Episcopal Service Corps

06/17/2026

Summer is here! It's the season to get out and enjoy God's creation, as generations of ESC Corps members have done during their service year. Check out these photos of cohorts through the years in nature, from the Rockies to the Pacific, the desert to the woods.

Are you a beach person? Do you prefer a hike in the mountains? Or are you relaxing at the lake this summer? Tell us in the comments!

06/12/2026

It's been a great year! As academic year programs enter their final weeks and calendar year programs hit their stride, start the weekend with a few highlights from our 2025-2026 Corps.

06/10/2026

We love to see ESC alumni making an impact across the church!

Episcopal Charities is pleased to welcome Jacob Sierra as its new Communications Manager, where he will work to deepen our reach and sharpen how EC tells its story of impact across the Diocese of Chicago.

Jacob shares, “For decades, Episcopal Charities has had a transformative impact across this diocese, and I am honored to help amplify that story, both strategically and creatively. I couldn’t imagine a better next chapter for my career!”

Matt Berryman, Executive Director of Episcopal Charities, adds: “Episcopal Charities has never lacked for impact. What Jacob brings is the gift of making that impact visible with clarity, creativity, and a depth of formation that comes from having served close to the ground of human need. His unique perspective, shaped by both the Episcopal Service Corps and his broader ministry across the Church, positions him to communicate our mission in ways that will move people to greater awareness, greater generosity, and greater hope. I am honored to welcome him to this work.”

A Chicago native, Jacob began his career as a Research Consultant at a market research startup before answering a call into the Episcopal Service Corps. In September 2022, he moved to New York City to spend a year in an intentional community while supporting the outreach work of Church of the Heavenly Rest in Manhattan. There, he worked directly with issues of prison reentry, food insecurity, access to education, mental health, housing, and emergency response. He also served a small parish in the South Bronx, creating bilingual liturgies and leading children’s formation programs to foster a sense of belonging in the community. Most recently, Jacob has served as Senior Program Director at the Episcopal Church Foundation, leading the Diocesan Vitality Initiative, the Fellowship Partners Program, and ECF Vital Practices.

Jacob is glad to be back home in Chicago, working to support Episcopal Charities’ mission of building a more just and merciful world. Outside of work, he tends to his plants, makes linoleum block prints, and finds joy in small handwork — collage, sewing, and even crafting the occasional rosary!

06/03/2026

We have enjoyed sharing reflections from the final cohort of Faith at the Crossroads Corps members, as the program ended on May 31. This final reflection, on giving and receiving support in community from Jackson, highlights values that are embedded in the ESC network as a whole.

We celebrate the ministry of Faith at the Crossroads, which impacted four cohorts of Corps members, along with the many people they served throughout Indianapolis. Thank you for all you have shared with the broader ESC community!

06/02/2026

Join program directors from Servant Year and Plainsong Farm for a conversation about work with young adults in this season, hosted by our friends at Episcopal Parish Network!

Tuesday, June 9, at 3:00pm ET/2:00pm CT
"Discipleship with Gen Z and Beyond: Observations, Theology, and Practice"

The drift of young adults away from the church—and more recently, back toward it—has been in the headlines for years. Yet many churches find it challenging to connect with young adults in their own contexts. What is Gen Z seeking from faith communities? How can our parishes offer the Good News and Christian practices to transform seekers into the disciples needed for this moment?

Join leaders from Episcopal Service Corps, , the church’s network of domestic volunteer service programs for ages 21-32, as they share what they have learned about Gen Z from years of ministry engagement. Together we will consider the ways the Anglican tradition speaks to young adult needs and discuss foundational approaches to young adult ministry for your church.

Building a culture in your parish that welcomes Gen Z and fosters their discipleship goes beyond a thriving young adult ministry: it helps people of all ages put their faith into action as Christian disciples. This reflective, hopeful conversation will help church leaders explore the gifts their churches have to offer and opportunities to share them with young adults in life-giving ways.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vdOADtwkRKWunLpcWGGThQ

Can't join us live? Register anyway and receive a link to the recording as soon as it's available.

Service Corps

06/01/2026

ESC is blessed by the rich contributions of LGBTQIA+ Corps members and staff to our common life. This Pride Month, we celebrate the q***r and transgender members of the ESC network, renewing our commitment to the work of liberation from all that dehumanizes and oppresses God's children. May we build affirming spaces where God's love-- no exceptions!-- is made known to all. Happy Pride!

05/29/2026

Continuing our profile of the outgoing Faith at the Crossroads cohort, listen to Gabriel share about the countercultural values of intentional community.

05/26/2026

Faith at the Crossroads has helped Corps members like Philip incorporate contemplative Christian practice into his everyday life. Watch to learn more of his story!

05/22/2026

As Faith at the Crossroads nears the end of its program year, Corps members are reflecting on how the experience has shaped them. Check out Franklin's reflection F@TC's three formational pillars!

05/21/2026

We love to see Corps members engaging with Episcopal Church leaders!

The Interns of Lawerence House, Deacon Jason Burns, and Bishop Miguelina Howell met last night for dinner and lively conversation. They share about their experiences and the impact of this intership in their lives. Stay tuned to hear all about it soon!
Growing in God's Mission: We are in this Together.