Youth and Adults learn, worship and celebrate together at Justice Camp

by Jen Schwartz, Diocese of Nova Scotia/PEI

Sometimes in life you meet people; and you quickly realize that they carry a message that the world desperately needs to hear.  Dan is one of those people.  He advocates for himself and many others through an organization called “People First”, and he spoke with unfaltering conviction.  “Everyone has a disability.  You may not be able to see it, you may not be able to tell, but it’s there.” In St. Paul’s, Charlottetown, you could have heard a pin drop. This moment was pivotal in my experience of Poverty Justice Camp 2009. Read more…

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evening vigil liturgy on the final night

Some moments are born of the convergence of the right people, the right place and the right time and the irrepressible presence of the Spirit.  That was the catalytic experience of Generation 2008 at Huron University College in June of this year. This event – the first of its kind in Canada – was a national gathering of clergy, laity, youth and elders – anyone involved in ministry with youth in the Anglican Church.  The purpose was to Equip, Empower and Renew those involved in ministry with youth in any capacity, whether that is the parish, through chaplaincy, at camps or at the regional or diocesan level.

It may well be that these five days will be seen in years to come as a moment that changed the church.   Read more…

Anglican Church of Canada Webteam For Leaders, Youth Events

by Constance Holman,  Charlottetown, PEI

Gah.  Writing a “short” piece about Ask and Imagine is a cruel and unusual punishment. I could literally write a book about all of the amazing experiences that I had…

One of the biggest things for me was learning to deal with non-linear thoughts. Personality-wise, I’m very much an intuitive “people person”, but on a day-to-day basis, I operate on a pretty logical level. Things are cause-effect-resolution. And that’s pretty much the way things have always been for me.

 But then came ten days in Ontario. Read more…

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Article by Kara Hawkes                                                     

Reprinted from “Topic”, Diocese of New Westminster

One of the Brothers from Taize talks with our group

Our pilgrimage to Taizé was a truly amazing experience. On July 19 the 2007, the 16 Taizé pilgrims from the Diocese of New Westminster all met at the airport to begin their journey. Once on the plane everyone settled in for a long flight.

Next evening the group arrived in Paris. After resting in the hotel for a while and eating dinner the group headed off to Sacré Coeur. We took some photos, and then explored the area. Afterwards, the group took a quick walk through the Red-Light district, stopping to take a group photo in front of Moulin Rouge. We then headed back to the hotel and called it a night.

The following day started off at the great cathedral of Notre Dame, followed by Ste. Chapelle and a boat ride along the Seine. We walked along the Champs-Élysées, taking a quick photo of the Arc de Triomphe. After lunch the group went up the Arc to take photos of this beautiful city.

Naturally, since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows had come out that day the group made a trip to an English bookstore so people could pick up a copy. To finish off our day in Paris we went to the Eiffel Tower and watched the spectacular light show-unfortunately there wasn’t enough time to go up.

The next morning the group boarded the bus to Taizé. Upon arrival I found it to be much more amazing than I even expected. Read more…

judy Youth Events Stories from Youth

The House(s) that Anglicans Built

The first day of our Youth Habitat Build sounded a lot like this, “Miss, miss, miss, HIT! Miss, miss, miss, miss, HIT!” Big hammer, little nail, sounds easy enough doesn’t it? We are Allie Colp and Ashley Lockyer, two of the six youth from across the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island who took part in the build. Also involved in this project were, Mike Janz ( NSPEI Youth Coordinator), Mark Grandmaison, and Natalie Purcell. Our group of nine spent a week working on three Habitat for Humanity homes in Sackville, NS during the last week in August. Read more…

judy Social Issues, Youth Events Love thy neighbour, Stories from Youth

So who mends creation?

The One who created it?

Or those who find themselves transformed by it?

In truth, there is a co-operation, God with human, within creation. No human can produce a life-giving process which mends creation; we must simply stop harming that which gives us life! God alone brings growth, healing and wholeness. As Walter Farquharson wrote many years ago:


”God who gives to life its goodness …

Give us now creative spirits,

Minds responsive to your mind”                  (Common Praise 428)

“Mending Creation” was the sub-theme for Environment Justice Camp hosted by the Diocese of British Columbia May 13th to the 19th.   Here are come comments by participants – young and older – about this transformative learning experience:

Read more…

judy Social Issues, Stories and Reflections, Youth Events Environment, Justice

Written by Sarah K., Church of the Incarnation, Oakville, Ontario

On the morning of Sunday, May 7, I gathered up all my bags and headed out to the Via Rail station where I would await my train to Ottawa.  Not really knowing what to expect, I promised myself that I would try my best to keep an open mind whatever may happen. My destination?  The Anglican Advocacy Justice Camp being hosted by the Diocese of Ottawa. Read more…

staff Social Issues, Stories and Articles, Youth Events Stories from Youth