Alexandria, VA – Virginia Theological Seminary welcomes to campus today the Why Serve? 2012 conference for young adults of color, ages 18-30, from throughout the Episcopal Church. The Seminary is co-sponsoring the event with the Episcopal Church Center offices of Asian American Ministries, Black Ministries, Latino/Hispanic Ministries, Native American Ministries, and Young Adult Ministries.

"It is crucial that young people claim the Episcopal Church as their own," exclaimed the Rev. Joseph Constant, director of Ethnic Ministries and Student Life at VTS. "I congratulate the Missioners of the Episcopal Church for bringing together young people of color and insuring that their voices have an opportunity to be heard in the building up of the church."

Participating youths will be encouraged to explore their own unique gifts through subjects such as the New Community, Identity, and Advocacy, and to consider the many lay and ordained opportunities in church ministry.

“Conferences like this are important for our church and for the world,” said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., dean and president of Virginia Seminary. “These young people are being given an amazing opportunity to learn more about themselves, their faith, how the church can support and encourage them in their journey.”

Founded in 1823, Virginia Theological Seminary is the largest of the 11 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. The school prepares men and women, representing more than 40 different dioceses and nine different countries, for service in the Church, both as ordained and lay ministers, and offers a number of professional degree programs and diplomas.