Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Spring 2014 Issue | Page 15

A Network of Support for Youth Ministers Andrew Kellner Southwest Virginia and Southern Virginia. The network came together to create a document titled: Social Media: Safe Church. This document sought to create guiding principles rather than hard and fast rules, offering a nimble and adaptable resource to be applied in the ever changing landscape of electronic communication. While the individuals represented contexts that had varying policies, they were able to share from their own experiences, knowledge and context, to create a document that has been used across the Episcopal Church. Likewise, the network worked together to create a Province III Pilgrimage to the Episcopal Youth Event in 2011. This bus caravan carried the representatives from our member dioceses to Minnesota, where Province III was a presence to be seen, being the only province to have created a provincial shirt. Young people from Social Media: Safe Church The Province III Youth Network’s social media guidelines for a safe church are available on the diocesan website: thediocese.net/Resources/Communications. Province III created the chalices and patens used at this event. It was this show of community and mutuality that assisted the Diocese of Pennsylvania in becoming the host to the Episcopal Youth Event this coming summer. By far one of the most important aspects of this network is the support that it provides to its members. Each diocesan leader in the area of youth ministry represents a ministry that is different from that of parishor mission-based youth ministry practitioners. Through the network, these leaders in our church are able to find a cohort of ministry partners, which hold a unique understanding of the exciting ministry to which they have been called. It is here that they can hear about the innovation occurring in neighboring dioceses and think together to find faithful solutions to challenges they may face. The Province III Youth Ministry Network is a successful and healthy community, because it has members who are committed to and nurtured through their involvement. t Youth and Young Adult Formation A network is only as strong as its members, and their individual commitment to being in community together. The Province III Youth Ministry Network is an example of how leaders within a specific field of ministry, from a variety of contexts, can come together to share expertise and questions, develop programming, and nurture and support new members. This network of highly creative and committed individuals has grown over the past six years of my own involvement. Together this network has created resources, built up programs, been a symbol of unity for Province III, and assisted in the personal and professional growth of its members. Province III is made up of the Dioceses of Bethlehem, Central Pennsylvania, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Easton, Washington, Delaware, Virginia, Andrew Kellner is canon for Family and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Faith & Females An intergenerational gathering for girls and women of the Diocese of Virginia FF & Come join in conversation, share stories and plan for the future with other women of the Diocese. Virginia is home to a huge amount of passion when it comes to issues surrounding the intersection of women and faith. We’ll use our time together to learn about some unique ministries and explore how we can collaborate for mission and ministry together. May 17, St. James the Less, Ashland 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For ages 12 and up. Questions? Contact Emily Cherry, [email protected]. Spring 2014 / Virginia Episcopalian 13