Episcopal Connections: The Church Club of New York opens applications for the 2026 Young Adult Service Award
Episcopal Connections today announced that applications and nominations are open for the 2026 Liddell Award for Young Adult Service, an annual honor recognizing an Episcopalian between the ages of 18 and 30 whose volunteer ministry has made an exceptional contribution to the life of the church. The awardee will receive a $3,000 stipend.
Established through the generosity of Jane and Donald Macy Liddell Jr., the award celebrates young adults serving in the Episcopal Dioceses of New York, New Jersey, Newark, Long Island, and Connecticut. Eligible ministry may take shape in a wide range of fields: direct service, education, health, the arts, technology, civic advocacy, or any other work that supports the life of the church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The award recognizes volunteer service only: the ministry must fall outside the candidate’s professional responsibilities.
Episcopal Connections President Eric Blair-Joannou observed, “The Liddell Award for Young Adult Service continues to be a point of supreme pride for the Board of Trustees of Episcopal Connections: The Church Club of New York. Not only are we delighted to have the opportunity, thanks to the generosity of the Liddell Family, to highlight and celebrate the formation of service and the ultimate impact of said service by a member of the next generation of lay leadership of The Episcopal Church, but we are also resolved to continue to invest in lifting up such Anglican Communion-wide lay leaders in order that they might consequently help serve and lead our own organization in the future. Investing in future generations of Episcopal lay leaders is paramount to the continued stewardship of our small but mighty, 140 year-old lay organization and the work that we do.”
Treasurer Michael Cudney added, “Since 2012, the Liddell Award has been a wonderful way to honor young people who are carrying out the mission of the Episcopal Church with dedicated service. Too often, service goes unrecognized, and the Liddell Award provides encouragement and support to those young people who have chosen to give of themselves in a wide-range of ministries, but all in service of the Gospel. I am grateful for the Liddell Award of Episcopal Connections: The Church Club of NY in providing material support and recognition of our young people doing mission work across our Metro-NY area.”
Candidates may apply directly or be nominated by someone familiar with their work. A complete submission comprises the candidate application form, a signed personal statement of no more than two pages describing the ministry and the candidate’s involvement in it, the candidate’s current resume, a letter of recommendation from the candidate’s Rector or Priest-in-Charge, and a second letter from an active parishioner or from a supervisor of the community ministry in which the candidate serves.
Applications must be received by the close of business on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. All candidates will be notified by email by October 30, 2026, and the award will be presented in person to the recipient at the Annual Bishop’s Forum in Manhattan.
Full program details and the online application form are available at www.episcopalconnections.org/liddell-award.
About Episcopal Connections
Episcopal Connections: The Church Club of New York is a nonprofit organization founded in 1887 whose purpose is to strengthen the life and faith of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion by offering its members and others opportunities for education, training, enrichment, discussion, and fellowship.
Media Contact
Kate Hill, Director
Episcopal Connections
director@episcopalconnections.org