The diocesan youth program is designed to supplement the opportunities
for ministry, retreat, and recreation at the parish/mission and regional
levels. We do this by offering various programs and projects for youth
and adults who work with youth. The Youth Action Council, a group of
youth and adults from the diocese, are charged with the development
and implementation of these events.
Annual events include the following:
- Diocesan Youth Event, a short, intense, fun event for all youth
in grades 6-12 and their adult leaders designed mostly for fellowship
and adult leadership training.
- Happening, a spiritual renewal weekend for youth in grades 10-12
staffed by youth and adults.
- Summer Service Project, designed to offer a week of service coupled
with worship and fun to youth in grades 6-12.
- Diocesan Junior High Retreat, a three day retreat for Junior Highers
and staffed by Senior Highers geared to worship, education, and fellowship.
- Diocesan Senior High Retreat, a three day retreat for Senior Highers
staffed by Adults who work with Youth with the emphasis on worship,
education and sharing, and fellowship.
Youth from the diocese also participated in Province and National Youth
Activities, including the Provincial Youth Event, the Province IV Youth
Coordinator Network Meeting, and the Episcopal Youth Event.
Another aspect of youth involvement at the diocesan level is that of
youth advocacy. At the 2001 diocesan convention, a youth delegate spoke
to convention concerning youth representation at conventions (both diocesan
and general) and on their parish vestries. Another introduced a booklet,
"Door to Door", that the youth had assembled for the delegates.
It includes directions to all the parishes/missions in this diocese
and was published to enable the Diocese of East Tennessee to be "one
Church."