MISSION & ministry
Children & Youth Commission
We believe the future of our church lies with our children and our youth. We cherish our role in caring for and nurturing their spiritual lives, and supporting the many youth programs in our Congregations.
Young people are the life and future of a congregation, and we treasure the opportunity to help them grow in their faith. To do this, the Commission works to identify needs and possibilities for youth ministry within the Convocation. We help provide solutions for individual parishes by procuring curriculum and sharing resources. We work to connect youth leaders with one another to enable them to share best practices.
Inspire, Mentor, and Make a Difference in Young Lives!
We are currently looking for volunteers to be a bridge between the youth programs of individual congregations and the Convocation in order to facilitate the spiritual growth of our youth. Please contact Heidrun Alfke to learn more about getting involved.
Children & Youth Newsletter
Join our newsletter to learn more about the faith formation of children, youth, and young adults across the Convocation.
Upcoming Events
29 May -1 june 2025 - Convocation Youth Event: Together in Europe
We invite all juniors (10-13) and youth (14-18) to join us for a gathering in Strasbourg.
We will explore the city and experience Gods word.
We will explore what God is nudging us to do in the world.
This year our theme will be “Together in Europe”
The workshops will be held by members of the Racial Justice and Beloved Community Ministry in our Convocation.
Racial Justice Focus of Annual Youth Event
Nineteen young people and 10 leaders from three Convocation congregations met last weekend (29 May-1 June) in Strasbourg, France, to experience God’s word and get to know one another while exploring the topics of racial and social justice. Participants were given...
Join Us for the Youth Leader’s Retreat
Convocation youth leaders are invited to attend the annual Children and Youth Leader’s Retreat from 19-22 Sept. 2025 in Strasbourg, France.
This is an opportunity for leaders to relax, get to know one another, and share experiences and best practices. Activities will include exploring the old town and Petite France, as well as taking a boat tour on the Ile (weather permitting).
“We want to say ‘thank you’ for all the hard work and love that our leaders provide every Sunday to give our youth a safe and loving environment to explore their faith,” said Heidrun Alfke, chair of the Children and Youth Commission.
Cost of the hotel and meals will be covered by the Convocation. Attendees are responsible for their own travel costs.
Registration is already open: https://episcopaleurope.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2822121. For more information, contact Heidrun Alfke.
Episcopal Youth Event
This triennial event gathers youth ages 15-19 from around the world who assemble on a college campus to learn, laugh, and worship together.
Safeguarding God’s Children
Within The Episcopal Church, we commit ourselves to honor the immense gift of children to families and to the church community. As Christians, we are called to recognize the special status of children, and recognize the responsibility that we all share in their nurture and protection. By keeping our children safe we can empower them to grow, receiving and responding to God’s love.
In 2003, The General Convention of the Episcopal Church called for the development the Safeguarding God’s Children program. Since implemented, SGC mandates all dioceses and churches to adopt a proactive approach for the prevention of abuse sexual abuse of children and youth, in everyday life and in ministry.
All employees and all volunteers who work with children and youth in any ministry setting in the Convocation are required to complete the SGC training program. Free online training using the curriculum “Safeguarding Our Children” is now available for use by congregations in the Convocation.
Children are embraced by our Lord in special blessing, “for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 19:14).
Current Children & Youth Commission Membership
Heidrun Alfke
Chair, Member of Christ the King (Frankfurt, Germany)
Rev. Scott Moore
Vicar to the Missions of
St. James-the-Less in Nuremberg and St. Michael’s (Weimar/Erfurt, Germany)
Deborah Cole
Member of The Anglican/Episcopal Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury (Wiesbaden, Germany)
Conner Drennen
Member of St. Paul’s Within the Walls (Rome, Italy)
Maya Hladek
Member of Church of the Ascension (Munich, Germany)