* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:D064
Title:Youth Meeting in Europe
Topic:Youth
Committee:15 - Education
House of Initial Action:Deputies
Proposer:Mr. Richard Cole

Resolved, The House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention gives thanks for the growing presence of young people and their faithful witness throughout the church, as well as the programming undertaken due to the priority for young adult ministry established at the 74th and 75th General Conventions; and be it further

Resolved, That a group of 30 young adults (ages 18-30) from predominantly under-resourced areas across The Episcopal Church, make a pilgrimage to 1) Geneva, Switzerland where they will engage, through opportunities for service and experiential learning, with international agencies involved in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, such as the World Council of Churches, the United Nations agencies and the World Health Organization, 2) Taize for a spiritual retreat, and 3) the American Cathedral in Paris, France to celebrate connections made with young people in the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. The pilgrimage will help strengthen and equip the young adults for more effective leadership in their local context, having widened their perspective and deepened their faith through engagement with a contextual experience of the Gospel; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries to implement this resolution; and that the Office report its work to the 77th General Convention.


EXPLANATION

The pilgrimage to Geneva, Switzerland addresses the priority of the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries to provide the opportunity for those who would not otherwise have access to an international experience. The time spent in Geneva, an historic center for reformed theology, would allow young adults to learn firsthand from the heritage of this city. This city is the headquarters of the World Health Organization, World Council of Churches, and various United Nation agencies. In addition, it has historically been a site for promoting peace and human rights. The pilgrimage would continue to Taize, an ecumenical and international community of young adults, and the American Cathedral, the focal point for the Episcopal Church in Europe. This will provide a global perspective on peace and justice to be translated back to the local level. Funding for this pilgrimage will be acquired through grants made on behalf of young adults through the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries.

* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.