Evening star., 1960-10-22

One of the most unusual and
evolved by the United Lutheran
Each summer teams Of Il
vanners go for short periods to
explain the church's goals to
the young people. A team
ordinarily consists Of two young
men and two young women. in
the age group II to "a, who
give their vacations from
school and college to this work
without pay.
Last year So caravans toured
the country visiting 116 con-
gregations. They stayed three
to four days at each church,
working with the youth and
setting them q standard for
future endeavours. AS many as
10 caravans have gone out some
years.
The caravans are not hap
hazard affairs, left to chance.
The work is carefully planned,
and the caravanners are well
trained. So far the program
has paid on well for the
church. ,.-
While the Luther League of
America was organized IS
years ago this month in Pitts
burgh. 1t became the ofhcial
youth auxiliary Of the United
Lutheran Church in America at
the Church's second convention
in Washington in 1920.
But the caravan concept did
not originate until 1851 in
Philadelphia, where the league
headquarters are now. It
gradually evolved into the
present system Of preparation
and action for those particle
pating in the program.
Prospective caravanerS start
the project in the spring when
they re- Give correspondence
course studies for ten to twelve
weeks. These courses give them
. basic theological orientation
for their summer work as well
IS facts found in the typical
congregation. The facts are then
analyzed and interpreted as
guideposts for carrying out q
program in local churches.
Once this has been done the
caravanners then attend q
weeks briefing session. In 1861
they viii be at Muhlenberg Col
lege, Allentown, Pa. from June
17-24. At these sessions the
young men and women are
given an understanding Of ex-
actly what they will be doing
during the summer. Personal
interviews, tests to check how
much they have asSimilated
from the pre-briefiing course
studies as well as opportunities
for practicing some Of the an
ticipated situations they will
later face take up the rest Of
the brieflng week.
The caravanners leave direct
ly from the briefing session to
the local congregations that
have requested them. They are
usually out in the field, staying
three to four days at each
church. for six to seven weeks.
The young people receive room,
board and transportation, but
no pay. p.
Major goal Of the caravanners
is to help Luther League groups
in individual churches carry out
their regular weekly programs.
This is accomplished by giving
these youngsters. IL to "a, on
the spot training. The visitors
make evangelism surveys, work
with the executive committees
Of local groups on such things
as leadership techniqueS, and
provide guidance In areas as
how to lead worship and discuss
subjects Of current interest as
they relate to thS9r own lives
within the framework Of the
church.
CaravannerS also lead the
local groups in recreation ac-
tivities and in some instances
survey the community as q
means of recommending prof.
ectS that can be carried out by
the local church.
Robert j. Menges, %, a 1860
graduate Of Gettysburg College
and now q student at the Uni
versity Of Chicago Divinity
School. Is president Of the
Luther League Of America.
There are now $1,000 men,
bers of the Luther League of
America. with representatives
in every State.
NNRS - Az -