Young adults, economics, and community...

A note from the Office for Young Adult & Campus Ministries at the Episcopal Church Center

August 2009

Howdy folks!

Summer is almost over for many of us. Before long our academic and program years will swing into full gear—if they haven't already. As we enter back into the hustle and bustle, we encourage you to remain mindful of the community of support and creativity you have in this broad network of young adult and campus ministers across the church. Send out your questions. Share your experience.

Below you will find a list of the Broadcast topics for the coming months. Take the opportunity to share your newest—and your oldest—methods for recruiting new students, for engaging new parents in good stewardship of their family finances, or for raising up and supporting young lay leaders in your parish. Our best ministry resources are one another, so let’s share our stories and grow together to engage young adults in our world.

As you read through the topics below, be thinking of your experiences and how they may be instructive to others. What did you have fun trying? What did you learn? What would you do differently? Submissions should be about five hundred words. Accompanying photos would be great, too!

And be sure to check out this letter with an update on our office and our vision for our continued ministry together in the upcoming triennium.

Paz y fuego,

Douglas, Jason & Miguelina

September 2009
Leadership Development

How do you identify and cultivate the leadership potential of those you minister to? From peer ministers to student advisors, from lay ministers to the young woman who organizes the monthly service project, the next generation of leadership for our church is under our care. We are called to identify, support and equip young people to be faithful witnesses of the Gospel, both in their stewardship of the church’s mission and ministries and in their lives lived in community. What are the tools they need to be effective leaders and how can we better get those tools—and the understanding behind them—into their hands?

Deadline: August 28

October 2009
Personal Stewardship

Priorities, gifts, time, money. How are we equipping young adults in our communities to be intentional and responsible caregivers of what they have been given? The ability to care for the earth, for their communities and for the society they are inheriting is dependent upon their ability to care for that which is closest to them. How is your ministry exemplifying responsible stewardship and providing tools for the personal stewardship of its members?

Deadline: September 25

November 2009
Service Learning & Mission in the World

Young adults are ready, able and so crazy-excited to serve. What outlets have you found for the folks you minister to? Have you been able to pair service with theological study and reflection? Who doesn’t have recommendations for what NOT to do on a mission trip? One of the priorities for this triennium is the alleviation of domestic poverty. How are you approaching the reality of need in your local context?

Deadline: October 23

December 2009
Evangelism

The big E word. How are you spreading the good news in your ministry? What communications tools have you found effective in reaching those groups usually "immune to the Christian message? How is your ministry equipping others to share the grace in their own lives?

Deadline: November 20

January 2010
Liturgy

Many young people who find themselves in the Episcopal Church are drawn by the depth and richness of its liturgical tradition. How are you engaging young adults & students in exploring the diversity of form and understanding surrounding our liturgical practices? What innovations have been fruitful within your community? Have you found effective ways to involve young adults in planning liturgy? What have you found effective/ineffective in inter-denominational and interfaith settings?

Deadline: December 18