Imagine a program that brings the best and the brightest young Episcopal leaders to the Diocese of Spokane and puts them to work in our congregations and their surrounding communities. The program would focus on developing their leadership and organizational skills through on-the-ground work in different ministry areas. Community living, spiritual direction, outreach and leadership development would be vital components of this program and these participants would leave this program prepared and ready to serve as leaders in their local congregation, diocese and community.

That is the premise of WaterMark—a homegrown program that has been developed by Episcopalians for Episcopalians and is designed from the ground up to be a unique and exciting program of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. This program is one of only a few such programs across the country and is only the second such program on the west coast.

Based on our being marked by the waters of baptism, the focus of WaterMark is to give the next generation of Christian leaders an opportunity both to shape and be shaped by direct ministry at both the local and diocesan levels. Particular attention will be given to the work of identifying local needs and mobilizing congregational and diocesan resources in order to construct a compelling witness to the Gospel. In addition, the interns are given the chance to travel throughout the Diocese to experience for themselves the breadth and diversity of ministry in our region.

This program will launch with its first interns Fall 2008. We have been included in the 2008 diocesan budget and are receiving ongoing support for this program from the Episcopal Church Center in New York.

Stay tuned to the diocesan website (www.spokanediocese.org) for future information about WaterMark!

WaterMark Mission Statement
We are a Christian leadership development program of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, equipping young adults to articulate their faith as expressed in the baptismal covenant and empowering their ministry to transform the church and the world.