If you haven’t been to the Youth Pages at etdiocese.net lately, check them out!

The redesigned Web site is meant to be a central resource for youth and youth leaders across the diocese, and it offers retreat information, mission opportunities and youth ministry ideas.

If you are neither youth nor youth leader, click on the “Support Youth Ministry” icon to find out how you can help both parish and diocesan youth ministry.

Youth: Watch for frequent updates on diocesan retreats, including registration forms for upcoming events and photos from past events. There also are links to events outside the diocese, including this summer’s Province IV Youth Event and the 2005 Episcopal Youth Event, both to be held in Berea, Ky.

For parish youth leaders, take a look at the page of links to Internet-based resources for youth ministry.

Another page under construction will highlight a list of books and materials available through Chapter and Verse Bookshop in Diocesan House and at chapterandversebooks.com.

Youth leaders also will find a directory of policies and procedures used in diocesan youth events, which they may find helpful in planning parish youth group events.

The Youth Pages are a work in progress. As they grow and develop, please feel free to send comments and suggestions.

Alex Haralson, Diocesan Youth Coordinator and Youth Pages Web editor, 865-384-2094 or aharalson@etdiocese.net.

Upcoming youth events

August 28: Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Barbecue at Grace Point.

All clergy, campus ministers and youth leaders in the Diocese of East Tennessee are welcome; your invitation materials will be in the mail in June. The conference will focus on parish youth ministry and college campus ministry.

A new program, Pastoral Leadership Search Effort — called “pulse” — will be presented as well; it is designed to assist young people ages 16-25 who feel called to vocational ministry by connecting them with peers across the country.

The barbecue will be held Saturday, Aug. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center. Lunch will be provided.

September 10-11: The Diocesan Retreat for Senior High Youth.

This event is open to all youth who will be in grades 9-12 during the 2004-05 school year. The retreat will begin Friday night, Sept. 10, with games and activities at St. Raphael, Crossville. Saturday, Sept. 11, we’ll hike to Charit Creek Lodge in the Big South Fork Recreational Area for an overnight in the great outdoors, sleeping in cabins and a lodge and enjoying true home-cooked meals. Registration forms and event details will be posted on the diocesan Web site at etdiocese.net/youth. Space for this event is extremely limited, so register early!

Visit the Web at www.charitcreek.com for more information about the lodge facilities.