2003
Importance of youth ministry affirmed
as coordinator comes on board
Greetings from your new youth coordinator for the Diocese of East Tennessee! I join the diocesan staff from television, having spent the last three years working for Scripps Productions (HGTV, Food Network, DIY, Fine Living) here in Knoxville.
Born and baptized into Grace Church in Chattanooga, I moved to Knoxville in 1984.
I’ve been working with diocesan youth programs since I was a youth, and I am honored to now be providing a resource to continue the programs that shaped my faith and spirituality.
Don’t get me wrong… television is still in my blood, and I’ll be back on a set every now and again. But I feel that this is a good move for me.
I’ll be using the communication and production skills that I have learned over the years in my ministry with youth. For example, at this year’s Junior High Retreat, the youth staff skit was presented on video, allowing the creativity of the counselors to reach the campers in a manner consistent with the theme of theology in pop-culture television. And last summer, I was invited by the Episcopal Church, USA, to provide a daily news video service for the tri-annual Episcopal Youth Event in Laramie, Wyoming. The youth participants could watch themselves experience an amazing week of fellowship.
Today’s youth grow up with video media, and youth who use that platform truly are drawn into ministry in a most intense way. The best part of it is that they get to create it. The reason I’m here is to provide a place for youth to create, explore, and nurture their journeys in faith. They write the scripts. They direct the scenes. They are the cast and crew.
I’d like to extend an invitation to all youth in this diocese. The programs we provide are for you and are designed and implemented by your peers. Youth from all 48 parishes in the diocese are welcome at our retreats.
To both youth and adults: Please feel free to contact me anytime (865-384-2094 or aharalson@etdiocese.net). Keep an eye on the Web site, www.etdiocese.net. More youth event information will be available there soon.
I thank you all for this opportunity to serve the future of our church, and I hope that we can make it stronger and more fruitful than ever before!
God’s peace be with you!
– C. Alex Haralson
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