Hello! My name is Monica Romano, and I am the Youth & Young Adult Ministries Coordinator (sometimes abbreviated “YAYA”) for Dio NorCal. I began my work in this diocese in the fall of 2010 after ten years of ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. I received a BA in Communications with a minor in Marketing from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. As a college student I worked as the part time youth minister of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Auburn, and I went into Episcopal youth ministry full time upon graduation. While working in parish youth ministry, my job branched out to include facilitating programs and workshops with congregations, camps and retreats across the country and across the globe.
It is a great privilege to have been called to serve in Northern California where it is my goal to strengthen the ministries to and with our youth and young adults in our congregations and around our diocese. I live in Sacramento and keep office hours the Office of the Bishop, but a large part of my work happens on the road as I travel to meet with the congregations and ministries across Dio NorCal. It is a joy for me to gather with all of you to uncover ways I can be a resource for the strengthening of your ministries with the younger members of our congregations and communities.
Even when not working, I maintain my love for travel. I keep my passport with me at all times and always enjoy seeing new places and learning about other ways of life. When I’m not on the road there is a good chance I am reading or watching films about other cultures, whether they be in my hometown or on the other side of the world.
I hope you will contact me with your questions, concerns or ideas in the area of youth and young adult ministries including (but not limited to!) confirmation, Christian formation curricula, campus ministry, Safeguarding God’s Children, summer camp opportunities and youth group resources.