Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Fall 2012 Issue | Page 24

Pray, Serve, party
We asked some young adult leaders in the Diocese to share how their churches
are supporting ministry for young adults in new and effective ways. Here’s what
they had to say.

St. Mary’s, Arlington
The Rev. Grant Ambrose
Over the past three years, the young
adult committee at St. Mary’s,
Arlington, has built a program focusing
on three key areas: worship, outreach
and fellowship. Throughout the year,
we provide opportunities in each of
these areas, and people engage in as
many as possible. There is one event,
however, that seeks to bring all three
together that has proven to be a
highlight of the community’s yearly
events: the annual 20s/30s Fall Retreat
at Shrine Mont.

Over the past two years, members
of the community have headed out
to Shrine Mont in mid-October. The
past two years, the retreat spanned
Saturday and Sunday; however, this
year, 2012, a Friday option has been
added, giving those who wish to spend
more time away from the D.C. area the
chance to do so.

While at Shrine Mont, the focus
is on worship and fellowship, each
serving to strengthen the communal
identity of the group. From interactive
Bible study, to guided meditative hikes,
to social time around the lake, there
are ample opportunities to feed one’s
needs. Likewise, there is plenty of
time for individual reflection (and the
occasional nap).

During the retreat, time is taken to
plan some outreach opportunities for
the fall and spring. People share what
they have done in the past and the
group brainstorms how we can best
address the needs of our community in
a Christ-centered way.
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Virginia Episcopalian / Fall 2012

“The 20s and 30s community greatly
benefits from this retreat to the haven
that is Shrine Mont because of the
quality time that can be spent in the
company of others when given the
opportunity to ‘get away,’” said Jackie
Wright, one of the group leaders.
“Being in the hustle and bustle of the
Washington, D.C. metro area, most of
our members are constantly busy, and
are limited to how many events they
can attend when at home. When at
Shrine Mont, time moves differently,
and one doesn’t need to rush to a

meeting or sit in traffic on the way to
a group happy hour. This time away
gives the group a chance to really
get to know one another, to share
spiritual journeys, to study, to grow.
It is the quality of the time spent that
truly makes it a wonderful offering for
young adults.”

We encourage other groups to find
time to “get away” from the usual pace
and expectations of life: to spend time
together as a community and watch
how the Spirit works.
continued on page 23

Members of St. Mary’s, Arlington gather for a retreat at Shrine Mont.