Episcopal Youth Event 2023

by Chad Senuta

Every three years, in accordance with General Convention Resolution #1982-D079, the Episcopal Church convenes an international youth event so “that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ.” Since the event in 2020 was canceled due to Covid19, this summer was the first time the event has been held since 2017. 

The gathering is for youth ages 15-19 who assemble on a college campus to learn, laugh, and worship together. It is the second-largest event coordinated by The Episcopal Church at the denominational level with over 1400 youth, adult mentors, clergy, and bishops in attendance. Seven youth and two adult sponsors from the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas attended EYE 2023 held July 4-8 at the University of Maryland in College Park. The theme of the event was “A New Age of Faith.”

The experience of EYE has been described as something like that of a huge summer camp, where participants share meals, attend workshops, worship, play games, listen to presentations by clergy and their peers, learn about their faith and its traditions, and forge new relationships with people they might not have otherwise. For those that have been to EYE, the enthusiasm of the participants and the atmosphere is often declared one of the most noteworthy parts of the experience. The energy of being with such a large and diverse group of Episcopalians from around the world is palpable and leaves a lasting impression.

The Episcopal Youth Event is planned by a Design Team made up of high school youth. The members are selected through an application and discernment process and represent all nine Provinces of The Episcopal Church. With the help of adult mentors, the Design Team coordinates the entire event. 

EYE 2023 featured important church leaders like Julia Ayala Harris, President of the House of Deputies, who shared a plenary presentation about her own faith journey to the Episcopal Church and the challenges the church faces ahead. Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry also attended and gave a sermon on the story of Esther from the Old Testament, focusing on how the Jewish woman risked her life to save her people from annihilation, and declaring “We need some Esthers today.” He went on to say that “We know some folks are mistreated. We know that nations invade other nations, but who knows? Perhaps you were born and made for such a time as this.”

Hannah Connelly, a recent high school graduate and member of St. Thomas, Overland Park, shared that she found the focus on the biblical story of Esther throughout the event empowering. She explained that each participant received a bracelet with a reminder of this theme which she continues to wear and holds dear. Another highlight of the experience for Hannah was the worship. She said, “It was memorable getting to worship with so many people from all over the world. And it was moving to experience the music with youth from our denomination.”

Stacey Kramer from St. Thomas, Holton went to EYE23 as an adult mentor for the youth of the Diocese of Kansas. She said, “It was amazing to hang out with the students who represent both the present and the future of the Episcopal church. Worshiping with hundreds of youth and witnessing their faith refreshed mine. It was also meaningful for me to gain a much deeper insight into how the larger church supports our youth. I am proud of our love and care for our youth and how we model loving and accepting all into our branch of the Jesus movement. I am also incredibly proud of our Kansas delegation. They represented us well!”