Welcome to Detroit!!!

Welcome to Detroit! was the refrain we heard throughout the day from EVERYone and the city seems genuinely excited about the arrival of over 30,000 ELCA youth and adult leaders.  First Lutheran gathered at 4:00 AM for a journey that would begin a bit later than expected, but we eventually made up time.  Our bus drivers, Jay and Deborah got us to Milwaukee and then to Detroit safely.
It turns out the Hilton Garden Inn is within shouting distance of Ford Field.  We couldn't be more fortunate!  While many other groups leave the nightly event with anywhere from 20 minutes to a full hour of travel to their hotel we walk two blocks to our nice clean rooms.
So... good travel, and fortunate lodging.  Let me get to the fun stuff!
This is my third National Youth Gathering and first in six years.  And let me say, the energy level of so many people, from the huge crowds on sidewalks to the huge lines to eat to the crowded elevators - all with people asking, "where are you from?" and slapping high fives to strangers and dancing in the aisles... it's unlike any other event.
For our first night at Ford Field, it was an experience of acclimation.  All of us were getting used to what it all was.  Where does one eat?  Sit?  Do I HAVE to raise my arms during this song?  Do I have to sing that one?  Can I be this silly?  I sense our kids were taking it all in.  I already loved seeing the bonds they are choosing to make with each other and truly look forward to what this group will be like by Sunday.
Tonight we heard from our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, as well as Bishop Creiss who is the local Bishop in Detroit.  They both offered a brief welcome.  We also heard from Mikka McCracken who serves as program director for ELCA World Hunger.  She shared that Americans waste the equivalent of enough food to fill Ford Field 282 times.  She challenged us to consider hunger as a problem grounded in inequality, not scarcity.  She suggests we have enough food to feed the world.  We simply do not value women enough, nor do we advocate politically as we could.  Women in water scarce areas of the world walk an average of 3.7 miles per day - every day - to retrieve water which means they cannot hold a job.  It also take time away from parenting.  The push, therefore, is for us all to support the "Walk for Water" project whcih seeks to raise $500,000.  And... there is a matching gift from an ELCA couple, so if we reach the goal, we'll hit $1 million.
The final, and most powerful speaker of the night was Dr. Luke Powery who teaches preaching at Duke University.  Dr. Powery spoke powerfully toward explaining the meaning behind our Gathering theme: "Rise Up Together".  I'll summarize... We have come to Detroit to proclaim resurrection.  Our theme text is the last parts of Mark, which leave the women at the tomb feeling terror and amazement.  But, as Dr. Powery said, "the only thing worse than a scared disciple is a silent one."  If we truly believe resurrection has happened, then we have come to Detroit to claim that resurrection matters to this city and its people.  "When we rise up to serve and accompany and proclaim, we kill all the isms that bring death: racism, homophobism, classism... when we rise up, we tell Hell to go to Hell.  When we rise up, we build bridges, bring hope, and say yes to hope, life and love."  He was a powerful preache that all our kids responded to.
There was a moment in the event when a girl artistically represented the perspective of those who are asked "Why?"  Why are you choosing to miss practices or games if you're in a Summer league?  Why are you missing work?  Why are you going to Detroit?  Why do you do Church stuff?  The 15 kids who are here mostly don't know why they are here, to be honest.  Their answers on Wednesday are "to see a new city" "to have fun" and also "to do some service."  But I don't think they need to know.  Yet.  That their parents and pastors pushed them into this is OK.  Their presence reflects the values of their families.  I am deeply thankful for the financial/time/spiritual commitment these kids and their families have given to a 5 day trip that it isn't easy or obvious as to "Why?" they would do it.  I believe God is leading us here.  And that is reason enough.
Tomorrow includes our "Proclaim Story Day" when we gather all afternoon with all the participants from the La Crosse Area Synod for worship and a curriculum (that's more fun than 'curriculum' makes it out  to be).  We'll also have some time to walk around a bit, eat some Greek food and attend another event at the end of the day at Fiord Field.  It shoud be great!