Team Ketelsen: Michigan District Senior High Youth Gathering-The Bridge

Joshua, Stefani, and Mary Kay, our youth director, took 8 teens to Mackinac Island for the Michigan District Youth Gathering.
We left the afternoon of Sunday June 26th. When we got the the Shepler's Ferry dock it was over run by teens. By the way, the Shepler's Ferry folks are AMAZING! They took care of everyone's luggage with ease. They offered a night cruise to us for a dollar. They took us around the island and under the Mackinac Bridge. They also ferried people back and forth to servant events. We always take them to the Island and after this they are definitely the ferry company to take!

We made their welcome sign!

Once we arrived on The Island on Sunday, we checked into the gathering at Mission Point Resort. This is where everything was taking place. We then checked into our first night's hotel, The Chippewa Hotel. Mission Point double booked the gathering and a wedding. A few groups stayed at Chippewa the first night and then were moved to Mission Point for the rest of the gathering. We ate dinner at Millie's on Main. After dinner there was a leader meeting and the kids had a mixer event.

Monday we woke up bright and early. We headed to Mission Point for the day's activities. Our luggage was to meet us there later that day. We had a leader meeting while the kids ate breakfast. Then it was off to the Morning Celebration. Which was just our morning Mass Event filled with worship music and speakers. Then the kids broke into sectionals. We then ate lunch and headed to our Servant Event. We went to Zion Lutheran (ELCA) in St. Ignace. We helped do some cleaning and general organizing.

The Ketelsens before going to the Servant Event.

Stefani cleaning windows.

When returned from the Servant Event we sorted out our rooms and luggage situation. After dinner and the evening Mass Event we got a special treat. Shepler's Ferry offered a night cruise that went around The Island and under the Mackinac Bridge. The Bridge was beautiful all lit up.

The Mackinac Bridge at night.

Tuesday we woke up bright and early again. We had Mass Events, Bible Study, and Sectionals. In the afternoon we had some free time. We let the kids do their own thing. Many of them went shopping. We all met for dinner and then headed to the evening Mass Event. After the Mass Event the kids had many activities to choose from. They chose to listen to Swen and Dean. Joshua and Stefani supervised other Gathering activities.

Wednesday was our last day on The Island. It ended with a Worship Service. Joshua was on deck to help with Communion. Once Worship was over we didn't have to rush off The Island. The advantage of living so close. We had a leisurely lunch and did a little shopping. It wasn't long before we were all ready to go home.