Our mission: Why our community lives and breathes.
Dallas Young Adult Episcopalians exists to help young adults encourage one another to embrace God’s Love, and equip them as servant leaders to embody Christ to the world.
Young adults: A Community of singles and couples aged 18-39.
We are not only an outreach to those in college, but also to those who have graduated from college and who have not yet found a community of faith that meets their needs, and also to those who are working in the professional world. This ministry is for all people who are "young at heart", as well as those adults who are interested in mentoring, guiding, and helping other young adults as they explore who they are in Christ.
Episcopal: A Community formed by Anglican Prayer Book spirituality.
Encouraging: A Community living Christ’s hospitality and fellowship.
In a superficial world of social masks and false promises, we want to offer a safe place where you can be who you are, warts and all. When we say that we help young adults “encourage one another”, we mean that we are a Great-Commandment community that seeks to love the Lord with all we have in worship and love each other as Christ loves us in authentic friendship and fellowship (see
Mat 22:37-40). We seek to create a community of love, grace, humor, humility, and authenticity, as we construct fellowship events where we enjoy each other, accept one another, and build up each other in the Lord. (see
Phm 1.6; Act 2.41-47; Acts 4:31-35; 1Co 12; 1Th 2:7-12; Rom 12:3-21)
Activities for Fellowship and Fun: We meet weekly for food and fellowship at the Canterbury SMU student center, and after Church on Sundays at Saint Michael. We also meet monthly for “Faith and Film” nights where we watch and discuss movies, and for “Theology on Tap”, where we grab a frosty beverage and talk about the intersection of religion and real life. In addition, we have occasional retreats and special events such as going to sports games and cultural experiences. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar.
Embracing: A Community seeking Christ in worship and spirituality.
In a world stripped of mystery and spirituality, we want to offer a sacred space to connect with God. When we say that we help young adults “embrace God’s Love”, we mean that we seek to fulfill the Greatest Commandment to love the Lord with all we have in our worship and prayer lives (see
Mat 22.37-40). Thus we construct worship experiences that help us to connect with Christ and experience His presence, through prayer, praise, and sacrament, as we participate together in offering ourselves to God in devotion. (see
Rom 15.16; 1Co 11.17-34; 1Co 14.26; 1Ch 16.23-36; Psa 96; 2Ch 7:1-3) We use different musical styles, beautiful icons, incense, and candles to create worship experiences which touch the heart, challenge the mind, stir the imagination, and draw us into Christ. (see
Eph 5:18-20; Psa 33.1-3; Psa 95:1-7; Psa 150; Rev 5; 1Sa 16:23)
Activities for Worship and spirituality: We offer a wide array of weekly worship and prayer experiences. On Sunday mornings at Saint Michael we have Contemporary, Family, and Traditional worship (as well as dynamic Sunday school!). On Sunday night at Canterbury SMU we have Candlelight Communion followed by a free community meal. Throughout the week we have Evening Prayer and Midday Eucharist services at Canterbury (when school is in session). On a monthly basis, we have special worship events, such as Taize mediative worship and Prayer retreats. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar.
Equipping: A Community imitating Christ in growth and discipleship.
In a world immersed in information and drowning in activities, we want to offer a place where you can escape to think, to ask honest questions, and to get real answers. When we say that we “equip young adults as servant leaders”, we mean that we are a Great-Commission community that seeks to "make disciples" and "teach all that Christ has commanded", so that we can form the next generation of lay leaders and clergy who will transform the Episcopal Church and carry our faith in Christ forward to a new age (see
Mat 28:18-20). Thus we regularly form Christ in young adults through relevant preaching an teaching, in life-transforming Bible study groups, and by encouraging daily individual spiritual growth practices. (see
Rom 12.1-2; Gal 4.19; 2Co 3.13-18; Eph 4; 1Ti 3.1-4.8; 2Ti 3:14-4:6) As we do this, we build up young adults into transformational leaders by training them in the skills of servant-leadership, giving them opportunities to serve in local ministries, and encouraging them to explore the vocation God has uniquely shaped them for. (see
Pro 29.18; Tit 1.5-6; Eph 4.4-16; 1Co 12; Mat 10; Act 6.1-7)
Activities for Growth and discipleship: During the school year, we are packed with opportunities to grow in faith. Sunday mornings feature excellent Bible study and topical discussion classes at Saint Michael. During the midweek, there are several Bible studies for different groups going on at Canterbury SMU (this varies with the semester). On Wednesday nights, we have young adult ministry at Saint Michael. In addition, there are monthly “Faith and Film” nights where we watch and discuss movies, and for “Theology on Tap”, where we grab a frosty beverage and talk about the intersection of religion and real life. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar.
Embodying: A Community practicing Christ in service and outreach.
In a world where “me-first” is our first priority, and where people are treated as expendable tools to achieve success, we want to bring Christ’s Kingdom of healing and wholeness, as we give ourselves to serve others, loving our neighbors as ourselves. When we say that we help young adults “embody Christ to the world”, we mean that we are a Great-Commission community that seeks "go" out into our community and share the life transforming power of Jesus Christ with others (see
Mark 16.15-16; Acts 1:7-8). This commitment to reach out to transform lives manifests itself in developing social justice ministries in which we reach out across town, and across the world, to help the needy and make the world a better place, primarily through service projects, mission trips, and community advocacy. (see
Luke 4:18-19; Mat 25.31-46; Isa 65; Jam 1:26-2:9; Amos 5:21-24; Psa 8)
Activities for Service and outreach: On a monthly basis, we offer community service projects with local area charities and social justice organizations. On a yearly basis, we have mission trips either in the US or abroad, to people and places in need of hope, help, and healing. We also offer connections with a host of local organizations to get personally involved in serving the Dallas area in Christ’s name. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar, and for charitable organizations to volunteer with, see our links page.
