of a Detroit non-profit worked to establish the community garden on his block. During our time with non-profit volunteers and Eugene, our group discovered just what it means to be connected with our neighbors in Christ. Reflecting on our time in Detroit and at the garden, Caitlynn Dick says, “I learned that the people in Detroit were very nice and when we worked on the garden I learned that our youth group was very willing to help. Last, but not least I learned that God is with every single person in the city of Detroit. No matter how hopeless the city may seem, the people of the city stick together. They are all going through the same things, the same struggles.  The city of Detroit is one of the strongest city’s I’ve ever heard of.” We learned something important about what it means to “rise up” and be servants in the community. For Mathieu Ouellet who walked away with blistered hands after giving 110% at the garden, he discovered a passion for service as he pulled weeds and hauled away wheel barrows full of debris. “I learned that my neighbors are all willing to help one another out, that I work harder for other people than I do for my parents, and that with God anything is possible.”  So to all parents and Mathieu’s parents in particular, if Mathieu works half as hard as he did at the garden on your front yard, then you will surely have the best looking lot on the block

After working hard at the garden and a night of music and worship, we retired to the hotel for a good, but short night’s sleep. On Sunday morning as many of you were making your way to Christ Lutheran, we headed back to Ford Field for closing worship on where in an event akin to a miracle 30,000+ youth and adults were fed at the Lord’s Table in what was both a most holy and highly organized sacramental experience. We exited Ford Field for the final time on our journey empowered and charged by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s message to continue to “rise up” in our communities in the name of the One who has risen up for the entire world. After worship we made our way over to Commerica Park to watch the Baltimore Orioles play the Detroit Tigers. After the game we headed back to the hotel for a pool party. On the last night in the city, sprawled out in the hallway of the hotel, participants were asked, “What surprised you the most about your time in Detroit?” Here’s what Thomas Garrett, rising junior, had to say, “What surprised me the most on this trip was that Detroit isn’t what people say it is. It is a vibrant city with lots of exciting places and people to meet. I was pleasantly surprised by all the fun and experiences I had there. It was amazing. Adding to Thomas’ remarks, Avery Coleman, rising sophomore, spoke of the people of the city of Detroit, “I was surprised by the people of Detroit. They were very interested in where we were from and what we were doing. I had thought they would be annoyed by 30, 000+ people coming in for a week, walking, and taking up their streets. I was especially surprised when Wendy’s employee, Shayna Lane, began talking to us even though she was in the middle of her work. She even prayed with us.” The next morning we would “rise up” a bit later than previous days and go back into downtown Detroit for lunch at Hockey Town Café followed by a tour of Fox Theater and Historic Holy Trinity Lutheran Church before catching a flight home

So there’s our journey to Detroit in just over 1000 words. We hope our reflections and our photos invite you into our experience, and we thank you for the gifts and prayers of support. One more thing! For parents of younger youth and for youth who are reading this article, we have a big announcement to make: we’re going to Houston for the 2018 National Youth Gathering and we want you to go with us! Thomas Garrett wants you to know that “What we did in Detroit made a difference. The work and time we spent there was worth it. The people that live there were so kind and grateful for what we were doing. Then to see what we accomplished from our service project was astounding.” So let’s “rise up” together and get ready for God’ work to be done with our hands in Houston!

-Pastor Anne and the voices of Christ Lutheran Youth