It is with sadness that I write to share news of the decision to close the Seattle Service Corps (SSC) program at the end of the current program year, June 30, 2023. The current cohort will continue their service in local non-profits through that time, and we will support them fully in their experience of intentional community residing in Leffler House. 

The reasons for the decision are several and considered, unfolding over the course of several months, but chief among them is low interest in the program nationally. SSC is part of the Episcopal Service Corps network which has seen attrition and decline in enrollment in recent years. Currently there are 12 programs across the nation with a total of 76 positions available (SSC has seven spots). Active recruitment begins in November for the following fall, and offers are extended February 1. To date, only 22 young adults have applied nationally, six expressed interest in SSC, and only one of those responded to an email from our program director. We felt it would be disingenuous to offer positions February 1st with the real likelihood we would not fill the program and would decide at a later date to close the program, causing them to scramble for another opportunity. Hence, the timing of the decision before we made offers this week.

I believe much of this is related to reverberating effects of the pandemic—economic realities, a changing landscape in non-profit and social arenas, and the general emotional toll on all people but especially youth and young adults. While SSC may close, we are more committed than ever to bolstering our already vibrant 20s & 30s ministry in exciting ways, and nothing here should be construed as a lessening of that commitment.

Luke Abdow, our program director since October 2022, accepted the position as an interim through June 30, and was forthright in the interview process about his plans to return to New England this fall. He was the right person to fill the role, bringing a range of gifts and experience, and we are very grateful to him for his work, which will continue through the end of this program year. Please join me in thanking him and Canon Wendy Claire Barrie for their work this year. We are also grateful for former SSC directors, Malcolm McLaurin and Adam Conley, for the SSC Advisory Board, and for all those who have generously supported SSC these last seven years.

In my communications with Bishop Rickel and Bishop Skelton about this decision and the timing of it, we acknowledged that ministries have life cycles just as humans do, and nothing lasts forever. But while we mourn this ending, we hold fast to our firm belief that resurrection hope affords us the grace to simultaneously celebrate what has been, to give thanks to God for all who have been a part, and to ponder what the Spirit may already be preparing for us as we consider next steps. And as I said earlier, Saint Mark's continues to fervently uphold ministry by and with young adults. I invite this community to prayerfully engage that range of work as we make our way together. I am,

Your Brother in Christ,