Episcopal Service Corps’ roots reach back to the 1980s and the formation of a number of intentional Christian communities begun in urban areas across the U.S. Over the years, partnerships with Trinity Wall Street, the Forum for Theological Exploration and The Episcopal Church have grown ESC from grassroots beginnings to a network of 20-30 newer and older grassroots communities (background from Episcopal Service Corps Maryland). ESC is still needing recruits for 10 of its programs. This, from ESC:
Episcopal Service Corps is a network of intentional communities across the Episcopal Church that invites young adults to spend one year living in Christian community while engaging local justice initiatives, discerning vocation and developing leadership skills.
Each Episcopal Service Corps community is centered on a “Rule of Life” designed to deepen relationships among participants through the practice of shared meals, prayers, and lives. Exactly how this practice is lived out is different in each program. Additionally, Episcopal Service Corps members serve in the local community, working with an area nonprofit, such as a school, parish, organic farm, homeless shelter, after-school program, refugee resettlement organization, or hospitals, depending on the needs in the local setting.
All Episcopal Service Corps programs provide housing and utilities. Additionally, Corps members receive a small individual stipend, grocery stipend, health insurance and transportation assistance throughout their year of service.
Episcopal Service Corps programs are in more than 20 communities across the United States: http://episcopalservicecorps.org/programs/, several of which continue to accept applications for the 2018-2019 year. Among these are:
• Assisi House (Concord, NH)
• Deaconess Anne House (St. Louis, MO)
• Johnson Service Corps (Chapel Hill and Durham, NC)
• Lawrence House Service Corps (South Hadley, MA)
• LEVN: Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network (Davis/Sacramento, CA)
• Life Together (Boston, MA)
• Seattle Service Corps (Seattle, WA)
• SSJE Monastic Internship Program (Cambridge, MA)
• Saint Hilda’s House (New Haven, CT)
• The Road (Atlanta, GA)
Interested applicants can find out more about these and all Episcopal Service Corps programs and submit their application – using this link.
Find Episcopal Service Corps on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
Photo: Seattle Episcopal Service Corps, dated April 25, from the ESC Instagram feed.