A Message from
Higher Things Conferences

This week’s email will cover some basic introduction to our worship practices and some information regarding the entertainment portion of the conferences. Worship and entertainment are quite different things, but both have their place at conferences!

Worship

Some of the ceremonies used in the conference worship may not be familiar to everyone. That’s okay! Ask questions! The purpose of liturgical ceremonies is to give form and order to our reverence and remind us of Whose presence we are in. The ceremonies used throughout this conference are completely “Lutheran.” They have long-standing traditions in our church. Yet, some of these may never have been done in your home congregation.

During the week we will participate in two Divine Services to bookend the conference, and Matins or Morning Prayer, Vespers, and Evening Prayer each day. There will be orders of Compline in each conference book so groups can pray together before going to sleep at night. You’re welcome to join in larger groups for this as well! 

Most, if not all, of the services during the conference will be chanted. Pastors will wear vestments. You’ll notice people bowing and making the sign of the cross, sometimes even genuflecting (kneeling) during various points of the services. No one is obligated to participate in these actions — not even the pastors leading the services. They are done freely, as a bodily confession of faith to go with the words being spoken or sung at that time. 

We invite you to participate in these external things as much as you are comfortable doing so. But if something is just too new for you, and if it feels awkward, just leave it alone. No need for apologies, either. When you get to the conference, please take some time with your groups to sit down and go through the introductory pages of the conference Worship book. Many of the ceremonies and practices are explained in more detail there.

If you or your youth have questions, don’t keep them to yourselves; please ask!  Ask the Conference Chaplain, and he will be happy to address the question and perhaps have a “teaching moment” at the next leaders’ meeting or plenary announcements.

Entertainment

We have four wild and crazy Entertainment Coordinators on staff with us this year. They have some amazing things planned for this summer! There are a few things you will need to bring besides your A-game for all the friendly Tetramorph competitions.

CUNE - Bring Swimsuits and towels if you’d like to swim.

CSP - Bring closed toed shoes and socks

CUI - There will be an evening at an off-campus fun park. Please be prepared to sign up for this activity at registration when you arrive on campus. We will be booking final numbers by July 30th after morning announcements. 

All sites - Gym shoes. You need them for high-agility activities such as Archery Tag and Knocker ball. 

There will be a talent show again this year. Sign up at the registration table when you arrive. Piano and microphones are provided by HT; you provide the talent!  

We are also going to be providing daily challenges that are meant to encourage our conference groups to work together. A little friendly competition won’t hurt anyone!

Thor’s Penny War

Last year at our Sanctified Conferences, you helped Thor raise $11,000 for Higher Things Scholarships. It was his second year as our adorable mascot of HT! This year at our Concordia Conferences, this Theological Hound of the Reformation has even bigger plans for scholarships because he wants to see even more youth at HT anniversary conferences in 2020!

How can you help Thor dare to be Lutheran? Gather and bring all your loose change to help your tetramorph win Thor’s Penny War. The prize for the winning tetramorph of Thor’s Penny War will be awarded during the last night’s entertainment at your conference. 

P.S. In case you’re worried about not having spare change, Thor will accept checks, credit cards, and cash too!

Coming Soon

• Arrival and Check-in information

Things are really starting to come together on our end in preparation for the conferences. We’re happy to help you with any assistance you may need in your own preparations! Don’t hesitate to ask! 

“The Word of the Lord endures forever.”
(1 Peter 1:25)

“Concordia.” It literally means “with one heart” in Latin. The Church is unified around the confession of Jesus as our Lord and Savior like a congregation singing together in many different parts but singing the same song together in perfect harmony.

Concordia isn’t just a feeling that we are one. It’s not only something that we strive to have. We don’t sacrifice what we believe in order to be unified. True Concord is always centered around the confession of Christ and Him crucified!

God speaks. We receive His words into our ears. He gives our tongues the words to say to Him and to those around us. We repeat, together, His Words back to Him. We sing them, we confess them, all agreeing together, “with one heart and voice” our confession of Jesus!

In a world where youth are tempted to compromise, Higher Things is excited to plan our 2019 Conferences centered on the theme of the Church and Unity.