Youth Gathering March Update

SCSW Youth Gathering Update

March 4, 2024

Hi! 👋

There are a few things to share with you this month including a reminder of our t-shirt contest, hotel information, and a change for synod day. Please read through what is offered here and engage as you are able. As you continue planning and preparing your youth reach out if you need anything or have questions along the way.

Pastor Jason Poole-Xiong

Gathering Synod Champion

jasonx@scsw-elca.org or (608) 387-8560

First, we asked in our February 7 email about a possible Synod Gathering "Kick-off" Event on June 1. Based on the poll results we will NOT be planning to hold this event.

Synod T-Shirt Design Contest

There is a long tradition among synods to offer a matching t-shirt that everyone attending the Gathering will wear on our "Synod Day" as we gather together as a large group. Do you have any youth who are gifted in art? If so we are seeking design submissions for our synod t-shirt.

Our shirts will be a lighter maroon color than the one pictured and will have a one-color white imprint on the front using a design created by one of your youth. The design should capture something that represents the theme of the Gathering (more information here) and our synod. The creator of the chosen design will get a free t-shirt and their name and congregation will appear on the shirt.

Youth should submit designs by email to jasonx@scsw-elca.org by March 15, 2024. Artwork can be digital or hand drawn (note hand drawn artwork will be made into a digital piece and may require some editing). If you have any questions please let me know.

We will then take orders for synod t-shirts from all congregations beginning April 1 with a deadline of April 30. Shirts will be $10.00 and will be "Canvas" shirts (same as the well known Thrivent t-shirts).

Synod Day Change

In evaluating how The Gathering can provide the absolute best experience for everyone, the decision has been made to pivot from "synod" worship on synod day to regional gatherings for worship instead. That being said, the six synods of Wisconsin and Northern Michigan will gather TOGETHER on Friday, July 19 for a time of fellowship and worship for "synod" day!

The Synod Champions from all six synods met last week and our goal is that as many youth who wish to be involved in this worship experience will be able to be. Look for more information coming from me in the next month on how your youth can sign-up to be involved.

Flying with the synod?

If you are flying with us to New Orleans the Primary Adult Leader received an email from me on February 12 that contained your flight information and final invoice. If this email was not received please let me know ASAP. Note that your list of travelers will be due April 15, 2024 and final payments due April 30, 2024.

Hotel Assignments

As you already know, housing is not being done by synod this year. Our congregations are spread out across the city but the good news is many of you are not alone in your hotel OR have another SCSW group in a nearby hotel. Below are the housing assignments for our synod as of February 15, 2024 sorted by hotel property. You are welcome to use this list to coordinate anything you wish with the other congregations being housed in the same hotel or close by as you. I hope you will find this helpful.

Astor Crowne Plaza

Barneveld - Barneveld

Bonnet Prairie - Rio

Christ - Spring Green

Cambria Downtown/Warehouse

Shepherd of the Hills - New Glarus

DoubleTree

First - Beaver Dam

Embassy Suites Convention Ctr

Young Adult Gathering

(Subject to Change)

Four Points French Quarter

St. Stephen - Monona

Yellowstone - Argyle

Dekorra - Poynette

Hampton Inn Convention Center

Trinity - Arkdale

Trinity - Lake Mills

Hampton Inn Dtn/French Quarter

Jefferson Prairie - Poplar Grove

ELC - Mt. Horeb

Higgins Hotel

New Hope - Blanchardville

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

Good Shepherd - Madison

Sugar Creek - Elkhorn

St. John's - Prairie du Sac

Hilton St. Charles Ave

Bethel - Madison

Holiday Inn Central-Superdome

Central - Edgerton

Homewood Suites French Quarter

Immanuel - Watertown

Hyatt Regency

St. John's - Evansville

St. Peter - Fennimore

JW Marriott

Lakeview - Madison

LaQuinta Inn Downtown

Grace - Monroe

Marriott New Orleans (Canal St)

Grace - Cambridge

Faith - Columbus

Lutheran Church of Peace - Platteville

Wiota - South Wayne

Marriott Warehouse Arts District

Our Savior's - Sun Prairie

Sheraton

Midvale - Madison

SpringHill Suites Convention Ctr

St. Paul - Mayville

Westin

Our Savior's - Beloit

St. John's - Oregon