Church Hears Young Adults
By The Rev. Holly Antolini

They hailed from Los Angeles to Maine. One teaches physics; others are heading to seminary. But the racially diverse group was resoundingly one in saying that General Convention is addressing their concerns -- pointing them toward a vision for the Episcopal Church, despite barriers to full inclusion.

Late one evening this week, Center Aisle gathered in a circle with 17 young adults attending Convention. Here’s some of what we heard:

Becky Gettel, who heads Children’s and Youth Ministries at St. John’s Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Rhode Island, broke the ice. “I was an observer in Denver at the 73rd General Convention. This time, in spite of all the worry about the Anglican Communion, it feels like there’s a spirit of calm at the center. It feels good!”

“It’s early yet, but I’m incredibly encouraged,” said the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, Minister of Radical Welcome at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston. She observed that at the Program, Budget and Finance hearing the day before, the majority of the testimony focused on the Millenium Development Goals. “When the world looks at us, they’re going to see our passionate concern for justice and the poor and living Jesus’ mission in the world. This is the witness of the church in the 21st century.”

Barriers at the parish level were acknowledged. Some spoke of congregations that offer needed sacramental life, but fall short on the kind of koinonia young adults seek. Kate Ketchum, active in the college chaplaincy and the Episcopal Peace Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, described one way to meet that need. “We’ve been connecting online and across congregational and denominational boundaries as young adults – if by ‘young adult’ you mean people younger than 45 and hungry for a space to ask theological and spiritual questions. We meet outside church,” she said.

The Rev. Calvin Sanborn from Hallowell, Maine, and the Rev. Adam Trambley from Warren, Pa., shared concerns about their small, rural congregations and the tendency to compete anxiously for members and resources. “We’ve got to figure out a way for small congregations to get outside the walls of their buildings – and outside the attitudinal walls those buildings erect in the minds of the worshippers – and find new ways to share mission!” said Sanborn. “It’s the work for justice that needs our energy!”

Many in the group nodded in agreement when Molly Harrington of Atlanta attested to the ongoing pain and challenge of claiming her identity as an Asian woman in a congregation with no other Asians. “And even in the anti-racism training I attended!” she cried, “When I spoke up about being the minority minority, no-one seemed to hear me! I’ve got to find a way to claim my identity, so that you can claim yours!”

Despite the challenges, the group was eager for more discussion about the positive message and mission from this Convention.