Diocesan Youth News Update

Dear Friends,

I am so excited to share that we had a wonderful YMT retreat this past weekend. We stayed at the Phoebe Needles Center in Web Lodge. If you’re looking for a wonderful place to host a youth retreat, it was a great space for YMT to work on leadership skills, build community, and enjoy their outdoor facilities. You can find out more on their website, linked here.

I am excited to share that registration is now open for our summer Youth Pilgrimage in 2027 which will take place from June 26-July 2. Read more about it below!

Lastly, I want to offer you my prayers for the start of school and church program years.

Lead me, guide me along the way

For if you lead me, I cannot stray.

Lord, let me walk each day with thee.

Lead me, O lord, lead me.

By Doris Akers

In Christ’s Love,

Patricia Cope-Levy

Youth Missioner

Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia

Youth Pilgrimage to New Orleans

June 26-July 2, 2027

Current 10th, 11th, and 12th graders are invited to come on Pilgrimage to New Orleans with us next summer!

A Pilgrimage is a deliberate journey to encounter God. A pilgrimage is about being not doing. This trip will be full of cultural experiences, awe, wonder, and joy. These experiences are meant to help stretch our faith, offer us self-reflection, time to wonder, and to listen for God's calling in our lives.

We will be partnering with Wonder Voyage who will provide us with our itinerary, housing, meals (except for 2 lunches), and an experienced guide who will be with us for the week.

To go on the trip, we ask that each youth choose a Spiritual Mentor to write a letter recommending them for the trip. This mentor should be able to speak to the youth's formation and involvement in the parish.

Spiritual Mentor Form

Once we get our youth pilgrimage cohort together, we will meet on Zoom in preparation for the trip twice during the year, and hopefully once in person. We will also have a follow up gathering after we return. This is going to be a wonderful way to form deep relationships with other youth of faith as you begin thinking about what comes after high school.

The estimated cost per youth is $1,200.00 (depending on the cost of flights, this may be a bit lower or higher). Once our cohort is formed, there will be opportunity for fundraising to help lower the cost per-person through the diocese and parishes.

Pilgrimage Registration

Payment Plan

Due Oct 30th: $300 deposit + registration and spiritual mentor reference
Due January 25th: $600 (we will need to buy air fare around this time)
Due March 26th: Final Payment (estimated $300 without any fundraising)

We will be hosting Zoom informational meetings to learn more about the Pilgrimage for Youth, Parents, and Church Leaders on the dates listed below:

September 10 at 1:00 p.m.
September 13 at 7:00 p.m.
September 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Links will be provided in future Youth Update emails.

Safe Church Reminder

This is a reminder that we are offering a Safe Church, Safe Communities training via Zoom on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. for those that need a certification or refresher.

Clergy, lay leaders, staff, and volunteers should all be up to date with their safe church certifications for safety reasons and to be in line with diocesan policies. Please check the original reminder email, linked below, for more information about diocesan policies.

The registration link is included below. If you plan to attend, registration is required to receive your unique Zoom link.

You must attend the entire 3 hour session in order to receive certification. The certification is good for 3 years.

To view the original reminder email, use this link.

Safe Church Registration