Article by Carrie Stanley, Youth Minister at Trinity Fort Worth.
Finding Home Through Service: How Trinity’s Youth Cultivated Diocesan Connections
When a parish is relatively new to a diocese, the biggest question is often: How do we begin to weave ourselves into the fabric of this wider church family? For the youth and leaders of Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, the answer was simple: roll up your sleeves, hit the road, and offer a helping hand.
This summer, eight of Trinity’s Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) and 4 adult chaperones embarked on the Helping Hands Tour of Texas mission trip. As newcomers to the Diocese of Texas, the primary goal of the trip wasn’t just to do good work—it was to build genuine, lasting friendships and bridge the gap between our community and our new sister parishes.
Traveling to St. Christopher’s in Killeen and St. Martin’s in Copperas Cove, the youth set daily spiritual intentions to frame their labor. They approached the manual work not as a chore, but as a way to “co-create with God,” treating every sweep of a broom and pull of a weed as a prayer in motion.
Two Years of Work in Two Days
The labor was intense, but the youth met the challenge with incredible energy, proving that they are ready to be active, vital contributors to the diocese.
At St. Christopher’s (Killeen): The group tackled difficult landscaping, weeding extensive shrubbery beds and digging a drainage ditch. Inside, the Trinity Fellows men’s group spent two grueling days stripping debris and old carpet glue off the parish hall floor to prepare it for staining. Mother Joy, Rector of St. Christopher’s, noted with immense gratitude that the work completed by the youth in just two days would have taken their parish two years to accomplish with their available resources.
At St. Martin’s (Copperas Cove): Met with incredible hospitality and organization, the team rolled up their sleeves for their toughest workday yet. They completely weeded, dug, planted, and mulched two full sides of the church campus, transforming the grounds.
From Strangers to Sister Parishes
While the physical transformations were beautiful, the true heart of the trip lay in the relationships formed. For a parish looking to plant deep roots in the diocese, there is no faster way to bond than through shared mission. The youth quickly discovered that group dynamics change entirely when you are working alongside one another, learning to lift each other up and share laughs during grueling tasks.
By seeking to see the face of Jesus in the hospitality of St. Christopher’s and St. Martin’s, Trinity’s youth transformed from “the new kids on the block” into true partners in ministry. It was a powerful reminder that we are all part of one connected diocesan family, one Body of Christ.
Worship anchored every single day, with the youth taking full ownership of their faith by officiating daily Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, and Compline using Hour by Hour booklet.
A Call to Our Diocesan Community
The Helping Hands trip is a testament to the power of diocesan connection. Trinity’s youth returned home not only with a deeper faith and stronger friendships within their own group, but with the profound satisfaction of knowing they have a home—and true friends—in the Diocese of Texas.
For other parishes looking to deepen their roots or connect with neighboring congregations, Trinity’s experience serves as an inspiring blueprint: reaching out a helping hand to a sister parish is the fastest way to turn strangers into family.
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