Hey folks!
I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer thus far and had a great 4th of July holiday. First off, I just want to aplogize on behalf of the Christian Formation office for not touching base with you all sooner. We have been very busy with summer camp up here at Shrine Mont and before that with EYE!!!
As many of you know, I lead a group of people to Bethel University outside of St. Paul, Minnesota to EYE 2011. With us we had 13 youths from all accross our Diocese, 3 wonderful adult chaperones (Cathy Tibbetts, Darren Steadman, and Meg Schwarz) and our bishop, Shannon Johnston. We rode on 3 buses (about 30 hours each way) with youth and adults from 12 of the other 13 Dioceses in Province 3. Our group was about 165 people and was described by some of the people putting on the event as the group that “brought the funk”. I can only hope they were referring to our fun and positive vibes, not the smell coming off the bus 
The event (put on by the EPISCOPAL CHURCH) was an absolute hit. It was four days of great music, prayer, workshops, games, discussion, and some really fantastic keynote addresses. We heard from speakers from all over the country and met Episcopalians from coast to coast which really was an amazing treat for many of us.
In addition to all the of great programming that happened at EYE, as a part of our journey home we were able to stop for dinner and a Eucharist in the Diocese of Chicago! It was a wonderful and cool night in downtown Chicago and the Eucharist was a great finishing touch on our journey together as Province 3. After Chicago all three buses went their separate directions towards home and all reports are everyone got home safely, and most likely very sleepy.
All in all, it was a huge success and I know at least 17 people including myself that are very excited for EYE 2014! We hope to see you all there!
