The 113th Diocesan Annual Council is November 10-11, and we’re excited for our diocesan service project! After council business concludes on Saturday, youth will lead members in assembling First Night Bags at the Cathedral for kids in foster care. 

Children are removed from their families every day because of abuse or neglect. Too often, these children have to carry trash bags filled with their belongings to their new foster home. For a vulnerable child or teen in crisis, having a backpack that belongs to them and is full of some basic practical and comfort items can show them that they matter and are loved by God and others, even in the midst of chaos. By replacing the trash bag with a backpack, we can help increase feelings of self-worth and safety, and donating hygiene and comfort items allows the foster family to focus on the mental well-being of a child during a scary and uncertain time. Reducing stress and trauma upon entering foster care can allow children to have a better entry into their foster family, allowing them to form bonds and reduce multiple placements. 

Join us in supporting kids in Georgia’s foster care system by donating items for First Night Bags! Click here for details or download the instructions pdf. Cash donations can be made online or by sending a check to EYCDIOATL at 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

Our Amazon Wishlists for each age group: Infant & Toddler; Pre-K & Kindergarten; Lower Elementary; Upper Elementary; Middle School; High School

All youth workers (paid and volunteer) are invited to a lunch and brief gathering (11:30-1:00) at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Columbus. We’ll eat lunch from 11:30-12:15 before transitioning into a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting. These lunches help us work smarter (not harder) and will happen throughout the year in different locations.

People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to this special worship service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta) celebrating God’s creativity and love as expressed through LGBTQIA+ people. Wear your rainbow colors!

All high schoolers are invited to Camp Mikell for this spiritual formation retreat. A lot of things about this weekend are intended as a surprise for the Candidates (attendees), but reach out to our office if you have any questions! Register here.

Register here! Clergy and lay delegates from across the Diocese will gather at the Cathedral of St. Philip to vote on measures, roles, and budgets — exciting, right? (We promise it’s fun.) During Council business on Friday and Saturday morning, one student delegate from each convocation will have a seat in our Youth Delegation and will be able to use their voice and vote to impact our Church’s future. Contact your rector if you’re interested in serving as a Youth Delegate!

After Council business concludes on Friday afternoon, we’re hosting The Overnight, a lock-in for all students (grades 7-12). Past Overnights have included games, activities, singing, and a four square tournament. After getting some sleep, students will lead the rest of the Diocese in Morning Prayer and lead the adults in a service project. We’ll finish right after lunch so you can go home and rest!

All middle school students are invited to this formation retreat built just for them! Apply for New Beginnings Team here (attendees can register here).

We know it’s hard to leave camp to go back to school, but DYC Winter Camp can tide you over until the summer! All students are invited to this weekend of camp activities and worship. Bishop Wright joins us on Saturday night for an informal Q&A and Eucharist. You may even see some of your favorite camp counselors from the summer!  Register here if you’re a student or would like to attend as a chaperone.

All high schoolers are invited to Camp Mikell for this spiritual formation retreat. A lot of things about this weekend are intended as a surprise for the Candidates (attendees), but reach out to our office if you have any questions!

All middle school students are invited to this formation retreat built just for them! 

Graduates’ friends and families are invited to join Bishop Wright and the Diocesan Youth Commission at the Cathedral of St. Philip for a service and reception to honor our graduating seniors. 

The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has created Keep/Watch: Suicide, Christ, and Community. This is a resource to equip people and congregations to practice community-based suicide prevention. This workbook is for anyone who wants to help keep their community safe from suicide. It’s theologically and experientially grounded and informed by peer-reviewed research and evidence-based outcomes. 

Keep/Watch is now available for purchase on our diocesan website! Bulk orders with wholesale discounts can be made through the publisher.