Iowa Episcopal Young Adults Travel to Swaziland

The Invitation Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya of the Diocese of Swaziland visited the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa in 2013 for the 161st Annual Diocesan Convention. During that visit, Bishop Wamukoya extended an invitation for a group of young people from Iowa to travel to Swaziland for a large gathering of Swazi youth and young adults that will be held December 10-15, 2014. After months of planning and an application process open to young adults throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, a group of 10 have been chosen to represent the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa and will travel to Swaziland from December 8-21, 2014.

The Team Steph Blake from Waverly
Hannah Cornthwaite from Orange City
Rachael Essing from Ames & Fort Dodge
Kristina Kofoot from Cedar Falls & Algona
Jacob Nastruz from West Des Moines
Glyn Powell from Clermont & Ames
Elliott Scarfe from Des Moines
Miriam Timmer-Hackert from Iowa City
Karen Vogel from Fort Dodge
John Zauche from Cedar Rapids & Cedar Falls Accompanying the young adults will be Lydia Bucklin, Diocesan Missioner for Young Adults/Communications, Lacey Howard, Diocesan Missioner for Children & Youth/Communications, Elizabeth Popplewell, chaplain to the group, and Bishop Alan Scarfe, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. Companions The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa has had a three-way companion relationship with the Diocese of Swaziland in Southern Africa and the Diocese of Brechin in Scotland for nearly 25 years. The companionship has fostered shared ministries, close personal relationships, and the holding of one another in prayer each day using a yearly cycle of prayer.

Schedule for the Group The conference for young people in Swaziland will take place at St. Michael's School in Manzini from December 10-15 and will include daily prayer, activities, and time to reflect with one another. According to the organizer of the event, Mandla Mdluli, "The main purpose of the conference is spiritual upliftment and growth and it's a time where we get to know each other as Anglicans, give reports on what has been happening in the previous year and also share ideas on how we can build our church as young people." In addition, our goal as young adults in Iowa, is to be open to listening for ways the Spirit might move us to partner with young adults in the Diocese of Swaziland around issues we are passionate about. The Impact Those chosen for this journey to Swaziland represent the great diversity in young adulthood in Iowa. They range in age from 20-34, from various locations in the diocese, and are each gifted with unique ministry passions and interests. Members of the group have experience with and have expressed a desire to work toward hunger alleviation, women's rights, education and care for vulnerable children, and HIV/AIDS. In meeting face-to-face with other young adults with similar passions and ministry, the young adults will form relationships that will continue beyond December and have an impact in the global mission of the Diocese of Iowa and the companionship of Swaziland and Brechin.
How to help The journey to Swaziland is being funded 1/3 by individual travelers, 1/3 by diocesan support and grants, and 1/3 by contributions by individuals and congregations. Costs for the journey include airfare, bus transportation in Swaziland, food & lodging, and conference registration.

Donations are needed to help support this journey and may be sent to the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, 225 37th St., Des Moines, IA 50312 (with "Swaziland YA Trip" on memo line). Thanks for your prayers and support of this journey. The team looks forward to speaking with you about their plans and experiences. Please contact Lydia Bucklin at lbucklin@iowaepiscopal.org for any questions or additional information.