MISSION & ministry
Children & Youth CommissionWe 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.
Upcoming Youth Program Deadlines
Deadlines for 2026 Convocation youth programs are fast approaching. The juniors (10-13) and youth (14-18) will be going to Berlin from 14-17 May for their annual youth event and the deadline for registration is 10 Feb.
The Young Adults will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the consecration of St. Paul’s Within the Walls with a retreat to Rome during Pentecost Weekend (22-25 May).
Slots are limited so early registration is encouraged.
Children & Youth Newsletter
Join our newsletter to learn more about the faith formation of children, youth, and young adults across the Convocation.
Upcoming Events
14-17 May 2026 - Convocation Youth Event: That All may be one
We invite all juniors (10-13) and youth (14-18) to join us for a gathering in Berlin. We will explore the city, experience God’s word, and visit the House of One, a house for three religions in one home.
This year’s theme is “That All May be One.” Cost is €10; all other expenses are covered by the Convocation.
NOTE: Registration closes on 10 February!!
20s30s Ministry Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
The 20s30s Ministry at the American Cathedral in Paris recently hosted their 4th annual Thanksgiving dinner, a multigenerational celebration with over 100 people.“Thanksgiving has become a key moment for our community, not only to celebrate gratitude, but also to...
Convocation Young Adults Take a Pilgrimage to Rüdesheim, Germany
Fourteen young people from across Europe, along with the Rev. Scott Moore (Erfurt/Nürnberg), recently linked their participation in the annual Festival of Gathering with a pilgrimage to St. Hildegard’s Abbey near Rüdesheim, Germany. “I could have not predicted such a...
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)