Upcoming Events:

 

young adult retreat August 1-3, 2025

You are invited to join a growing community of young adult Christians from Iowa and Nebraska to a retreat in which we explore “Hoping for Hope.” In these times, with so much negativity from the government, the media, and, well, everything, we want to find a way to learn to hope again. Through some presentations, some prayer, some fun activities, we will learn how we might hope for hope. All are welcome.

Cost: $100 per person; if the cost is a barrier for you, please let us know - scholarships are available.

Included: Program, lodging, meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast & lunch (optional - when you register, mark if you want Sunday lunch)

Arrive: Friday August 1st, 4-5:45pm; Dinner is served at 6pm

Depart: Sunday August 3rd, after lunch (which is served at Noon) - if you need to depart earlier (especially if you have a long drive), let us know in your registration form

Learn more about the Retreat Center HERE.

Register by Monday July 14th.

We’ll send out an email to registered participants with what to bring, directions, etc. after July 14th.

Grant Opportunities

GILEAD GRANTS

 

GILEAD Grants are available in several categories, including “Formation for Youth or Young Adults.” ]The 2025 application period is open May 15, 2025 to July 15, 2025.

 

young adult and campus ministry grants

The Episcopal Church offers grants each year to assist with Young Adult and Campus Ministries throughout the church. These grants are intended to provide funding for an Episcopal ministry (or ecumenical ministry with an Episcopal presence) in a diocese, congregation, or college/university that is currently engaging in or seeking a new relationship with young adults on and off college campuses. This is a three-step process that includes discernment and planning, writing the application, and online submission. The next grant cycle opens August 2024. Keep up-to-date by following their Facebook page.

Service Corps

 

the benedictine way

Live in Christian Community on The Benedictine Way’s campus in North Omaha with other young adults, deepen your prayer life, and serve the poor, hungry, and marginalized through one of The Benedictine Way’s service programs:

The Benedictine Service Corps:

  • a yearlong program for young adults age 21+

  • it runs late August - early June

The Young Adult Residency:

  • for young adults age 18+

  • has flexible timing - the applications are rolling and start dates may begin anytime during the year - and there’s a 2 month minimum stay

Questions? Contact Br. James Dowd

Young Adult Service Corps Placements

Applications for placements with the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC), the international missionary program of The Episcopal Church open each year. YASC offers Episcopalians ages 21-30 the opportunity to follow the Way of Love into deeper relationship with God and the global Anglican Church while spending a year living and working with communities around the world. Learn more here. (Applications are usually due in January)

Episcopal service corps

Episcopal Service Corps is a network of locally organized and incorporated programs dedicated to providing Young Adults ages 21-32 with opportunities to serve others in solidarity, promote justice in community, deepen their spiritual awareness and vocational discernment, while living simply in intentional community.

Who are young adults?

When we use the term young adults in terms of diocesan ministry, we are primarily referring to people between the ages of 18-40ish (although there is no concrete age range). Young adults might be in college (including community colleges and universities), working full or part time in the community, serving in the armed forces, unemployed, living at home with their parents, raising children of their own, or might be a combination of these and other factors. While the needs of young adults are diverse, there are a number of similarities among those in this demographic.

Need help getting connected?

Whether you're new to Iowa and looking for a local congregation, a student looking for a campus ministry or leaving this region for a new job or school, we'd love to help you get connected. Contact: Traci Ruhland Petty 515-850-5217

2023 Pilgrimage Video

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible! We were thrilled to host the third leg of a young adult pilgrimage with our companion dioceses of Brechin in Scotland and Swaziland in Eswatini last August.

Resources

 

Congregation guide

Is your congregation wondering where to get started in young adult ministries? The Discerning Young Adult Ministry guide will help you determine what's next.

Campus Ministries

University of Iowa: Trinity Episcopal Church, Iowa City

Iowa State University: St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church, Ames

University of Northern Iowa: Threehouse (an ecumenical campus ministry)
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Cedar Falls

Grinnell College: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Grinnell

Northwestern College: Church of the Savior, Orange City

Luther College: Grace Episcopal Church, Decorah

Society of Campus Ministers: Campus Ministers, lay and ordained, working with Episcopal campus ministries and ecumenical campus ministries that include Episcopalians.

FORMATION

  • Exploring the Bible: free curriculum for churches and groups by Forward Movement. 26 sessions, available for all age groups, that "uncovers the vast, sweeping story of God's extraordinary love for ordinary people, in a clear and easy-to-follow format.

  • Young Adult Formation Resources from FORMA

  • Dwelling in the Word: a missional practice of Bible Study that can be used with children through adults.