Diocesan Young Adults Gather for Inaugural Summit in San Diego

Poway, CA – Nearly 40 young adults from across the Diocese of the West of the Orthodox Church in America gathered at St. John of Damascus Church in Poway, California for a three-day Summit. With the active participation of His Grace, Bishop Vasily, the young adults worshipped in divine services, engaged in lively and meaningful discussions on vocations and the spiritual life, worked at a YES-organized service project, and enjoyed fellowship in San Diego County.

“This was a really special weekend of bringing together young women and men from across our diocese to connect with one another and grow in their faith,” explained Brittany Yeager, project manager of the Thriving Parishes Project and lead organizer of the Summit. “We pray that all who gathered here will be energized and that the seeds planted over the course of this weekend would flourish and bear much fruit.”

The Summit featured guest speakers who challenged participants to think about what it means to accept Christ’s call to love God with heart, soul, strength, and mind, and their neighbors as themselves. The topic of discernment was raised in group discussions with attendees considering ways their daily lives can take on greater meaning through an active spiritual life and vocations. 

A social mixer on Thursday evening created a first space for those gathering to meet each other.  The weekend formally began with an opening prayer service led by His Grace, Bishop Vasily. Participants heard from Jason Oneida, director of alumni initiatives for CrossRoad Institute, who spoke about discerning purpose in one’s life. Dimitrios Rentel, former Telos Center manager and current seminarian at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, led a session encouraging participants to identify ways to be active in parish life. 

During a panel discussion, questions were raised about discerning how to live as Orthodox Christians in the 21^st century amidst the rise of artificial intelligence and helping friends who have fallen away from their faith. Panelists included Bishop Vasily; Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, diocesan chancellor; Brittany Yeager, project manager for the Thriving Parishes Project; and Archpriest Michael Anderson, host rector and chair of the diocesan youth ministries department. 

The discussion allowed the young adults to reflect on their own experiences and hear from both the panelists and peers about how the Church and their belief in God is a central force for choices made in their lives.

The keynote presentation during the event was offered by Archpriest Josiah Trenham of St. Andrew Church (Antiochian Archdiocese), Riverside, CA who spoke about the state of our conscience and how it informs our spiritual life. Memorably, Father Josiah highlighted a list of controversial topics in our society in which faithful Orthodox Christians do not have to agree to be faithful fellow communicants. Father Josiah masterfully fielded an engaging Q&A session as well.

The Summit included a YES-organized opportunity to live out the gospel when participants gathered in downtown San Diego, partnering with Blue Wagon Ministry, a local agency that distributes food, water, and basic need resources to those in need. 

Throughout the weekend gathering, the young adults from every corner of our Diocese had opportunities to get to know one another and share fellowship outside of formal discussions and liturgical services. In offering feedback about the Summit, participants noted a real desire to meet with fellow Christians in-person and appreciated the San Diego sunshine and making good connections.  “Never have I felt so pressured to eat snacks!” remarked one participant, who also thanked God for the San Diego sunshine and the opportunity to meet faithful people. Spending time at Balboa Park and Coronado Beach, and sharing a meal at the popular Hamburger Factory created lasting memories. 

The Young Adult Summit was held concurrently with another work of the Thriving Parishes Project, our Priesthood Formation Cohort. Liturgical services were celebrated at St. John of Damascus Church, including Compline, the Divine Liturgy, and Great Vespers. On Sunday, Summit participants joined the clergy and faithful of St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church for His Grace’s parish visitation and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. In his homily, Bishop Vasily encouraged those gathered to consider what they can do in their lives to be like the sheep in the gospel reading by loving their neighbor, thereby bringing the love God into this world.

“The hosting of this Young Adult Summit is an important milestone in the work the Thriving Parishes Project of the Diocese of the West,” noted Fr. Kirill about this grant supported work. “Our Diocese seeks to cultivate the deep practice of the faith, inspire, and nurture the spiritual lives of our young people in an urgent moment of intense societal change and growing rediscovery of the ancient Orthodox Christian faith throughout our region.”

Plans are underway to offer future gatherings for young adults across the Diocese as a means to help this dynamic group of Orthodox Christians become stronger in their faith, more engaged with local parishes, and leaders in bearing witness to Christ’s love in our communities. For questions, please reach out to the Thriving Parishes Project at thriving@dowoca.org