Youth and young adult delegates from around the diocese gathered last Sunday for the 2023 Youth Pre-Convention Meeting at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. The event, led by Fr. Larry Byrne, rector of All Saints’, Bayside, was both an introduction for new delegates and a reunion for the 2023 Episcopal Youth Event delegation, who represented Long Island this past summer.
“It was great to see the EYE delegates again and to be with the young people from across the diocese,” said Byrne. “I look forward to spending more time with our remarkable young Episcopalians. They give me great hope for the church of today and tomorrow.”
Youth delegates attending the event learned about the Diocesan Convention and began to discuss the theme of “Making Connections.” Building on the idea of “One Diocese, One Mission”, this year’s convention theme hopes to create connections between the youth from diverse locations across the diocese, build connections between youth and former youth (i.e. adults), and offer ways to build a stronger connection with God.
A large part of the event included planning for the Convention Evening Prayer service which will take place on Friday evening following the legislative session on November 10. Youth will be leading the service and are promising to bring a little bit of EYE home to Long Island.
The pre-convention meeting also featured time for fun and fellowship. Delegates played games like “Pass the Squeeze” and the “Seat Shuffle.”
Youth will gather for the 157th Convention of the Diocese of Long Island in the Nassau-Suffolk room of the Melville Marriott, starting at noon on Friday, November 10th.