Help Wanted!

Bishop Franklin and the Youth Missioner Jay Phillippi are working on reforming the youth ministries of the diocese.  That's really good news because all those "little details" that sometimes get just a quick touch are getting the attention they need.  The goal is to create a diocesan youth ministry that is fun and faith filled while being efficient and organized at the same time.

So here's our help wanted ad:

Wanted - Youth Commission treasurer - a person with an understanding of basic bookkeeping/accounting concepts to keep an eye on the youth ministry budget and program costs. Willing to work as a volunteer with the youth ministries of the Diocese of WNY.

We need someone who is organized and reliable.  This person does NOT need to be actively involved in youth ministry.  You may be asked to help with reimbursement forms for events and programs.  The majority of this job can be done via mail/phone/e-mail.  Must be comfortable working with computer and internet.
 
Will prepare easy to understand reports on events that show income and expenses.  Will be familiar with diocesan budget lines concerning youth ministry and how those funds are spent.  Needs to provide a quarterly report to Youth Commission and diocesan Finance Office.  Will work with Youth Missioner who will provide basic data and consult with the Youth Missioner on matters concerning how money is spent and accounted.

The primary role for this position is assisting the Youth Missioner in keeping clear and complete financial records for the youth ministries of the diocese and creating periodic, clear reports to Youth Commission and the Finance Office.  This is a new position so you will be able to help create it.  We are asking for a one year commitment.

Does this sound like you?  Does it sound like someone you know?  Please have them contact the Youth Missioner at eyouthwny@gmail.com or by phone at (716)732-0733.

Our goal is to have this position filled before the September Youth Commission meeting.

So What's an EYE?

Let's start off with the basics.

It's E-Y-E.  Not "eye".

It stands for the Episcopal Youth Event, a triennial (meaning once every 3 years) gathering of high school aged young people from all across the Episcopal Church.  For 5 days these young people and some adults gather together to share food, prayer, laughter, love, knowledge and many, many stories.  For most youth it's a once in a lifetime experience.

It's a big deal.  Because The Episcopal Church spans most of the world.  Take a look at this and see how many places you'll find Episcopalians -

North AND South America, AND the Caribbean AND Europe AND Asia.

What happens is that groups of young people from Dioceses all around the world travel to one place (in 2014 it's Villanova University near Philadelphia PA) to experience all the many ways of being an Episcopalian.  For many of them (most of them?) it's a unique chance to be together with a thousand other Episcopalians.  To worship together, to hang out and learn.  For a great many of our young people over the last 10+ years their trip to EYE is one of the most memorable things they've ever done in church.

Recent trips included (click on the caption to see more pictures)

:

2011 - Minneapolis MN

2008 - San Antonio TX

EYE 2005

If this looks like fun then you need to fill out an application soon!  There are only a limited number of slots allocated to each Diocese.  You can expect the cost to attend EYE to be between $500 and $800(should be closer to the bottom than the top).  The final costWe do everything we can to keep the cost low and to help with fundraising.

Youth EYE Application

Adult EYE Application

Happening #32 Applications

All the applications for the next Happening weekend are now available!

Happening Weekend #31

Happening is a spiritual retreat weekend for high school aged youth.  The team that runs the weekend is made up of and led by young people.  It is a time to spend some time thinking about You, God and the World.  It's also a time of singing, laughter, games and lots and lots of fun.

Please think about attending if you haven't already, to apply for Team so that another group can have the great experience you had.

Adults (both lay and clergy) we are also looking for adults who would like to be part of the support community for Happening.  Contact the Youth Missioner with any questions.

Team - Adult
Team - Youth

Candidate - Adult
Candidate - Youth

The Weekly Newsletter

Highlights from the newsletters for week of July 8, 2013

Junior High Camp and Sleep Away Camp need more campers!

The headline pretty much says it all.  Numbers still very low for both camps.  Register today online or download the forms.  There's still time and scholarship funds are still available!

Something New Starts This Week!

Beginning on July 10 the Youth Missioner will have weekly regular office hours at the Diocesan Ministry Center!  Hours will be from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  The schedule is still being worked on but here's the July schedule:

• July 10
• July 17
• July 23
• July 29

If you questions or subjects you'd like to discuss with him call and set up a time to meet!

Check Out This Great Video! 

This past week the Interfaith Lecture Series at Chautauqua Institution was on the subject of the future of the faith community among those under 30 years of age.  Leading off on Monday was the Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton.  Bishop Sutton offered up a great challenge and inspiration.  Long video but worth the time to watch.



 If you'd like all the news sign up for an e-mail newsletter Look for the options for either "Youth Leader" (for adults) or "EYouthWNY Youth" (for young people)

Day Five of Senior High - Our Closing Celebration

Sorry this got delayed.  Saturday morning was a jumble as we packed and then cleaned up after ourselves.  By the time we got home we were just too tired to update the blog.

Friday is pretty much like any other regular day.  Meals, classes, recreation time.  The main differences are that instead of our Eucharist happening in the middle of the day it comes toward the end.  Instead at 11 we take our conference photograph, talk about a few events coming up later this year and then Noonday worship before lunch.

We talked about ways we can stay in touch and be involved in the diocesan youth ministries.  Youth Commission, Happening (and Happening Board), Diocesan Convention Youth Delegation and (trumpet blast) EYE 2014!   Next summer the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) will be near Philadelphia PA.  Applications for the diocesan delegation will be available soon (but we got them today!)

The weather was still pretty rotten so we didn't get a chance to go swimming or sailing again.  Booo!

On the other hand, after his schedule changed three times this week Bishop Franklin finally got to camp.  Yay!  We had the chance to talk for a while -

Plus he was the celebrant for our closing Eucharist

Then we danced our way to the end of our time together.  It was a celebration of all the fun we had this week.  We looked at hundreds of photos of all the things we did (Thanks Miguel!)

After we recognized our graduating seniors (sniff, sniff  we're gonna miss Jeff, Junior, Katy, Monica and Nate) our time together came to an end.  We said Compline one last time and sang our ending song.




What a great week.  If you're still in high school next year don't miss out on Senior High Conference 2014!