ELCA National Youth Gathering Day 3
Written by: Liv Enstad
Today was a day of authenticity and feeling seen. We started the day with a nice walk in the humid French Quarter with a stop at Café du Monde. We had beignets and hickory coffee, a New Orleans favorite. We got our first experience with the hustle and bustle of life in the Big Easy. After eating on warm benches, we explored Jackson Square. Some people went to the gorgeous St. Louis Cathedral, while others chose to got to the river.
We stated out journey to the Steamboat Natchez. Half of the group made it, while the other half got stuck on the other side by a stopped train. Rest assured, after 20 minutes we all made it onto the boat. We experienced our first sample of the famous food in New Orleans: fried catfish, red beans and rice, jambalaya, southern spoon bread and rice pudding. While on the boat we learned some facts. Did you know the city is below sea level? Not only did new learn new information, but we also started to bond more. We danced on the dance floor and talked in the boiler room; we met people from all over the country. These connections make the world feel just a little bit smaller and a lot more friendly.
After our river cruise we headed back to the hotel for some rest and relaxation, with strict instructions to drink “two things of water” and be prepared for a lovely dinner at Streetcar Café. We had more delicious food and headed to Smoothie King Center. We gathered for mass worship and danced to upbeat music. We had such a lovely worship surrounded by 16,000 other youth. We are created to be authentic, and we are whole and holy just as we are.
Pastor Emily talked about the importance of a name. She said, “to be named is to be loved.” She did a wonderful job of making everyone feel human despite everyone’s different circumstances. Having an identity and a name makes you, you. Yesterday a quote that stuck out to me was, “you were precious long before you could prove it.” I think one of the first precious acts of being alive is being given a name. Sarah always quotes Isiah 43:1, “I have called you by name; you are mine.” As a youth community we have heard this said over and over again since 6th grade when we all started Amped. After worship Sarah called us each by name and put crosses on our foreheads, sealing the fact that our names are important.
We ended the night with a Taylor Swift dance party and a final small group reflection on the day. We are ready for another day of being created to be.
