This week, eight youth from across Canada meet in Calgary to lay the groundwork for 100 young people under the age of 30 to attend The United Church of Canada's General Council 45 next year, also in Calgary. The United Church also celebrates its Centennial next year.
As Youth Forum Leadership Animators, this group of talented, passionate and diverse youth are committed to developing leadership among their peers. Supported by two co-coordinators – Raven Anderson in Winnipeg and Thea Sheridan-Jonah in Vancouver – the eight youth have arrived from Georgetown, Sault. Ste. Marie and Scarborough, ON; Dieppe, NB; Montreal, QB; Saskatoon, SK; Comox, BC and Norman’s Cove, NL.
Each brings their skills and enthusiasm to their local and regional communities through placements that will aid them in vocational discernment and leadership development. After this, they return to their local communities and regions to work on learning goals and projects for four weeks, but remain engaged throughout the year.
“The United Church of Canada has been vocal about its commitment to young people and fostering their leadership, especially going into the Centennial year of the denomination,” says Sheridan-Jonah “In our 100th year, we have the unprecedented commitment to make General Council a place for 100 young people; a minimum of 50% will be Racialized and Indigenous. This is not an unrealistic goal, but a necessity to call ourselves into the work of anti-racism and decolonization as we envision the next 100 years.”
While in Calgary, they will tour the convention centre, hosted by local churches, discover the best food close to the hotel, learn about the local context, and see some of the sights Calgary has to offer. Although their schedule will be packed, they will find time to play intricate board games, break out into hymn singing, and plot radical ideas for our church, such as envisioning how eight youth could co-serve as Moderator of the United Church.
“The youth leadership animators create better opportunities for our youth, paving the way for our future. Their leadership and representation as diverse young people create a better environment for all youth across our denomination,” says Anderson. “Diverse young people need to be at the table and participating in the conversations about our future. They are an integral part of the Church’s vision for the next 100 years. They deserve to be held up and supported as they pave the way for their peers and bring us into the future we want to represent across our denomination and wider church.”
Follow along on social media through the hashtags #UCCan #uccanleadershipanimators.
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