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Sharon Hiers, Director
for Youth & Young Adult Formation

I am a native of the low-country of South Carolina, born and raised between Hampton and Beaufort. I spent my high school and college years in Myrtle Beach. Most of my immediate family lives in Mount Pleasant, so I claim the entire coast as my homeland. That is also where I met Lisa Newton – my partner of almost 13 years now. Baptized and raised Lutheran, I spent summers attending VBS in a little Presbyterian church that my grandparents and great-grandparents founded. As a young teenager, I was active in a large Baptist church, where all my friends went on Sundays and Wednesdays. I attended Catholic school in my junior high years, while I was simultaneously preparing for confirmation in the Lutheran church. I have my MDiv from an Episcopal Seminary (Sewanee), where I was received into the Episcopal Church in 2006. So I guess I’m an EpiscoLutherPresbyBaptiCathopalian? Okay, maybe this mystery is not completely clear, either! Lisa and I are members of Epiphany in Decatur. I am a nominee in the discernment process for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Atlanta – and looking forward to where that might lead. Primarily, I am delighted to be among you serving the youth and young adults of St. Bartholomew’s.

And I am finding in these great fifty days of Easter, many reasons to be grateful.

I am grateful to be involved with Kids4Peace, and that Liz, Riley, and Whitner will participate this spring and summer, culminating in a week at Camp Mikell with their peace pals from Jerusalem, and a second week spent here in Atlanta.

I am grateful for the youth of St. Bart’s and how they continue to come and be a vital part of the worship and service of this church. We are preparing for the Rite-13 Celebration of Womanhood for Mattie and Sally on April 13 during the 10:30 a.m. liturgy. The YAC group is embracing their new ministries for which we recently commissioned them and are planning their mission trip to San Francisco next summer. The J2A class has selected their pilgrimage destination. Want to guess where they are going? You can do so at our next BIG event – the Acoustic Coffeehouse on May 17th in Wardens’ Hall. You may have heard – it’s going to be BIG! Rumor has it that Woodstock was just a backyard bar-be-cue comparatively…

I am grateful for the youth committee of St. Bart’s, 12 members strong – many of whom also are J2A leaders. These passionate individuals faithfully show up to our monthly meetings to plan and discuss and pray for our youth. They coordinate all-youth Sundays, fundraisers, pilgrimages and mission trips. What joy and support I have found in them.

I am grateful for the young adults who come together every Sunday night for dinner and dialogue. Some of the most lively and deep discussions have developed around that table in the Amerson House, or the one out on the deck, or in the Taylor Room. We have spent the last couple of months getting to know each other, and have plans for everything from biblical study to line dancing. Their desire for community and spiritual companionship is obvious – and their willingness to share with each other is awesome.

I am grateful for the Morning Prayer community, the clergy, staff, and faithful people here. I am grateful for the abundance of gifts and wonderful community I have found at St. Bart’s, and I am looking forward to getting to know you better – and being known.