Upcoming Events
6th-12th graders across central and southern Indiana are invited to join us for our Diocesan Youth Fall Retreat at Waycross Camp and Conference Center, November 20-22, 2026. At this retreat, youth and leaders will have the opportunity to learn more about their faith while doing activities at our diocesan retreat center.
This year’s theme is GOD MEET US HERE: OUR FAITH + MENTAL HEALTH. At this retreat, we will use the Bible to talk about different heroes in our faith story who found God in a difficult moment in their faith journey. We’ll dive into Peter & the Storm, Jonah & the Desert, Elijah & the Tree, and the Paralytic & His Friends. Each session we’ll talk about a different tool that young people can use to help them in their own lives and in the lives of their friends. We’ll even priests and licensed counselors on deck if teens want to talk to someone one on one for clarity or perspective.
Throughout the weekend, youth will participate in various hands-on activities in what we call. “Choice Time.” Choice Time activities include the craft shop, nature hikes, the rock wall/zip-line, and Waycross Songs hour!
The cost of the retreat is $100 for youth, which includes a two-night stay at Waycross, four meals, and swag. If youth need financial assistance in order to attend, we recommend reaching out to your local parish first for assistance.
We will need lots of adults to make this retreat successful, and all adults will need to go through Safe Church Training. Please register using this same registration form as youth. There is no cost for adult leaders.
For full information about this retreat, including a schedule and other details, please take a look at the informational packets:
Registration is due by November 8th. Registration fills up each year, so we recommend registering early.
For any other questions about the youth fall retreat, please contact Heather Campbell, Diocesan Youth Minister, at [email protected]
Promotional Package for Congregations — including social media squares, flyers, and postcard: Click Here
2026 Medical Forms & Waivers
The below forms are required for every youth and adult who attend an overnight activity or trip with the diocese. It is required that every participant has an updated form for each calendar year. If you have updates in medical information, including medications, please submit a new form for our records.
- 2026 Youth Waiver & Medical Form – English
- 2026 Youth Waiver & Medical Form – Spanish
- 2026 Adult Waiver & Medical Form
Resources for Congregational Leaders
Each month during the academic year, we put on a free webinar with the intentions of educating those within our dicoese, but with the invitation to anyone who would like to participate! You do not have to be in IndyDio or even Episccopalian to register. If you cannot attend live, a Zoom recording and response guide will be emailed to you following the training.
November 10, 2026; 7-8:30pm EST | All Ages, One Church: Intentional Intergenerational Ministry
Many of our churches are intergenerational by default – but what would it look like if we were intergenerational on purpose? In this workshop, we’ll explore how to move from passive coexistence to active discipleship across generations. You’ll leave with practical tools for shared leadership, meaningful relationships, and creating worship and formation spaces where every age is valued.
Facilitated by Sarah Bentley-Allred, Project Director for Roots & Wings: Intergenerational Formation Collaborative.
Register Here
December 15, 2026; 7-8:30pm EST | Curriculum Confidence: Teaching the Faith Without a Seminary Degree
Feeling overwhelmed by lesson planning? You’re not alone. Whether you’re choosing a pre-packaged curriculum, adapting existing resources, or creating your own, this workshop will help you build engaging, theologically grounded formation experiences. Learn practical tools for planning lessons, teaching Scripture, and creating a curriculum that fits your unique context.
Facilitated by Heather Campbell, Diocesan Youth Minister
Register Here
January 12, 2027; 7-8:30pm EST | Caring for Hearts and Minds: Mental Health in Youth Ministry
Youth leaders are often among the first adults to notice when something isn’t right. Join a local mental health professional as we explore common mental health challenges facing young people today, how to offer appropriate support, and when to seek additional help. We’ll also discuss caring for our own well-being as ministry leaders so we can serve from a healthy place.
Register Here
February 9, 2027; 7-8:30pm EST | Brave Conversations: Talking About the Things That Matter
Sex. Grief. Mental health. Money. Violence. Social media. Today’s young people are navigating complex realities, and they need trusted adults willing to talk about them. This workshop will equip you with practical tools, healthy boundaries, and faith-centered approaches for engaging difficult conversations with honesty, compassion, and confidence.
Facilitated by Heather Campbell, Diocesan Youth Minister with a panel of Youth Leaders TBA
Register Here
March 9, 2027; 7-8:30pm EST | Safe Church for Kids & Youth Ministry: Your Questions Answered
Safe Church policies are designed to help our ministries create safe and healthy environments, but applying those policies in real-life situations can raise a lot of questions. Join our diocesan Safe Church administrator for an open Q&A session where you can ask about policies, best practices, documentation, events, transportation, supervision, and other compliance concerns. This is not a certification training, but an opportunity to get clarity, stay informed, and feel more confident navigating Safe Church requirements in your congregation.
Facilitated by Kelly Nickson, Safe Church Administrator for the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Register Here
April 20, 2027; 7-8:30pm EST | Neurodiversity for Youth Ministry
The neurodiversity movement is meant to be a helpful and affirming way of thinking about the different ways that human brains function, and of thinking about how to best support all different kinds of brains. Our Diocesan Missioner for Formation will give a brief introduction about what neurodiversity is before talking about some practical tips for incorporating insights from the neurodiversity movement into your youth ministry, in ways that will likely have benefits for all the youth there, including the ones who are not neurodivergent.
Facilitated by Rev Ian Lasch, Missioner for Formation of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Register Here
The Diocesan Youth Ministry Leadership Team exists to strengthen, support, and shape youth ministry across the diocese. This team collaborates to plan key diocesan youth events, develop new initiatives, and ensure youth voices are meaningfully represented in diocesan life.
We aim to gather approximately 12 members, ideally including one adult and one youth from each neighborhood. If a neighborhood does not submit applicants, positions may be filled from the wider diocese to ensure a full and effective team. Members serve for one year (January through December) and may reapply annually.
Members serve a one-year term from January through December. Terms follow the calendar year, rather than the school year, in order to align with other diocesan committees such as the Waycross Board and Executive Council. Members are welcome to reapply annually.
This application is for adult applicants only and is due November 1. Youth members of the Leadership Team are selected when elected as delegates to Diocesan Convention, and should complete a separate application, which is due September 1.
Our hope is that each person on the Leadership Team might choose one Youth Ministry Focus Area that they contribute to in a year. This might include Fall Retreat, Mission Trip, Confirmation Retreat, Mental Health, etc. If a person does not have capacity for the larger leadership team, they may still join one of these Youth Ministry Focus Teams by emailing [email protected].
Expectations & Commitments: Applicants should be prepared to:
- Attend regular team meetings (proposed: monthly virtual meetings + 1–2 in-person gatherings annually)
- Actively contribute to one major diocesan initiative
- Be active in their local parish/congregation
- Collaborate across generations (youth and adults)
- Uphold diocesan safeguarding policies and Episcopal values
Estimated time commitment:
- 1 hour/month for meetings
- Additional time depending on Youth Ministry Focus Team
Each semester, I invite youth leaders, clergy, and other youth ministry volunteers to have dinner with me as a way of growing community and connecting! RSVP by emailing [email protected]
As part of our five-year vision, we created a database of resources for youth leaders to use in their churches. This library consists of resources that we’ve collected from across the internet, as well as curated ourselves.
Have a resource you would like to share with the diocese? Need a resource created? Email Heather to request or include a resource.
Looking to energize your youth ministry or spark new conversations in your church? Heather Campbell, Diocesan Youth Minister, would love to spend time with your community. A visit might include:
- Worshiping with your Congregation on a Sunday morning
- Preaching during a Sunday service—either following the lectionary or with a youth-centered message
- Leading or joining youth or adult formation sessions
- Hosting a post-service workshop for the whole church, parents, or youth leaders
- Attending a special Sunday like Youth Sunday, Grad Sunday, or Back-to-Church Sunday
- Joining in for a youth group gathering or event
- Participating in an intergenerational, all-church, or family event
- Sitting in or leading a component of a vestry meeting, youth ministry team, or other leadership gathering
- Facilitating a Congregational Assessment through Youth Ministry University: A 4-hour process (split across two sessions if needed) that helps your congregation reflect on and plan for vibrant ministry with young people—complete with tangible, practical next steps.
Links:
- 👉 Click here to view a “menu” of opportunities, including a list of suggested workshops
- 📧 Cick here to email Heather to schedule a visit or start the conversation
Diocesan Youth Ministry Five-Year Vision
In October of 2023, 40+ people from across the diocese, consisting of youth, youth leaders, clergy, and lay leaders met to determine the mission and five-year vision for Diocesan Youth Ministry. This vision summit culminated over a year of research, listening sessions, and censuses collected by the Youth Ministry Renovation Team.
Our Diocesan Youth Ministry Vision includes a mission statement, values, and Five-Year Goals, which focus on Youth Faith Formation, Youth Confirmation, Youth Organization Partnerships, Youth Leader Formation, Youth Ministry Investment, and the Christian Parenting & Caregiving Lilly Grant.
To read more about our vision, download our Diocesan Youth Ministry Vision Document by clicking here.
To view our progress on our goals as of Diocesan Convention in November 2025, click here.
