Today the 2011 Episcopal Young Adult Delegation arrives in New York City to participate in the 55th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Gathered from the dioceses of Connecticut, Idaho, Long Island, Louisiana, Minnesota, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Northern California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Los Angeles, these delegates bring with them a diverse set of experiences, perspectives, and aspirations. They are students and teachers, church workers and secular professionals, newly minted Episcopalians and life long church-goers, and they are all between the ages of 20 and 26.

Their journey to New York is one of hope and adventure. Many of them have never been to New York, most have only limited exposure to the work of the United Nations and the Episcopal Church’s commitment and participation in that work. Our hope here is to walk with them in exploring the relationship between their faith and justice on a personal, denominational, and international scale. They will interact with delegates and women of faith from around the world as well as leaders from our own church including Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Canon Chuck Robertson, Co-director of Mission at the Episcopal Church Center Margaret Rose and other Episcopal Church Center staff.

Through exposure, reflection and action these young adults will witness first hand the work being done and the work yet to be done by and behalf of women around the globe. From maternal health to women in the workforce, from domestic violence to the rights of sexual minorities, the course of their New York journeys will depend on their interests and the movement of the Holy Spirit. We invite you to follow along and share this journey with them over the next week. Keep them in your prayers and please post your own thoughts and questions so that we can share this incredible journery as one body.