Diocese of West Texas to Attend Episcopal Youth Event in Maryland: July 4-8, 2023

After a hiatus of six years, The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) will take place July 4-8 at the University of Maryland, hosted by the Diocese of Maryland. EYE is an international event and the second-largest gathering of the Episcopal Church next to the General Convention. The Episcopal Church invites each diocese to send a delegation of high school youth, and the Diocese of West Texas hopes to send a strong delegation that reflects the amazing work and devotion of the youth in our diocese.

“EYE is truly a once in a lifetime event that allows the youth of the diocese to experience and learn just how important The Episcopal Church is, not only across the nation but the world," shared Bryan Gonzalez, Director of Youth Ministries at St. Luke’s, San Antonio. He will serve as the coordinator for the diocesan delegation and continued, "EYE is also a chance for the youth of West Texas to not only learn from their peers, but show just what we as a diocese can offer the Church. For those youth who do attend, EYE can also serve as a start or affirmation to what they wish their own ministry in the Church will look like and help strengthen the calls to ministry they may be feeling.”

EYE is open to Episcopal Youth in grades 9-12 during the 2022-23 academic year and their adult mentors and occurs every three years. Which means EYE23 will be the last chance for many current diocesan youths to attend. With close to 1,500 people in attendance, EYE programs focus on helping develop leadership skills, spiritual practices, and early stages of vocational discernment.

Registration for EYE, for youth and chaperones, will be hosted by the Bishop's Youth Commission of the diocese. It will begin in January 2023 and remain open until March 1. The cost of attending EYE is $400 plus travel expenses. Scholarships may become available.

Questions about attending EYE can be directed to Bryan Gonzalez at bryang@stlukes-sa.net.