Why attending a youth retreat was the best professional development I could have asked for 

 

Earlier this year, I attended a retreat for young people ages 13-18 in the Diocese of New Westminster. I went as priest for my parish along with our Children's Ministry Worker. We had three youth signed up from our parish, but two came down with the flu. I was left wondering: is it worth it to go if only one of our youth can attend?  

The Children’s Ministry Worker and I chose to go ahead with our one youth in tow.  

The outline for the weekend was simple: meals together; singing; prayers (liturgy); and during the sermon, a leader sharing from their own life about a time when they were called to follow Jesus.  
 
There were some crafts and formal activities scheduled, but, mostly the vision for the weekend was for the youth to have space to “breathe in fresh air” and “have open conversations about the challenges of maintaining faith . . . in modern and ancient times.”  
 
In practice, this looked like a game of “tag” (remember that old gem?) and playing for hours on end with an inflatable beach ball, trying not to let it touch the ground. It meant youth sharing what they need most in terms of care at this time of their lives. Surprisingly, it wasn’t money or big sporting events or a chance to meet their favourite celebrity—it was a youth leader checking in weekly to see how they were doing; it was learning music together; it was having adults in their lives (in addition to their parents/caregivers) who wish for their good.  
 
I came away from the retreat inspired and equipped—yes, for youth ministry, but, more broadly—for leadership and change management.  

I learned that shrinking numbers in an organization could be impetus for bringing in keynote speakers and business coaches, and sending groups of leaders away to conferences and schools. It could also be an opportunity to stay with what’s good—to work with the people you do have in the room and to invite wisdom from within your organization.   

I learned that having an engaged group of people gathered for a common purpose can be an occasion to implement the latest curriculum. It can also be a chance to leave the space open, unprogrammed, to see what teachings emerge.   

Despite not knowing youth from the other churches at the retreat, the one remaining youth from our parish still chose to attend. What does that say? What wisdom does God have for us through this young person? I am reminded of Jesus’ many parables where people who are entrusted with small things reap the greatest rewards. 

I wonder if attending a youth retreat could be your next professional development opportunity? 

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Helen Dunn is a priest in the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, serving as rector of St Clement’s in North Vancouver, BC located on the unceded and traditional territory of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Helen is not the most obvious choice for youth ministry: she misses most pop culture references and is more likely to watch a procedural crime drama than the latest TikTok. Nevertheless, she wants to see the Anglican Church of Canada flourish and hanging with young people seems to be a pretty good place to start.