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October 2017 Newsletter
SIGN UP NOW
for the
2017 Middle School Retreat!!
November 17 - 19
Registration is now open for the 2017 Middle School Retreat weekend (Friday to Sunday, November 17-19), at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, NH. Retreat participants this year will explore how they are formed by their culture and by their faith for action in the world.

Led by the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC), the weekend features small group workshops, indoor and outdoor games, worship to get everyone moving and thinking, lively music, and some much needed time away from the rush of everyday routines in order to pay more attention to the Spirit of God in our lives. Scholarship support is available, as is bus transportation. Registration closes when capacity is reached, or on November 13.
APPLY NOW FOR NEW MISSION-FOCUSED YOUTH OFFERING
Las Fronteras: Boundaries and Bridges
A Borderlands Pilgrimage

For young people in grades 9 and 10

Based on the recent success of our powerful mission-focused pilgrimages through the Youth Leadership Academy, this new opportunity includes a week-long encounter in and around Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Participants will explore issues of security and hospitality, stranger and neighbor, with local residents, church leaders, local government officials, migrants, US Border Patrol, indigenous communities, and others.

Trip dates: Aug. 3 - Aug. 10, 2018

First meeting: Feb. 2-4, 2018
(as part of High School Retreat at Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conf. Center)

Additional meetings in local communities confronting these issues:
Saturday, March 10 - 10 AM to 4:30 PM (location to be announced)
Saturday, May 5 - 10 AM to 4:30 PM (location to be announced)
Saturday, June 23 - 10 AM to 4:30 PM (location to be announced)


Participation by application. Applications due December 28, 2017

For more information, contact the Rev. H. Mark Smith at [email protected]
Nov. 1 Deadline for General Convention Official Youth Presence Application


Applications are now accepted for high school students who want to participate in the General Convention Official Youth Presence (OYP) at the Episcopal Church 79th General Convention to be held Thursday, July 5 to Friday, J uly 13, 2018 in Austin, Texas (Diocese of Texas).

Criteria
To be eligible to apply, candidates must meet the following criteria:
  • Be an active member and communicant in good standing of an Episcopal Church congregation
  • Be at least 16 years old and no older than 19 during General Convention 2018.
  • Be a current high school student enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the 2017/18 school year
  • Be capable of traveling alone by plane or train to and from the meetings in the United States with no escort
  • Be available to travel to the mandatory orientation and training from April 5 - April 18, 2018 in Austin. This weekend will include community building, worship and training on the legislative process.
  • Be available to be present at General Convention in Austin from July 2 – 13, 2018.
 
The Episcopal Church budget covers travel, lodging and meals for OYP participants attending the orientation weekend and General Convention.
 
Deadline for applications and nominations is November 1.  
All applicants must identify a non-family member nominator who can complete an on-line essay nomination form by November 1.

Only two representatives from each Province will be chosen for the OYP.
 
See The Episcopal Church for more information.  

Resources for Youth Ministry
Formation Jobs Across the Diocese

This fall, there are a number of openings in youth ministry and/or formation throughout eastern Massachusetts. Following is a list of current postings. See the Diocesan web site for more information on any of these--and help spread the word for your colleagues in mission looking to expand their teams!