Episcopal Youth Event deadline is very, VERY near

It's one of the most incredible things I've gotten to do as your Youth Missioner.  Only General Convention is more amazing.

So I would hate it if you missed out on it.

The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE).  Want to know more?  Check out this previous post on the subject (So What's An E.Y.E?)  There are pictures and everything.

The deadline is approaching for applications.  Now you may say "Yeah, but deadlines are kind of, well, fluid in Western New York.  They always get extended".

Not this one.

Because of the level of work needed to prepare for the event Youth Commission decided to create a HARD DEADLINE.  That means no extensions.  No excuses.  No late arrivals.  No "I forgot.  I'll get it to you tomorrow".

No.

Don't even ask.

If I don't have it by the time the mail arrives on Monday, November 4 the application window closes.  And locks.

It looks like this will be the least expensive EYE trip in a while.  The registration fee is low and we're looking at the least expensive travel option (train, anyone?).  We'll be doing fundraising to help folks who need financial help.  You can always withdraw later (but you'll regret it) if it's just not possible but don't miss out on the chance right now.

Next Monday.

Hard Deadline.

Application download Link

The Bishop and the Ducks

If you've spent any time in the last couple years in the Diocese of WNY you know that there is this long running tradition that connects our bishop (R. William Franklin) and rubber ducks.  In his office you will shelves of ducks.  It began at a confirmation class.  I asked Kayli Christ, one of the young people in that class, to tell the story of the Bishop and the Ducks:

"Beginning of the duck.
Many people wonder how the duck became about. So here's the story. The saying "Wanna buy a duck" was taught at church camp, but most people had forgot about it except for the youth at St. Patrick's in Cheektowaga. In December of 2011 9 of the youth were going to be confirmed. Before the confirmation we had a breakfast with the Bishop where he was going to ask us questions about what we had learned through the confirmation classes. Well St. pats didn't want to answer them so we replied with "wanna buy a duck" and we had kept the Bishop very busy with that question. At first the Bishop thought that we were actually selling ducks. As every youth event has passed the question "wanna buy a duck" came by and he caught on. Almost two years later the duck lives on. For example at the Bishops Ball the Bishop was presented with a duck cookie, or at St. Matthews in Buffalo, where 2 of their youth were being confirmed, there was the " rise of the duck". But as the start, everyone can thank the St. Patrick's youth for the duck!"

There's also a rubber duck tradition at Senior High Conference that goes back even farther.  Why we are so stuck on rubber ducks is anyone's guess.  But we have a good time.  Thanks to Kayli for sharing this story.

Busy Couple of Weeks Coming Up!

Lots of things on the schedule in the next couple weeks -

• October 20 - Youth Missioner visits St. Aiden in Alden
• October 20 -Youth Commission meets at 2 PM at St. Patricks Cheektowaga.  Training for the Convention Youth Reps will take place after the Commission meeting.  We hope to start that training at 4 and be done 5-ish
• October 25-26 - CONVENTION!!!!!   The governing body of our diocese.  In Niagara Falls on Friday and Saturday.  The Youth Missioner (along with lots of other people) will be there the entire time.
• October 27 - Youth Missioner visits at St Peters Westfield
• October 27 - Walking the property in Westfield to help dream about what can be done with it.   Download the flyer HERE  (Download link, right click and save)