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| Diocese of Georgia Youth Programs | January 2014 |
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Dear Friends,
As I look ahead to 2014, the calendar is already full and I am excited! Thanks to the Second Youth Summit, we have a communications plan that will make sure everyone knows when events are coming up around the Diocese. For this to work, however, we will need your help. Please get everyone you know on the email list for this newsletter. How? Just forward this email and ask them to sign up. I have a handy dandy link just to the left of this introductory letter. Once they get on the list your friends will also be in the know.
And for those of you now in college, don't forget the best summer job ever is working on the staff at the Creek. Look below for more information and come join the fun. It's going to be an unforgettably awesome summer and it is great to be on the team.
Happy Camping!
Elizabeth Burns, Missioner for Youth
eburns@gaepiscopal.org
Youth ministers lead the way for the Episcopal group in Savannah's Martin Luther King Day Parade-Misty and Roger, from St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah and St. Luke's, Rincon.
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Second Youth Summit
On Saturday, January 11, youth, parents, priests and others who worth with youth gathered at St. Mark's Brunswick for the Second Youth Summit. This group, along with those who met for the first Youth Summit in September, are helping to build a strong group of stakeholders while adding to continued success of diocesan youth programs. At the summit, participants discussed the results of the youth programs survey. Although the survey's sample size of 35 was not large enough to be statistically significant, it did reaffirm the thoughts and concerns of those who attended either youth summit on Saturday or the one in the fall. The biggest limiting factor preventing teens from attending events is time commitment, followed by the cost of the programs. Spiritual growth and fulfillment was the number one reason why most who participated in youth events returned to take part in youth programs.
During the meeting, stakeholders reviewed progress in improving communications including updating the website, starting the News from the DoG House email newsletter for youth programs, and using snail mail and Facebook. Participants gave diocesan staff suggestions about how to best use each of these media for communicating with young people and other stakeholders in the programs. Those gathered also helped form a program team for this year's Spring Rally. Spring Rally will be held April 25-27. The main objective of this event will be to serve as a launching point for training youth leaders for both youth programs and fuller participation in their congregations. This event is for young people in 6th- 12th grades who want to enjoy a fun weekend at the creek and also have an opportunity to help plan and lead youth events in the 2014-15 school year.
Thank you to all those who continue to support youth ministry in the diocese. It truly takes a village.
-Elizabeth Burns, Missioner for Youth
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Priority Deadline for Summer Camp Staff February 15
Do you know a college student looking for the best summer job ever? Honey Creek is now hiring summer camp staff for the 2014 season. Applicants must be high school graduates willing to work hard in a fun environment where they will also serve as good role models for the campers. The priority deadline has been moved back to February 15.
Camp employment dates are June 9-July 26, excluding June 29-July 5, plus a staff weekend in late spring. Kamp Phun, if offered is separate employment.
Honey Creek Staff Application
Honey Creek Staff Application for Returning Staff
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Living the Story Retreat: February 21-23, 2014
Each one of us has a story and this retreat gives us time to focus on that story. We will explore who we are as Christians and what believe as Episcopalians. Youth who are 14 years of age and older are invited to attend. We will be at Honey Creek and led by Bishop Benhase, Canon Logue Maggie Bloodworth, Al Armstrong, and Elizabeth Burns. The cost for this retreat is $109.50 and to register please go to www.youth.georgiaepiscopal.org. Young people seeking deeper knowledge and/or Confirmation in 2014 are encouraged to attend!
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New Beginnings This March at Honey Creek
New Beginnings will take place during the weekend of March 28-30, 2014 at Honey Creek. New Beginnings is a weekend retreat for teenagers in grades 7-9 led by a team of mostly teenagers, with a few adults, and two clergy spiritual directors. The weekend takes participants through a discovery about ourselves, our friends, our families, our faith, and how to live out our faith in our daily lives.
How might this discovery happen? Through making new friends and sharing with old ones, through singing, skits, talks given by teens, videos, games, worship, and conversation with each other! You are encouraged to bring friends from your church and an adult who will stay through the weekend. Everyone will take an active part in the program. You can go to New Beginnings as many times as you'd like...as long as you're in grades 7-9. We know once you go, you will want to go back. There is even an opportunity to serve on the team...you'll hear more about that at the weekend.
New Beginnings Staff Application New Beginnings Participant Application |
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 Happening
Happening 92 was held at Honey Creek this past weekend. What an awesome event for youth in 10-12 grades. The next event will be at Honey Creek May 30- June 1, 2014.
Staff applications are now available online.
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Attention Youth Leaders and Youth: You are wanted and needed!
This Lent, News from the DoG House will increase from being a monthly newsletter to a weekly one. To make this newsletter successful, we all want, and need, you to send Elizabeth Burns articles, pictures, youth group ideas, etc.
Please send in:
- Pictures from your church
- Songs that you love
- A cool worship idea
- Your favorite youth group idea
- A favorite bible verse
- A devotion that spoke to you
- Your reflections on a youth program
- An invitation for others to join in something cool going on around you
During Lent please send in:
- Your favorite Lenten devotion
- Your favorite bible verse, devotion, or meditation
- A youth group activity or theme you are using for lent
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Province IV Youth Event: Middle School
Middle Schooler! This event is for you. Province IV, our region of the Episcopal Church is hosting a Province IV Youth Event: Middle School addition (PYEMS). PYEMS will be held in Wilmington, NC June 24th-28th. In Wilmington participants will get to know others from the larger Episcopal Church and participate in a service project. The registration cost for this event is $295 plus the cost of transportation. Get your applications in by March 14, 2014 so that a head count can be given to the Province Coordinators and Elizabeth Burns can coordinate transportation from our Diocese.
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Youth Groups Around the Diocese in Photos
Rev. Matthew Lewis gets hit with pies at Good Shepherd in Augusta.
A teambuilding exercise at Christ Church Valdosta.
A trip to the bowling alley at St. Anne's in Tifton.
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Deadline January 31st
A Unique, More Reflective, Summer Youth Trip
The Sewanee Mission Trip and Pilgrimage offers a one of a kind experience for teens to gain a deeper appreciation for their sense of place in creation, a sense of connection to those whom they may not see on a regular basis and the knowledge that they carry that connection with them through the rest of their lives. Those who are currently enrolled in 9-12 grade are encouraged to join the Pilgrimage and Mission Trip to Sewanee, Tennessee, June 23-30.
Pilgrimage and Mission Trip Coordinator, the Rev. Joshua Varner, "We embark on this mission, not because we will change the world during our 8 or 9 days in Sewanee this coming summer, but because in traveling we will begin to change ourselves, and begin to bring about the dream God has for us and all creation."
The group will stay in the reflective setting of St. Mary's Sewanee, a retreat center founded by the Episcopal Sisters of St. Mary and will work at the convent and in the surrounding area. The trip will take place June 23-30, 2014, and the approximate cost is $1,000. Financial aid is available for anyone considering trip. Please email Joshua Varner at jvarner75@gmail.com with questions.
Registration Deadline January 31st
A flyer with more complete information, including contact information on how to follow up, is online here: Pilgrimage and Mission Trip 2014
The registration form is online here: Sewanee Trip Registration
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Come on! Ride the Party Train to EYE!
The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE'14) is a international
 event that happens every three years. This year the Diocese is sending another group of current high schoolers to the EYE' 14. Don't miss out because most students only have one chance to go. This year EYE will be held in Philadelphia, PA. Those participating the EYE will ride the train up to Philly with others from Province IV (our region of the Episcopal Church), participate in EYE, and stay after for three days of Urban Mission with others from Province IV. The Urban Mission experience is also referred to as PYE: Province IV Youth Event. The price of this event is about $600. If you are interested in going please submit your application to Elizabeth Burns by February 15. Click here for more information on EYE/PYE event
and for an application.
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Convocational Youth Groups
Convocation is the name the Diocese of Georgia gives to its six regions: Augusta, Central, Savannah, Southeast, Southwest, and Albany. Two convocation-wide youth groups are now underway, one in Savannah and the other in Augusta. 
Savannah Youth Convocation Events Begin!
In January, St. Paul the Apostle hosted the first night of SCYE, a monthly, convocational youth event. Inspired by a similar group in Augusta called Cornerstone, more than fifty teens took part in the inaugural meeting in Savannah. At both events, youth and volunteers share a meal, worship through music, play games, engage in fellowship, and hear a message.
  The meetings in Savannah will take place each month at a different parish. The next Savannah Convocational Youth Event (SCYE) will meet at Christ Church (Wesley Hall, 18 Abercorn St) on February 16 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The first SCYE (pronounced SCYE) is pictured above. Cornerstone Meeting in Augusta Cornerstone is a youth group for all Episcopalians and their friends in the Augusta area. The group meets once a month. The next Cornerstone, an Augusta-wide youth event, on February 9 from 6:30-8 pm. Cornerstone meets at 1337 Flowing Wells Rd, Augusta, GA, 30909. Cornerstone is pictured below: 
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Summer Camp 2014
Make plans now! The 2014 summer camp sessions will be as follows:
High School (Completed grades 9-12)
June 15-21
Joseph and Mary I (Completed Grades 3-5)
June 22-28
Peter I (Completed 6-8)
July 6-12
Joseph and Mary II (Completed grades 3-5)
July 13-19
Peter II (Competed grades 6-8)
July 20-26
Don't miss out. Register today! Register before March 1 and receive a tuition discount.
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Calendar at a Glance
February 21-23
Ages 14 and above
Honey Creek 
March 28-29 7th-9th grade Honey Creek
April 25-27 6th-12th grade  Honey Creek
See Dates Above 3rd-12th grade Honey Creek
Time Window: ~June 23-July 3, Firm dates will be set after the first of the year. 9th-12th grade Sewanee, TN  June 24-28 6th-8th grade Wilmington, NC
EYE and PYE
July 8-17 9th-12th grade Philadelphia, PA
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Your Help is needed!
It is our hope that as this newsletter continues to evolve we will hear from many voices. Please email Elizabeth (eburns@gaepiscopal.org ) about what's going on in your church, a quote you love that you want to share with this group, or a talk you wrote for a youth event, ....whatever is meaningful to you that you want to share with others involved in youth programs. Don't forget to send in pictures too!
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