Triennial Episcopal Youth Event builds relationships for growth and leadership
Episcopal News Service, San Antonio. July 15, 2008 [071508-01]
Joe Bjordal, Correspondent for Episcopal Life Media in Provinces V and VI
Locked arm in arm, row by row, 1,200 Episcopalians swayed to strains of "You are glorious" and "Here am I Lord" late on the evening of July 12 in Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. The scene was the emotional and teary-eyed conclusion to the 2008 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE), which brought together more than 850 high-school-aged young people, along with their adult sponsors and other resource persons from all nine provinces of the Episcopal Church for the triennial six-day gathering.
The service was a vivid reminder of what Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, had told the delegates two days earlier: EYE and its 2008 theme, "Sown in the Heart of Christ," is about relationships.
"It's about us, as disciples of Jesus in relationship with him and in relationship with each other. It's about the seeds that have already begun to grow in us as individuals and in a Christian community," she said.
The Rev. Brian Prior, rector of the Church of the Resurrection in Spokane, Washington, and vice president of the House of Deputies, participated in EYE 2008 in his role as provincial youth ministry network coordinator for Province VIII. He has participated in all 10 Episcopal Youth Events. He says the best part of EYE is the "relational piece."
"It's about old friends reconnecting, about making new friends, about networking with both other youth and adults who are leaders in the church. It's about being in a small group with other youth from literally all over the world," he said.
"You simply have to be changed by this," said Prior, "both in terms of what it means to be an Episcopalian and a person in general."
Prior also believes that EYE is "intentionally the most diverse event in the life of the Episcopal Church" in terms of age, ethnicity, gender and more.
"At EYE you see a broader spectrum of the fullness of the body of Christ than at any other gathering," he said.
Terry Parsons, program officer for diocesan services in the Partnerships Center of the Episcopal Church, agrees.
"The experience of EYE probably defines the church most of us wished we belonged to with its excitement, acceptance of diversity, and all that represents, and its energetic embracing of an engaging and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ," she said.
In the Texas heat, serious work on faith and mission
Book-ended by arrival and departure days, the gathering included four intense program days that saw participants rising early, staying up late and braving 95-degree heat as they moved between campus buildings to participate in a variety of large- and small-group gatherings.
The daily program offerings were built around four sub-themes: "the path," "rocky ground," "thorns," and "good soil" and included:
- A morning plenary session full of vibrant signing, drama presentations, and keynote presentations, including the Rev. Miguelina Espinal speaking on the Episcopal Church's Pastoral Leadership Search Effort (PLSE); a first-hand account of life after Hurricane Katrina in the Diocese of Louisiana by the Rev. Canon Chuck Culpepper; and a "first-hand" account of growing up with Jesus through the words of his brother, James, portrayed by the Rev. Canon Denis C. Brunelle, director of the Mercer School of Theology in the Diocese of Long Island;
- Small-group sessions that divided the more than 850 youth participants into intentionally representative groups of eight to discuss personal matters of life and faith;
- Forty-one different workshops on topics ranging from "Art and Spirituality" to "How to Share Your Faith" to "Talking about God and Money" to "Life and Faith After High School"; and
- Eight forums offering education and resources around one of the Millennium Development Goals.
The program days began and ended with services of Holy Eucharist. The opening service featured Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as celebrant and preacher. Bishop Skip Adams of the Diocese of Central New York presided at the closing service where the sermon was preached by Josh Hosler, associate for Christian formation, St. Thomas Church, Medina, Washington..
Participants at EYE 2008 also:
- Took part in "The Fiesta," a cultural fair where each diocese gave away something unique to their area or mission;
- Participated in afternoon free-time activities that included sports tournaments, a murder mystery, arts and crafts, swimming and more;
- Watched humorous daily "newscasts," created by the communications team, which are archived on the EYE website along with photos from the gathering;
- Took a walking tour of downtown San Antonio, including along the RiverWalk and to the Alamo;
- Visited exhibits by various national Episcopal ministries, including the Episcopal Mission Exchange, represented by assistant director Bentley Manning and Episcopal Relief and Development, represented by network coordinator Luke Fodor; and
- Participated in an outdoor "Texas Celebration" on Saturday evening that included line dancing, horse shoes, lassoing, bingo and games of "Texas Hold'em."
Leadership skills for 'the church here and now'
In a workshop titled "The Episcopal Church Wants You!...How to Make a Difference and Find Your Voice in the Church," Sue Cromer, canon for youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Chicago, said that youth are not only the church of the future, "they are the church here and now" and can offer vital leadership today.
Jefferts Schori said that youth of the Episcopal Church are "a source of creativity that we need now and years and years into the future."
"They challenge this church to grow beyond its comfort zone, which is good, and they continue to encourage their elders to pay attention to ways the Spirit is moving in newer generations," she said.
"I give immense thanks for that!"
EYE 2008 offered training in practical skills for youth to seek and carry out leadership positions in today's church. A prime example was the Chicago workshop, which featured five high-school students who are serious and successful about showing "their elders" new ways to think about things.
Several of the Chicago students have been involved in efforts to give "voice and vote" to youth at their diocesan convention. (Upon successful completion of that effort, the high school students mounted an effort for college-aged students to have the same.) And several also serve on vestries in their home congregations.
Alec Jones, of St. Edward and Christ Church, Joliet, recounted his successful effort in seeking a position on the vestry. It was "a long road" that included convincing his rector and other adult leaders that youth should have a voice on the vestry. After securing his position, Jones was involved in successful efforts at diocesan convention to create youth seats on the vestry in all Chicago Episcopal congregations.
Even after taking his seat, there was more convincing to do, Jones said.
"There will always be people on the vestry who will not believe a single word because you are young," Jones told workshop participants. "But don't give up. Sooner or later they will listen."
He says one of the most important results of youth leadership is "setting precedent" for other youth.
Jones embodies of the best of congregational leadership -- youth or adult. One Sunday he invited four of his high school class mates to attend church. "They liked it," he said, "they stayed, they are involved and eventually their parents followed."
"If we, as youth, don't get involved now," said Jones, "who is going to run the church of the future?"
Headed home with new discoveries, desires for greater service
Nate Nesbit, part of the Chicago delegation, from St. Charles Church in St. Charles, says that for him EYE was all about relationships.
"Thanks to my small-group experience, I now have friends from Guam, Florida, Nebraska and other places."
He said that while the Diocese of Chicago is at the forefront of involving youth in church leadership, he discovered that many dioceses "are deprived in this area" and he wants to do something about it.
"I really want to take the energy I got here and go all over the church telling people how they can jump on this train and make youth a vital part of this church," he said.
Daniel Schaeffer, of St. Andrew's Church, Omaha, Nebraska, said "one of the most important ways we grow spiritually is by developing new relationships."
"By getting to know others with diverse backgrounds, we get to know ourselves better."
Schaeffer said he "grew a lot" during EYE and it's going to help his life and service back home.
Chou Tao, a member of the Minnesota delegation, from Holy Apostles Church, St. Paul, the only predominantly Hmong congregation in the Anglican Communion, was "blown away" by the music, especially the EYE music team.
He's going to return to Holy Apostles and propose the idea that a youth music team be started and has already begun to figure out how to raise money for a set of drums.
Lily Broome, from St. Michael's Church, Wainsburg George, said that EYE "has been the most amazing experience of my life."
"To have people come together from all over the world and be intimate even though we are so different has been amazing," she said.
"We are so different, but, as Episcopalians, so alike."
Broome says she will return home with many news ideas, and plans to seek a seat on the vestry and pleased to have made "new discoveries" about herself.
The 2008 Episcopal Youth Event was planned and executed by a design team of youth and adults, who oversaw every aspect of the event from hospitality, to program, to worship, to security and logistics.
"EYE is a wonderful opportunity for people to share their gifts for ministry," said Prior.
The Rev. Robert "Moki" Hino, of the Dicoese of Hawaii, served as chair of the program team.
He said serving on the design team was a "wonderful experience" and "a great lesson in trusting each other and trusting in God."
Terry Parsons is fond of quoting a bishop friend who says, "EYE is one of the best things we do as a church."
And Lily Broome made another important discovery at EYE: "northerners don't eat grits!"