Youth rally at Luther concert event for World Hunger Appeal
Oct. 11, 2009

Some 400 people from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin raised more than $3,500 to fight world hunger as part of the Jesus, Justice, Jazz concert at Luther College Oct. 11. The event included a kickball tournament and concert featuring musical artists Agape, LOST AND FOUND and Rachel Kurtz, performers from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) 2009 Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The concert’s opening act featured Christian rap artists RJC of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.

 Prior to the concert, youth from 10 ELCA congregations formed six teams that competed in the Youth Group Kickball Tournament organized by Luther Athletes Serving Others. Proceeds from the tournament’s registration fees, concert ticket sales and offering during the concert will support the “Change the World: 2009 Lutheran Youth Challenge” to raise $1 million for ELCA World Hunger. In addition, concertgoers bought more than 500 pounds of food contributions for the Decorah Food Pantry. 

 “The music of Agape, Rachel Kurt, and Lost and Found, combined with the energy and faith of scores of young people, was a great witness to the Body of Christ serving others for the sake of the world,” said Mike Blair, campus pastor for Lutheran College. “It's inspiring to see ELCA youth joining in a creative and spirited response to the 2009 challenge to change the world.”  

The concert event was sponsored by the Northeastern Iowa Synod Lutheran Youth Organization and Luther's Office for College Ministries, along with support from the Luther Student Congregation, Wellness Program, and Student Activities. Follow the Jesus, Justice, Jazz tour online at www.j3tour.com.

Oct. 11 concert at Luther College.	Christian rappers are the opening act at Luther.	Youth brought more than 500 pounds of food for the Decorah Food Pantry.	A pre-concert kickball tournament helped raise money for ELCA World Hunger.
Kickball Tournament at Luther College.	Youth compete in a Kickball Tournament prior to the Oct. 11 concert at Luther.	Kickball Tournament at Luther.	Kickball Tournament trophy.

 

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Youth groups perform service projects in Waverly
Sept. 12, 2009

More than 200 youth from throughout the Midwest converged in Waverly, Iowa Sept. 12 to perform service projects as part of the “Jesus, Justice, Jazz: The Tour” Youth Gathering Concert event at Wartburg College. The event raised $2,130 for ELCA World Hunger and featured a concert by performers from the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans where youth from across the nation performed more than 200,000 hours of volunteer service in the community.

 Twenty ELCA youth groups from Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa continued that community service theme by volunteering on a number of projects in Waverly:

• Assembled the bulk mailing for the Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way

• Cleaned flood-damaged property, helped the non-profit Self

• Knitted and crocheted scrubbie pads for the Self-Help International non-profit that helps folks grow their own food.

• Helped Self-Help move to new offices

• Painted the Waverly Public Library’s garden bridge

• Made 30 blankets for the Waverly Health Center

• Spruced up the grounds of the Waverly Child Care and Preschool

• Collected toiletry items for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank

The teens provided 400 hours of community service, then ended the day with dinner and the concert at Neumann Auditorium.

Sponsors of the event were the Northeastern Iowa Synod Lutheran Youth Organization and Wartburg College Campus Ministries.

Youth clean the new office of Self-Help International	Cleaning flood-damaged property.	Clearing weeds on flood-damaged property.	Clearing weeds on flood-damaged property.
A flood victim shares her story with the youth.	Youth created comfort blankets for the Waverly Health Center.	Blankets for children who are ER patients at the Waverly Health Center.	Knitting scrubbie pads for Self-Help International.
Sealing the garden bridge at the Waverly Public Library.	Youth work as a team to seal the Waverly Public Library's garden bridge,	Helping set up the new office for Self-Help International.