Thank you for all the support to send our delegation to EYE 2023! See you again in 2026!
Allison Harmon
EYE Reflection
August 2023
This July I was privileged to accompany a delegation of young people from the Dio of MD to the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE). As an adult convert to the Episcopal Church this was my first time attending EYE. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was looking forward to being surrounded by young people who desired to connect with themselves and various manifestations of the trinity in community. While this was certainly not my first rodeo with youth events, I was struck by the ways in which the Spirit revealed itself to me in the young people that I encountered.
Our youth and the youth from all over the world reveled in an opportunity to gather and they were taken aback to experience fellowship and to worship with other young people. In the midst of the post-pandemic and everything returning to “normal” it is easy to forget what our young people lost, but it is amazing to witness the appreciation that they have for community. I cannot express how proud our youth from MD made me: they were kind, welcoming, enthusiastic, excited, and they embodied the spirit of joy (even when they were exhausted). Our young people know who they are and they know how to seek out the face of Christ in everyone that they meet. They loved people for who they are and they made an impact on everyone they encountered–and not just because they were wearing beautiful bright yellow shirts that they designed (see photo). When Bishop Curry challenged our young people to embody Beloved Community during his sermon, I had to laugh because our young people are already doing just that.
I don’t have any doubt that the young people from the Dio of MD are going to do great things in our Church and in our World, but I think that the adults might need to turn to 1 Tim. 1:12 to remember that our youth can serve as an “example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” if we just pay attention to who they are and how they interact with others.
Recently, I was approached by a gentleman after I preached at a local Church. He heard that I serve as a school Chaplain and he wanted to talk about his fears for our country and for our Church. He indicated that Gen Z was ill equipped to be our next generation of leaders–that they were too self-absorbed and disengaged with reality because of technology. He highlighted the typical criticisms that older generations hurl at younger generations. I was not surprised when he admitted that he did not have any occasion to encounter young people. I encouraged him to seek out ways to learn about who Gen Z really is in our Church and in our world before he lets his imagination paint an inaccurate picture for him. What an awesome (theologically intentional use of this term) opportunity EYE was to walk this sacred ground with our youth. What a beautiful reminder of the work that the Spirit is doing right under our noses. It is my prayer that all people are able to find hope and encouragement in their fellowship with young people, as Jesus constantly encourages us to.
EYE Reflection
August 2023
This July I was privileged to accompany a delegation of young people from the Dio of MD to the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE). As an adult convert to the Episcopal Church this was my first time attending EYE. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was looking forward to being surrounded by young people who desired to connect with themselves and various manifestations of the trinity in community. While this was certainly not my first rodeo with youth events, I was struck by the ways in which the Spirit revealed itself to me in the young people that I encountered.
Our youth and the youth from all over the world reveled in an opportunity to gather and they were taken aback to experience fellowship and to worship with other young people. In the midst of the post-pandemic and everything returning to “normal” it is easy to forget what our young people lost, but it is amazing to witness the appreciation that they have for community. I cannot express how proud our youth from MD made me: they were kind, welcoming, enthusiastic, excited, and they embodied the spirit of joy (even when they were exhausted). Our young people know who they are and they know how to seek out the face of Christ in everyone that they meet. They loved people for who they are and they made an impact on everyone they encountered–and not just because they were wearing beautiful bright yellow shirts that they designed (see photo). When Bishop Curry challenged our young people to embody Beloved Community during his sermon, I had to laugh because our young people are already doing just that.
I don’t have any doubt that the young people from the Dio of MD are going to do great things in our Church and in our World, but I think that the adults might need to turn to 1 Tim. 1:12 to remember that our youth can serve as an “example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” if we just pay attention to who they are and how they interact with others.
Recently, I was approached by a gentleman after I preached at a local Church. He heard that I serve as a school Chaplain and he wanted to talk about his fears for our country and for our Church. He indicated that Gen Z was ill equipped to be our next generation of leaders–that they were too self-absorbed and disengaged with reality because of technology. He highlighted the typical criticisms that older generations hurl at younger generations. I was not surprised when he admitted that he did not have any occasion to encounter young people. I encouraged him to seek out ways to learn about who Gen Z really is in our Church and in our world before he lets his imagination paint an inaccurate picture for him. What an awesome (theologically intentional use of this term) opportunity EYE was to walk this sacred ground with our youth. What a beautiful reminder of the work that the Spirit is doing right under our noses. It is my prayer that all people are able to find hope and encouragement in their fellowship with young people, as Jesus constantly encourages us to.
EYE 2023
We are thrilled to announce that The Episcopal Youth Event will take place July 4-8, 2023 at the University of Maryland. This event is open to Episcopal youth in grades 9-12 during the 2022-23 academic year and their adult mentors.
Every three years, in accordance with General Convention Resolution #1982-D079, The Episcopal Church convenes an international youth event so “that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ.” It is our practice to accept applications from across the church to discern a group of youth and adult mentors to serve as members of the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE’23) Planning Team.
Every three years, in accordance with General Convention Resolution #1982-D079, The Episcopal Church convenes an international youth event so “that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ.” It is our practice to accept applications from across the church to discern a group of youth and adult mentors to serve as members of the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE’23) Planning Team.
The Episcopal Youth Event 2023
What is EYE?Episcopal Youth Event
Episcopal Youth Event 4-8, 2023 Youth: Rising 10th graders - recent graduates Need to be 15-19 years of age by July 4. Adults: 21 and older Location: University of Maryland College Park, MD Cost: $275 the first ten registrations! $400 following A gathering of over 2,000 young Episcopalians that only happens once in every three years! Each diocese throughout the church is invited to send youth and adult attendees. We are hoping to take a full 25 students and 5 chaperones to the University of Maryland, MD for this once in a lifetime experience. We will gather with people of faith from across the globe to have worship, workshops, public forums, and fellowship! The Diocese of Maryland is known as the singing-dancing diocese at this and every event we attend. We are delighted to have Bishop Sutton join us for a few days and lead a few conga lines during large group worship. Come meet people from around the world, make connections that will forever change you, and spend time immersed in the Holy Spirit for a week! If you would like to help send a youth or adult to EYE 2023 please click to donate.
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Who can go?
Youth Participants
Youth participants in EYE23 must be enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during this school year and must have turned 15 or no older than 19 by the event start. Current freshman who are 14 will have an opportunity to attend EYE2026 as the Episcopal Youth Event is on a three-year cycle. No other youth will be permitted to attend EYE23. Adult Chaperones Delegations must send a minimum of two chaperones; one must be 25 years old or older. All other chaperones must be at least 21 years old at the time of the event, one adult for every six youths. Chaperone teams must include genders represented among the youth. That means if you have both male and female youth participating, you need to have both male and female chaperones. All adults must have completed Safeguarding Training and must have a current (within 3 years) Criminal Sexual Background check on file to be in compliance with current Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct. Young Adults: Event Team We have begun recruiting young adults and adults to participate in the Event Team (formerly called the Pastoral Care Team) for EYE23. These individuals will serve as chaplains, dorm crew, medical team members, and more. Find out more here Adult Volunteers: More information coming on how to sign up. But there will be a call for many hands! This major event will take lots of love and labor to pull off. If you know of someone willing to come and serve, especially as a medical volunteer, behavioral health counselor, or a musical talent - please let us know! |
