Hello Youth & Formation Friends!

I t has been just a little bit longer between updates than usual. Somany things have been happening since the New Year. On my end Annual Diocesan Convention was last weekend and two weeks prior I was in Indianapolis for the annual the FORMA Conference.

At the FORMA Conference I took part in Dismantling Racism Training. This training grew from work at the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing in the Diocese of Atlanta. In addition, I was part of the first training of the new Dismantling Racism Training for Youth also from the Diocese of Atlanta. During training we were privileged to have the Center's Director, Dr. Catherine Meeks with us. In her talks and in her sermon at the opening Eucharist, she challenged us "to be just one shade braver". One shade braver in naming racial injustice. One shade braver in how we live out our faith in Jesus Christ. One shade braver in standing up for our neighbors of color.

Being one shade braver remained fresh in my mind at the Diocese's Annual Convention. There, we were fortunate to have The Rev'd Becca Stevens , Founder and President of Thistle Farms , as a presenter, preacher, and keynoter. Through the sharing of her own story and the stories of the survivors, brought to new life through Thistle Farms, she also called us to be brave, using the language of "Love Heals". Becca reminded us all that we are equipped by God to transform the brokenness of the world by loving it one person at a time.

It is easy to leave events like these, where the speakers have been engaging, inspiring, and even challenging, ready to take on the world. Then time wears on. The regularity of daily life creeps back in and all of a sudden those inspiring words seem dim, at best.

Lent is fast approaching and I know many of you have already decided on your Lenten discipline for this year. Traditionally these disciplines help us reflect on and strengthen our faith in God. This year I encourage, and maybe even challenge, you to do something different. Are you willing to live out Jesus' call to make a difference in this world? How can you stand up for injustices you see every day? How can you transform the world, loving it like Jesus, one person at a time? Can you be one shade braver this Lent?


Program Officer for Youth, College Campus and Young Adult Ministries
Ash Wednesday
Singing in the Dark: Ash Wednesday for Children - It can seem difficult to talk about Ash Wednesday with children given its focus on our own mortality. This wonderful post from Building Faith offers a way to approach Ash Wednesday with children through song.
Burning Palms to Ashes with the Confirmation Class - Beth Richardson of Alive Now shares the importance of engaging young people in this part of the Liturgical year.
Ashes To Go - Though not embraced by all, Ashes to Go have become a visible sign of The Episcopal Church taking "church to the streets". This post from The Episcopal Church Foundation's Vital Practices offers several resources for parishes and clergy hoping to engage in this ministry.
All Ages

Lent Madness - Join with people from around the country and the world as you learn about various Saints. Those Saints compete through your votes in a bracket style competition (just like NCAA March Madness). Join in to see who wins the Golden Halo for 2019.
Join the Journey through Lent Calendars - The Rev'd Jay Sidebotham , Associate Rector at St. James, Wilmington and Director of Renewal Works, shares his gift as a cartoonist with reflections families can share each day. The calendar is also perfect for coloring. Order one for your family or in bulk to share with your parish.
Studies

•  Walk in Love - A 5 Course Curriculum on fundamentals of the Episcopal Church including sacraments, daily prayer and the Holy Trinity. Offered by ChurchNext and taught by The Rev'd Scott Gunn and The Rev'd Melody Shoebe.

Under the Fig Tree: Visual Prayers and Poems for Lent . Written and Illustrated by Roger Hutchison , this resource offers a visual journey through Lent.
At Home

  Lent in a Bag (or a box) - Often made and distributed by congregations, they are filled with Lenten symbols for individuals and families to use at home as they walk through the Lent. For more examples, click here .

Lent At Home: Spiritual Practices for Families - The Rev'd April Berends, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, TN and mother of two school age boys shares ways we can engage our families in Lenten practices at home.

Ben Snyder offers simple ways to develop rituals at home during any time of the year, but as we enter the Lenten Season, it is an easy time to begin something. He sites research and demonstrates the importance of ritual in the Christian Formation of everyone, and particularly children.

Daily Devotions

Offered in by a variety of sources, these apps, links and books call us to study and reflect each day during Lent.
40 Acts - "What if Lent could be about more than just giving stuff up? What if it could be a time of radical generosity as well as spiritual discipline? In its 8th year, developed by UK Christian Charity, Stewardship. Join 100K+ participants from around the world in daily acts of generosity.
d365.org Journey to the Cross - available as a daily email or in an App (Both in Google and the AppStore). This daily devotion is written in partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, The Presbyterian Church, USA and The Episcopal Church.
Episcopal Relief and Development Daily Lenten Mediations - "This booklet encourages readers to actively seek the holy every day during Lent by reflecting on God’s call, their own lives and how they can live out their Baptismal Covenant by healing a hurting world." Available in print as well as daily emails. Also available in English or Spanish.
The Way of Love: Lent & Easter - Resources provided by The Episcopal Church utilizing Presiding Bishop Curry's focus on a Rule of Life
2019
Camp Trinity Reunion
•8th - 12th graders
•Was January 18-20, 2019 
• Trinity Center
To Register Contact Mary Beth Bradberry or Buddy Payne

Youth@Convention
• 9th - 12th graders
• Was February 7-9
• Hotel Ballast
Happening 73
• 9th - 12th graders
• March 1-3
(team Feb. 28th - Mar. 3rd)
• Trinity Center
• Register is closed.
Team Fees: $170
Candidate Fees: $145

New Beginnings 54
• participants 6th - 8th Graders
• team 7th - 12h graders
• April 5-7
• Trinity Center
• Team Applications are HERE
• Participant forms can be found HERE
• $145 for Team or Participant
yOUThREACH 2019
• 6th - 12th graders
• September 21st
• Location TBA
• Registration opens in the Summer
• Fee $45 for Participants

Happening 74
• 9th - 12th graders
• October 18-20
(team October. 17-20)
• Trinity Center
• Registration opens in the Spring
Team Fees: $170
Candidate Fees: $145

Fall Conference for Middle Schoolers
• 6th - 8th Grades
• November 15-17
• Trinity Center
• Registration opens in the Fall
• Participants Fees: $145
2020
Camp Trinity Reunion
•8th - 12th graders
•January (dates TBA)
• Trinity Center

Youth@Convention
• 9th - 12th graders
• February (dates TBA)
• More info Fall of 2019
Happening 75
• 9th - 12th graders
• March 6-8
(team March 5-8)
• Trinity Center
• Register Opens in the Fall
Team Fees: TBD
Candidate Fees: TBD

New Beginnings 55
• participants 6th - 8th Graders
• team 7th - 12h graders
• March 27-29
• Trinity Center
• Registration Opens Winter of 2020
• Participants Fees TBD
yOUThREACH 2020
• 6th - 12th graders
• September 19th
• Location TBA
• Registration opens in the Summer
• Participants Fees TBD

Happening 76
• 9th - 12th graders
• October 16-18
(team October 15-18)
• Trinity Center
• Registration opens Spring of 2020
Team & Candidate Fees: TBD

Fall Conference for Middle Schoolers
• 6th - 8th Grades
• November 20-22
• Trinity Center
• Registration opens Fall of 2020
• Participants Fees TBD
TREK 2019
Are you a high school student interested in spending part of next summer camping, outside and on a great adventure? How can you connect what you know about God with how you live your life right now? What challenges and practices might help you strengthen your relationships with God and neighbors? Come TREK around North Carolina OR New York and find out! 

Contact The Rev'd Sarah Smith at St. Andrew's on the Sound for more information!

• Youth Week at Kanuga offers weeklong conferences for
Middle and High School Youth as well as for their Youth Leaders June 16th - 21st. Information & Registration can be found HERE.

• Christian Formation Conference June 10th - 14th. Join with Christian Formation practitioners from across the Southeast for a week earning as well as sabbath time. Information & Registration can be found HERE .
Valentine's Day Prayer

Gracious God, the tendrils of love that others offer sometimes feel frayed and damaged. The love I have to share with others sometimes feels strained and contrived. The love that comes from you sometimes feels distant and unreal. When love is less than I would like it to be, give me the strength to quiet my heart long enough to bring it to the edge of your embrace where you can touch it and fill it and make it whole. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.
(from ExploreFaith )
Love Heals
A music video from Thistle Farms. May you find God's gracious love to be healing for you and may you offer healing that love to the world this day and every day.