To all
of the adults:
Hello,
I've grown up, participating in the youth activities of our diocese,
Mississippi, ever since I was in third or fourth grade, I believe. This is my
second year as a member of Youth Council. Youth Council's main roll is to plan
a semesterly retreat for the diocesan youth, called the Division of Youth
Event, or DOY for short. It is the most commonplace gathering among the youth
outside of Camp Bratton-Green (MS's Episcopal summer camp). There is a DOY in
the fall and the spring for both Jr. High (6th-8th grade) and Sr. High
(9th-12th); that's four total weekends, for you mathematicians out there.
There is a group of "spiritual events" which are all separately run, but
compliment each other, so I'm going to address them together. Each program is
designed to be a step in a person's spiritual journey; we neglect to call them
retreats, because they aren't retreats. They're for those people who wish to
grow spiritually. The events are as follows:
- New
Beginnings (6th-9th grade, and adults)
-
Happening (10th-12th grade, and adults)
-
Vocare (College)
Both New Beginnings and Happening have spots for adults who haven't
participated in the event before, and are interested in working with youth.
I've never been to Vocare, because I'm to young, however New Beginnings and
Happening are very great experiences.
The above are the basic things going on in the diocese for youth, outside of
Camp, but there are other great things happening as well. Annual Youth Council
runs parallel to "big" Annual Council, where we get involved with 'Big
Council' and elect Youth Council members for the following year. GLUE in
Hattiesburg is a theme based weekend that's quite unique and fun. St.
Patrick's Playground, on the coast, is a weekend also in the spring, that's
designed purely for fun, no serious stuff (I'm not sure if this event will be
annual, or was a one time only thing). Lastly, we have Winter Solstice, which
is a 'winter' camp for High School age kids; this year it will return to the
Conference Center side of Gray Center in Canton; it runs from Dec. 27-Jan. 1.
I would say that's it, but I'm sure I've forgotten something.
I'd ask you to get your kids involved, or if you like, get involved yourself.
The Diocese of Mississippi has one of the best programs for Episcopal youth in
the country. Not meaning to brag, but we're often looked up to as part of the
'leading' group at province and nationwide stuff. Our general diocese has
supported us a lot as well; I got teary when the bill for Youth Delegacy was
passed at council.
In closing, if you have queries, I'd love and welcome you to ask me
personally. You can also look at the diocesan youth website at:
http://dioms.org/episcoyouth.htm
Thanks, and I hope to hear from some of you out there.
Love,
Walt
Duncan
