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EcoJustice Immersion Experience
Episcopal Leadership Institute for Young Adults
August 25 - August 30, 2012 in Seattle, WA
The shared work of peace and justice calls for the Church to work in collaboration with global initiatives to advocate for justice, reconciliation and peace…
You are invited to…
Join in a leadership and advocacy training initiative sponsored by the Episcopal Church Center’s offices of Economic and Environmental Affairs and Young Adult and Campus Ministries. This event will consist of Episcopal Church focused formation, leadership and advocacy training around themes of sustainable economy, climate justice, eco-theology, and our spiritual and physical ties to the life that surrounds us. Participants will have the opportunity to interface with leaders from both the faith and non-profit worlds, to hike in some of this nation’s most beautiful country, and to put their hands and heads to work advocating for eco-justice.
Women and men between the ages of 18 and 30 from across the Episcopal Church are invited to apply for this exciting opportunity. Participants will be expected to arrive for dinner on Saturday, August 25, 2012 and should plan to depart before lunch on Thursday, August 30, 2012.
Why Eco-Justice?
The Consortium for Endowed Episcopal Parishes recently worked with Institute for the Future to identify skills our church leaders will need in the near future (and arguably now). One of the ten skills highlighted was "Bio-empathy: the ability to see things from nature's point of view." The study also identified trends such as "Extreme Climate Variability," and the "New Localism" -- referring to the growth of local economies. From bio-empathy will grow the kind of personal, congregational, and public actions and policies necessary to move us toward a more compassionate and just world.
What we’ll be up to:
·  Teaching and conversation around topics such as: spiritual, theological and scriptural resources for ecological ministry; sustainable economics; current economic and environmental justice ministry in The Episcopal Church; "greening" congregations; Episcopal Church polity and structures; food justice; reflection on our common call to serve all creation and what that means for our lives today
·  Time with the leadership of Earth Ministry, one of the country's leading regionally-based nonprofits connecting faith with care for all creation. We will worship at one of Earth Ministry's Episcopal Greening Congregations and learn from that parish's experience. Earth Ministry staff will also lead our advocacy training.
·  Tours of Eco-Justice work sites and organizations such as the Clean Greens Farm, Port of Seattle and Duwamish River cleanup site
·  A one-day hike in the Cascade Mountains, with time for conversation, meditation and prayer, reflection and silence
·  Time for discernment, conversation, and community-building.
·  Interaction with local and national leaders in the eco-justice field.
What you’ll get out of it:
The Episcopal Church, in its continued commitment to eco-justice is sponsoring this event in order to raise up leaders for faith-based action in the world. This is the second year that the Episcopal Church is organizing such an event to provide access, teach skills, offer theological training, and highlight structures for action. It is a remarkable opportunity to:
·  discuss and learn about a range of issues connecting Christian faith with care and justice for all creation, such as those cited above,
·  learn about Episcopal Church polity and policy,
·  learn how the church participates in advocacy,
·  develop skills and knowledge to use in dioceses, churches, and communities around the country, and
·  develop relationships to encourage your interest in this area of ministry.
Committed to one another
Participants are expected to arrive in Seattle, WA on the above dates and actively engage with conference trainings and events. Prior to arrival we will host a series of preliminary conference calls in preparation for our time together. Participants will be expected to raise funds for travel to and from Seattle and any entertainment costs. Housing, programming, meals and local transportation will be covered by the Episcopal Church Center. In addition, participants will be asked to engage in follow-up activities, such as preparing a final report detailing their experiences which will be presented to their communities and diocese.
Apply Today!
Please fill out the application completely; please give concise, but thorough, responses. Submit your applications byJune 15, 2012.You will be notified if you are chosen to participate by July 1, 2012. Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
Many blessings,
Jason Sierra

The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministries
The Episcopal Church Center
Seattle, WA
Mike Schut

The Office for Economic and Environmental Affairs
The Episcopal Church Center
Seattle, WA
For more information on the Episcopal Leadership Institute for Young Adults and our past events, please visit our blog (http://episcopalleadershipinstitute.wordpress.co

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