Preparations underway for 2016 National Youth Gathering

The 2016 Youth Gathering Committee: Rev. Andy Schroth, Deacon Amanda Hastings, Brandon Kemp, Deacon Kaitlin Schmitz, Bill Wardekker, Deacon Krysta Davis, Tony Marchand.

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – Get ready… the National Youth Gathering (NYG) is coming soon!

Under the diligent leadership of Tony Marchand, the NYG planning committee met for the first time and is looking forward to encouraging the youth of LCC in 2016. The upcoming gathering is set for July 8-12, 2016 and will be held at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario.

The location for this event has provided many amazing opportunities, both in terms of fellowship as well as theme development. “We are delighted to be able to partner with so many Lutheran organizations in the area,” says committee member Deacon Amanda Hastings. “We look forward to partnering with Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, which is located on the Brock University campus, and have been pleased to see the support of LCC congregations in the area.”

Given the proximity of the gathering to Niagara Falls, the theme of water will be prevalent throughout the gathering, with the main theme of NYG 2016 being Living H₂O, based on Jesus’ words in John 4. The main speaker for the gathering will be Dr. Micah Parker of Trustguy Ministries. Leading worship will be Jennifer Jade Kerr with Kelti Malone.

Chairman Tony Marchand (Historic St. Paul’s, Kitchener, Ontario) said he is pleased to to welcome “a committee of excited, experienced and energized volunteers” to serve alongside him in planning the 2016 NYG. This committee consists of Deacon Krysta, Director of Parish Services at Bethel Lutheran Church (Sherwood Park, Alberta ); Deacon Kaitlin Schmitz, Youth Leader at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Leduc, Alberta); Deacon Amanda Hastings, Director of Parish Services at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Regina, Saskatchewan); Bill Wardekker, Youth Leader at Peace Lutheran Church (Winnipeg, Manitoba); Brandon Kemp, Youth Leader at Christ Lutheran Church (St. Catharines, Ontario); and pastoral advisor Rev. Andy Schroth of First St. Paul Lutheran Church (Wellesley, Ontario).

“In all of our planning we cannot forget who is actually leading us through this process,” Chairman Marchand reminds us, “for without God we are lost.”

If you are interested in more information, or to stay updated about Living H₂O please like the NYG 2016 page on Facebook (search “2016 LCC National Youth Gathering”) or talk to one of the committee members.

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