Grace Gathering spirited from the beginning A
s the Grace Gathering opened in New Orleans, participants sang “I Know That My
Redeemer Lives,” with guitar and fiddle music accompanying the traditional Easter hymn with a rapid beat probably not heard in many congregations. Musician Jonathan Rundman then taught other tunes as participants prepared for several days of conversations, worship, workshops, Bible studies and service experiences. The vision of the gathering was inspiration,
education, spiritual development, equipping and connecting with other Lutherans of all ages. It was also a time to help prepare for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. “I’m thinking about ... how I can do something meaningful with [the anniversary] in our parish … and make [the
Reformation] contemporary,” said Bill Beljean, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Nokomis, Fla. During the “God’s Grace in Action Afternoon,”
gathering and assembly participants took part in experiential learning activities to explore two Lutheran convictions: service and grace. Those who stayed on-site participated in tracks ranging from learning about the music culture of New Orleans and how it’s been a catalyst for social change, to striving for justice in areas of human trafficking and affordable housing. Some tracks took participants into New
Orleans to learn about the impact of Hurricane Katrina, the city’s cuisine and hospitality, food security, immigration, healthy and safe learning environments, and caring for the environment.
Grace Gathering participants and assembly voting members took in the area’s history at the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum.
22 SEPTEMBER 2016
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