Wednesday, February 26, 2003
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Wednesday, February 26, 2003 |
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Couches needed 200 of 'em for youth event By SALLIE
SATTERTHWAITE
Got couches? Know anyone who is redecorating and has a couch, a love seat, perhaps a recliner they won't be needing any more? Give Dennis Baas a call. He and other members of Christ Our ShepherdLutheran Church in Peachtree City are trying to round up comfortable seating for about 50,000 Lutheran young people from around the world. They will be meeting in July at the World Congress Center in July in an event called UBUNTU, which means "Do life." No, no, Baas isn't trying to seat all 50,000 at once. Just as many as will be comfortable on 200 couches at a time. The event is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's National Youth Gathering, held every three years. In 2000, St. Louis hosted the event, but the 1997 gathering was here in Atlanta. Newspaper stories praised the youth for projects they took upon themselves and for their courtesy and good behavior. "Kids from all over the world will come to Atlanta to worship together and bond with each other through interactive events," Baas said. The furniture needn't be in great shape; just "decent enough condition not to fall apart." It will be used to create small groups who come together for study and meditation within the vast WCC. Pastor Miriam Beecher and Baas serve on the Interaction Center Team responsible for some of the activities that will fill the WCC. Chad Langdon, the local congregation's intern, will chaperone the delegation from Christ Our Shepherd. Volunteers will pick up your couch or recliner from your home or office. Donors must understand that furniture will not be returned. Storage space has been made available locally until the event, July 16 to 27, and arrangements have been made for the Salvation Army to collect it after the gathering. Questions about tax deductibility should be addressed to the donor's tax adviser. For more information, call Baas at 770-487-7679 or e-mail him at dinden@peoplepc.com. |
