Upcoming Events
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 and may reapply annually.
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 heather@indydio.org.
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
In 2020, the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis voted to add eight youth delegates to Diocesan Convention, taking place this year on November 7, 2026. These eight delegates consist of one high school youth from each neighborhood and two selected by the Bishop. In addition to these delegates, an alternate is selected from each neighborhood. This means that there could be a total of 14 youth delegates at Convention.
In order to apply to be a youth delegate, youth must complete this form. The form requests contact information, includes a few questions for our consideration, and asks for the contact information of a priest or lay leader in the youth’s congregation to serve as a reference. Deadline for submissions is September 1st.
If we have multiple candidates, we will give neighborhoods the opportunity to vote and select their representatives at our fall Neighborhood meetings. Bishop Jennifer may elect to choose her delegates from the submissions.
Youth will be notified that they have been selected to be a delegate by October 1st.
In 2020, the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis voted to add eight youth delegates to Diocesan Convention, taking place this year on November 7, 2026. These eight delegates consist of one high school youth from each neighborhood and two selected by the Bishop. In addition to these delegates, an alternate is selected from each neighborhood. This means that there could be a total of 14 youth delegates at Convention.
In order to apply to be a youth delegate, youth must complete this form. The form requests contact information, includes a few questions for our consideration, and asks for the contact information of a priest or lay leader in the youth’s congregation to serve as a reference. Deadline for submissions is September 1st.
If we have multiple candidates, we will give neighborhoods the opportunity to vote and select their representatives at our fall Neighborhood meetings. Bishop Jennifer may elect to choose her delegates from the submissions.
Youth will be notified that they have been selected to be a delegate by October 1st.
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.
August 11, 2026; 7-8:30pm EST | Leading the Leaders: Recruiting, Retaining, & Raising Up Volunteers
Explore practical strategies for finding, training, and supporting adult volunteers in youth ministry. Learn how to reduce fear and burnout, create a culture of ownership, and build confident leaders and mentors—even in aging congregations.
Facilitated by Heather Campbell, Diocesan Youth Minister
Register Here
September 8, 2026; 7-8:30pm EST | Growing on Purpose: Building a Youth Ministry
How do you start a youth group… from scratch? How do you encourage youth to come more? How do you tell your community that your church exists…without the ick? Explore practical strategies for connection, communication, hospitality, outreach, and creating a ministry that young people are excited to invite their friends into.
Facilitated by Heather Campbell, Diocesan Youth Minister
Register Here
October 13, 2026; 7-8:30pm EST | From Participants to Leaders: Empowering Youth Ownership
Research consistently shows that young people are more likely to stay engaged when they have meaningful roles to play. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to create a culture where youth are contributors, not consumers. Learn how to develop youth leaders, share real responsibility, and open pathways for young people to serve throughout the life of the church.
Facilitated by Azia Raju, Founder of Young Leaders Life
Register Here
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
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 heather@indydio.org
Next Date: April 12th, 5-7pm at Creative Chaos (RSVP by emailing Jackson Chamberlain, chamberlain@indydio.org)
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.
