Umalkhar Abdi of St. Mary’s, Arlington is one of 12 young people from across the country serving on the Planning Team for the Episcopal Youth Event 2023 (EYE 23). “Umi” and her teammates will help to shape the programs and logistics for the big event, including speakers, performers, presenters, worship, and more.
What is EYE? It’s a gathering of more than 1,400 youth from around the world who assemble every three years on a college campus to learn, laugh, and worship together. The culture of EYE is like summer camp…a really, really big summer camp!
When asked what inspires her about serving the church in this way, Umi says, “it’s being able to bring more youth into the church community. This is so they can feel like the church is another place that they can feel is a comfortable space to be in. Many youths have stopped going to church since the pandemic and I’m hoping we’ll bring a new change this coming year.”
EYE 2023 will be held July 3-8 at the University of Maryland, College Park. Youth between ages of 15-19 at the time of the July Conference are eligible to attend. Each diocese throughout the church is invited to send youth and adult attendees.
The Diocese of Virginia is hoping to take 25 students and five adult chaperones to the University of Maryland for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Youth and adults wishing to apply to attend EYE with the Diocese of Virginia delegation must fill out an application and registration.
The cost is $400. The Diocese of Virginia is covering costs for transportation and the Pre-event. Scholarship assistance may be available. For more information about applying, contact James Williams or Sue Cromer.
