LCMS Youth Gathering

Hello everyone! We are so excited to support you and your congregations as you prepare for the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans! In just a few short months, we’ll be down in New Orleans with our youth groups gathering together to learn, grow, fellowship, and worship. Many of you already know us from previous Youth Gatherings, but just in case you’re new to your congregational planning team, Tony and Eric are your Iowa District East Youth Gathering coordinators.

We are coordinating district buses that will travel down to New Orleans.  Tentative departure times are in the afternoon of July 18th and return times will be mid-morning on July 24th.  We will determine regional pick-up and drop-off locations once groups sign up.  Our hope is that busing provides a convenient option for groups to ride together vs. trying to figure out travel plans on their own. Eric has taken the lead on buses to New Orleans this time around and has been able to secure busing for the cost of $300 per person.  If you have more questions about busing before you sign up, reach out to Eric!

We are excited to announce that we will be partnering with the Iowa West District to host a state-wide district event in New Orleans at The Superdome!  Join us on Tuesday, July 22nd from 5:30-7:30pm in the Caesars Legends Club Room for an Iowa block party with some New Orleans flair.  You’ll be greeted by an authentic Jazz Band, jugglers, street performers, and more.  Street Tacos will be served for dinner, and we’ll have some special activities and prizes for participants too.  Attending the event also grants our groups early access to seating for that evening’s Mass Event in the Superdome.  The cost is $50 per person, so be sure to sign up today.  Tony has been working out details for the district event, so be sure to contact him if you have questions before signing up.  

Coming Soon – District T-Shirts.  We expect to start taking orders at the beginning of May for our Iowa East District T-Shirt.  Ordering shirts for your group is a great way to represent the IDE and it also helps you identify who else from Iowa East is in attendance.  All of the IDE congregations who order shirts will be encouraged to wear them on July 22, the day of our District event. Stay tuned for more details and the reveal of our design soon!