The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth

EYE a big hit with Fort Worth youth

Waiting at DFW for delayed flight

Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth was well represented at the Episcopal Youth Conference 2011 held in Minneapolis/St Paul, MN. There were ten youths total in the delegation: eight from the Fort Worth diocese, and two from the Dallas diocese. Four of the teens were from St Martin-Keller, two from St Stephen’s-Hurst, one from St Mary’s-Hamilton, one from All Saints-Wichita Falls.

The EYE is a triennial gathering of youth from throughout the Episcopal Church. There were about 800 youth gathered from as far away as Hawaii, Ecuador, and Europe. This EYE was more technologically linked than any previous. There were live Twitter and Facebook conversations happening 24/5 (we were there five days). From beginning to end, there were more than 12,000 Facebook posts. The conversations are still happening. If you are interested, the Twitter tag is #eye2011, and the Facebook page is EYE 2011: Episcopal Youth Event.

Music and worship were also quite innovative at this EYE. The event featured an amazing live band. Most of the music was quite traditional but also very upbeat. All present were encouraged to move, dance, clap, and have fun praising God.

The workshops were very relevant to the teens and adults there. There was everything from expressing oneself in prayer from Tai Chi to finger painting. There were leadership workshops, hacky sack practice, percussion circles and Yoga. Teens, bishops, and adults alike all enjoyed the workshops and reflection groups.

Blessing the Habitat House

The speakers were engaging and challenging to this newest generation of Episcopalians. Dr. Rodger Nishioka was a crowd favorite as he challenged the teens to take on their roles as prophets in the church. (View video of Dr. Nishioka presentation.) The presiding bishop, the Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, opened the EYE worship with words of global stewardship. (View video of Presiding Bishop's sermon.) The Rt. Rev. Brian Prior, Bishop of Minnesota, closed the EYE worship after blessing the Habitat for Humanity house built on site and hearing the sermon preached by Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies.

All of the teens and adults in the Ft Worth delegation were excited to have Bishop Wallis Ohl’s interaction. There were shared meals, stories and many laughs. It was fun to watch Bp. Ohl two-step in the procession from the Habitat house into the closing worship!

See more photographs from EYE.

Fall Rally

The Diocesan Youth Council is hosting a Fall Rally at Camp Carter on September 24th. The Rally will take place from 10am to 5:30 pm. Themes are "Come as you are” and Hospitality, with presentations on prayer, EYE, a scavenger hunt and other fun activities. All youth of the diocese who are in junior and senior high are invited. Event Coordinators are The Rev. Amy Haynie, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, e-mail: amy_david_75077@yahoo.com and Rob Huttmeyer, St. Stephen’s, Hurst, e-mail: robhuttmeyer@yahoo.com.

Youth Ministers Network

The first meeting of the Youth Ministers Network was held on June 6th at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Youth ministers from around the Diocese met over dinner to offer peer support and exchange resources. These meetings will continue every month at different locations. The next meeting is on July 16 at 6 pm; the location is still being confirmed.

Diocesan Youth News