Dear Friends,
I began my work with the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Episcopal Church in mid-January, and I have been overwhelmed by the words of welcome I have received from all over the church. I think this welcome speaks to the high level of energy and interest in ministry with young adults in our church today.
We know that Jesus recruited James and John when they were still working for their father Zebedee, before they were old enough to strike out on their own. Jesus intentionally went around recruiting young adults to be his followers. He looked for young leaders to build his community of disciples, to share his vision.
What if we saw The Episcopal Church, at least partially, as a leadership institute for the Reign of God? What if we saw young adults, not as a challenge, but as a resource? What if we saw the young adults in and around the church as a source of potential leadership? This summer two conferences will help us to continue to vision ministry with young adults this way:
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Why Serve?: June 5-8, at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific is a chance for Young Adults from the Asian, Black, Indigenous and Latino and multi-ethnic communities of The Episcopal Church to come together for a week of discernment about their role in leadership, lay or ordained, within or outside the traditional structures of the church.
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Kindling: July 28-31, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an Episcopal conference for leaders in ministry with young adults on and off college campuses. This will be a summit of leaders, professional and volunteer, lay and ordained, a chance to gather and learn from colleagues and experts. (We are subsidizing the cost for current students and Episcopal Service Corps members to make it affordable for those in ministry as peers with other young adults).
We are all learning how to do ministry in a new generation. My time working as a campus missioner re-building a college ministry and as a priest at a downtown parish left me with more questions than answers. I am excited to work with you as we build the church’s capacity to listen to young adults and invite them into leadership.
In Peace,
Mike
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Episcopal Church Grants Available for Campus Ministries
Applications are now being accepted for grant proposals from dioceses, parishes, or community college/college/university campuses for new and current campus ministries in higher education institutions in The Episcopal Church.
There are two categories of grants:
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Campus Ministries grants to provide seed money to assist in the start-up of new, innovative campus ministries or to enhance a current program; grants will range from $3,000 to $5,000.
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A Leadership Grant to establish a new, restore a dormant, or reenergize a current campus ministry; the grant will range from $20,000 to $30,000 for a two-year period.
Deadline for submitting grant proposals is April 11. Click here for guidelines, additional information, and to submit a proposal.
For more information, contact me at mangell@episcopalchurch.org.
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Register Now: Kindling
An Episcopal conference for leaders in ministry with young adults on and off college campuses.
July 28-31, 2014
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Click here to register.
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Register Now: Why Serve
Discernment, Leadership, and Spirituality for Young Adults of Color.
June 5-8, 2014
Church Divinity School of the Pacific
Click here to register.
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