NYG 2010: Northwest District

Survived!

2010-08-26T11:02:00.003-08:00

Well, we all survived the NOLA heat and the fantastic speakers, music and lessons at NYG. I hope everyone had as great a time as we did!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

NYG 2013

San Antonio, TX

July 1-5 (M-F)

It's a different set of dates and a different format. Here are the FAQs as provided by YMO:

So we'll see you in Texas for the 4th of July and the 2013 NYG!

Far From Home

2010-06-02T07:07:00.003-08:00

Being from the Northwest District, we may just be the farthest from home when we congregate in New Orleans in just a few weeks! And YMO wants to know "How Far From Home" we are:

How Far From Home?

We want to know where home is for your group!

Design a 24” x 12” foam core board (please do not use poster board—foam core board can be found at craft supply stores).
Include on your sign:

Congregation Name
City
State
How many miles it is from New Orleans to your congregation.

Each board must have a hole in each corner (4) approximately 1” from the edge.

Completed “How Far to Home” boards will be dropped off during Gathering Registration at the “Drop-Off Spot” located in the lobby of the Morial Convention Center.

Please carefully pack your board so it won’t bend for your trip to New Orleans!

Samples of signs from the 2007 Gathering can be found on the Gathering Facebook group. We encourage you to take a picture of your group with your sign before you leave for the Gathering and post it to the Facebook group.

Are YOU on the ball?

2010-05-20T14:06:00.001-08:00

I'm certainly not but I wanted to remind you of TWO deadlines that are quickly approaching for

June 1, 2010

1) Registration & paymen for our District Event is due to the District Office (Portland)
2) Final payment for NYG Registrations is due to the Youth Ministry Office (St Louis)

How about OTHER t-shirts?

2010-04-16T10:07:00.004-08:00

I don't know about you but my group goes crazy for t-shirts. Not only are we ordering the fabulous Northwest District T-Shirts, but we're also creating our own!

If you have artistic folk in your congregation or group, fabulous! Get them to design something fun and meaningful for your group. If you don't, there are some awesome places where you can buy pre-made, customizable Gathering t-shirts:

OldLutheran.com
I just received the following flyer in my mailbox for some t-shirts that OldLutheran is offering. The prices seem pretty good and they offer other things too-- water bottles, bags, hats, beach balls, etc.
UthStuph.com
The Youth Ministry Office is working with UthStuph to create some ready-made designs that you add your church name to. Keep an eye out on the NYG Website for more information or go peruse the items UthStuph offers!

It's always fun to see all the different t-shirts at the Gathering so be creative!

Hotel Assignments...

2010-04-09T09:15:00.002-08:00

are in the mail!

The YMO just announced that all hotel assignments are currently in the mail. So hopefully those of us in the Northwest get them in a timely manner! Please keep in mind that since the hotels have been assigned any additions, substitutions or cancellations you may have MUST go through the Gathering Office (1.800.248.1930 ext 1155).

Once you (or your PAL) receive your housing information, you MUST return the following by April 19th:

Hotel Registration Form
- Verify PAL contact information
- Verify emergency contact cell number
- Verify or change your arrival/departure dates (hotel-wise)
- Include credit card information to hold rooms
Hotel Rooming List
- List names of participants staying in each room
- Most hotels only have FOUR SPACES AVAILABLE!
- Do not cram 6 people into a 4 person room!

P.S. Keep in mind that if any health issues arise with your group, please contact the YMO/Gathering office. They're pretty understandable when it comes to adding necessary adults for serious illnesses-- foreseen or unforeseen. And we're not talking about the flu, we're talking about things we wouldn't want for any of our kids. Also: If you're in need of wheelchairs, crutches, etc., I know you can usually "rent" them from Walgreens with a prescription from a doc. We'll be walking ~10 miles each day (with the wandering in the convention center and the 1.1 mile walk to the Dome).

Final T-Shirt Design!

2010-03-30T11:46:00.002-08:00

Our final mock-up of our District t-shirts has been returned and I think they look awesome! They'll be printed on black t-shirts and will be available for $20/each (more if there's a 2-3-4-xl needed). Order forms will be sent out via email shortly and will also include reservation information for the District event.

YAY!

Only 108 days 'til the kick-off in the Superdome in NOLA!

Bible Studies NOW Available

2010-03-11T13:38:00.003-09:00

The YMO in St Louis has officially posted downloadable Bible studies to the official NYG page. They'd be very useful for the groups planning to meet in the months prior to leaving for New Orleans.

CLICK HERE
to be taken directly to the download page
or click the links below to be taken directly to the document

Study One: WHATEVER, PART ONE and LEADER'S GUIDE
To say "WE BELIEVE" begs the question: Just what exactly do "WE BELIEVE"? We cannot take the "what" of our faith for granted. What WE BELIEVE matters, because it matters to Jesus; whatever WE BELIEVE will result in either life or death. In this study, we spend some time examining Jesus' identity (who He is) and His performance (what He does).

Study Two: WHATEVER, PART TWO and LEADER'S GUIDE
This study gets more specific about who Jesus is and what He does. John records a number of personal exchanges between Jesus and individuals like Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the blind man, and others. We will use courtroom language such as "testimony," "evidence," and "verdict" to see what Jesus said and did, why people believed in Him, and how they responded in faith.

Study Three: WHOEVER and LEADER'S GUIDE
The "whatever" of the previous studies refers to Jesus--to His identity and His performance. The "whoever" of this story refers to who Jesus' message is for--everyone! The whole reason Jesus came to this earth was so that everyone would believe in Him and have life.

Gathering Update

2010-02-23T12:34:00.006-09:00

Registration Goes Up March 1st!!! If you're still registering kids or adults, know that the registration fee will increase to $325/person as of March 1st. To keep the cost down to the original $275, you must fill out the online forms, print them and post-mark them on or prior to March 1st.
Pre-Gathering Bible Studies are in the works and will be posted to the official website as soon as they're available. They'd be great to use at any meetings you'll be having with your group prior to the Gathering. There'll be more posts about fun things to do with your group to get them ready for the Gathering...
The Track System is decided upon the hotel you're assigned. Again, more information will be available soon about how the track system works and will be promoted.
Bands at the Gathering have been announced! Check out the new tab menu above!

Please also remember that I'm available for any questions you might have about the Gathering, our T-Shirts, our District Event, or anything else. Contact info can be found on the new tab menu above.

Our T-Shirts!

2010-02-23T11:28:00.002-09:00

Ladies & Gentlemen

Introducing the 2010 Northwest District T-Shirt:

Pricing and order information will soon be available so keep an eye out!

Calling All Artists!

2009-12-10T14:23:00.002-09:00

Our t-shirt design contest has technically closed BUT if you're still interested in submitting a piece for all our District attendees to wear, please do so ASAP.

Registration Stuff

2009-11-05T12:07:00.004-09:00

By this time most of y'all should have sent in your registration packets to the YMO in St Louis. (If you haven't, don't worry! There's still time!!) But if your youth group is anything like mine there's always that one kid who tells you he wants to come after you've already been to the post office. So, can we add him?

YES!

It's really pretty simple to add folks even after you've sent in your initial packet. CLICK HERE for specific directions for adding those late-comers all the way up until June 1, 2010!!

Please also remember T-SHIRT DESIGNS are due soon-- November 15th to be specific!

And don't forget to budget for our District Riverboat Cruise! $45/person for July 21st @ 6pm!!

2009-10-21T09:22:00.003-08:00

[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]

Priority Window

2009-10-16T11:05:00.006-08:00

The start of the
"Registration Priority Window"
is quickly approaching!

If your group sends in their completed forms with deposit between October 21 and November 4, you'll receive priority in the registration process. Basically what this means is that you'll get first consideration for hotel requests and any other special requests you may have.

REMINDER:

ALL REGISTRATION IS ONLINE THIS YEAR!

Please do not send a separate registration form for each of your youth and adults. Enter that information into the online forum and click "DONE". This will prompt a screen to make sure all your numbers match and to print a summary form of all those registering for your Pastor to sign & approve. Put those two sheets in an envelope with your deposit/full payment and send no earlier than October 21st. If the YMO office recieves it with a postmark prior to this date, they will send it back!

If you have any additional questions about registration:

How to register multiple congregations traveling together
How to include kids from a different congregation

Please don't hesitate to call (907.745.3338) or email me!

Good news!!

2009-09-14T15:46:00.003-08:00

You can officially begin to enter your congregation's registration information into the database! CLICK HERE to be taken directly to the front page. You'll need your Congregational ID # and information gathered using the registration worksheets found in the Registration books.

Right now all you can do is build your information. When you're finished you can print the master list and the pastoral approval form. These two sheets can then be mailed (snail mail!) with your deposit or full payment no earlier than October 21, 2009.

Have fun & remember to pray for your kids and those they'll meet in NOLA!!!

District Event Details

2009-09-02T15:51:00.007-08:00

Voting is closed!! So, here's the pertinent info:

Steamboat NATCHEZ

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Boarding @ 6:00pm
Sailing: 7-9pm
$45/person

Includes sit-down dinner & LIVE music from the local, Grammy nominated Dukes of Dixieland Jazz Band!

This'll be the event where you'll wear your District T-Shirts and we'll try to take a ginormous group shot! Now you know the details far enough in advance that you can plan accordingly!

*NOTE: The vote was 5 for Wednesday night vs 2 for Sunday evening.

Young Adult Volunteer Corps

2009-08-25T10:18:00.004-08:00

Information on the website has been updated to give more information on what the requirements & job of a
Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) happen to be! Check it out!

YAVC applications ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Apply today!

DVD, Website & Dates

2009-08-18T09:37:00.005-08:00

Your DVD mailer should be in the mail from St Louis no later than Friday of this week! So, tell your administrative assistants (or whomever gets the mail at your church) to watch for it and give it to you when it comes in! It looks like this:

OTHER NEWS

A little something new on the Gathering Website:

PDF Version of the Gathering Registration Book
Worksheets to print and distribute to youth, parents, and adults for collecting all your registration information
The Special Needs Form you will use to register youth with a disability for the gathering

Important Dates & Deadlines:

September 14, 2009 Begin data entry for online registration process
October 21 Earliest date registration forms and deposits can be mailed to the Gathering Office
October 21-November 4, 2009 Priority window for Gathering registration, Gathering registration process remains open after the priority window
January 4, 2010 Registration confirmation for groups accepted to the Gathering
March 1, 2010 Participants admitted to Gathering on space-available basis at the late registration fee of $325
Early Spring 2010 Primary Adult Leaders receive Gathering hotel information and daily track assignment
June 1, 2010 Full payment due to qualify for Express Registration onsite at the Gathering (NOTE: This is an in-hand date! If you're mailing your full payment, make sure to do so prior to this date!)

Ratios & Requirements

2009-08-04T13:01:00.006-08:00

Age Requirements:
This year the requirements have changed to allow incoming freshmen to attend the festivities in New Orleans! Please note that it is up to you and your church whether you bring these younger students or choose to let them wait until 2013 to attend. The reason these requirements have changed was to allow smaller congregations with integrated Middle/Senior High Youth Groups to attend together rather than segregating one or two youth.

To register for the 2010 NYG, youth participants must meet ONE of the following eligibility requirements:

Must be 14-years-old at the time of the Gathering.
>Meaning turned 14 by July 17, 2010
Entering his or her freshmen year of high school at the time of the Gathering
Not have turned 21 by the time of the Gathering
>Again, as of July 17, 2010

If you would like to bring youth 21-years-old or over, they will count against your youth-to-adult ratio!

Youth-to Adult Ratio:
Below is a chart that has been included not only on the offical Gathering website but also on the posters you have in your possession*.

These ratios are in stone! They are LAW.
There are no loop-holes...

EXCEPT for special-needs youth.

If you have a youth who needs extra attention during the Gathering, whether for injury or impairment, you must apply with the Youth Ministry Office to be allowed to bring an additional adult with your group. The application is thorough including the need for doctors notes/explanations of the impairment/need.

If you have any questions, let me know. Keep an eye out for the Registration DVD heading your way soon from the Youth Ministry Office in St Louis!

*If you do not have a poster at your church and would like one, please comment below or send me an email so I can get one to you!

Greetings & Guides

2009-07-29T14:59:00.005-08:00

Welcome to the official unofficial blog for the churches of the Northwest District (NWD) participating in the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering (NYG) in New Orleans, Louisiana!

You're probably wondering who is writing this...
My name is Jamie Walters and I'm the DCE at St John Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska. I'm also blessed to serve YOU and our District as the District Coordinator for the 2010 NYG. Soon you'll be receiving a mailer from me with some basic information in it about the Gathering and some things to help you plan your trip.

If you could email me your name and your church's name, it'll help me serve you better and more directly.

Some guidance for this site:

In the sidebar to the RIGHT are links for
(1) the official Gathering website,
(2) a mini-site about NOLA,
(3) FAQs about the Gathering,
(4) the Northwest District, and
(5) a Google map of all the churches from NWD that participated in the 2004 and/or 2007 Gatherings in Orlando.
(6) A link to RAI Ministries, the group that coordinates volunteers for Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore-- two GREAT places for a servant event if you have time!
Please take some time to check-out these pages as they're full of useful information!
Also in the sidebar is the Gathering logo & theme-- "We Believe"
Below all the main postings is the theme verse for the Gathering-- John 20:31
Finally, you'll find all of my contact information at the bottom of the sidebar.

I'm looking forward to working with you. Check back often for more updates and information about planning for the NYG in NOLA!