Program: New Seeds
Location: Louisville, KY
Director: The Rev. Cn. Amy Real Coultas
Web Site: www.christchurch.episcopalky.org
|
|
|
New Seeds is a residential internship program for young adults based at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in Louisville, KY. Our interns will share a simple life together grounded in prayer and service as they seek to discern God's calling in their lives. The interns will serve in local social service agencies and centers and develop a rule of life that balances their service work placement with service and prayer in the church--along with fun and fellowship. They will spend time alongside our local young adult community as they settle into life in Louisville.
The New Seeds program is influenced by the work of Thomas Merton (whose work, New Seeds of Contemplation, is our namesake). Merton experienced his famous "epiphany" just two blocks from our building. He was overcome with God's love for humanity and was called to begin living his contemplative life in a new way that reached out to those outside the monastery, and he began rethinking the connection between prayer and service. His Gethsemani home is just an hour's drive away and will be home to some of the interns' retreat time together. The contemplative discipline produces new seeds in our life as Christians. The interns' service to the poor and vulnerable in our world will plant new seeds of mercy and compassion in the lives of those they serve and in our community. Young Adult 'millennial' Christians are the new seeds of a Church that is experiencing the world shifting in radical ways. We expect the intern experience will not just be a "gap year" but will plant new seeds that will grow throughout your life as a 21st century Christian.
Metro Louisville is a vibrant city of 1.2 million people, well-known as the home of the Kentucky Derby and "the best college sports town" in the country, along with cyclocross championships and one of the world's best skate parks. We have a vibrant arts community, amazing restaurants, and beautiful parks. We're home to the Lebowski Fest, the Idea Festival, and the Festival of Faiths. Christ Church Cathedral is situated in the heart of downtown, just steps to the business, sports, entertainment, and arts centers--and the riverfront.
The congregation of Christ Church is about to celebrate its 200th anniversary sharing the Gospel as Episcopalians in downtown Louisville. We seek to serve our neighbors through various ministries, including a partnership to serve at-risk young adults through the Home of the Innocents' Cornerstone program, our monthly Outreach Sunday, and our new partnership with St. George's Community Center. Interns will also be able to experience diocesan life since our campus is home to the Bishop and his staff and we are the hosts for many diocesan liturgies and gatherings. We host a vibrant art and music program and we participate in many ecumenical and interfaith events. The director also serves as campus minister to the University of Louisville and convenes local Episcopal young adults, so there will be many opportunities for peer fellowship!
|
|
