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Episcopal Youth on a New High after Wyoming Event

Episcopal News Service. August 15, 2002 [2002-194]

Jerry Hames

(Episcopal Life) --The 7,200-foot altitude of the University of Wyoming's campus seemed appropriate as this summer's Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) reached new heights.

The event brought together 1,400 teenagers from the United States, Caribbean and Central and South America for a week-long funfest. Western hospitality was abundant as the teens arrived by plane, bus, van and car, many coming from pre-EYE provincial gatherings where they created a camaraderie that was manifested throughout the event. The university's president, the state's first woman treasurer and Wyoming's bishop, Bruce Caldwell--who presented Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold with his own 10-gallon cowboy hat--greeted the teenagers as they arrived July 23 in Laramie.

"We're creating a New World here," shouted Bishop Mark MacDonald of the Diocese of Alaska, who addressed the opening gathering of the cheering throng. He urged them to live "in the gospel zone" and not be enticed away by a society in which the less strong, including women and children, are vulnerable to attack.

From the exuberance of the opening night's session to tearful good-byes and hugs at an autograph party five days later, the experience left an indelible mark on many young lives. Jammed into those days were challenging speakers, hand-clapping foot-stomping music, emotional liturgies, workshops on hot-button issues, small group discussions, late night activities, a rock-climbing expedition and a cultural carnival.

"I have seen Christ in people before, especially at youth events I attend in my diocese," said Hayley Moore of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. "But I have never seen Christ shine through so many people at one time. The friendships I made are bonds that will never be broken or changed in any way."

"Remember your memories here," Juliana Williams of the Diocese of Olympia advised her friends as they prepared for home. "They become a part of you, but just a part; they are not all of who you are. We must move on to new things and new people," she said, "but we can still remember."

Living the Gospel

There was much to remember--a kaleidoscope of colors, beach balls tossed from the balcony, music with a strong beat, and stirring messages from both adults and youth each morning at 9am. "To love Jesus and not 'do the work' is not living the Gospel," said the Rev. Altagracia Perez, a Puerto Rican American priest who works with the disadvantaged in Los Angeles. "You may pray in your room, but if you're not out in the world, you're not living the Gospel."

"The Gospel is not nice," she said. "It's not about being a nice person, it's about carrying the cross. If you don't want to carry the cross, that's proof you've got the call. It's proof that you are called if you don't want to carry the cross," said the Hispanic priest who said that she once thought it was enough that she was female and a member of the minority ethnic group to escape the "hard work" Christians must do.

Teens also addressed their peers. Brad Woodall of West Missouri, urged them to step forward as participants in the church's life. "You have just as much say so as any other lay person," he said. "You have power to participate in lay leadership roles. Take what you have learned and share it with your parish."

"For 33 years Woodstock has been my ideal of music, peace and love until this week," Bishop Paul Marshall of Bethlehem told the cheering teenagers as he graciously accepted a birthday cake from his own contingent on the auditorium stage. The presiding bishop and his wife, Phoebe, and 19 other bishops, casually dressed, drifted throughout the week's activities as workshop leaders, liturgists, or just adding to their own learning experience. "You have the attention of the bishops. There are more bishops here than at any other EYE," observed Bishop Michie Klusmeyer of West Virginia. "You don't just have their attention, you have their support."

"It's important for bishops to be around, to be available, to be visible," said Northwest Texas Bishop Wallis Ohl, who attended his first EYE three years ago. "I hear idealism here," he said, "not the cynicism of adults." He added, "They have lots of energy and when I'm working with them I get energized." He attends every diocesan youth event he can and looks forward to attending the triennial EYE until he retires.

Peer ministry

Not surprisingly, music was a part of everything. First-class musicians and singers from New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Minneapolis and the states of Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas with songs of "Unconditional Love" and "I Can Do All Things" kept momentum high. A harmonica, acoustic and bass guitars, digital keyboard, drums, and an Australian didgeridoo led the lead singers and got the assembly to their feet in record time.

The official EYE theme, "Bring it to the High Plains! Tell the People who I am!" inspired by 1 Timothy 4:11-16, was supplemented by the persistent advice to "Drink water!" Hundreds of gallons of water were guzzled each day to prevent dehydration from the high altitude, coupled with searing heat and low humidity. Physical outdoor games were kept brief and the nursing station was kept busy.

In an innovation, eight Lutherans and eight Episcopalians trained as "peer ministers" prayed with and listened to other teens who needed to talk about their family, school or personal life. The program, developed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was designed to let teens minister to other teens.

"I was an easy ear to talk to, a comforting shoulder to cry on and a quick smile for those ready to laugh," said Christina Caruccio, a recent high school graduate who was one of the peer ministers. "I believe it was true servant leadership. It was exhausting, but it was the most fulfilling role I have ever experienced," she said.

Workshops allowed for an open exchange of opinions and some of these were reported in the High Plains Messenger, the daily newsletter written by a teen press corps. "As participants at EYE we are all different and unique," Robyn Deren of the Diocese of Newark wrote. "We come with already formed opinions on race, sexual preferences and other controversial issues. But we must not let our opinions stand in the way of being friends with someone."

Respect for differences

Respect for differences was evident throughout many sessions, including the "hot topics" that discussed immigrant and refugee experiences in the U.S.; being sexual and being Christian; learning to live after the 9/11 experience and how the murder of Matthew Shepard, the gay Episcopalian University of Wyoming student, is challenging hatred everywhere.

"We still have ugly feelings about what we experienced then," said Caldwell after a presentation on hatred and the fear of violence against gays by youth from New York and Long Island. "But even during the experience itself, God was present," he maintained, describing acts of reconciliation he witnessed in the days immediately following the discovery of Shepard's battered body tied to a fence post outside of town. Some talked about visiting the site while others described the fears they have for their gay and lesbian friends. A few spoke about how guarded they must be in disclosing their sexual orientation.

Games, food, arts and crafts were part of the cultural fair at which each diocese sponsored an exhibit. Hawaiian teens brought crates of pineapples that they chopped into bite-sized pieces; Western Louisiana youth served bowls of gumbo they had prepared hours earlier. Pennsylvania youth had a historic display and were costumed as Ben Franklin, baseball's Phillies Phanatic and the rock singer Pink; and the Guatemalan youth exhibited handicrafts.

Late night fun began with a coffeehouse for budding entertainers, outdoor salsa dancing, karaoke singing, and movies like "Jaws" which was shown at the university's swimming pool.

The Rev. Sylvester Romero, a Hispanic priest in the Diocese of Spokane, urged the youth to find ways to have fun, but also to respond to God's call. "Be bold in Christ, even if it means being uncomfortable," he said. "All that we do is a sacrament."

Klusmeyer said, "There is an initial moment that changes life. We have such a moment here, when a spark is ignited that sets life on fire. Too often that spark gets blown out. When you return home, don't let anyone blow it out. You will encounter resistance, but meet it head-on, be persistent."

Woodall told them their possibilities were endless. "We must not be stopped by failures or frustrated if things don't go our way. Go home and minister to your brothers and your sisters," he said.