An Amazing Experience

So, I might not have kept up with the blogging during the event itself - but I learned that the week was filled with late nights and very early mornings, and very little free time in-between. But it was great! I'll still share what I got to be part of for those of you who are interested. 

Throughout the week I attended workshops, including: Youth and the Gospel; Spirituality and Sexuality: This is My Body; How to Teach so Kids (And Others?) Will Learn; Effective Use of Games and Initiatives; and Planning and Leading Meaningful Worship. My favorite was probably Youth and the Gospel, led by the chaplain from Huron University. It gave a great insight on how to present the Gospel to youth, and even adults. I enjoyed each workshop for different reasons, and wish I could have taken more!

We spent a day in Open Space, where participants brought up their concerns in youth ministry and we had the day to attend sessions on the different concerns and participate in conversations. Concerns and discussions were on everything from Girls Ministry, Camp Ministry, Formal Training for Youth Leaders, to Feeling like an Outsider. In groups we explored the concerns and committed to continue conversations to take further action over the next few months. I became engaged and involved in a group looking at Rural Youth Ministry, and as a group we will continue to share ideas and eventually gather resources and ideas that can be shared nationally. I also took interest in the group looking at Formal Training for Youth Leaders - I look forward to seeing what comes out of that group. 

We were given an afternoon of "Free Time" where we could venture off site, look around, and go out for dinner. Six of us went downtown London and searched out the Cathedral. Our search was successful, we found St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral and even got to go inside for a closer look. It was amazing and so beautiful. We also found the Catholic Cathedral, but no one was there so we were unable to venture inside. There were so large and gorgeous though, I'm still amazed! We went out for dinner and then went back to the campus. 

Our plenary speakers and those who preached during worship were full of insight and knowledge. It was inspirational and life giving. "The Seven Spiritual Yearnings of Youth" was very interesting, and the preaching from Rev. Reggie Blount and National Indigenous Mark MacDonald was life changing. Primate Archbishop Fred Hiltz gave us a closing message before he left, it was a message of what he saw, suggestions, and amazement as one hundred and sixty-five Anglican Youth Leaders from across Canada gathered together. 

We engaged in worship daily, usually twice a day. Each worship was unique and different. We participated in Meditation on the Cross - with a liturgical dancer, Foot washing, Morning Prayer, Holy Eucharist, and an Emergent Church Eucharist. The music was powerful, joining together as one hundred and sixty-five voices to come before the Lord with a joyful song. We sang everything from contemporary, traditional, to songs from Zimbabwe. We were honored to be present for one of our newly ordained peers from Nova Scotia, Arran Thorpe's, first services. It was an amazing and powerful moment when Arran went to bless and break bread for the first time. I can only image the overwhelmingness of it, the service brought me to tears of joy for Arran and his accomplishments.  

Huron University College is a beautiful campus, the buildings and set up took my breath away. I can not think of a better location for this event to have been held. The people I met and the networking I was part of has changed my life. It was amazing to meet people from across Canada in similar ministries as I am. And I'm sure that we will continue to share ideas and engage in peer mentorship with one another. Friendships have formed and will continue.

The traveling itself was an adventure. My journey down to London was easy, a direct flight from Kelowna, BC to Toronto, ONA . Then we drove two hours to London, through a lightning storm. The journey home had us drive back to Toronto then fly to Calgary, AB. We ended up stuck in Calgary when our flight got cancelled due to the weather back East. We spent the night in a hotel just to get up early to catch a flight to Vancouver, BC, where we then went directly to Kelowna, BC.  Then we drove back to work! At least I now know what to do when my flight gets cancelled!

Overall the whole experience was life-giving and life-changing. I gained new experiences, and learned more than my head could manage to keep in. I am still reflecting on the week and can't wait for September when I begin the youth group in Savona up again.  

A great start

The Generation 2008 has been off to a great start. Last night (Tuesday) we had our first plenary session, which took us through an interesting history of youth in Canada and ended up with looking at postmodern youth in our world. We followed that with a great Eucharist service, for some reason when I am gathered with youth and/or youth leaders and others in similar ministries the service are full of so much joy, emotions, and meaning. I really enjoyed it! Our National Indigenous Bishop, Mark MacDonald, did the sermon. He had great stories and provided a basis for some personal reflection. We ended yesterday with some social time. 

Today started early as every morning will be. We did the normal engaging in base groups, worship, friends, and food! Today I attended the Transformational Youth Ministry workshop, which went very well. This afternoon was a very meaningful time for the Aboriginal peoples, at 3:00pm we all gathered together at the big screen TV where we watched the governments long awaited apology for the pain and suffering of all those connected to the residential schools. It was a powerful moment for us all as we too have waited for this needed apology to be given. 

We also got to learn how to drum on African drums, along with some songs, and some dancing. I was not so good with the dancing but it was all very fun. Especially the drumming! It was the highlight of our day together. 

I also spent some time engaging in small groups and forming relationships and connections across Canada. But at this point it is late and the "social time" is still going on. I hope the weather is a beautiful for you all as it is here!

I made it!!

Well, after driving into Kelowna on Sunday night, and leaving on Monday morning I made it to London, ON for Generation 2008 last night. We arrived to Toronto then drove the two hours to London, which because of construction was much longer. And it was hot out, but pouring rain, and a huge lightening storm. But it was cool nevertheless, we definitely don't get lightening like they do here. We got to Huron University College in London at 10:30pm. The campus is beautiful, just beautiful - I will take pictures when the sun comes out!

Today I woke up, had breakfast, visited with people from across Canada, had lunch, then spent far too long trying to connect to the wireless internet here. But eventually got it, so now I'm doing emails. Tonight we have dinner, opening plenary session, Eucharist, base groups, and then social time. I'm looking forward to the conference getting underway, those coming in today are currently registering. 

I am really enjoying connecting with young adults and youth leaders from across the country. It is so wonderful to share ideas, connections, frustrations, and issues of the church with others around my age and in the same ministry as I. Tomorrow our workshops start, and I am ecstatic about them!

Oh, and when I was in Kelowna my friend took me to see the Cathedral there, it is so beautiful. And it has a pipe organ, which I have truthfully never seen in a church! (Yes, I knew they existed!!) 

Be well!!