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Ewart Jones
Network Chair
Ministry with Young Adults
1225 Texas Avenue
Houston Tx 77002
800-318-4452
ejones@epicenter.org |
A life-long Episcopalian, Ewart Jones is Diocesan Missioner for Youth for the Diocese of Texas. He is responsible for the training of youth workers, providing a clearinghouse of youth event information (diocesan, provincial and national), planning and implementing diocesan youth events, administering any available scholarship assistance for youth to participate in youth activities, serving as a speaker for youth and church-wide events, and assisting with the development of EYC programs on the congregational level.
Ewart holds a B.B.S in Public Communication, and has done Master's work in Communication.
He was a youth minister for 10 years prior to joining the diocesan staff.
What is the purpose of this Network’s ministry? To engage young adults in the life of the Episcopal Church through advocacy, resources and relationships.
What is the structure of this Network? We are currently working on this by finding contacts in each of the dioceses and making them aware that the network is being started
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Beyond "Contemporary" Worship
By James Derkits and Kevin Schubert |
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How many years can we still call a particular style “contemporary,” without it changing much? The great gift that “contemporary” worship, and what is commonly known as praise music, gave us Generation X’ers and Y’ers is the realization that there are options out there.
We have found praise music (worship music led by guitar and/or a band using flowing seventies melodies) to be very liberating when we first heard them in a camp setting. It was a style of music we could call our own, and when we participated in leading that style of music while in high school and into college, it gave us a sense of connection back to that camp community. It was our brand of music. Not our parents’ (or, not all of our parents’). It was a gift that the evangelical portion of the church, particularly the Cursillio community and leaders at our camp gave us to help search for an authentic expression. We could go on singing the praises of praise music, except we can’t go on for long with much integrity.
There came a point when we started paying close attention to what we were singing in those praise songs, and comparing the lyrics to what we were singing in our traditional hymns. It became clear that the rich metaphors and mystery found in the hymns drew us closer to a clearer understanding of the vastness of God, and a broader understanding of our relationship with God. One drawback of “contemporary” music, from our perspective, is that the theology tends to be narrowly focused (Jesus suffered, I benefit) instead of the wide variety of understandings in the relationship between God and humanity found in the story of Scripture, not to mention our full year of seasons.
Another drawback is that some of the music carries undertones of unconscious/repressed sexuality. Sexuality and spirituality may go hand in hand, and we stand with the tradition of Solomon, that the sexual and romantic metaphor can be an approach to understanding the desire of our hearts, i.e. to be in communion with God. But that theme should be explored honestly and openly. Some of the lines in praise songs hint at frustrations needing to be expressed in another venue.
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Important Links
• Pastoral Leadership Search Effort (PLSE)
• Internship / Mission Opportunities
• Special Young Adult Issue of Vestry Papers
Important Articles
•The Young Adults' Top Ten List--the top 10 things the Church should know about young adults, compiled by Lindsay Lunnum.
• Good News for Young Adults
• Young Adults: Spiritual Typology
• A Year of Living Defiantly
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For Your Information
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Young Adult Festival
July 9-14
Anaheim, California |
Young adults (ages 18-30) from across the Episcopal Church came together in Anaheim, California, during General Convention for a five-day festival of fellowship, workshops, and worship. Together, they explored General Convention legislative sessions, jammed with LA musicians, visited the GC exhibit hall, caught some rays at the beach, worshiped with thousands of Episcopalians, played at Disneyland, and met people from all walks of life.
Festival Prayer:
Holy Uniter, bringing all peoples together in your expansive embrace, guide us in these days of celebration and discernment as we seek your will in the many communities and ministries of our common mission; through Jesus Christ our lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
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Bishop Larry Benfield (left) visits the Young Adult Festival; making Anglican rosaries (right)
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Ewart Jones (left) and Wendy Pineda; the Revs. James Derkits
and Kevin Schubert (right) getting ready to lead worship
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Bishop Andy Doyle (left) greets Wendy Pineda at the Young Adult Festival
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The Presiding Bishop (right) visits the Young Adult Festival
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The Rev. Glenn Libby (right) leading worship
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The Office of Young Adult Ministry works with people from the ages of 18-30. The website is designed to provide information about events, opportunites for young adults to discern where God is calling them, and resources for people who work with young adults. This office recognizes we work with a very diverse age range who can be at very different points in their lives. Nevertheless, we seek to incorporate all into the body of Christ and recognize we all have gifts for ministry.
National Young Adult Council
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Members of the Committee on Young Adult Ministry (CYAM)
Left to right: Lemuel Moncur (SE Florida), P’tricia Egbert (Kentucky), Carlton Allen (N California), Ewart Jones (Texas), Lucas Grubbs (Idaho), Nicole Seiferth (New York), Moises Quezada (Dominican Republic), missing from photo - Wendy Barrett (Honduras). |
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