The Anglican communion is a community that agrees to stay together, united by shared traditions, history and faith, though expressions of community and faith can differ from parish to parish. Lets think about us as a celebratory cake, the ingredients are the things we share, traditions, the Bible, prayer book, churches across the Diocese planted in times gone by, governance and statutes that hold us together, leadership structures and more.
Each parish, or community of faith is made up of people, and we are what gives Anglicanism flavour. Parishes reflect a variety of flavours, it may be a united passion for social justice, or care for the older persons, for the environment, or an eclectic collection of care for all sorts of things held together. We reflect varied understandings of God and how we navigate the world. We are, in Tikanga Pakeha a wonderful collection of culture each offering something unique to their communities. There is much that give our parishes their unique flavour and decoration on our celebratory cake.
Young people help create that flavour, in some churches they are clearly visible and are cherished and visible contributors to the parish, in other parishes young people may be present, though not as visible, and in still other parishes, there are often no young people at all. For each parish in this latter position, there may be an acceptance, or a grief, or a sense of inevitability as society has changed in their communities.
But, there are always ways parishes can continue to care for the younger generations, just as there is to care for the poor, the sick, the brokenhearted. Our youth synod reps have some work to do with the information we received from Synod. However, in the meantime here are a couple of suggestions for parishes.
Each year AYM runs a camp called Efest, we gather young people from across the Diocese after Good Friday services and we spend the weekend in worship, prayer, community, fun and even tend to some governance with our Youth Hui. We seek to connect as a youth community, bringing our diversity as a Diocese together as a community, respectful of our differences, and seeking to unite in our commonality. The weekend is about being together, it is about formation in faith and in leadership, it is about prayer, and it is about belonging and connection and being part of a bigger whole. Camps have long been held as mountaintop moments for young people’s faith development, and in youth development camps, are deeply significant for young people developing connection, belonging, independence and resilience. Our Diocesan camp, serves to include all young people, those who are the only one in their church, and those who are part of a group of many, those from Auckland churches, and those from beyond the Auckland city region.
Naturally there is a cost to this, which is easier for some people to pay than others. So, we seek to help everyone onto camp who is keen to come. A couple of parishes in Auckland have a supportive arrangement where a wealthier church that has no young people, is supporting their neighbouring parish in a lower socio-economic area that has young people, to go to Efest (and connect in with other events too).
There are definitely other parishes that could also benefit from that kind of support, in your clusters, maybe see who needs some help, and who can help. That could take the form of clubbing together to do some fundraising events together, or supporting each others, or gifting funds.
Individuals can decide they would like to contribute to the costs of Efest and AYM programmes, codes, bank account details and receipts can be sent.
All parishes can be faithful in prayer for young people. Young people who are already part of our Anglican communion, and those who have yet to discover a faith. Growing up today is filled with different challenges to those in days gone by, and often young people are criticised and judged because we don’t understand. But we all know that prayer changes our hearts, it opens us to the heart of God and how our loving God sees each one of us. Pray for the work of Youth leaders across the Diocese, those who offer their time voluntarily, those who are paid a few hours a week, and those whose vocation is youth ministry, each juggling a great deal for the well being of our young people. Pray for the work of AYM in our changing landscape, with a variety of pressures but also the incredible joy that it is to walk with young people and their leaders. Pray for our fellow parishes, for the Diocese and our leadership as we journey together to ensure that young people (children, young adults and their families) have communities of faith and belonging where they are nurtured, safe and valued.
Our Anglican identity is worth preserving and passing through the generations as part of our expressions of faith.
As always, I, Steph am happy to come have a conversation with vicars, vestries, youth leaders to support youth ministry. I would be happy to further conversations connecting parishes together, support parishes in exploring how you can connect with young people and more.
In the first instance please feel free to email me
