Anglican, Lutheran young people attend ‘Travel Light’

More than 1,000 Anglican and Lutheran young people travelled by bus, car and plane to Whitehorse, Yukon to attend the 2008 Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering from Aug. 14 – 17. About 12 buses arrived from Edmonton (the meeting place for youth flying in from across the country).

First Nations groups from the community brought greetings and prayers to the youth noting, “it is good to know people are alive for God. It is good to see so many people lifting up God.”

Keynote speaker Rev. Fred Ludolph, executive director of Edgewood Camp and Conference Centre, spoke on the various interpretations of the theme, Travel Light.

The theme called on participants to think about the role they have in being good stewards of all of God’s creation and challenged youth to imagine how they can be a light for the world as they made their way home.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Bishop Ron Mayan of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories shared personal reflections on what it means to be a light of God and to travel light.

Bishop Mayan told youth, “God will provide you with the tools you need. God will take out the barriers. Travel Light – anticipate side trips, navigate detours by God’s grace and hold onto your map lightly.”

In addition to the large group gathering times, participants attended forums which allowed them to meet as smaller groups and discuss topics such as leadership, the significance of our northern climate and environment, and Project Reunion -— the 2006 to 2008 national youth project which raised funds for the youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bolivia.

The gathering takes place every two years and involves youth between the ages of 14-19. The gathering is planned by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) but involves both Lutheran and Anglican youth.