Resolution 2006-06 Youth Accessibility
MAKING THE CHURCH INCLUSIVE OF AND FULLY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
RESOLVED, That this 132nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urge congregations,
congregational leadership, and Christian formation and youth leaders to commit to and advocate for educational efforts and discussion in each church aimed at changing attitudes and becoming more proactively inclusive of all children and youth; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That diocesan congregations become more conscious and intentional about including
children and youth in church roles usually reserved for adults; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Christian educators and youth leaders become more aware of, sensitive to and
educated about the needs of children and youth with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities and special needs and with the assistance of the Bethsaida Team and the Christian Formation Commission commit to researching, identifying and providing ability-appropriate curricula, materials and support to assure their full access and inclusion in church school, spiritual formation and other program activities; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That with the assistance of the Bethsaida Team and the Christian Formation Commission congregations will report their progress in these areas by December 1, 2006; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Bethsaida Team and the Christian Formation Commission will be responsible
for presenting a summary of reports delivered to them by congregations to the 133rd Convention.
Submitted by The Bethsaida Team and the Christian Formation Commission (Bethsaida Team: Ms. Jan Hardy, (late) co-chair; The Rev. Oscar Mockridge, co-chair; Ms. Phyllis Heistand; Mr. David Cates; Ms. Wendy Broadbent; Mr. Richard Fox; Mr. Erik Soldwedel; The Rev. James Warnke; Ms. Barbara Dijimopoulos; Dr. Elizabeth Lannigan; Ms. Daphne Thomas; The Rev. David Thomas; Mr. Carl Haefele; Ms. Lyn Headley-Deavours; (Christian Formation Commission: The Rev. Laurie Matarazzo, chair; Mr. T. Donald Cairns; Ms. Glenda deKruif; Ms. Lisa Green; Ms. Kathy Yamaoka; Ms. Naoni Kirkland; Ms. Bonnie Magnuson; The Rev. Thomas Mathews, Jr.; Mr. Tim Wong; The Rev. Whitney Altopp; The Rev. Kathleen Ballard, Deacon; Ms. Frieda Smith; The Rev.Ronnie Stout-Kopp; The Rev. Deborah Venezia; Ms. Kitty Kawecki; Ms. Kai Alston)
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as the Spirit will.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11
In 2003 the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church adopted Resolution D039 (attached)
identifying the five priorities of the Episcopal Church for the triennium. In Resolution D039, the
number one priority was defined as: “reaching out to young adults and youth through intentional
inclusion and full incorporation in the thinking, work, worship and structure of the Church.”
The youth and young adults of our diocesan congregations, including children with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities and special needs, are not often fully integrated into the life, activities and roles or the development of leadership of the church. Engaging their gifts and willingness to serve in a full range of church life is enriching to the entire family of God; children, youth and adults of all ages benefit from being able to exercise their ministry.
The Bethsaida Team and the Christian Formation Commission and members of their joint subcommittee are willing, committed and available to facilitate access to resources related to youth and young adult inclusion in church school, spiritual formation and other church program activities.
"Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?"
Baptismal Covenant
74th General Convention Resolution D039
Resolved, the House of ___________ concurring, That the 74th General Convention endorse the
following statement of priorities in rank order for the budget of the next triennium and direct the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to use these priorities in forming the Budget of the Episcopal Church 2004-2006.
Priorities
We offer these mission priorities as an expression of our commitment to Jesus Christ.
We are committed to the importance of our ministry of reconciliation and communion at every
level of our common life.
We embrace diversity and seek to promote inclusion and power sharing which underlie and
inform all priorities, decisions, and all that we do. In faithfulness to these commitments, we continue to honor our covenants and partnerships with overseas dioceses. We affirm the work of the Executive Council in identifying the following priorities for the mission of the church for the next triennium.
1. YOUNG ADULTS AND YOUTH: Reaching out to young adults and youth through
intentional inclusion and full incorporation in the thinking, work, worship and structure of the
Church.
Copyright 2006 - The Bethsaida Team