The Episcopal Youth Community of the Diocese of East Tennessee, ETNyouth, is a passionate and dedicated group of youth from over 46 worshiping communities throughout East Tennessee. Our youth strive to connect with one another through acceptance in a Christ-centered community which seeks to empower youth, engage with parishes, and support each other in our walk with Christ. We live into this purpose through weekend retreats, single day events, lock-ins, service projects, and Grace Point summer camp.
ETNyouth
Diocesan Youth Council
The Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) is a body of committed youth, youth leaders, and clergy who meet periodically throughout the year to plan and lead youth events, serve as ambassadors for youth ministry throughout the diocese, and help shape the vision for the future of ETNyouth. Serving on DYC is an opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills through workshops and hands on experience leading events.
Applications for the 2027-2028 term will open in late Spring 2027.
Responsibilities
- Select Happening Rector & New Beginnings Shepherd
- Assess Happening & New Beginnings retreats and vote on changes to these programs
- Attend Diocesan Convention as a youth delegate
- Help plan and lead other youth events throughout the year
Commitment
- 1 year commitment
- August 2026 – August 2027
- Attend all scheduled meetings
Requirements
- Sophomore – Senior in High School for the ’25-’26 school year
- Regular attendance at your home parish and involvement in whatever youth ministries are offered at your parish or in your region
- Walk the walk: carry yourself in a mature Christian manner at home, school, social media, etc. You are committing to being a leader in the church, so make sure that your actions reflect our Christian values wherever you are
Regional Youth Gatherings
To provide an all inclusive Christian community for young people to connect outside of their parish with youth from across their region and throughout the diocese. We envision fulfilling this purpose by connecting youth to the greater diocesan youth community, ETNyouth, through the unconditional love of Jesus Christ and encouraging them to seek a higher level of participation throughout the diocese.
ChattEY
ChattEY (Chattanooga Episcopal Youth) is a gathering of middle and high school youth sponsored by the Episcopal churches and youth leaders in Southeastern Tennessee. Gatherings always include food, fellowship, and high energy activities, with worship and outreach projects throughout the year.
Participants represent a plethora of churches and schools throughout the region, and you don’t have to be Episcopalian to attend – all are welcome! ChattEY is a unique opportunity for any young person looking for a community built around one thing only: the God of love who loved us first and calls us to share that love with the world. We hope you will consider joining us at the next ChattEY!
KnoxEY
KnoxEY is a gathering of youth in the Knoxville area, usually meeting on Sunday afternoons either at the Diocesan House or at a local parish. All 6th-12th grade youth in the Knoxville area are invited to attend and you don’t even have to be Episcopalian to join in the fun! KnoxEY is rooted in the spirit of Grace Point summer camp and other youth events. We do fun games, music, spiritual formation, service projects, and celebrate the Eucharist.
TricEY
Like our other regions, TricEY is a gathering of youth from the Upper East portion of diocese from parishes in Johnson City, Greeneville, Kingsport and surrounding areas.
Fill out the interest form below to connect with youth leadership!
Resources and Information
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ETNyouth Packing List
This is a handy list of things to consider when packing for any overnight youth trip whether that is a mission trip or camp!
Clothes
- T-Shirts
- Shorts
- Long Sleeve T-shirts
- Pants
- Pajamas
- Socks
- Undergarments
- Shoes for walking/hiking
- Bathing Suit
Toiletries
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush
Linens
- Sleeping bag or twin sheets
- Pillow
- Light Blanket/Quilt
- Bath Towel(s)
Recommended
- Raincoat
- Flashlight
- Book or Journal
- Waterbottle
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Youth Ministers Resources
Communications Resources
Make sure to check the communicators Google folder for promotional materials related to ETNyouth.
Suggested Books
Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn’t Last and What Your Church Can Do About It by Mark DeVries
Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus by Mark Yaconelli
From Burned Out to Beloved: Soul Care for Wounded Healers by Bethany Dearborn Hiser
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Confirmation Resources
Online Courses
Suggested Books
My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church by Jenifer Gamber
I Will, with God’s Help by Mary Lee Wile
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Diversity Resources
Suggested Books
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Diversity and LGBTQ+ Resources
The Diocese of East TN strives to welcome *all* to our community just as God made them. In order to do so, we must educate ourselves on the best ways to make people feel welcome and comfortable in our community. We hope the resources below help us learn just how to do that.
Suggested Books
A Church for All by Gayle E. Pitman and Illustrated by Laurie Fournier
On Sunday morning, we gather together. We are every color. Every age. Rich and poor. Our church is open, affirming, and accepting. We believe in love instead of hate. There’s room for everyone! This book celebrates a spiritual community that embraces all people―no matter their age, race, class, gender identity, or sexual orientation―in love and faith.
Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens by Leigh Finke
Are you LGBTQ+? Not sure? Whether you’re queer or questioning, understanding sexuality and gender identity can be confusing. And if you’re a Christian, questions of identity can be even scarier. Is there something wrong with you? Will your friends accept you? When should you tell your family? What about church?
Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens has answers to all these questions and more. You’ll get insight and support from an amazing group of LGBTQ+ professionals, as well as testimonies from young adult queer Christians who’ve recently been exactly where you are. You’ll walk away with a lot of answers, prepared with tools to help. But most importantly, you’ll hear the good news: God loves you exactly as you are. No matter your identity or where in your journey of self-discovery you find yourself, you got this.
Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth by Leigh Finke
How should I respond when a teen comes out? Do I have to tell their parents? What does it mean to be transgender? And how do I talk to a trans youth?
These are the kinds of tough questions facing Christian communities everywhere. It’s not enough for faith leaders to improvise their way through these questions. Leaders need concrete tools to navigate the LGBTQ+ landscape.
Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth is one of those tools. A handbook for pastors, youth workers, church leaders, educators, and other adults in Christian settings, the book provides answers to the most pressing questions about sexuality, gender, mental health, safe sex, and more.
Written by a team of LGBTQ+ adults, Welcoming and Affirming features first-hand, personal testimonials from queer young adults who have experienced the joys and hardships of being queer and Christian. You’ll walk away with a lot of insight, prepared to love, affirm, and accept the LGBTQ+ teens in your community the way God does–exactly as they are.
Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry by Ross Murray
Formed at a time when the overlap of such categories was unthinkable, The Naming Project provides a place where youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities can be safe and affirmed in their identity and faith. Because of that foundational work, other pastors and youth ministers often reach out to leaders of The Naming Project with their questions about LBGTQ-inclusive youth ministry. Made, Known, Loved provides the guidance these leaders have been asking for.
Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens, 2nd Edition by Marke Bieschke
When do you decide to come out? Will your friends accept you? And how do you meet people to date? Queer is a humorous, engaging, and honest guide that helps LGBTQ teens come out to friends and family, navigate their social life, figure out if a crush is also queer, and challenge bigotry and homophobia. Personal stories from the authors and sidebars on queer history provide relatable context. This completely revised and updated edition is a must-read for any teen who thinks they might be queer or knows someone who is.
Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure by Lewis Hancox
A groundbreaking memoir about being a trans teen, in the vein of FUN HOME and FLAMER… and at the same time entirely its own.
Lewis has a few things to say to his younger teen self. He knows she hates her body. He knows she’s confused about who to snog. He knows she’s really a he and will ultimately realize this… but she’s going to go through a whole lot of mess (some of it funny, some of it not funny at all) to get to that point. Lewis is trying to tell her this… but she’s refusing to listen.
In WELCOME TO ST. HELL, author-illustrator Lewis Hancox takes readers on the hilarious, heartbreaking, and healing path he took to make it past trauma, confusion, hurt, and dubious fashion choices in order to become the man he was meant to be. It’s a remarkable, groundbreaking graphic memoir from an unmistakably bold new voice in comics.
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Mental Health Resources
If you or a loved one are considering death by suicide, please call 988.
You are loved. You are important. You are enough.
“Life is hard right now and I want to find someone to talk to.”
No matter what problems you’re dealing with, whether or not you’re thinking about suicide, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call the Lifeline: 988.
Lifeline Options for Deaf + Hard of Hearing: For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Text HOME to 741741 to have a confidential text conversation with a trained crisis counselor from Crisis Text Line. Counselors are available 24/7.
Want to find a therapist in town? You can search by town, by insurance provider, and by what you would like support with. https://www.psychologytoday.com/
Resources Specifically for Youth
Resources for how to take care of yourself, how to help a loved one, and other organizations with resources. https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/
Learn about the Warning Signs
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
Learn about the Five Action Steps
- Ask
- Be There
- Keep Them Safe
- Help Them Connect
- Follow Up