July 24, 2009

NEW ORLEANS – Deborah was one tough cookie, according to Mitzi McLean.

"Women can be strong figures," she said.

McLean, a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., led a Bible study on Deborah, a biblical heroine, Thursday afternoon at the Krewes Learning Center, part of the 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Youth Gathering.

Some 37,000 Lutheran teenagers, adult leaders and other volunteers are here July 22-26. "Jesus Justice Jazz" is the theme of activities at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Louisiana Superdome. and they're fanning out across the area to work beside the people of New Orleans in nearly 200 community service projects.

McLean is a servant companion volunteer at the event . She said she came to New Orleans because she thought it was a chance to do some good.

"I feel like I'm making an impact," she said.

Learning center activities taught participants about topics such as the global impact of HIV/AIDS, welcoming guests into their congregations, and the relationship between the church and the environment. Informal learning settings called "integrators" gave the participants a chance to reflect in groups on subjects such as the concept of the "American Dream," conflicts in interpersonal relationships, and bullying. Volunteers led workshops on images of Jesus, privilege and oppression, serving God and spiritual formation.

The youth at McLean's Bible study read Judges 4:1-22 and 5:1-31, which depict Deborah's time as a judge, prophetess and warrior in Israel.

"She played lots of roles. We don't all have to be defined by one role," McLean said of Deborah.

She said she hoped that the youth realize that God can use people in "seemingly small roles that fulfill a bigger mission." She also hoped they will use the information that they get at the learning center during their service projects, and when they get back home.

"I think they can see that it has been done before (in Deborah's story), and they can see the need right around them," McLean said of the youth. "They are ready to go out and volunteer."

Information about the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering is at http://www.ELCA.org/gathering/, on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service
Carrie L. Draeger is a senior communication major with a concentration in journalism at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.