The Episcopal Youth Event 2023 (EYE) was held at the University of Maryland from July 4-8, gathering over 1,000 youth, their chaperones, and clergy, including bishops. The Diocese of Texas was well represented by 11 young people sponsored by the diocese, four representatives from Costa Rica, and a large youth group from Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo, Houston. The San Mateo group worked hard to raise the funds to attend this important youth event.
EYE is the largest nationwide youth event in the Episcopal Church, occurring every three years. This year’s theme was “Regreso a Casa” (Return Home) because this was the first EYE since the pandemic. The liturgy and the worship were fully bilingual in English and Spanish. It was a powerful, spirited, moving experience that included a healing service, a Delegation Feud (in the style of Family Feud) with church topics and a dance party. All the reflections presented by the plenary speakers were on the book of Esther. The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church said: “Folks lived because of Esther. Justice was done because of Esther. Folks were freed because of Esther. We need some new Esthers for our world today. Young people, we’re counting on you.”
