wfn.org | Episcopalians: Episcopal youth on a new high after Wyoming event

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

August 15, 2002

2002-194

Episcopalians: Episcopal youth on a new high after Wyoming 
event

by 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. Altagracio Perez, a Puerto Rican 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, a member of the planning team, 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 West 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.

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--Jerry Hames is editor of Episcopal Life.