[Episcopal News Service — Rionegro, Colombia] “¡Somos luz, somos sal, juventudes Episcopales!” The young Latin American Episcopalians who attended Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales, or EJE26, sung those lyrics – Spanish for “we are light, we are salt, Episcopal youth” – several times daily throughout the July 13-16 gathering here at De La Salle Casa de Encuentros. The song encompasses the event, which was a celebration of Latino culture and youth empowerment through shared faith and learning. “I had a beautiful experience. My heart opened more during this retreat, and I’ve come to understand that my soul is a missionary soul,” Kelin Mendez, a parishioner at Mision Episcopal El Mesías in Tegucigalpa, Diocese of Honduras, told Episcopal News Service. The event is styled after the Episcopal Youth Event, or EYE, which has historically been held triennially in the United States. The first EJE gathering took place in 2019 in Panama City, Panama. At EJE26, delegates learned how to be active members of their churches and dioceses, focusing on forgiveness, discipleship and leadership. After participating in workshops and discussions on these topics, praying together and engaging in other fellowship-building activities at EJE26, delegates say they’re returning home with renewed and increased faith. “We are being sent out to fulfill God’s will,” Jonathan Lone, a parishioner at San Juan Apostol in Siguatepeque, Diocese of Honduras, told ENS. Every day started and ended with a worship service, and services also took place in between workshops and discussion sessions. For Colombia Bishop Pastor Elias Garcia Cardenas, having young Episcopalians from different countries gather to worship together unites them “as one family.” “When we are together, we are one Episcopal family,” Cardenas told ENS in a July 15 interview. “We are thankful that our young Episcopal family from Province IX and Province II could be here so that they could learn to be active in their communities and learn to be good disciples.” EJE26 brought nearly 100 youth and young adults ages 16 to 23 from South America, Central America and the Caribbean to Rionegro, a municipality in Colombia’s department of Antioquia, near Medellín, for the gathering. Delegations and volunteers came from five of the six Province IX dioceses and the dioceses of Cuba and Puerto Rico, which are in Province II. The Diocese of Venezuela didn’t send a delegation to EJE26. The South American country, which neighbors Colombia to the northeast, has faced numerous conflicts in recent years and is still recovering from back-to-back major earthquakes last month that killed more than 4,800 people. Cardenas, House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris and other church leaders dedicated prayer services to the Diocese of Venezuela during EJE26. “Our celebration was … marked by an empty place at the table. We deeply missed our siblings from Venezuela, who were unable to join us this year,” Ayala Harris said in a July 16 Facebook post. “They were present in our prayers throughout the gathering, and we continue to hold them close in our hearts. We are one church, and when one part of the body is absent, we feel that absence deeply.” Ayala Harris and Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe were part of a Q&A discussion about faith and leadership on July 14. The Cuban delegation also almost didn’t make it. They faced months of uncertainty over whether they could obtain their visas to enter Colombia. Six delegates made it, and they all told ENS they could “feel the love and welcome” when they were greeted by their fellow young Episcopalians upon arrival. That love and welcome, they said, continued through the week. “This was our first time ever leaving Cuba, and we still can’t believe we made it to Colombia,” Cynthia, a delegate whose last name is withheld for safety reasons, told ENS. “We didn’t expect to be welcomed with so much love by people who’ve never met us before, and we will forever be grateful.” “I am very thankful we were able to make this trip from Cuba,” Juan, last name also withheld, told ENS. “I am leaving Colombia with so much more faith and hope for the future.” When workshops, discussion activities and worship services weren’t in session, the delegates spent time getting to know each other. Some bonded through music, dance and games, while others ate meals together. During an extended afternoon break on July 15, many delegates watched and cheered for Argentina’s national soccer team during the men’s World Cup semifinals match against England. When Argentina won, shouts of joy could be heard as delegates gathered for worship. “The people we’ve met from other countries are all incredible. It was wonderful to get to know them,” Alison Cantarero, a parishioner at Iglesia San Bartolome Apostol in Honduras, told ENS. “We may have different cultures, dance styles, cuisine, traditions and Spanish accents, but we also have so much in common.” The gathering’s reception was so positive that a delegate from the Diocese of Puerto was met with cheers and claps after asking Rowe and Ayala Harris if The Episcopal Church would consider planning a combined EJE and EYE event. That way, she said, young Spanish and English-speaking Episcopalians can be more closely connected. All the delegates from Honduras said they exchanged contact information and social media handles with delegates from other dioceses to stay connected long after EJE. Building relationships beyond dioceses and countries is important, according to Cardenas, because “when Jesus calls us, there are no divisions. There are no races – no nations. Everyone is equal.” That’s why, Cardenas said, hosting events like EJE for young Episcopalians can help inspire and foster future church leaders. “The youth and young adults are the future. Here in the Diocese of Colombia, we have high hopes for our youth because we want to advocate for a vocation for Episcopal ministry,” Cardenas told ENS. “These young people will bring the fire and energy that the church needs. … This new generation is the future of The Episcopal Church.” […]
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