4 years later…

In October of 2008, I was just beginning my first full year of ministry as Campus Chaplain at UC Davis.  And we were in the home stretch of the election.  It seemed as if politics were everywhere on campus.  The various campaigns were represented on campus each day, political signs, t-shirts, bumper stickers were pervasive.  We even had a “No on Prop 8” sign in front of the Belfry (which was stolen, and brought at least one angry person inside questioning how a Christian ministry could be in favor of same sex marriage).  Students gathered in the Belfry living room to watch the debates together, which turned out to be a natural community builder.  The twists and turns of the election were common post-worship dinner fodder, and I was impressed at how the students could discuss these serious issues in a serious but meaningful way, without alienating each other.

Now, in October of 2012, the fact that it is an election year is mostly strangely absent from campus.  Certainly there are pockets of interest, especially in certain statewide propositions.  But the general interest level in things like the presidential debates is relatively low.  Bill Clinton spoke at a rally on campus last week, and that was one of the few big signs of this being an election year I’ve seen thus far.  Thousands of people gathered on the quad to hear Clinton, but it’s hard to know if they were there for the political rally or to hear a former president speak in person.

It’s really strange.  When asked, students express interest in the election, but it doesn’t seem to be on their minds, bodies, backpacks, etc., the way it was in 2008.  Which makes me wonder, what is it like this year on your campus?  Are students engaged in the election the way they were in 2008 or is this year different?  And why is that?

World Student Christian Federation EcoJustice Symposium

Check out this ecumenical event hosted by the World Student Christian Federation’s North American Chapter, a body of students from across the globe united in Christian solidarity. Read more:

WSCF EcoJustice Symposium 2012 flyer

WSCF EcoJustice Symposium 2012 Concept Paper

The SCM-USA/WSCF-NA Northeast Regional Symposium on the theme of eco-justice local activism will be held on November 9-10, 2012 at St John’s in the Village Episcopal Church and the Center for Spiritual Life of New York University in New York City. This gathering will be an opportunity for students, young adults, senior friends and partners at large living in the Northeast of the USA to come together to discuss one of the key working areas of the Strategic Plan of the WSCF, to reflect theologically on how Christian faith informs social and political engagement on this topic and to engage in strategic thinking on how to support the strengthening of the work of SCM in this geographic area of the USA and nationally. A solidarity delegation from the SCM Canada will attend the conference!

For registration: http://scmsymposium.eventbrite.com/

5 Trends You Should Know About To Be A Better Chaplain

As the new school year has begun and the academic church year is on its way I thought it would be a great time to catch you up on a few trends sweeping the undergraduate community.  You might think these trends are irrelevant and meaningless to doing ministry on campus, but as you might know, context isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.

If you are interested in last year’s trends CLICK HERE!

5. Pinterest 

Pinterest isn’t exactly new, but it’s certainly feels new.  No status updates, quizzes  or silly games taking up your timeline on Pinterest, it’s just a collection of what people like!  It has taken social media and made it beautiful.  The collage of images and ideas enhances the internet experience, and undergrads are all over it!

4. Mumford and Sons 

Mumford and Sons isn’t just a blip on the radar.  It’s seriously good music and students know it!  It may not be on everyone’s iPod, but it’s certainly a better representation of music than, let’s say, LMFAO.  

3. Riding Boots are the New Uggs

I’m not fashion expert, but the days of sweat pants and Uggs have been replaced by tights and riding boots.  Young women all over campus are asking their moms and dads to head out to the barn to dust off those Ariat English Riding Boots and to send them to campus in a care package ASAP! And I don’t blame them.  They are very classy and simple and they surely look better than the oh so tired combo of Uggs and sweats.      

2. Memes

The Urban Dictionary defines a meme as “an idea, belief or belief system, or pattern of behavior that spreads throughout a culture either vertically by cultural inheritance (as by parents to children) or horizontally by cultural acquisition (as by peers, information media, and entertainment media).”  Basically it’s taking something that is relevant (iPhone 5 maps disaster as pictured on Columbus Day) and spicing it up with a little snark.  Memes can be fun, often funny, but unfortunately they (like so many other things on the internet) can be predictable and boring.  But their still hot and I’d imagine that they will continue to stay hot.  

1. Gangnam Style

I don’t even know how to describe this.  And I’m not really sure if it’s even appropriate to acknowledge that it exists.  But it does and everyone knows about it, so you should too! 

  

EcoJustice Immersion Experience 2012

by Daniel Mitchell, Diocese of Ohio

The EcoJustice Immersion Experience I attended at the end of August was a retreat in Seattle, where around 20 Episcopalian young adults met with different organizations and speakers from the area. It was a glimpse into a global balancing act between meeting the world’s needs and redefining not only what those needs are, but how they are met. The conference also challenged us to consider how ecology, theology, and economy interconnect. But above all, EcoJustice struck me as a testament to the power of community. A true community, one where a group of people hold each other accountable for what they are doing and how they live their lives, can be difficult to find. And people – especially young adults – who lack a community often suffer for years, with repercussions that will affect the rest of their lives.

Last February, the Pew Research Center published a survey on the impact of the Great Recession on young adults. According to the survey, most young adults will not experience the same standard of living that their parents had when they were their children’s age. Unemployment, job insecurity, longer work weeks, and reduction in salaries have led to delays in young adults getting married, starting a family, or living independently of their parents. The pressure of finding a job, and then keeping it, makes it more difficult for young adults to become part of a meaningful community. With less time and energy, we turn to the quick fix for fleeting happiness. New electronics, unhealthy food, alcohol, meaningless sex – often, these things just alienate us further, but we pursue them because they help us forget our problems and inadequacies. Loneliness and despair have become a silent epidemic among young adults, and we struggle to find a lasting way to cope.

There’s a saying that shared joy is doubled joy, and shared sorrow is halved sorrow. This, I feel, is what a compassionate community strives to do and during EcoJustice we saw many examples of this. We visited a 23-acre community farm dedicated to providing affordable organic food to the local area. We met with one of the last members of the Duwamish Native American tribe, who has dedicated his life to restoring his tribe’s ancestral river, and an organization who lobbies for a union & better working conditions for truckers at the Seattle-Tacoma seaside port. We worshipped and shared a meal with the congregation of an eco-friendly church, and toured their innovative parish garden.

And although we were together only for a few days, I feel like the young adults at the EcoJustice Immersion Experience formed their own community. Like all the communities we’ve seen, we were united by common values – in this case, by our passion for eco-justice and our search for fellowship. Among us were teachers, theologians, scientists, mentors, and seekers, each of us with a unique set of skills and experiences. I’ve learned a lot from every EcoJustice participant, and I hope we will continue to inspire and learn from each other as we find ways to direct our passion towards what Frederick Buechner called the world’s deep hunger.

Some people, such as the Duwamish tribe or the community farm’s founder, dedicate their lives to an environmental or social cause. But what I learned from EcoJustice is that we all can do something, whether it’s a grand gesture or a simple change. We all can make a deliberate choice to take better care of our bodies, to learn how our food is raised and how it arrives to our tables, to be grounded more in compassion and less in greed, and to refuse to sacrifice the things we value just for money or social status’ sake. It’s about taking control of our lives and living according to our own terms, and along the way we will find a community filled with people who share the same vision we do. Community is the foundation, leading to a better understanding of what we are called to be and how we can become more fully alive.

The Winds of Change

This year’s Episcopal Chaplains’ Gathering took place June 24^th -25^th at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and was energized by the changes in the Episcopal Church, campus ministry and the world and therefore was most appropriately themed “The Winds of Change.”  Campus Chaplains representing all eight domestic Provinces met in New Haven, Connecticut to ask questions, build relationships, and take action to gain more knowledge and encouragement before returning to their campuses and students.

The first night was kicked off with the New Chaplains Orientation and two outstanding workshops from The Reverend Shannon Kelly on campus ministry networking and from The Reverend Susan Terry on community college starts ups.  These workshops were followed by Evensong with Eucharist where Berkeley Divinity School Dean, The Very Reverend Joseph Britton officiated Evening Prayer with the Right Reverend Ian Douglas, Bishop of Connecticut preaching and presiding. Later that evening at the Banquet and Awards Ceremony, emceed by The Reverend Dr. Glenn M. Libby, Interim Coordinator for Campus Missions, chaplains were recognized for their service to campus ministry.  The Reverend Susan Terry from the Diocese of Kansas was awarded the “Distinguished Leadership Award” for her commitment to campus ministry advocacy, mentorship and vision especially regarding community college work.  The Reverend Gregory Bezilla received the “Distinguished Service Award” for his interim coordination of Campus Ministry in 2011 and ongoing advocacy in a time of transition.  The Reverend Peter M. Antoci was awarded the Sam Portaro Award for Creative Expression and Intellectual Enquiry for his book “Reflections on the Spirituality of Campus Ministry: A Play in Four Acts.”  Jason Sierra, Officer for Young Adult Formation and Leadership, was given a standing ovation for his guiding of The Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry during challenging times.

The Rev. Peter Antoci received the Sam Portaro Award for Creative

The gathering continued with workshops and small group discussions on campus ministry programming ideas, budgeting, and goals of our chaplains in serving the Church and their campus communities. Mr. Sam McDonald, Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church, presented the lively group with a message that prepared the chaplains to get open and candid concerning the budget and future of campus ministry in the Church.  The conversation was one of passion for the service to young adults and students and how chaplains can be confident and secure in the Church’s understanding, recognition and support of that service. The day was concluded with a workshop and visit to St. Hilda’s young adult internship site and sung compline at the historic Christ Church New Haven.

Chaplains left the Episcopal Gathering charged to continue to do the work they have committed to do in the mist of the “winds of change,” knowing that they had a voice and a network of support.  These bonds between the chaplains were strengthened as many of them also took part in the Global Chaplains Conference that was held for the first time in the United States at Yale University, June 25^th to June 29^th.

The Global Conference was a week long experience of learning, openness and spirituality from all different religions, cultures and backgrounds.  With keynote speakers such as Eboo Patel, chaplains and spiritual leaders across the world were encouraged to start and/or continue their work in interfaith leadership and programming on college campuses to improve religious tolerance, understanding, and spiritual growth among religious groups.

The Episcopal Chaplains Gathering proved again to be imperative to the work of the chaplains as it provides a safe space where they can connect and release and at the same time be filled with hope and a renewed sense of direction for the journey ahead of them.

Fully Participating in General Convention

I had heard that General Convention was difficult – if not impossible – to describe to someone who had not attended. I never realized how true that was until I attended a General Convention for myself.

Being at General Convention 2012 with the Young Adult Festival was one of the most memorable experiences. It was wonderful to get to meet so many other active young adults from within the church and get to play a role in the leadership of the church for the next three years. It was also incredibly busy – a typical day for me required waking up at 6 or 7am and running nonstop from hearing to convention floor and back until about midnight.

While at the Convention, I met more bishops than I could count, shared meals with many people in very high places in the church, and had the chance to testify before two of the Standing Committees of the church on topics of interest to me. One of the things I found most striking about General Convention was how thoroughly people listened to the young adult voices that were present. If a young adult stood to testify before a Standing Committee on some topic, that person received every bit as much attention – if not more – from the Committee and audience as the most experienced priests and Bishops. It was amazing and humbling that the Episcopal News Service, Living Church Magazine, and MSNBC quoted my testimony before the Standing Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music.

I also had the opportunity to intern with Integrity USA while in Indianapolis. Integrity is an organization that works for the full inclusion of LGBT Episcopalians within the church. Interning with them absorbed any free time I might have had, but was definitely worth the experience! Through this internship, I did work I was passionate about and met some of the most amazing people I have ever encountered. I hope this will lead to more opportunities to partner with them in the future. At the end of September I will be flying to Pasadena to join the executive board at Integrity’s General Strategic Planning Meeting for the year, which I am very excited about.

Attending the Young Adult Festival at General Convention was wonderful in itself, but the real joy of the experience was found in the connections the young adults were able to make. I made incredible professional connections, but the connections between young adults were even more valuable. The Young Adult Festival provided a forum for the young adults – the current and future leadership of the church – to meet and discuss and learn from one another, and that is invaluable. I didn’t get the chance to meet everyone at the festival, which is one of my big disappointments from my trip to Indianapolis, but I have no doubt that we will all be seeing quite a lot of one another in the next few years.

Reading the Budget

The 2013-2015 budget passed by General Convention this summer contains some major shifts in funding for Young Adult and Campus Ministries. (We invite you to follow along with that budget on page 15 of this document) First of all, the funding for both young adult and campus ministries (previously two distinct budget headings) have been combined with Youth Ministries, Children’s Ministries, Older Adult Ministries and Lifelong Formation under the heading “Formation and Vocation Ministries” (line 63). This heading falls under the second mark of mission, To Teach, Baptize and Nurture New Believers. This move was made in order to encourage coordination and collaboration between these age-specific networks as we strive to bridge the gap. Funding in this area is divided into seven lines:

Episcopal Generations/Lifelong Formation – this line is primarily focused on developing intergenerational resources and ministries and bridging networks. Of particular interest within this line is the transition from youth to young adult and campus ministries. Some funds will go toward the Chaplain’s Conference in 2013, however new funding models and expectations will need to be explored for subsequent years.

Formation and Vocation Networks – This line will be used to facilitate our continually improving internal communications within both the young adult and campus ministries networks. This will include new web-based resources and connections, the continued work of the Provincial Coordinators for Campus Ministry, the creation of a new Young Adult Ministries Council, and a leadership team comprised of both students and young adults.

Campus Ministry Grants – This line will be used through a grants-based program to continue to strengthen campus ministries on the local level. Due to a General Convention resolution, these grants will have a preference for community college based models for ministry.

Events and Gatherings – This line will help fund the Young Adult Festival at General Convention in 2015 as well as a churchwide gathering for students during the course of the triennium.  Additional funds will go toward regional and topical gatherings for young adults, students, chaplains and young adult ministers.

Other departmental costs/Staff Costs – This line makes the four staff persons of the Formation and Vocations team at the Episcopal Church Center and their diverse set of skills more readily available to all of our networks.

Several current projects of the office are not explicitly funded in the current triennium, including the Why Serve conference, Peer Ministry Training, and the Episcopal Leadership Institute for Young Adults. We will engage in continued discernment with our partners and the network at large as we explore new ways for this work to continue.

Additional funding has been made available to ministries with young adult in two other lines of the budget. Line 79 includes one million dollars to be allocated by Executive Council for opportunities for young adults to engage in Mission Mark 3, to respond to human need in loving service. This line will fund the continued work of the Young Adult Service Corps, a program our office oversees in collaboration with the office for Mission Personnel, along with new initiatives targeted at specific subgroups of young adults. In addition, Line 81 allocates a one-time $200,000 grant to the Episcopal Service Corps as an independent network of domestic internships sites.

Though the budget represents significant cuts in program funds, it does maintain current staffing and looks toward new ways of engaging in our common mission. We look forward to our continued discernment of how best to make use of the resources made available to us in partnership with Executive Council and with all of you in our network.