Why stay fit? Why exercise? What are our bigger motivations and how does physical activity relate to our lives of faith? These are the questions this month's writers struggle with. Read their stories and check out the resources in the bottom section to explore how you might incorporate exercise into your ministry to/with young adults and students. And don't miss our intro video (below) and the resources, events, and ministry highlight to the right.

If you have videos or stories of young adult and campus ministry you'd like to share, please contact our office and let us know! Keep up the extraordinary work in this Ordinary time. We give thanks for your ministry to/with/for young adults in and beyond our church.

Many blessings,

Douglas and Jason

Body, Mind, and Spirit
Deacon Callie Swanlund, Diocese of Pennsylvania

Growing up with severe asthma and having a titanium rod through my leg from a skiing accident in high school, I never considered myself “athletic.” However, during my first year of seminary I decided - on a whim - to take up running. I started out very slowly using a “walk-to-run” program... >>>

Play Like Your Life Depends on It, It Might
The Rev. Joanne Sanders, Stanford University

Prior to becoming an Episcopal priest, I had the privilege to spend a collective 20 years teaching and coaching on the recreational and collegiate level, as well as compete as an undergraduate student athlete.  Exercise and training was indeed necessary for the demands of competition, but more importantly, it became clear to me that maintaining a reasonably active life physically beyond the confines of an athletic or professional career was essential to my health, well-being, balance... >>>

Pedestrians Only
Gregory Stark, Diocese of Long Island

College is crazy. One’s time is spent inequitably between classes, homework, music, hanging out with friends, and trying to sort out one’s identity. It can be quite the challenge to fit in time to work out. Going to school in rural Ohio helps, though. The school is surrounded by trails that one can take to escape the madness, and in that escape, find God. ... >>>

Find Your Stride
The Rev. Mitch Smith, Diocese of Iowa

I have always been an athlete.  I remember being four and having the training wheels taken off of my bike; swimming at age five against eight-year-olds; and I remember with fondness my time as a state champion swimmer, baseball player, and multiple time All-American.  To say that health, fitness, and sport is a large part of my life and the life of my family is an understatement.... >>>

A Few Resources

Not sure where to start in incorporating a healthy emphasis on exercise, activity and play into your ministry or life? Start with some of these sites and resources... >>>