Hundreds of youth from the Northeastern Iowa Synod have begun gathering for fellowship, worship, communion and celebration at confirmation festivals.

The synod's first festival took place in November 2009 when the Mason City Conference sponsored ConFest at Trinity Lutheran, Mason City. More than 200 middle school youth from 15 churches in the Mason City Conference attended. The youth and their leaders enjoyed a meal together, visited displays, worshipped and communed together, and had their photos taken with Bishop Steven Ullestad.

For most of the students, it was their first experience gathering with Lutheran youth from other churches. According to Pastor Dennis Hanson of Our Savior, Osage, the event was important because it helped the youth put a face with the bishop and learn more about the synod and the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO).

"The kids were excited about the energy that everyone was all together," Hanson said.