Youthful Voices Will Challenge Conventional Ideas
Episcopal News Service. May 25, 2000 [2000-106]
Marie Panton, Member of the staff of Episcopal Life, the national newspaper of the Episcopal Church
(Episcopal Life) They will be showing up everywhere this July at General Convention.
Some will be representing their provinces in the official youth presence, some will arrive as deputies and alternates taking up residence in the House of Deputies, and one will join the panel addressing youth violence. Some will be there in support of campus ministry, and some will show up simply to educate themselves about the way decisions are made in the church.
Strides made by church leaders to fully involve young people at all levels of the church will become evident when youth and young adults gather in Denver to represent their dioceses and provinces.
"We see very small but encouraging signs of the church responding to the call to include younger voices at all levels," says Betsy Boyd, youth ministries coordinator at the Episcopal Church Center. "We are monitoring them so that people do notice these changes are happening, even if they are modest."
At least two resolutions focusing on youth will be brought to convention. The Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns seeks an Episcopal Youth Corps to engage in servant ministry throughout the Anglican Communion, providing $300,000 for a three-year pilot project.
Also, the Executive Council asks the church to encourage dioceses and congregations to provide a safe, hospitable environment for frank conversation with youth and young adults about human sexuality, and for the church center's ministries with young people cluster, in consultation with provincial networks, to identify and recommend comprehensive guidelines and resources.
Two youths representing each of the nine provinces will be given seat and voice in the House of Deputies.
Joelle Webb, 17, of Province 2, will speak to the House of Bishops about diversity and acceptance. Webb says her hope is for everyone who is a part of the church to be accepted, no matter the differences. "A person should not be discriminated against or excluded from the church just because they are different," said Webb. "The church needs to accept everyone because all people are God's people."
Bryan Krislock, 17, of Province 8, will address the House of Deputies on church leaders' involving youth at all levels. Although Krislock said youths are involved in his parish (he has been a delegate at diocesan convention), he is concerned that there are church leaders who do not believe young people have much to contribute.
"We should be involved as lay ministers, lectors, convention delegates or [on] diocesan commissions, and at the General Convention in various committees," said Krislock. "We can add a different perspective."
Kate Carney, 18, of Province 7, will address the Episcopal Church Women's Triennial, talking about faith formation. "I am most passionate about this issue because it's essential that young people understand where they are coming from and where they are going," said Carney. "Faith helps us understand our path and helps us prepare for our future."
Joseph King, 15, of Province 5, said violence is a real concern that parents and school officials need to address. He believes that more programs are needed to help children avoid fights and joining gangs. "Kids are forced to form groups for protection....Teen Night, Movie Night, a no-alcohol party, these programs could help kids see that there is more to do than always acting violent," said King.
Thomas Chu, director of ministries with young people at the church center, said he hopes that one day there will be no need for a youth presence. "I hope one day every diocese will have properly elected deputies," said Chu. "I would love to look out at that huge floor and see every diocese represented."
Sarah Knoll, 18, of the Diocese of Kansas, will be a deputy. Knoll said that although youth issues are most important to her, she will be paying attention to resolutions that include international and national concerns.
Louis Constant, 24, of the Diocese of Massachusetts, will be an alternate. "We need more leadership roles in certain parts of the [Sunday] services," he said. "Not just showing up but also getting more involved in the vestries, and being in positions to create programs that everyone would find beneficial."
Valaida Wynn, 21, of Province 5, was a part of the youth presence in 1994 and will join about a dozen young adults in support of campus ministry. "There is a big gap in the college ministry, a gap that the church needs to fill," said Wynn.
Other activities youth will participate in include the Y2K4JC Conference, co-sponsored by the Diocese of Colorado and the American Anglican Council, at the University of Colorado, Boulder, starting July 7. Youth attending Y2K4JC will be present at the convention's main Eucharist.
Boyd hopes that at the end of convention, legislation will mandate full inclusion for youth. "We baptize them, we confirm them and we say that 'you are a member of our church' yet we don't give them access to use their gifts as God has called them in our church and beyond," said Boyd.