The head of the Canadian Church is setting up a network on the Internet for young Anglicans across Canada.
Primate Andrew Hutchison says he wants to connect Anglican youth in smaller, more personal groups who are of similar age and interest.
He's given the network a name - Anglican Young People On-line or "AYPO" - and said he hopes the network is up and running by Pentecost next month (May 15).
"I know there are some Anglican youth who feel somewhat disconnected from the wider church and wonder if there are other young people out there like themselves," he wrote in a letter sent to all parishes.
Young people who want to be involved in the network are asked to go to www.askandimagine.org/aypo to register online.
Hutchison, who was elected head of the Anglican Church of Canada last June, is also experimenting with Internet communication by posting short Internet talks called "Conversations with the Primate" once a month on the national website: www.anglican.ca.
Meanwhile TOPIC is introducing a page for diocesan Anglican youth in this issue which has been created by a group of parish youth workers.
By Philip Murray and Michelle Vondette
St. Mary's, Kerrisdale and St. Philip's, Dunbar
| Two youth savour a small cup of brown rice, the only solid nourishment they were allowed during the 24 hour period |
Young people from four parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster gathered at St. Mary's, Kerrisdale to participate in a 24-hour fast recently. Their "Hunger Strike" raised money to help those affected by the tsunami in Asia.
Over 30 youth from St. Mary's, Christ-Church Cathedral, St. Philip's and St. Alban's in Richmond participated in this event and together we raised over $1,783.08 - a little shy of our $3,000 goal, but the youth and the members of our communities who supported them should be proud of what they accomplished.
While fasting, the youth spent their weekend of January 29-30 in workshops on Peace and Justice Making, Human Rights, and worshipping through music. We also had the benefit of joining in the "Greening Our Parishes" event which was also being held at St. Mary's that afternoon. In addition to the conference we were blessed with two excellent guest speakers: Mark Perry of Kerrisdale Lumber spoke to us Saturday morning about his family's experience in Thailand during the Tsunami disaster. Bishop Jim also spoke on the spirituality of fasting as Saturday evening wore on, and our hunger pangs got stronger. We became progressively more aware that being in community helps to ease any suffering.
All of our time was not spent in serious discussions however. We had a "Bigger & BetterBigger & Better" scavenger hunt in the streets of Kerrisdale, which led to questions about quality versus quantity. We also watched a movie, ate a half-cup of rice (the standard daily meal for many in our world), and enjoyed learning how to fence.
On Sunday morning, we closed our time together in worship _ with our youth providing musical and liturgical leadership at St. Mary's regular "Family Eucharist Service". With the breaking of the bread at the Eucharist, we broke our fast. Immediately following the service, the youth ate a light meal together, wished each other well and went their separate ways. It was a very quiet moment after a boisterous weekend when these young people filled their bellies for the first time in ages with something other than water or some of the 24 Litres of orange juice donated to our cause by Stong's Market.
This was a tremendous time and an incredible experience for the youth who participated in the fast. We in the Diocese of New Westminster should be proud and happy of the way in which our youth are gathering for these types of events. Youth are not only the future of our church _ they are also the present and we are blessed to have vibrant youth groups in our parishes.
Philip Murray is Youth Ministry Director at St. Mary's, Kerrisdale; Michelle Vondette is Youth and Children's Worker at St. Philip's, Vancouver.
By Mark Hainsworth
St. Lawrence, Coquitlam
Calling all youth leaders!
In the past year, there has been a stirring among those who serve youth in our Diocese. A hunger for solidarity, mutual support and greater access to resources has led a group of youth workers from across the lower mainland to get together and form the New Westminster Anglican Youth Leaders Network (WAYNet).
We believe that the young people in the Anglican Church can be better served if youth group leaders from individual parishes know and work with each other. Already this year, WAYNet has contributed to the success of several exciting multi-parish events including a Tsunami Relief Hunger Strike and the monumental "Word Up!" youth retreat.
WAYNet is run by a small leadership team that organizes two to three programs for youth leaders per year. This team also runs an email distribution list and web site that allows youth leaders to share with each other over the internet.
It doesn't matter if you have two kids in your youth group or fifty; you are invited to be a part of the network. Those new to youth ministry are especially encouraged to join us so that they may tap into a wealth of experience from across our Diocese.
In the long run, we hope to be able to organize training courses, workshops and other gatherings that would prove useful to those involved in youth ministry. However, our plan for this spring is to invite people to meet together in an easy, relaxed, social setting.
For more information, or to be added to our email discussion group, please contact us via email at waynet.info@gmail.com
WAYNet connects youth leaders in the Diocese of New Westminster so that they may mutually provide encouragement, support, and tools for spiritual growth to serve the youth in their communities more effectively. WAYNet will do this through advocacy, training, and provision of resources, with a view to nurture youth workers in the faith of Jesus Christ.
Do you have a special youth event that you would like to invite other groups to, or would you like to list the details of your youth ministry in TOPIC so that youth exploring their faith can find your group? Please send information, articles & photos t Samantha Cawker, TOPIC youth page editor, samantha@cathedral.vancouver.bc.ca; call 604 682-3848 ext. 24.
| The youth participate in a game during the "Greening our Parishes" Conference |
There are some pretty amazing things happening across the Diocese of New Westminster in terms of youth ministry. From special diocesan wide youth events to weekly and monthly parish youth group meetings, there are so many ways for youth to get involved, explore their faith, serve the world, make friends, and have fun! Our network is growing every day, so watch this spot for ways that you can join in…
VIBE worship service
First Sunday of the month, 7pm
"The Vibe" is a contemporary service for youth and young adults held at Holy Trinity Church (1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver).
St. Alban
7260 St. Alban's Road, Richmond
Contact: Elegwen O'Maoileoin
elegwen@yahoo.ca or 604-551-2023
Youth grade 8-college meet on Thursdays 7-9:30pm.
Third Friday of each month: Sr. Youth (gr. 12-college & careers) dinner Third Friday of each month: Sr. Youth (gr. 12-college & careers) dinner & table talk, 5-8:30pm. Monthly events occur!
Christ Church Cathedral
690 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Contact: Samantha Cawker
Samantha@cathedral.vancouver.bc.ca or 604 682-3848 ext. 24
Grades 6-8 meet Sundays from 1-3pm;
Grades 9-12 meet Sundays from 3:30-5:30.
Regular meetings, special events, retreats, and out-trips throughout the year. Call or write for details!
Holy Trinity Cathedral
514 Carnarvon St., New Westminster
Contact: Kevin Bespflug
kevinbespflug@shaw.ca or 604 521-2511
Youth meet once a month at the 9:15 am service, often with a social event afterwards. For more info, contact Kevin or the church office.
St. Laurence
825 St. Laurence Street, Coquitlam
Contact: Matthew Peron
stlaurence@telus.net or 604 936-5423
Youth meet two Sundays a month, usually in the evening. Contact Matt for details!
St. Mary's Kerrisdale
2490 West 37th Ave, Vancouver
Contact: Philip Murray
pmurray@stmaryskerrisdale.ca or 604 261-4228
Jr. Youth: Sundays 3-5pm;
Sr. Youth: Sundays 11:30am-2:30pm.
College & Careers: Sundays 5:30-8pm.
website: www.stmarysyouth.ca
Youth Group Meetings