When
things change it can be hard, even painful. Times of change can also
be a time for new dreams and exciting new ideas.
After
13 years as our diocesan Youth Missioner Jay Phillippi is stepping
down. A lot of thought went in that decision by Jay and the Bishop.
While having a friend, mentor and leader move on is sad it's also a
time filled with great potential.
Beginning
in January Bishop Bill is inviting everyone interested in ministry to
young people to join a process of thinking about what we really want
and need from our youth ministry programs. To give everyone the time
to think and talk about that he has decided to suspend youth ministry
events in the diocese from
the beginning of the year until implementation dates for future
events can be established.
During that quiet time everyone can look at what we have done, how
we've done it and think about how we can do ministry for youth,
children and young adults. The goal is to think beyond our current
boundaries. What still fulfills our needs should be kept, things
that have outlived their usefulness should be gratefully retired. In
the end we should be able to create a vital ministry ready to care
for the young people (children, youth and young adults) in the 21st
Century. A consultant has been appointed to help us with that
process.
It
is important to note that Bishop Bill is NOT suspending the trip to
the 2014 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE). Planning for that event will
move forward.
Youth
ministry is very important to our life as a diocese and to Bishop
Bill's ministry as our bishop. Give thanks for the work that has
been done in the past and join together to find our path into the
future.
The
Bishop will be staying in touch with the youth of the diocese and to
keep them informed as we move forward to expand the web of grace.
