Bulletin Insert: Episcopal Youth Event and Encuentro de Jóvenes Episcopales – August 17, 2025
August 13, 2025
Bulletin Inserts
The following letter from the Rev. Lester Mackenzie, chief of Mission Program, provides an update on The Episcopal Church’s two largest events for young people. It was published on July 25, 2025.
May grace and peace be with you during these warm summer days. After listening carefully and discerning with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, our leadership team, and many of you across the church, and reading this report (https://iam.ec/EYEassessment) on EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) from 2021, I write with a full heart and deep hope for the future of our youth gatherings. We are all asking the same questions; and after much prayer and conversation, I want to share where we feel called to go next.
As Bishop Sean has said, “We will be a strong, adaptive church that communicates and embodies the depth of Christian spirituality and works toward The Episcopal Church’s vision of God’s kingdom by supporting ministry on the ground in dioceses.” This vision guides these plans.
EJE 2026 – A Celebration in Iglesia Episcopal en Colombia
Encuentro de Jóvenes Episcopales (EJE) will meet July 13–16, 2026, in Medellín, Colombia. This gathering will give Province IX a beautiful chance to celebrate faith, culture, and the gifts our young people bring. Our Mission Program team will work closely with Province IX leaders to bring this to life.
Looking Ahead to EYE 2028
After EJE 2026, we will pause to pray and reflect on what Episcopal Youth Event should look like in 2028. This space will help us hear what our communities most need. Some have wondered if EYE could happen alongside General Convention. After looking at that carefully, we decided combining them would stretch our volunteers too thin and make it harder to honor the unique spirit of both events. We will preserve the essence of each gathering and fully support the Official Youth Presence at General Convention.
Regional Gatherings
During late 2026 and 2027, we will invite dioceses, regions, and provinces to host smaller, more local gatherings where we can learn, connect, and try new ideas together.
After EJE 2026, we will gather young people, mentors, and leaders—especially those from communities of color—to help us imagine what comes next. You can expect to hear more about the timeline and opportunities to participate by fall 2026. We will move forward with purpose and care.
As I sit with all of this, I keep thinking about Esther and her moment of purpose. Maybe you are here “for such a time as this.” We must trust that good will grow from this work, even if we can’t see it all yet. I ask for your prayers and your partnership. Here’s how you can join us:
- Lift up young leaders in your communities.
- Share this vision with others who care about youth ministry.
- Walk alongside us as we move through this transition.
- Pray for our youth, their families, and the adult mentors who walk alongside them.
Thank you for everything you do to keep the holy fire alive in our young people. Your dedication makes all the difference.
With deep gratitude,
The Rev. Lester V. Mackenzie, AHC (Associate of the Holy Cross)
Chief of Mission Program, Presiding Bishop’s Office
