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2000-106

Youthful voices will challenge conventional ideas

by Marie Panton

     (Episcopal Life) They will be showing up everywhere 
this July at General Convention.

     Some will be representing their provinces in the 
official youth presence, some will arrive as deputies and 
alternates taking up residence in the House of Deputies, 
and one will join the panel addressing youth violence. Some 
will be there in support of campus ministry, and some will 
show up simply to educate themselves about the way 
decisions are made in the church.

     Strides made by church leaders to fully involve young 
people at all levels of the church will become evident when 
youth and young adults gather in Denver to represent their 
dioceses and provinces.

     "We see very small but encouraging signs of the church 
responding to the call to include younger voices at all 
levels," says Betsy Boyd, youth ministries coordinator at 
the Episcopal Church Center. "We are monitoring them so 
that people do notice these changes are happening, even if 
they are modest."

     At least two resolutions focusing on youth will be 
brought to convention. The Standing Commission on Anglican 
and International Peace with Justice Concerns seeks an 
Episcopal Youth Corps to engage in servant ministry 
throughout the Anglican Communion, providing $300,000 for a 
three-year pilot project.

     Also, the Executive Council asks the church to 
encourage dioceses and congregations to provide a safe, 
hospitable environment for frank conversation with youth 
and young adults about human sexuality, and for the church 
center's ministries with young people cluster, in 
consultation with provincial networks, to identify and 
recommend comprehensive guidelines and resources.

Youth representatives

     Two youths representing each of the nine provinces 
will be given seat and voice in the House of Deputies.

     Joelle Webb, 17, of Province 2, will speak to the 
House of Bishops about diversity and acceptance. Webb says 
her hope is for everyone who is a part of the church to be 
accepted, no matter the differences. "A person should not 
be discriminated against or excluded from the church just 
because they are different," said Webb. "The church needs 
to accept everyone because all people are God's people."

     Bryan Krislock, 17, of Province 8, will address the 
House of Deputies on church leaders' involving youth at all 
levels. Although Krislock said youths are involved in his 
parish (he has been a delegate at diocesan convention), he 
is concerned that there are church leaders who do not 
believe young people have much to contribute.

     "We should be involved as lay ministers, lectors, 
convention delegates or [on] diocesan commissions, and at 
the General Convention in various committees," said 
Krislock. "We can add a different perspective."

     Kate Carney, 18, of Province 7, will address the 
Episcopal Church Women's Triennial, talking about faith 
formation. "I am most passionate about this issue because 
it's essential that young people understand where they are 
coming from and where they are going," said Carney. "Faith 
helps us understand our path and helps us prepare for our 
future."

     Joseph King, 15, of Province 5, said violence is a 
real concern that parents and school officials need to 
address. He believes that more programs are needed to help 
children avoid fights and joining gangs. "Kids are forced 
to form groups for protection.…Teen Night, Movie Night, a 
no-alcohol party, these programs could help kids see that 
there is more to do than always acting violent," said King.

     Thomas Chu, director of ministries with young people 
at the church center, said he hopes that one day there will 
be no need for a youth presence. "I hope one day every 
diocese will have properly elected deputies," said Chu. "I 
would love to look out at that huge floor and see every 
diocese represented."

     Sarah Knoll, 18, of the Diocese of Kansas, will be a 
deputy. Knoll said that although youth issues are most 
important to her, she will be paying attention to 
resolutions that include international and national 
concerns.

Full inclusion

     Louis Constant, 24, of the Diocese of Massachusetts, 
will be an alternate. "We need more leadership roles in 
certain parts of the [Sunday] services," he said. "Not just 
showing up but also getting more involved in the vestries, 
and being in positions to create programs that everyone 
would find beneficial."

     Valaida Wynn, 21, of Province 5, was a part of the 
youth presence in 1994 and will join about a dozen young 
adults in support of campus ministry. "There is a big gap 
in the college ministry, a gap that the church needs to 
fill," said Wynn.

     Other activities youth will participate in include the 
Y2K4JC Conference, co-sponsored by the Diocese of Colorado 
and the American Anglican Council, at the University of 
Colorado, Boulder, starting July 7. Youth attending Y2K4JC 
will be present at the convention's main Eucharist.

     Boyd hopes that at the end of convention, legislation 
will mandate full inclusion for youth.  "We baptize them, 
we confirm them and we say that 'you are a member of our 
church' yet we don't give them access to use their gifts as 
God has called them in our church and beyond," said Boyd.

--Marie Panton is a member of the staff of Episcopal Life, 
the national newspaper of the Episcopal Church.