Young people are not merely the church of tomorrow, they are a vital part of the church today. Our commitment to education and camping programs is an investment of primary importance.

A Story
At Senior High Weekend, where over 200 young people from 35 parishes gathered at Shrine Mont, a young man got up to say thank you. He told the group that his parents had not been very involved in his life and that he had been brought up by his sister. When she had left for college, his youth group at church had become his support system and his family, keeping him going through some tough teenage decisions. Each year, his youth group came to Senior High Weekend and “it was like meeting all your cousins and extended family. Each year there are people who you are excited to see again and people you are excited to meet.” Another young person recalls,“ We sing and dance, we talk about silly things and we talk about important things. Things like who we are and who we want to be. Who God is and who we want to be because of God.”

The church plays different roles for different young people, but at the core of all Christian formation is teaching people that Christ loves them. The Diocese builds on the message that youth receive in their local parishes by hosting four diocesan-wide youth events each year. These events are organized by the youth who serve on the Parish Youth Ministries Committee of the Diocese. It’s ministry by youth for youth. And it’s the training ground where youth learn to become effective church leaders. Through the Shrine Mont Summer Camps, young people continue to share in what generations of Virginia Episcopalians recall as a defining Christian experience. It’s an experience that can only be found at Shrine Mont.

Structure & Staff
In addition to the hundreds of adults who support the youth of the church locally, the work in this ministry area is spearheaded by a committee of youth volunteers and links together the ministry of Shrine Mont, the work of our college chaplains and our network of five church schools. All three bishops are very supportive of this work and actively participate in diocesan youth gatherings.

Our work in this priority is led and supported by the Assistant to the Bishop for Youth, the Program Assistant, and one shared administrative assistant.

Related Links

Committee on Parish Youth Ministries
Strives to enable young people to be full and active participants in the life of the Church. Organizes diocesan youth events & promotes youth involvement at the local, regional & diocesan levels. Provides staff support for Council and training & leadership in youth ministry to adults and youth around the Diocese. PYM assisted the 2003 diocesan delegation to General Convention.

Shrine Mont Scholarship Program
One of the greatest resources in the Diocese of Virginia is the camps and conferences program at Shrine Mont. This subsidy provides for general expenses (camp infirmary, insurance, etc.), camp subsidies and camper scholarships for young people. Offsetting the actual costs of the camps and conferences makes them accessible to a broader group of people in the Diocese.

Committee on Ministries in Higher Education
Provides an overview of current ministries on campuses within the Diocese, to determine needs for campus ministry within the Diocese. Provides support for our college chaplains and yearly retreats for our Canterbury groups.

Robert Bruce Hall Diocesan Scholars Program
This fund was established in 1985 in honor of Bishop Hall following his death in recognition of his special interest in supporting scholarships to minority students in our six Church Schools. This allows for additional diversity of experiences for all students.

St. Paul 's College
One of three remaining historically African-American Episcopal colleges in the country. Founded by the Diocese of Virginia. St. Paul's College Fund for Deserving Students allows St. Paul's to reach out to the economically disadvantaged student. St. Paul’s is located in Lawrenceville, Va.

Grants for Ministries in Higher Education
Supports chaplaincies and college programs on campuses within the Diocese of Virginia including James Madison University, Mary Washington College, University of Virginia, George Mason University.

Youth Ministry Development
A priority of the Diocese is the development of energetic programs for youth that network and facilitate youth ministries across the Diocese.