Diocesan Coordinator of Youth & Family Ministry Named

At the Diocesan Convention, Bishop Knisely announced the appointment of The Rev. Meaghan Kelly as the Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministry. This is an expansion of the position Meaghan already holds as the Director of the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center (a part-time position) and will enable her to serve fully as a member of the senior staff of the Diocese.

In this role, she will help congregations support the faith formation of children, youth and young adults, their families and those who work with them. She will work with diocesan groups to offer diocesan events and leadership training, and to facilitate participation in provincial and national events and networks for youth and their families. This will include expanding the offerings at the ECC for both youth and adults.

This position was made possible through the use of funds and properties owned by the diocese. The Grant House, which is located on the grounds of the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center has been used as a retreat house to clergy and occasionally as a temporary home. In the last couple of years, there has essentially been no use of the house. The Bishop and Diocesan Council decided that providing housing to the Director of the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center would be an appropriate use of the facility, and having it used rather than empty, would be good stewardship.

The decision on the use of the Grant House and the contribution of income from the Bishop’s discretionary fund made it possible to move Meaghan to full-time position. The intention is for the support of this position to be gradually included in the diocesan budget over the next three years. So the Director will live in Grant House for the time being to support the ministry during the transition.

This decision has been enthusiastically embraced by the Board of the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center and echoed by many past and present campers, counselors and friends of ECC. The appointment of a staff person to focus on youth and families enhances the diocese’s work in developing future leaders of the church and the world.

Meaghan and her husband, Jonathan Brower, will take up residence in January. Meaghan will be in the diocesan house in Providence on Wednesdays and will continue to be available as a supply priest during the winter months. We encourage you to invite her to preach, celebrate, meet with your leaders in youth and family ministries and share new about the ECC and the diocese’s work with youth and families.