Fill… Spill… Thrill…

Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

It’s another busy week. (Aren’t they all?) And although it can be a budget-buster, we’ll probably go out to grab a quick bite to eat tonight before our kids’ evening activities begin. Sometimes running into a fast food spot seems like a real necessity, but here’s what I’ve found—eating quickly at various restaurants around town may FILL ME UP, but a meal at home with my family around our table is where I get FED.

What’s the difference? Being fed around the table involves more than the food that goes into the belly. A meal around the table with family and friends is nourishment for the soul. It warms the heart. It challenges the mind and calms the spirit. Debates, laughter, sharing of challenges and hopes—these, at least for my family, have the greatest chance of happening when we gather repeatedly around our table at home, and they don’t happen so much when we flit in and out of a variety of restaurants around town throughout the week.

The ELCA Youth Gathering in 2012 will again be held in New Orleans. As far back as I can remember, this event that gathers high school youth from around the country and around the world has changed host cities every time it is held. Some have asked, “Why return to New Orleans right after we were there in 2009?” And the answer is, “Because New Orleans has more to teach us about fresh starts made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. New Orleans has more to teach us about generosity and about how to be good neighbors. New Orleans has more to teach us about the house that God is building.”

Amy Serflaten, director of youth ministries at Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln, was at the ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza where the announcement was made about the location of the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. Amy quickly Tweeted the news and a member of her youth group texted her, asking, “Why are we going back to New Orleans?” Amy responded, “The Spirit has more for us to do and learn there.” The one-word reply from the young person summed up his support. “Cool!” he texted.

Going back to New Orleans will bring the family of God back around the table with our brothers and sisters in Louisiana. There is more to learn and more to do there. We will go to the table in New Orleans to be challenged and to grow. We’ll go to worship and laugh. We will go to the table in New Orleans to SERVE and we will also go to be FED.

Consider the tables where you are fed—at your house, your friend’s house, at God’s house. Consider the ways that you are fed and consider the ways that you can help provide sustenance to another. Then consider making it possible for youth and adults from your mission center to gather around the table in New Orleans in 2012. For more information on the Gathering, please go to www.elca.org/gathering.