If you have looked out your window lately you may have seen snow, lights on string, and some weird decorated trees. In case you didn’t know, this means that it is almost Christmas. Which means all sorts of good things– a break from school, fabulous food, some great presents, and all the happiness and joy that goes along with these things. We think that Christmas is a great thing.
However, along with all these things, is the craziness of the season, the stress of gift buying, the Christmas pageants, the cookies to make, the perfect tree to find… Christmas may be great, but its also full of stress. So this Christmas we want to remind you of the joys and happiness of Christmas. After all, it is basically a birthday party.
I wonder sometimes why no one ever sings Happy Birthday on Christmas. You hear “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” or “Silent Night” but despite the fact that Christmas is supposed to be all about Jesus’ birthday, no one ever sings him happy birthday.
But anyways, I’m digressing. In the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we hope you get a chance to relax and read our newsletter. We have had fantastic submissions from some great readers, so be sure to watch out for their articles. We are still madly in love with our contributors, and really, so should you. Without them their would be no WHY, and really, that would suck. So wherever you are, we want you to say a great big thank you to them (and we don’t care that they can’t hear you)!
Anyways, we hope you have a great Christmas, and a fantastic New Year! Enjoy the newsletter!
- Kathleen (and Charley)
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Once Upon a Time… and Happily Ever After
You may be wondering how this newsletter came to be. Perhaps found its way into your inbox, or at your church, or maybe some which has left you are wondering… what exactly is WHY?
WHY is a newsletter made for youth and by youth of the United Church of Canada. It was started by Charley Switzer and Kathleen Kerr in the summer of 2006– the first issue coming out that September. We strive to make people wonder, question, and ask. We are all about you, your friends, that guy you barely know. We’re about church and God and religion and faith.
If you would like to receive any back issues, or would like to be put on the mailing list for future issues, email us at wonderingholyyouth@gmail.com, and we’ll be sure to put you on the mailing list! Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to provide hard copies by mail.
WHY is a newsletter made for youth and by youth of the United Church of Canada. It was started by Charley Switzer and Kathleen Kerr in the summer of 2006– the first issue coming out that September. We strive to make people wonder, question, and ask. We are all about you, your friends, that guy you barely know. We’re about church and God and religion and faith.
If you would like to receive any back issues, or would like to be put on the mailing list for future issues, email us at wonderingholyyouth@gmail.com, and we’ll be sure to put you on the mailing list! Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to provide hard copies by mail.
God and Love
When you hear mention of God, what do you think of? For myself, I think of a parent. Of a great mother, a great father who is always there; who is ever present. And when I, then, think of my relationship with God, I think of myself as a little child, who scraps his knee and goes running back to God, that great mother, for healing; for a gentle kiss on the place that hurts, that kiss that’ll make everything better.
It’s not always easy, though, to get back to God. Sometimes I find myself wandering more and more away from God and less and less into Her love. There are times when I feel lonely and scared, like a little child, and just wanting to find my way home to the home where She is, where She can kiss it all better. But sometimes to get back home, there is a big hill to walk back up, or a giant mountain to climb. Or some other difficult obstacle.
I sometimes ask myself how I ever got to this place, how I could’ve gotten myself to get to this point. More times than not I find myself clueless, without an answer. And sometimes it can seem that the road back up can be so hard. For a while, while I try to make my way back up to God, I feel as if I am almost there. I can almost feel the warmth of God’s radiant love shining on me, like I’m right at the edge of being home again. Then I slip back again, back into the cold and harsh world that we call life, reality.
It’s in these times when I feel most like that small child, most afraid. I feel like crying. A lot of times, in fact, I do. Most of the time it doesn’t make me feel any better though. Actually, I often feel worse. I feel alone, even if I am not. I feel as if I have been abandoned. And when I see so many people around me who are overflowing with love and happiness and with an overall plain joy, I often wish I could be like them and know what that is like once again.
There is a saying that goes “You can’t buy love”. Well, that seems like a very true statement. “Love” that has been bought is not really love at all. It’s just a cheap imitation, a little plastic toy that you take off the shelf in a 10-cent store. It ends up useless and void, because it is not real. Not true love. Real love is something that holds dear in your heart. It is something that holds strong in your soul. It clasps on to your very being, seeping down into you and filling a dark void to make you closer to a whole, rather than a crumbled up bunch of pieces; a jigsaw puzzle that seems almost impossible to figure out and complete.
Sometimes I feel afraid to even attempt to try to put the puzzle together. I’m afraid of what I might find if, in the very end, I do put it all together. I don’t know if I do want to know. Sometimes it seems that I would prefer the struggle and the hurt more than I would the complete puzzle. I’m afraid that in the completion of the puzzle I’ll find something in myself that I did not want to see, imperfection. A broken spirit. A soul in the form of a small, scared child. That’s the truth of it. And through it all, there is still a part of me, somewhere inside, that wants to be loved and embraced by God. I still want to know that there is love out there that will keep me and hold me and let me know that everything will be alright in the end.
So maybe, one day, I will finish the jigsaw puzzle. And who knows what I’ll find there. Maybe I’ll find that love that I’ve been searching for. Maybe I’ll find God in all Her glory, standing there with arms wide open and smiling. And as I walk the distance between her and I, She’ll say, “Welcome home my child. Welcome home my dearest son. I am glad that you have returned.”
When I feel lonely, lost, and hurting, maybe, just maybe, I’ll remember this. And in the deepest, most desolate, and most dark part of me, a little light will shine. And I’ll smile because I’ll know, with all my heart, that no matter where I am, I am home when I am with God. Thanks be to God.
- by Nico Anderson
It’s not always easy, though, to get back to God. Sometimes I find myself wandering more and more away from God and less and less into Her love. There are times when I feel lonely and scared, like a little child, and just wanting to find my way home to the home where She is, where She can kiss it all better. But sometimes to get back home, there is a big hill to walk back up, or a giant mountain to climb. Or some other difficult obstacle.
I sometimes ask myself how I ever got to this place, how I could’ve gotten myself to get to this point. More times than not I find myself clueless, without an answer. And sometimes it can seem that the road back up can be so hard. For a while, while I try to make my way back up to God, I feel as if I am almost there. I can almost feel the warmth of God’s radiant love shining on me, like I’m right at the edge of being home again. Then I slip back again, back into the cold and harsh world that we call life, reality.
It’s in these times when I feel most like that small child, most afraid. I feel like crying. A lot of times, in fact, I do. Most of the time it doesn’t make me feel any better though. Actually, I often feel worse. I feel alone, even if I am not. I feel as if I have been abandoned. And when I see so many people around me who are overflowing with love and happiness and with an overall plain joy, I often wish I could be like them and know what that is like once again.
There is a saying that goes “You can’t buy love”. Well, that seems like a very true statement. “Love” that has been bought is not really love at all. It’s just a cheap imitation, a little plastic toy that you take off the shelf in a 10-cent store. It ends up useless and void, because it is not real. Not true love. Real love is something that holds dear in your heart. It is something that holds strong in your soul. It clasps on to your very being, seeping down into you and filling a dark void to make you closer to a whole, rather than a crumbled up bunch of pieces; a jigsaw puzzle that seems almost impossible to figure out and complete.
Sometimes I feel afraid to even attempt to try to put the puzzle together. I’m afraid of what I might find if, in the very end, I do put it all together. I don’t know if I do want to know. Sometimes it seems that I would prefer the struggle and the hurt more than I would the complete puzzle. I’m afraid that in the completion of the puzzle I’ll find something in myself that I did not want to see, imperfection. A broken spirit. A soul in the form of a small, scared child. That’s the truth of it. And through it all, there is still a part of me, somewhere inside, that wants to be loved and embraced by God. I still want to know that there is love out there that will keep me and hold me and let me know that everything will be alright in the end.
So maybe, one day, I will finish the jigsaw puzzle. And who knows what I’ll find there. Maybe I’ll find that love that I’ve been searching for. Maybe I’ll find God in all Her glory, standing there with arms wide open and smiling. And as I walk the distance between her and I, She’ll say, “Welcome home my child. Welcome home my dearest son. I am glad that you have returned.”
When I feel lonely, lost, and hurting, maybe, just maybe, I’ll remember this. And in the deepest, most desolate, and most dark part of me, a little light will shine. And I’ll smile because I’ll know, with all my heart, that no matter where I am, I am home when I am with God. Thanks be to God.
- by Nico Anderson
Me to We: Turning Self-Help on its Head
Millions turn to self-help in pursuit of happiness and success. But perhaps the idea of helping ourselves- self-help- is completely backwards. Maybe, fulfillment, success, and happiness can be found when we turn from ‘me’ (focusing on ourselves) to ‘we’ (reaching out to help others).
It’s been awhile since I have read a book that has left me feeling sure of what I want to do with myself, with a firm sense of direction. And that’s saying a lot considering I’m at that point where university applications, scholarships, and that 100%-tried-true-and-tested clichéd conversation “so what do you want to do (with your life) after high school?” is perpetually popping up.
Written by Craig and Marc Kielburger, “Me to We: Turning Self-Help on its Head” is a book that challenges every individual to think outside themselves and reach out to help others, create community, and change the world. As hard as we might try, life will never be completely meaningful if we base our success on materialistic gains and isolate ourselves in the race to be the ‘best.’ Moving from ‘me’ to ‘we’ can be as simple as offering a smile or holding open a door; it’s about volunteering and caring for you neighbours; it’s about taking small steps toward changing the world.
When you stop to think about global issues plaguing our world today, it’s overwhelming. Poverty. War. Racism. Starvation. Terrorism. Climate change- the list goes on and on. “I’m only one person- how the heck can I make a difference?” But the truth is, you can. (Surprisingly) nobody has one direct answer. (“According to Mr. E-Z-Solve, world hunger can be eliminated if we follow these 1352 simple steps…” yeah right.)
However, each of us can make a ripple- albeit a small one- which might affect someone else, which might reach someone else, and perhaps someone else. The challenge is in recognizing that each of us can be part of that wave by reaching out and working together. You don’t have to do something worthy of the six-o’clock news for your actions to be ‘worthwhile.’ Simply caring for one another, sharing gifts of time and talents, being generous and selfless all count. And in taking that step to help someone else, we are left feeling pleased with ourselves, content with our lives, and happy. Simple.
“Me to We” outlines the ‘steps’ to happiness but not in terms of ridiculous schemes or crazy money-spending ploys. Instead its pages of stories, inspiration, and down-to-earth ideas encourage, motivate and empower. I was left feeling incredibly optimistic about our world and my life- and I would most definitely recommend this book.
- by Charley Switzer
It’s been awhile since I have read a book that has left me feeling sure of what I want to do with myself, with a firm sense of direction. And that’s saying a lot considering I’m at that point where university applications, scholarships, and that 100%-tried-true-and-tested clichéd conversation “so what do you want to do (with your life) after high school?” is perpetually popping up.
Written by Craig and Marc Kielburger, “Me to We: Turning Self-Help on its Head” is a book that challenges every individual to think outside themselves and reach out to help others, create community, and change the world. As hard as we might try, life will never be completely meaningful if we base our success on materialistic gains and isolate ourselves in the race to be the ‘best.’ Moving from ‘me’ to ‘we’ can be as simple as offering a smile or holding open a door; it’s about volunteering and caring for you neighbours; it’s about taking small steps toward changing the world.
When you stop to think about global issues plaguing our world today, it’s overwhelming. Poverty. War. Racism. Starvation. Terrorism. Climate change- the list goes on and on. “I’m only one person- how the heck can I make a difference?” But the truth is, you can. (Surprisingly) nobody has one direct answer. (“According to Mr. E-Z-Solve, world hunger can be eliminated if we follow these 1352 simple steps…” yeah right.)
However, each of us can make a ripple- albeit a small one- which might affect someone else, which might reach someone else, and perhaps someone else. The challenge is in recognizing that each of us can be part of that wave by reaching out and working together. You don’t have to do something worthy of the six-o’clock news for your actions to be ‘worthwhile.’ Simply caring for one another, sharing gifts of time and talents, being generous and selfless all count. And in taking that step to help someone else, we are left feeling pleased with ourselves, content with our lives, and happy. Simple.
“Me to We” outlines the ‘steps’ to happiness but not in terms of ridiculous schemes or crazy money-spending ploys. Instead its pages of stories, inspiration, and down-to-earth ideas encourage, motivate and empower. I was left feeling incredibly optimistic about our world and my life- and I would most definitely recommend this book.
- by Charley Switzer
Just a Little Something
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are." Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Appreciate every single thing you have!
- The other day, my dad shared this email with me and it really puts life into perspective… something we need to keep with us, especially during the holiday season. Amongst all the hype about wish lists and wants and gifts and expenses, it can be easy to lose track of what really counts in life. Take a second during all the craziness that Christmas usually entails to appreciate what you do have.
- The other day, my dad shared this email with me and it really puts life into perspective… something we need to keep with us, especially during the holiday season. Amongst all the hype about wish lists and wants and gifts and expenses, it can be easy to lose track of what really counts in life. Take a second during all the craziness that Christmas usually entails to appreciate what you do have.
What’s the Big Idea?
Do you have a big idea for youth ministry in the church? What would you suggest if the national church asked you.
This was the challenge that a dozen youth and I faced this October in Toronto. We were participating in a Youth Think Tank Meeting with Rick Garland and Amy Crawford, the national youth and young adult reps at General Council.
The day was full of animated discussions, careful listening, and creative ideas. Each person had their own ‘big’ idea. For Jamie Wood, the idea that stood out the most was the “invention of a website for the youth in the United Church; a resource to keep youth updated on what’s going on and what it means to be a United Church Youth today!” This way, youth could be connected to other congregations and events. Just think, wouldn’t it be great if you were out of ideas for ‘what to do,’ you log onto the site and there are ideas from other youth across the country to share! It certainly holds promise!
Along with all our dreaming, we also provided our feedback on several major youth proposals that have been submitted to the GC Office. There was a sense that the national youth ministry from GC “should have a broad focus on many youth, not specific youth in specific programs,” explained Charlie Peters.
Aside from all the meeting ‘stuff’, we also had an opportunity to check out life in the big TO, feasting in Chinatown and strolling down trendy Queen Street!
So I pose a challenge, if YOU have any big ideas please send them to W.H.Y. and we’ll be sure to publish them in our next issue!! (There’s no judges, but we’ll be sure to feature them in big, bright letters for all to see!!!)
- by Charley Switzer
This was the challenge that a dozen youth and I faced this October in Toronto. We were participating in a Youth Think Tank Meeting with Rick Garland and Amy Crawford, the national youth and young adult reps at General Council.
The day was full of animated discussions, careful listening, and creative ideas. Each person had their own ‘big’ idea. For Jamie Wood, the idea that stood out the most was the “invention of a website for the youth in the United Church; a resource to keep youth updated on what’s going on and what it means to be a United Church Youth today!” This way, youth could be connected to other congregations and events. Just think, wouldn’t it be great if you were out of ideas for ‘what to do,’ you log onto the site and there are ideas from other youth across the country to share! It certainly holds promise!
Along with all our dreaming, we also provided our feedback on several major youth proposals that have been submitted to the GC Office. There was a sense that the national youth ministry from GC “should have a broad focus on many youth, not specific youth in specific programs,” explained Charlie Peters.
Aside from all the meeting ‘stuff’, we also had an opportunity to check out life in the big TO, feasting in Chinatown and strolling down trendy Queen Street!
So I pose a challenge, if YOU have any big ideas please send them to W.H.Y. and we’ll be sure to publish them in our next issue!! (There’s no judges, but we’ll be sure to feature them in big, bright letters for all to see!!!)
- by Charley Switzer
Check it Out!!
Here are some great upcoming events to check out:
Kairos 2008
If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, we want to invite you to join us for Kairos 2008. Kairos is a national event of the United Church of Canada that is specifically intended for young adults. It is hosted every three years by a different Conference and London Conference is proud and excited to be hosting in the coming year. From August 24th-29th, 2008, young adults from all across Canada will gather at Five Oaks United Church Education and Retreat Centre (near Paris, ON) and live in community together for one week. There will be opportunities for fun and games, learning and discussion, music and art, worship and prayer. We will eat, sing, talk, laugh and celebrate Sabbath together.
Our theme for Kairos 2008 is “It Matters.” We will be wrestling with the questions of what matters for us as young adults, what matters for the church and what matters for the world we live in. The five theme streams that will take place during the week will focus on the topics of the environment, political activism, arts and creativity, technology and leadership. We will celebrate Sabbath together, worship together, and engage in discussions together, while also striving to create time for people to be alone with God in nature.
Head to the website (www.kairos2008.ca) to check out the video and stay tuned for registration packages and more information. Everything will be posted online as soon as it becomes available.
We look forward to seeing everybody next summer!
- by Kerri Graham
Kairos 2008
If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, we want to invite you to join us for Kairos 2008. Kairos is a national event of the United Church of Canada that is specifically intended for young adults. It is hosted every three years by a different Conference and London Conference is proud and excited to be hosting in the coming year. From August 24th-29th, 2008, young adults from all across Canada will gather at Five Oaks United Church Education and Retreat Centre (near Paris, ON) and live in community together for one week. There will be opportunities for fun and games, learning and discussion, music and art, worship and prayer. We will eat, sing, talk, laugh and celebrate Sabbath together.
Our theme for Kairos 2008 is “It Matters.” We will be wrestling with the questions of what matters for us as young adults, what matters for the church and what matters for the world we live in. The five theme streams that will take place during the week will focus on the topics of the environment, political activism, arts and creativity, technology and leadership. We will celebrate Sabbath together, worship together, and engage in discussions together, while also striving to create time for people to be alone with God in nature.
Head to the website (www.kairos2008.ca) to check out the video and stay tuned for registration packages and more information. Everything will be posted online as soon as it becomes available.
We look forward to seeing everybody next summer!
- by Kerri Graham
A Wondering Holy Youth Christmas
What I wanted was a clever title for this section. Perhaps “have a WHY-te Christmas” or “We Wish you a Why-re Christmas” however I realized how silly this sounded, and went with the title you see now.
Perhaps just as you are finishing your Christmas shopping, you’re haunted by a feeling that you still have one more gift to get, but you just can’t think of what it is. Do not fear, we know who you have forgotten. You’ve forgotten us– WHY needs some Christmas presents too.
“What on earth could a newsletter need for Christmas?” you ask yourself, or perhaps “Is a piece of paper really asking me for a Christmas present?” Well, let me answer these questions for you, in a handy shopping list of sorts.
1. Articles– Write! Write! Write! We know you all have Christmas break coming up soon (Yes, we are psychic) and therefore we know you will have all sorts of spare time to write us an uber-fantastic article. So pick up that pencil (or pen or typewriter or keyboard), and write away! (then don’t forget to send your works to us)
2. Pictures– perhaps you will get a camera from Christmas. And then by chance you take about a billion pictures with it. And just maybe some of them will be good. And then, you send them to WHY so that we can include fantastic pictures amongst our pages. Alternatively, take some pictures with your old camera, or your parents camera, or that camera you found on the sidewalk, and send us those fantastic inspirational pictures!
3. Your email address– no, we are not going to stalk you or send you all sorts of junk, we just want to send you future issues, so that you don’t miss out!
4. Feedback– did you like the articles in this issue? Was there something that resonated especially for you? Do you just find WHY to be special in general? Do you have idea’s for what you would like to see in future issues? Tell us all about it. We love our feedback, (all of it). We’d love to know all of these things. We’d love to know anything about you actually, where you first heard of WHY, or maybe about something amazing that has happened in your life that you just have to share. Well then, EMAIL us!
Perhaps just as you are finishing your Christmas shopping, you’re haunted by a feeling that you still have one more gift to get, but you just can’t think of what it is. Do not fear, we know who you have forgotten. You’ve forgotten us– WHY needs some Christmas presents too.
“What on earth could a newsletter need for Christmas?” you ask yourself, or perhaps “Is a piece of paper really asking me for a Christmas present?” Well, let me answer these questions for you, in a handy shopping list of sorts.
1. Articles– Write! Write! Write! We know you all have Christmas break coming up soon (Yes, we are psychic) and therefore we know you will have all sorts of spare time to write us an uber-fantastic article. So pick up that pencil (or pen or typewriter or keyboard), and write away! (then don’t forget to send your works to us)
2. Pictures– perhaps you will get a camera from Christmas. And then by chance you take about a billion pictures with it. And just maybe some of them will be good. And then, you send them to WHY so that we can include fantastic pictures amongst our pages. Alternatively, take some pictures with your old camera, or your parents camera, or that camera you found on the sidewalk, and send us those fantastic inspirational pictures!
3. Your email address– no, we are not going to stalk you or send you all sorts of junk, we just want to send you future issues, so that you don’t miss out!
4. Feedback– did you like the articles in this issue? Was there something that resonated especially for you? Do you just find WHY to be special in general? Do you have idea’s for what you would like to see in future issues? Tell us all about it. We love our feedback, (all of it). We’d love to know all of these things. We’d love to know anything about you actually, where you first heard of WHY, or maybe about something amazing that has happened in your life that you just have to share. Well then, EMAIL us!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Happy Birthday to Us!
We’ve made it! One year, and we are still going strong. If you had asked us a year ago where we would be at this point, or even if we would exist any more, only in our wildest dreams would we have guessed to have made it this far. Working on W.H.Y has been such a fantastic experience for us, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone has helped us reach this point- from our readers, our guest writers, and those around us who helped us to get started- we owe you so much.
WHY is about inspiring and questioning. It’s about confusion and straightening everything out again. It’s for youth, by youth, about what’s important to us, and about what isn’t. It’s about life, and where God fits in.
In this issue we have some fantastic articles from superb guest writers– Jamie Wood wrote about his struggles in faith, Jake Autio sent us his personal mission statement, and Jessica Baird shared her birthday story. Hopefully you enjoy these articles, and the others inside! Happy Birthday to us!
-Charley and Kathleen
WHY is about inspiring and questioning. It’s about confusion and straightening everything out again. It’s for youth, by youth, about what’s important to us, and about what isn’t. It’s about life, and where God fits in.
In this issue we have some fantastic articles from superb guest writers– Jamie Wood wrote about his struggles in faith, Jake Autio sent us his personal mission statement, and Jessica Baird shared her birthday story. Hopefully you enjoy these articles, and the others inside! Happy Birthday to us!
-Charley and Kathleen
My Testimony
When I was in public school I wasn’t exactly the same as I am now. was more of a shy child; I kept to myself, was quiet and somewhat of a loner. I had some friends, yes, but not really any close ones. I never really felt I had anyone. I always felt alone. Often, I was teased about my weight, about how I dressed, about what type of music I listened to. I was called stupid. I was called a freak. I was picked on, laughed at, and ignored. I rode the bus to school each morning dreading reaching the classroom because I knew that I would never be able to lift my head. I would never be able to face those who tormented me.
I began to fall into a serious depression. I fell deeper and deeper into a sad, dark place that I didn’t think I would ever return from. I began to doubt the truth of God. I began to question how there could ever be a higher divine power if I was feeling such pain. How could he let me go through this? Why won’t he stop these people saying these mean things? God, are you there? Can you hear me? Why won’t they stop? Why do they call me a fat ass? Why do they hurt me at lunch time? I don’t understand. I don’t know why they won’t stop. And I started to turn away from my faith. I thought that it all must be a lie. God? What God? If there was a God, why am I like this? Why are they treating me like this? There is NO God!
When this happened, my life took a turn for the worse. I didn’t feel any better without my beliefs. I felt worse. I felt scared. I felt anguish. It never went away and I would cry myself to sleep, night after night. I then feared going to school. It was so horrible for me that I would pretend to be sick so that my mom would allow me to stay home. Then when I reached grade seven my depression came to a point. I began doing rebellious things that would grasp people’s attention so I could feel like someone loved me. I would steal things from my parents so that they would notice me. I would act out in class and purposely fail tests so that the teacher would have to talk to me. I even challenged a popular boy to a fight because he wouldn’t leave me alone. I tried anything just so that I could feel some purpose to the meaningless life I thought I was living. It was pointless and senseless and I could not find any light. I was in a world of darkness.
In this world of darkness I found a knife; a jagged-edged, steak knife that I grabbed from a kitchen drawer at 12 a.m. I walked down my hallway to the very last room, my room, and opened the door. I laid in my bed and cried. I laid there and watched the knife under the red light of my alarm clock. Moments later I took this steak knife and I began to cut myself. I took the very tip and dug into my skin. The cut was only a few centimetres long but it hurt. I lifted the knife and lost control, crying fiercely. How had I reached this point? Where did my life go wrong? Why did this happen to me? I laid there with these and many other questions racing through my mind. And as I cried I fell asleep with the knife in my hand.
Throughout the next two years of my life, I went on being a shadow. I never again attempted to hurt myself but I didn’t feel the same. I felt sorrow that today I can not imagine feeling ever again. I went on mindlessly, going from day to day.
And then I reached grade nine. In February of 2003, my minister Eric Skillings suggested that I attend London Conference Youth Forum. I, still having major doubts in my faith, didn’t want anything to do with this “lame-o” faith event. My mom pressured me that I should attend, so I made it seem that I was greatly anticipating this event. Driving to Pearce Williams (a UCC camp) for the first time I sat impatiently, wishing the whole weekend was just over already. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to go back home and just sleep.
I stepped outside and went to the opening games. We were playing ‘Odd Man Out.’ One of the very first people I met was Becky Carlyle; a girl full of faith, hope and generally fantastic optimism. I was wondering why she was so happy? I just wanted to hop back in the van and here she was, all bubbly and crazy. But she had an affect on me. I realized there must be something to this event that could be worthwhile if this crazy girl was bouncing off the walls about it. I continued through the evening and kept an open mind.
That night I met Pat Morrison and Alex Connon for the first time. Pat was my home group leader and Alex my planner. These two in combination placed me in awe. That night I let God back into my life. We discussed how we were feeling about the weekend, how we were connecting, and several other topics. They opened my heart. The immediate welcome and openness I felt was overwhelming. I felt so touched and so loved that I rushed at the chance to have God a part of my life again. I felt a hole slowly fill in that home group meeting and I am never going to forget that night.
Throughout the remainder of the weekend I met others who were also catalysts within my faith. People like Geoffrey Brooks, Zan Gonyou, Tori Laird and Marilyn Arthur. These people brought me through that weekend and changed my life. They had helped me out of that dark place. Reaching out their hands, together they pulled me up. Up into a place that I will NEVER ever leave! Youth Forum and its’ people saved my life. After that first year I became a completely new person. I evolved into someone completely different. I became the new-and-improved Jamie Wood. The loving, crazy, spontaneous, completely random, funny, compassionate young man I am before you now.
I just want to thank every single person I have met at the five youth forums I have attended since that original miracle (including General Council Youth Forum). You have all made such a major impact in my life, more than you could ever know. You are the people I love, you are the people I cherish, you are the people that I live for! You are the reason I am alive. You are all so special in your own way and I love you, thank you for being who you are and for being a large part of my life. I shall never forget youth forum, the memories that were made there, and the outstanding people I have connected with over these four blessed years. Thank you God for Youth Forum!
-Jamie Wood
I began to fall into a serious depression. I fell deeper and deeper into a sad, dark place that I didn’t think I would ever return from. I began to doubt the truth of God. I began to question how there could ever be a higher divine power if I was feeling such pain. How could he let me go through this? Why won’t he stop these people saying these mean things? God, are you there? Can you hear me? Why won’t they stop? Why do they call me a fat ass? Why do they hurt me at lunch time? I don’t understand. I don’t know why they won’t stop. And I started to turn away from my faith. I thought that it all must be a lie. God? What God? If there was a God, why am I like this? Why are they treating me like this? There is NO God!
When this happened, my life took a turn for the worse. I didn’t feel any better without my beliefs. I felt worse. I felt scared. I felt anguish. It never went away and I would cry myself to sleep, night after night. I then feared going to school. It was so horrible for me that I would pretend to be sick so that my mom would allow me to stay home. Then when I reached grade seven my depression came to a point. I began doing rebellious things that would grasp people’s attention so I could feel like someone loved me. I would steal things from my parents so that they would notice me. I would act out in class and purposely fail tests so that the teacher would have to talk to me. I even challenged a popular boy to a fight because he wouldn’t leave me alone. I tried anything just so that I could feel some purpose to the meaningless life I thought I was living. It was pointless and senseless and I could not find any light. I was in a world of darkness.
In this world of darkness I found a knife; a jagged-edged, steak knife that I grabbed from a kitchen drawer at 12 a.m. I walked down my hallway to the very last room, my room, and opened the door. I laid in my bed and cried. I laid there and watched the knife under the red light of my alarm clock. Moments later I took this steak knife and I began to cut myself. I took the very tip and dug into my skin. The cut was only a few centimetres long but it hurt. I lifted the knife and lost control, crying fiercely. How had I reached this point? Where did my life go wrong? Why did this happen to me? I laid there with these and many other questions racing through my mind. And as I cried I fell asleep with the knife in my hand.
Throughout the next two years of my life, I went on being a shadow. I never again attempted to hurt myself but I didn’t feel the same. I felt sorrow that today I can not imagine feeling ever again. I went on mindlessly, going from day to day.
And then I reached grade nine. In February of 2003, my minister Eric Skillings suggested that I attend London Conference Youth Forum. I, still having major doubts in my faith, didn’t want anything to do with this “lame-o” faith event. My mom pressured me that I should attend, so I made it seem that I was greatly anticipating this event. Driving to Pearce Williams (a UCC camp) for the first time I sat impatiently, wishing the whole weekend was just over already. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to go back home and just sleep.
I stepped outside and went to the opening games. We were playing ‘Odd Man Out.’ One of the very first people I met was Becky Carlyle; a girl full of faith, hope and generally fantastic optimism. I was wondering why she was so happy? I just wanted to hop back in the van and here she was, all bubbly and crazy. But she had an affect on me. I realized there must be something to this event that could be worthwhile if this crazy girl was bouncing off the walls about it. I continued through the evening and kept an open mind.
That night I met Pat Morrison and Alex Connon for the first time. Pat was my home group leader and Alex my planner. These two in combination placed me in awe. That night I let God back into my life. We discussed how we were feeling about the weekend, how we were connecting, and several other topics. They opened my heart. The immediate welcome and openness I felt was overwhelming. I felt so touched and so loved that I rushed at the chance to have God a part of my life again. I felt a hole slowly fill in that home group meeting and I am never going to forget that night.
Throughout the remainder of the weekend I met others who were also catalysts within my faith. People like Geoffrey Brooks, Zan Gonyou, Tori Laird and Marilyn Arthur. These people brought me through that weekend and changed my life. They had helped me out of that dark place. Reaching out their hands, together they pulled me up. Up into a place that I will NEVER ever leave! Youth Forum and its’ people saved my life. After that first year I became a completely new person. I evolved into someone completely different. I became the new-and-improved Jamie Wood. The loving, crazy, spontaneous, completely random, funny, compassionate young man I am before you now.
I just want to thank every single person I have met at the five youth forums I have attended since that original miracle (including General Council Youth Forum). You have all made such a major impact in my life, more than you could ever know. You are the people I love, you are the people I cherish, you are the people that I live for! You are the reason I am alive. You are all so special in your own way and I love you, thank you for being who you are and for being a large part of my life. I shall never forget youth forum, the memories that were made there, and the outstanding people I have connected with over these four blessed years. Thank you God for Youth Forum!
-Jamie Wood
Mission Statements
Jake sent us his personal mission statement this summer. If you are in need of direction, or for no reason at all, we would encourage you to write your own. It’s a fun way to discern God’s purpose for us and to discover yourself. Reading Jake’s statement got Kathleen thinking; below is her mission statement.
Jake’s Mission Statement
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony
I will live healthily both mentally and physically
I will teach and inspire students of all stages of life
I will commit my self to life long learning
I will fulfill the purpose God set for me
I will provide the world with music, spreading passion and love
I will love another human being and love my children
I will work hard to reach all my goals
I will take time to relax and enjoy what has been given to me
I will explore the world for its wonders and excitements
I will travel and see the diverse cultures of the world
I will expose myself to challenges
I will try new things
I will cherish my life and love the earth
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony.
-Jake Autio
Kathleen’s Mission Statement
I believe in doubt, and I believe in doubt as a means of faith. Somewhere I’ve heard, that to doubt is to care. By wondering and questioning and just not knowing, somehow it proves we care enough to think it through. That we are not just going along with something to be part of the latest trend, but we actually are putting thoughts into our beliefs and actions. That we care enough to try to find the truths we are searching for.
So I believe in doubt.
I believe in dreams, and in following them. There are always opportunities that can be followed. New dreams can be dreamt when the old ones vanish. What is the point of continuing if you have nothing to look forward to, if you have nothing to follow?
So I believe in dreams.
I believe in choices. I believe that every action is a choice, and that every choice matters. The choices that you make define your life, define who you are. The choices that you make ,more than anything else, show what you truly believe in .
So I believe in choices.
I believe in life. I believe that while bad thing happen, they’re necessary, and make you appreciate the good things. Life is bigger than death, light is easier to find than shadow, not to mention more fun. Life is what we’re all here for, so we might as all live it!
So I believe in life.
I believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the word make flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others to by spirit, I trust in God*. God’s the one who knows all my problems, all my pains and joys, all my hearts desires, the one I talk to every day. My doubts, my dreams, my choices, and my life, all lead me back to my belief in God.
So I believe in God.
Jake’s Mission Statement
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony
I will live healthily both mentally and physically
I will teach and inspire students of all stages of life
I will commit my self to life long learning
I will fulfill the purpose God set for me
I will provide the world with music, spreading passion and love
I will love another human being and love my children
I will work hard to reach all my goals
I will take time to relax and enjoy what has been given to me
I will explore the world for its wonders and excitements
I will travel and see the diverse cultures of the world
I will expose myself to challenges
I will try new things
I will cherish my life and love the earth
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony.
-Jake Autio
Kathleen’s Mission Statement
I believe in doubt, and I believe in doubt as a means of faith. Somewhere I’ve heard, that to doubt is to care. By wondering and questioning and just not knowing, somehow it proves we care enough to think it through. That we are not just going along with something to be part of the latest trend, but we actually are putting thoughts into our beliefs and actions. That we care enough to try to find the truths we are searching for.
So I believe in doubt.
I believe in dreams, and in following them. There are always opportunities that can be followed. New dreams can be dreamt when the old ones vanish. What is the point of continuing if you have nothing to look forward to, if you have nothing to follow?
So I believe in dreams.
I believe in choices. I believe that every action is a choice, and that every choice matters. The choices that you make define your life, define who you are. The choices that you make ,more than anything else, show what you truly believe in .
So I believe in choices.
I believe in life. I believe that while bad thing happen, they’re necessary, and make you appreciate the good things. Life is bigger than death, light is easier to find than shadow, not to mention more fun. Life is what we’re all here for, so we might as all live it!
So I believe in life.
I believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the word make flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others to by spirit, I trust in God*. God’s the one who knows all my problems, all my pains and joys, all my hearts desires, the one I talk to every day. My doubts, my dreams, my choices, and my life, all lead me back to my belief in God.
So I believe in God.
Experience in Mission
It’s not something we contemplate often, but what comes to mind when you think of mission? Helping others usually pops up- whether they live overseas, in poverty, or lack basic needs. Usually it involves traveling somewhere new. This is true, but I have come to see mission as a broader term; it’s about being present in the lives of others, encompassing everything from volunteering physical labor to sitting and reading to someone old or ill, whether it be afar or in your own community. Mission involves moving outside yourself to share your time and talents, but it also includes giving and receiving love.
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
Experience in Mission
It’s not something we contemplate often, but what comes to mind when you think of mission? Helping others usually pops up- whether they live overseas, in poverty, or lack basic needs. Usually it involves traveling somewhere new. This is true, but I have come to see mission as a broader term; it’s about being present in the lives of others, encompassing everything from volunteering physical labor to sitting and reading to someone old or ill, whether it be afar or in your own community. Mission involves moving outside yourself to share your time and talents, but it also includes giving and receiving love.
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
My New Eyes
I recently got a “free spiritual reading.” You may have seen these at a fair, or a trade show, or some other major event. I had never been sure what exactly a spiritual reading was, but I assumed it was a bit like having your fortune told. Someone would look into my eyes, perhaps look at my hands, ask me some basic questions, and then tell me that in the future I will find a tall, dark, handsome man, I’ll go on vacation in Venice, and that much happiness is in store for me. Then every time I’d meet a tall, dark handsome man, I’d assume he was my soul mate, I’d dream of Venice every night, and the power of positive thinking would bring the happiness she was talking about.
Yeah… that is not at all what a spiritual reading is.
My friend and I sat down at a little table, so short our knees kept hitting it, and a kindly older lady sat across from us, much like the ones you might see at church (who every week pinch your cheeks and tell you how much you’ve grown). She began by asking if we had accepted Jesus as our personal saviour. Not quite what we expected but OK... After a bit of a spiel about how Jesus died for us, followed by a hugely awkward repeat after my prayer thanking Jesus, she began. However, rather than explaining to us how our futures looked, she instead told us about the state of our relationship with God. She told my friend that God “just wants to be friends” with her, and clarified to me that God feels like I’m drifting away from him.
After she told us this, we were getting ready to leave. Anxious to get away, we started into a conversation about how I had lost my glasses just previously that day. She asked if we would like to pray about it. Being that I am ridiculously blind without my glasses, by this point anything that may have helped me to find them was welcome. So, expecting a quick prayer asking God to help me find my glasses, or something along those lines, I closed my eyes. “Heavenly Father,” she said, “Please give Kathleen new eyes.” That’s right, new eyes. Not help her find her glasses, not help her get new glasses, not even help her eyes get better, but rather, give her brand-spanking-new eyes. She goes on, mentioning how yes, God can do that because hey, he is God.
I’m not going to lie. At first I thought that she was totally nuts. New eyes? Really, let’s make Kathleen the first person ever to randomly receive new eyes. Can you imagine the practicalities behind getting new eyes- what would happen to my old ones? What colour would they be? Would these new eyes actually be able to see any better, or would my eyesight be even worse? Not to mention the idea that rather than solving world hunger or stopping wars, or fighting criminals, God’s going to spend time in giving me eyes. Right.
However, after the original hilarity of the situation passed, after I had found my way home, and was reflecting back on the day, I realized something. This woman had actually believed that God could give me new eyes. Her faith was so strong that she believed God would reach out and give me those new eyes. She wasn’t caught up in the practicalities, but truly believed that God would just deal with my problem, and that if he so wanted, he could give me those new eyes. Her faith was unwavering, and she really believed that this could happen. Though I’m sure she has come across people who were perhaps less discrete than us in the differences of belief, she was ready to just out and say it- that she believed God could give me knew eyes, and still solve world hunger.
So maybe God did give me new eyes that day. I mean, I still can’t read a sign that is more than a foot in front of my face without my glasses on, but maybe he changed the way I see people. Because whereas previously I would have passed this well meaning, perfectly nice lady off as nuts, off-her-rocker, and maybe just a little bit crazy, now I don’t. I see her as a person who has such a strong faith that she truly believes God can and will do anything, if we just ask. While I still don’t necessarily believe the same things about God as she does, and while I’m sure she meant to give me new eyes in a more physical sense, my sight did change. I’ve become more open to different beliefs, and the strength that people have to proclaim them all in front of others. It has perhaps made me a bit more willing to share my views, despite them being different than the person’s who I’m sharing them with. My new figurative eyes see the world in a different way.
Mind you, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to new eyes with 20/20 vision, in a nice shade of green.
-Kathleen Kerr
Yeah… that is not at all what a spiritual reading is.
My friend and I sat down at a little table, so short our knees kept hitting it, and a kindly older lady sat across from us, much like the ones you might see at church (who every week pinch your cheeks and tell you how much you’ve grown). She began by asking if we had accepted Jesus as our personal saviour. Not quite what we expected but OK... After a bit of a spiel about how Jesus died for us, followed by a hugely awkward repeat after my prayer thanking Jesus, she began. However, rather than explaining to us how our futures looked, she instead told us about the state of our relationship with God. She told my friend that God “just wants to be friends” with her, and clarified to me that God feels like I’m drifting away from him.
After she told us this, we were getting ready to leave. Anxious to get away, we started into a conversation about how I had lost my glasses just previously that day. She asked if we would like to pray about it. Being that I am ridiculously blind without my glasses, by this point anything that may have helped me to find them was welcome. So, expecting a quick prayer asking God to help me find my glasses, or something along those lines, I closed my eyes. “Heavenly Father,” she said, “Please give Kathleen new eyes.” That’s right, new eyes. Not help her find her glasses, not help her get new glasses, not even help her eyes get better, but rather, give her brand-spanking-new eyes. She goes on, mentioning how yes, God can do that because hey, he is God.
I’m not going to lie. At first I thought that she was totally nuts. New eyes? Really, let’s make Kathleen the first person ever to randomly receive new eyes. Can you imagine the practicalities behind getting new eyes- what would happen to my old ones? What colour would they be? Would these new eyes actually be able to see any better, or would my eyesight be even worse? Not to mention the idea that rather than solving world hunger or stopping wars, or fighting criminals, God’s going to spend time in giving me eyes. Right.
However, after the original hilarity of the situation passed, after I had found my way home, and was reflecting back on the day, I realized something. This woman had actually believed that God could give me new eyes. Her faith was so strong that she believed God would reach out and give me those new eyes. She wasn’t caught up in the practicalities, but truly believed that God would just deal with my problem, and that if he so wanted, he could give me those new eyes. Her faith was unwavering, and she really believed that this could happen. Though I’m sure she has come across people who were perhaps less discrete than us in the differences of belief, she was ready to just out and say it- that she believed God could give me knew eyes, and still solve world hunger.
So maybe God did give me new eyes that day. I mean, I still can’t read a sign that is more than a foot in front of my face without my glasses on, but maybe he changed the way I see people. Because whereas previously I would have passed this well meaning, perfectly nice lady off as nuts, off-her-rocker, and maybe just a little bit crazy, now I don’t. I see her as a person who has such a strong faith that she truly believes God can and will do anything, if we just ask. While I still don’t necessarily believe the same things about God as she does, and while I’m sure she meant to give me new eyes in a more physical sense, my sight did change. I’ve become more open to different beliefs, and the strength that people have to proclaim them all in front of others. It has perhaps made me a bit more willing to share my views, despite them being different than the person’s who I’m sharing them with. My new figurative eyes see the world in a different way.
Mind you, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to new eyes with 20/20 vision, in a nice shade of green.
-Kathleen Kerr
Trust
Birthdays are something special, especially in the Christian faith. When we celebrate Jesus’ birth, through stories and traditions, we also explore and challenge our faith.
Recently, I celebrated my 19th birthday. In the weeks leading up to it, I took the time to prepare something that would be enjoyable for my friends and me. Preparation is important- it makes the moment more special when it arrives. Noah prepared for the great flood by building the ark. Mary and Joseph prepared as best they could for the coming of their son Jesus Christ, in the stable. I took the time to create what should have been a wonderful party.
However on the night of my birthday, one of my friend’s wallets was stolen. It was frightening and left me feeling very upset and broken inside. A huge part of my faith is, as God tells us, “thou shall not steal.” My values had been betrayed and I felt I could never trust anyone or have them trust me.
The bible speaks about how Jesus’ friend Judas betrayed him before Jesus was crucified. At Jesus’ last supper, Judas left, as did some of the girls at my party. Both of these events were suppose to be something special and memorable. Even though Jesus’ experience of betrayal was huge compared to mine, I felt like I could relate to it. I too was left behind, betrayed, and shattered by people who I thought were my friends. Jesus experienced much of the same feelings; however, he forgave and still forgives others for what they do. I know I do too, but it’s really hard to rebuild trust with someone who steals and betrays.
Of course I won’t forget my party, but when I think about my birthday, it hurts inside. Betrayal leaves damage behind that takes time to heal. Time to figure out how to “Forgive and forget” (as sung in the Dixie Chicks song, “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice).
My special night did still have some sparkling moments of fun, excitement, and love. Perhaps what I needed to begin healing came in the form of the gifts. One present I received reminded me of the birth of our holy one- a yellow shawl that sparkled with silver. Wearing the shawl, I felt comforted by its peace and warmth. Just like wrapping babies at birth has them feeling welcomed into a life of love, my shawl comforts me.
Following my birthday ordeal with the stolen wallet, there was little I could do but put my worries and pain into the hands of God. I had to trust God. Even as a young woman with a strong faith in God, I was scared to trust the Lord. It was a test of my faith. Perhaps, though, with all of our deepest struggles, all we can do is trust God.
- Jessica Baird
(I would like to give great thanks for my wonderful friends…especially Mandy. God loves you, as do I)
Recently, I celebrated my 19th birthday. In the weeks leading up to it, I took the time to prepare something that would be enjoyable for my friends and me. Preparation is important- it makes the moment more special when it arrives. Noah prepared for the great flood by building the ark. Mary and Joseph prepared as best they could for the coming of their son Jesus Christ, in the stable. I took the time to create what should have been a wonderful party.
However on the night of my birthday, one of my friend’s wallets was stolen. It was frightening and left me feeling very upset and broken inside. A huge part of my faith is, as God tells us, “thou shall not steal.” My values had been betrayed and I felt I could never trust anyone or have them trust me.
The bible speaks about how Jesus’ friend Judas betrayed him before Jesus was crucified. At Jesus’ last supper, Judas left, as did some of the girls at my party. Both of these events were suppose to be something special and memorable. Even though Jesus’ experience of betrayal was huge compared to mine, I felt like I could relate to it. I too was left behind, betrayed, and shattered by people who I thought were my friends. Jesus experienced much of the same feelings; however, he forgave and still forgives others for what they do. I know I do too, but it’s really hard to rebuild trust with someone who steals and betrays.
Of course I won’t forget my party, but when I think about my birthday, it hurts inside. Betrayal leaves damage behind that takes time to heal. Time to figure out how to “Forgive and forget” (as sung in the Dixie Chicks song, “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice).
My special night did still have some sparkling moments of fun, excitement, and love. Perhaps what I needed to begin healing came in the form of the gifts. One present I received reminded me of the birth of our holy one- a yellow shawl that sparkled with silver. Wearing the shawl, I felt comforted by its peace and warmth. Just like wrapping babies at birth has them feeling welcomed into a life of love, my shawl comforts me.
Following my birthday ordeal with the stolen wallet, there was little I could do but put my worries and pain into the hands of God. I had to trust God. Even as a young woman with a strong faith in God, I was scared to trust the Lord. It was a test of my faith. Perhaps, though, with all of our deepest struggles, all we can do is trust God.
- Jessica Baird
(I would like to give great thanks for my wonderful friends…especially Mandy. God loves you, as do I)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
HERE WE GO AGAIN!
So its time to write another introduction. Where did the last three months go? We really have no idea. What we do know is that somewhere in the craziness of it all, we managed to get a newsletter done– though just barely. We suddenly realized in mid-May that we had no articles, and that we hadn’t even started. So a mad flurry of writing began, we begged for a few articles from friends, and even got one emailed to us at the last second without us having to beg. So it all came together, and now it’s in your hands.
WHY is all about wondering. You may have gotten that from the name. Because no one has all the answers, we’re all stuck wondering about the could be’s and the maybe’s. And while we don’t have the answers either, we want to try to ask some of the questions. We want to inspire you to ask your own questions. What we really want though, is to create a newsletter than you can have a bunch of fun reading, while being inspired.
Make sure you check out our articles by super spectacular guest writers, “The Great I Am,” “The Trouble with Consumerism,” and “At the Edge,” along with all of our other articles, pictures, and content.
We hope you have a fantastic summer, whatever your plans may be. Be sure to watch for us again in early September 2007!
WHY is all about wondering. You may have gotten that from the name. Because no one has all the answers, we’re all stuck wondering about the could be’s and the maybe’s. And while we don’t have the answers either, we want to try to ask some of the questions. We want to inspire you to ask your own questions. What we really want though, is to create a newsletter than you can have a bunch of fun reading, while being inspired.
Make sure you check out our articles by super spectacular guest writers, “The Great I Am,” “The Trouble with Consumerism,” and “At the Edge,” along with all of our other articles, pictures, and content.
We hope you have a fantastic summer, whatever your plans may be. Be sure to watch for us again in early September 2007!
THE TROUBLE WITH CONSUMERISM
As human beings, we are fundamentally shaped by our environments. It’s just the way we are, it is our nature as social animals to adapt our lives to varying social conditions. And as anyone who’s ever taken an anthropology class will attest, the social and cultural environment we find ourselves in affects not only what we do, but how we think. How we conceive of the world around us, the way that we see our lives, the concept of the human person is all moulded and shaped by the situations in which we find ourselves within society. And the environment that we share as Canadians in this 21st century is one that encourages mass consumption of goods.
We live in a consumerist environment, it’s true. If you live in an urban setting, just stepping out onto the street places you in the midst of a barrage of advertising, from billboards to bus stops. Even in if you dwell in the country, the simple act of flicking on the television, opening the newspaper or connecting to the internet exposes you to advertisement after advertisement, letting you know what stuff you should want and why. Every waking moment is seen as an opportunity to insinuate products into our lives. Mega department stores are everywhere, 24 hour shopping centres are the norm. Teenagers actually enjoy spending time at the mall- that epitome of the consumerist mindset, where seeing, wanting and buying fuse into one beautiful activity- shopping. See it. Want it. Buy it. See it. Want it. Buy it. And we do it all the time.
Now, there are many, many things wrong with this societal pressure to consume (and I’d love to go into them all, but that would make this an incredibly lengthy piece indeed). But I think the most harmful of its effects is the way in which a consumerist mindset encourages us to see ourselves.
First of all, everything that we buy is material. It is inanimate. It has no soul. We feel free to judge it, scrutinise it, compare it to the leading competitor. Everything is seen by its qualities, how it is useful to us, what makes it special, why we should buy it. We have become very savvy, us consumers, we know what is a good buy and what is a rip-off because we have been conditioned since the time of conscious thought that to do well in a consumerist environment, we need to be good choice-makers. This type of thought would be okay if it just applied to consumer products; the things that are 100% produced by and made for human beings. But that’s not the way it works. When you’ve been conditioned to number one: be a consumer and number two: be a smart consumer, and you mix that with an environment in which every activity from taking the bus to opening an email to communicating with friends involves some aspect of the consumer cycle, the culture of scrutiny is going to make the leap, and it has.
Within this type of environment, people become things. Persons are judged to be worthy or unworthy by specific qualities, by how useful they are to us, by what makes them special. Tragically, I saw this in High School all the time. I saw it in students liking teachers who gave them easy grades because good grades meant a good transcript, which was good for the student. I saw it at career fairs, where students were given tips on how to make themselves seem ‘marketable’, how to best ‘sell themselves’, like a product on a shelf. I saw it whenever a friend got a bad mark on a test, their sense of inadequacy reaching far beyond what was indicated by the test itself. The mark did not just indicate how much of the course material they had learned, it came to symbolise how worthy they were as human beings. It’s everywhere, people feeling like failures because they don’t measure up to some arbitrary standard: they don’t make enough money, aren’t muscular enough, don’t look like the women on the commercials, aren’t a perfect super-parent. Yes, indeed, the culture of scrutiny and comparison has made the leap.
As people of God, we know that this is not right. We are not products that
can be rated against each other. We do not gain or lose worthiness by how attractive we are, how high our GPA is, how fast we can run or how much money we make. Each individual is fashioned by God, made with tenderness and loved with a fiery passion that cannot be extinguished. We are not loved because of what we can do or cannot do, by what actions we have taken or failed to take, we are loved because we are. The worthiness of a living creature cannot be gauged by some standard set of measures; we cannot be told who is better and worse by how well they fit specific criteria. No, we are all loved simply for being, for being the wonderful, glorious, beautiful children of a benevolent God.
And so, I do not like malls. I don’t read advertisements. I don’t want another pair of jeans or an ipod or a gaming system, no matter how many new features it may have. I don’t allow my possessions to define me, and I do not want any more possessions. As a child of God I feel called to take pleasure in the life around me, to find fulfilment in the warm sunshine, the call of birds in the evening, the wonder of the human creatures around me. For these are the manifestations of God, the wonderful gifts that are valuable beyond measure, more beautiful than anything that can be bought or sold. Thanks be to God!
- Hannah Mang-Wooley
We live in a consumerist environment, it’s true. If you live in an urban setting, just stepping out onto the street places you in the midst of a barrage of advertising, from billboards to bus stops. Even in if you dwell in the country, the simple act of flicking on the television, opening the newspaper or connecting to the internet exposes you to advertisement after advertisement, letting you know what stuff you should want and why. Every waking moment is seen as an opportunity to insinuate products into our lives. Mega department stores are everywhere, 24 hour shopping centres are the norm. Teenagers actually enjoy spending time at the mall- that epitome of the consumerist mindset, where seeing, wanting and buying fuse into one beautiful activity- shopping. See it. Want it. Buy it. See it. Want it. Buy it. And we do it all the time.
Now, there are many, many things wrong with this societal pressure to consume (and I’d love to go into them all, but that would make this an incredibly lengthy piece indeed). But I think the most harmful of its effects is the way in which a consumerist mindset encourages us to see ourselves.
First of all, everything that we buy is material. It is inanimate. It has no soul. We feel free to judge it, scrutinise it, compare it to the leading competitor. Everything is seen by its qualities, how it is useful to us, what makes it special, why we should buy it. We have become very savvy, us consumers, we know what is a good buy and what is a rip-off because we have been conditioned since the time of conscious thought that to do well in a consumerist environment, we need to be good choice-makers. This type of thought would be okay if it just applied to consumer products; the things that are 100% produced by and made for human beings. But that’s not the way it works. When you’ve been conditioned to number one: be a consumer and number two: be a smart consumer, and you mix that with an environment in which every activity from taking the bus to opening an email to communicating with friends involves some aspect of the consumer cycle, the culture of scrutiny is going to make the leap, and it has.
Within this type of environment, people become things. Persons are judged to be worthy or unworthy by specific qualities, by how useful they are to us, by what makes them special. Tragically, I saw this in High School all the time. I saw it in students liking teachers who gave them easy grades because good grades meant a good transcript, which was good for the student. I saw it at career fairs, where students were given tips on how to make themselves seem ‘marketable’, how to best ‘sell themselves’, like a product on a shelf. I saw it whenever a friend got a bad mark on a test, their sense of inadequacy reaching far beyond what was indicated by the test itself. The mark did not just indicate how much of the course material they had learned, it came to symbolise how worthy they were as human beings. It’s everywhere, people feeling like failures because they don’t measure up to some arbitrary standard: they don’t make enough money, aren’t muscular enough, don’t look like the women on the commercials, aren’t a perfect super-parent. Yes, indeed, the culture of scrutiny and comparison has made the leap.
As people of God, we know that this is not right. We are not products that
can be rated against each other. We do not gain or lose worthiness by how attractive we are, how high our GPA is, how fast we can run or how much money we make. Each individual is fashioned by God, made with tenderness and loved with a fiery passion that cannot be extinguished. We are not loved because of what we can do or cannot do, by what actions we have taken or failed to take, we are loved because we are. The worthiness of a living creature cannot be gauged by some standard set of measures; we cannot be told who is better and worse by how well they fit specific criteria. No, we are all loved simply for being, for being the wonderful, glorious, beautiful children of a benevolent God.
And so, I do not like malls. I don’t read advertisements. I don’t want another pair of jeans or an ipod or a gaming system, no matter how many new features it may have. I don’t allow my possessions to define me, and I do not want any more possessions. As a child of God I feel called to take pleasure in the life around me, to find fulfilment in the warm sunshine, the call of birds in the evening, the wonder of the human creatures around me. For these are the manifestations of God, the wonderful gifts that are valuable beyond measure, more beautiful than anything that can be bought or sold. Thanks be to God!
- Hannah Mang-Wooley
BELIEF IS SOMETHING SPECIAL
There are moments in my life when I just don’t know. I don’t know if what I’m doing with my life is the right thing to do, I don’t know what to put in my lunch, and I don’t know if I believe in God. And in these moments it occurs to me that everything I’ve been living for could be a myth, and that there really might not be anything more to life than what is blatantly obvious.
It’s in these moments that I really just want someone to tell me what’s going on. Someone who can tell me with absolute certainty that everything is going to be Ok, so that I too can be absolutely certain. There is this part in me yearning for everything I’m doing and everything I believe in to be right, while another part tells me its all wrong.
In these moments I get scared that I’ll never just know, ever again, and that I’ll forever be stuck in this wondering, questioning phase. In these moments I just want someone who can just tell me “this is how it is, this is how/what you should believe.” The thing is though, that realistically even if someone tried to do this for me, I wouldn’t listen. I’d probably think they were crazy. It’s unlikely that I’d agree with everything they said, and so I couldn’t simply blindly accept everything they said as truth. I’d only get my back up and in the end be left with even more confusion.
And if I was absolutely certain, then it wouldn’t be a belief any more, it would be knowledge. Some how God and Jesus would all end up in the same category as math and the guy down the street; just the way it is. And really these things are not in the same category, and never should be. God and Jesus are supposed to be thought of as more than a random celebrity or historical figures somehow they are supposed to be above these things. Somehow I think that if you knew with absolute certainty that these beings were out there, the lack of wonder and mystery would make it difficult to separate them from the people you learn about in your history textbooks or on MTV.
So maybe I like this phase after all. The whole wonder/confusion thing. Or maybe I just wish I could have certainty that I was on the right track without having to lose the wonder of it all. For now though I think that maybe belief is all about not knowing, that’s what makes it different from knowledge. Really, it’s unlikely that we’re ever going to know. So I’ll deal with the moments of disbelieve, and hang on to the moments of certainly. I’ll remember that I choose to believe, and that belief is something special and knowledge is every day. And I’ll know that I believe.
-Kathleen Kerr
It’s in these moments that I really just want someone to tell me what’s going on. Someone who can tell me with absolute certainty that everything is going to be Ok, so that I too can be absolutely certain. There is this part in me yearning for everything I’m doing and everything I believe in to be right, while another part tells me its all wrong.
In these moments I get scared that I’ll never just know, ever again, and that I’ll forever be stuck in this wondering, questioning phase. In these moments I just want someone who can just tell me “this is how it is, this is how/what you should believe.” The thing is though, that realistically even if someone tried to do this for me, I wouldn’t listen. I’d probably think they were crazy. It’s unlikely that I’d agree with everything they said, and so I couldn’t simply blindly accept everything they said as truth. I’d only get my back up and in the end be left with even more confusion.
And if I was absolutely certain, then it wouldn’t be a belief any more, it would be knowledge. Some how God and Jesus would all end up in the same category as math and the guy down the street; just the way it is. And really these things are not in the same category, and never should be. God and Jesus are supposed to be thought of as more than a random celebrity or historical figures somehow they are supposed to be above these things. Somehow I think that if you knew with absolute certainty that these beings were out there, the lack of wonder and mystery would make it difficult to separate them from the people you learn about in your history textbooks or on MTV.
So maybe I like this phase after all. The whole wonder/confusion thing. Or maybe I just wish I could have certainty that I was on the right track without having to lose the wonder of it all. For now though I think that maybe belief is all about not knowing, that’s what makes it different from knowledge. Really, it’s unlikely that we’re ever going to know. So I’ll deal with the moments of disbelieve, and hang on to the moments of certainly. I’ll remember that I choose to believe, and that belief is something special and knowledge is every day. And I’ll know that I believe.
-Kathleen Kerr
THE GREAT I AM
In the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14 to be exact), God’s name is given as YHWH which has been linked to the Hebrew verb “to be” (“hayah” 1). Often, this is translated into English as “I am Who I am” (Exodus 3:14 NRSV). God’s name is said to be “I Am” (Exodus 3:14 NRSV).
Let’s think about that for a moment. The Holy One’s name is “I AM.” The English verb to be is conjugated as follows: I am, you are, she/he/it is, we are, they are. I look at God’s name in this way: God does not have; rather, God is.
We often think of God as an elderly, wise man who sits on a throne in the clouds and gives orders. In short, we imagine God as Zeus from Disney’s Hercules. So, we often think of God as having things: wisdom, power, a plan for our lives.
I propose that we think in this way: God does not have, but rather is. Therefore, God does not have infinite wisdom, but is infinite wisdom; that is to say, God is indistinguishable from wisdom. In the same way, God does not have power, but God is power. Likewise, God does not have a plan for our lives, but God is a plan for our lives. Take a moment to ponder this.
I have a very visual imagination so I personify this concept in the following way. I imagine zooming out into space, past planets and suns, but able, now, to see something that I never have before, the presence of God. I see Our Parent woven into the very fabric of the universe. God is not within the universe, nor does God control (or ‘have’) the universe, but God is the universe.
This visualization is meant to allow us to look at God in a new way. To redefine the Holy. For, if God is all and all is God, what is beyond God? Even though you walk “through the darkest valley” (Psalm 23) there is no need to fear, for God is that valley, and, though terrible things may befall, God’s eternal love is as present in that valley as in the comfort of our home or church.
This new vision forces us to see others in a new way as well. God is all, including all people. So, each person, no matter how vain, arrogant, or violent is part of God. Each person is to be given the respect that we owe to God herself. Jesus said “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who were members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). So, in all relationship, we know that God is present. Even if it is hard to see, even if that person shows no signs, all are of God. Nobody is so evil as to not be a part of God. Though they may not reflect God in their lives, they are still a part of God, they are still loved by the Holy One.
This vision of the great I AM calls us to a new direction. A new focus. All space is Holy: the prairie fields, the mountains, the rock-strewn hills, the classroom desks. God is all encompassing. Likewise, we are part of God. We do not leave God at the door of the church. No, we are always with God. So, in that spirit, let us be ambassadors for God, showing the love that Jesus embodied to all of Creation. Let us remember God in our days, and celebrate, quietly or loudly, in movement or in stillness, the wonder of creation and the Holiness of all that is.
-Charley Peters
Let’s think about that for a moment. The Holy One’s name is “I AM.” The English verb to be is conjugated as follows: I am, you are, she/he/it is, we are, they are. I look at God’s name in this way: God does not have; rather, God is.
We often think of God as an elderly, wise man who sits on a throne in the clouds and gives orders. In short, we imagine God as Zeus from Disney’s Hercules. So, we often think of God as having things: wisdom, power, a plan for our lives.
I propose that we think in this way: God does not have, but rather is. Therefore, God does not have infinite wisdom, but is infinite wisdom; that is to say, God is indistinguishable from wisdom. In the same way, God does not have power, but God is power. Likewise, God does not have a plan for our lives, but God is a plan for our lives. Take a moment to ponder this.
I have a very visual imagination so I personify this concept in the following way. I imagine zooming out into space, past planets and suns, but able, now, to see something that I never have before, the presence of God. I see Our Parent woven into the very fabric of the universe. God is not within the universe, nor does God control (or ‘have’) the universe, but God is the universe.
This visualization is meant to allow us to look at God in a new way. To redefine the Holy. For, if God is all and all is God, what is beyond God? Even though you walk “through the darkest valley” (Psalm 23) there is no need to fear, for God is that valley, and, though terrible things may befall, God’s eternal love is as present in that valley as in the comfort of our home or church.
This new vision forces us to see others in a new way as well. God is all, including all people. So, each person, no matter how vain, arrogant, or violent is part of God. Each person is to be given the respect that we owe to God herself. Jesus said “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who were members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). So, in all relationship, we know that God is present. Even if it is hard to see, even if that person shows no signs, all are of God. Nobody is so evil as to not be a part of God. Though they may not reflect God in their lives, they are still a part of God, they are still loved by the Holy One.
This vision of the great I AM calls us to a new direction. A new focus. All space is Holy: the prairie fields, the mountains, the rock-strewn hills, the classroom desks. God is all encompassing. Likewise, we are part of God. We do not leave God at the door of the church. No, we are always with God. So, in that spirit, let us be ambassadors for God, showing the love that Jesus embodied to all of Creation. Let us remember God in our days, and celebrate, quietly or loudly, in movement or in stillness, the wonder of creation and the Holiness of all that is.
-Charley Peters
AT THE EDGE
Here I am at the edge,
unwelcome to my own life.
All the other faces, kind or indifferent, are turned away
so they don’t
have to see me, don’t have to feel
their own difference.
Most of the time, I stay in the cave,
this house I have made for myself in my heart.
I keep my passion here,
and my scars.
I don’t let anyone into the cave; ever.
If you come to the door, I will greet you with a smile
that fools even myself. I will bring you pretty things,
offer you tea and cookies.
Anything to make sure you are comfortable
here, in the doorway.
Deep in the ground, something is stirring;
did I use my own hands to cover them with
earth, or were they hidden for me?
Was it to keep myself safe, or for their protection from my own mad rage?
Stories are calling me,
Calling us,
Out of the cave…
To live, to step from the edge into the swirling fear,
To trust (is there any doubt?)
that the story will hold us.
ANWC Sr. High Rally. 2006
-Jessie Negropontes
unwelcome to my own life.
All the other faces, kind or indifferent, are turned away
so they don’t
have to see me, don’t have to feel
their own difference.
Most of the time, I stay in the cave,
this house I have made for myself in my heart.
I keep my passion here,
and my scars.
I don’t let anyone into the cave; ever.
If you come to the door, I will greet you with a smile
that fools even myself. I will bring you pretty things,
offer you tea and cookies.
Anything to make sure you are comfortable
here, in the doorway.
Deep in the ground, something is stirring;
did I use my own hands to cover them with
earth, or were they hidden for me?
Was it to keep myself safe, or for their protection from my own mad rage?
Stories are calling me,
Calling us,
Out of the cave…
To live, to step from the edge into the swirling fear,
To trust (is there any doubt?)
that the story will hold us.
ANWC Sr. High Rally. 2006
-Jessie Negropontes
MIRACLES OF EVERYDAY LIFE
When you’re little, summer means no school, warmth, and endless carefree vacations. You grow up a bit and you fall in love with summer camp, or perhaps learn to hate it. You grow up a bit more, and get a part time summer job, and then work your hours so you can do the things you really want to, camps and friends and those summer romances. You grow more, and summer becomes a desperate attempt to earn enough money to pay for your rent, tuition, books, and food, and to still have time to enjoy the fact you’re not in school.
However, no matter how old you are, summer is one of those times that you always figure should be ridiculously fantastic. You have all these great plans, camps you are going to go to, holidays that can be planned down to the bathroom breaks, or those holidays where you just go until you stop. You might plan to hang out with your friends more, or perhaps spend more time at home. The thing is, no matter what your plans are, you always plan for it to be awesome, full of adventure, romance, or just a plain old good time.
So summer is this magical time. For me though, there has always been a mad and desperate undertone to make things perfect, because I know that soon as September hits, I can’t go back. So I’d fill up my summers with camps, church things, and showing cows. I’d avoid being home as much as possible, just because I knew this was my only chance to experience all these miraculous summer events. The longer I’d spend at home the more desperate I’d get to move on to the next summer phenomenon. By the end of August when I’d begin to realise that I only had a week or a day or a couple of hours until summer was over, and I’d have all these images of all these things I’d done over the summer floating around in my head, bumping against each other, until I’d be reduced to an unfortunate mass that didn’t ever want to leave its room. There were times when I would have given just about anything to be able to turn back the clock.
I want to believe that summer doesn’t have to be like that. That summer can just be lived for the here and now, that maybe summer, and even life, can be lived just for the heck of it. That it is possible for a person to not have to be desperate for a miracle, that it is possible for a person to live for the miracle that is the present. One of my favourite sayings is “Tomorrow’s the future, yesterday’s the past, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” Today is a gift. It’s like Christmas all over, every day, a whole new day to do what you will with it, a clean slate every 24 hours. Yesterdays over, and tomorrow hasn’t come yet, and all that junk, so technically we should all just be able to live for right now in this moment.
But that’s the thing isn’t it. As humans, as people, we just can’t do it. We always have regrets; we always look back on our lives. We live today fully aware of how our actions today will affect tomorrow. And so we can’t just live for the moment. But the past used to be the present, and the future soon will be. So maybe not living only for the moment is ok.
So this summer, I’m going to try to live for the moment anyways. Sure, I know I won’t succeed. Maybe a better way of putting it is that I’m not going to live for everything but the moment. I’ll keep the past and the future in perspective, but I’m going to live for the today’s, for the right now’s, for the little miracles of every day life.
-Kathleen Kerr
However, no matter how old you are, summer is one of those times that you always figure should be ridiculously fantastic. You have all these great plans, camps you are going to go to, holidays that can be planned down to the bathroom breaks, or those holidays where you just go until you stop. You might plan to hang out with your friends more, or perhaps spend more time at home. The thing is, no matter what your plans are, you always plan for it to be awesome, full of adventure, romance, or just a plain old good time.
So summer is this magical time. For me though, there has always been a mad and desperate undertone to make things perfect, because I know that soon as September hits, I can’t go back. So I’d fill up my summers with camps, church things, and showing cows. I’d avoid being home as much as possible, just because I knew this was my only chance to experience all these miraculous summer events. The longer I’d spend at home the more desperate I’d get to move on to the next summer phenomenon. By the end of August when I’d begin to realise that I only had a week or a day or a couple of hours until summer was over, and I’d have all these images of all these things I’d done over the summer floating around in my head, bumping against each other, until I’d be reduced to an unfortunate mass that didn’t ever want to leave its room. There were times when I would have given just about anything to be able to turn back the clock.
I want to believe that summer doesn’t have to be like that. That summer can just be lived for the here and now, that maybe summer, and even life, can be lived just for the heck of it. That it is possible for a person to not have to be desperate for a miracle, that it is possible for a person to live for the miracle that is the present. One of my favourite sayings is “Tomorrow’s the future, yesterday’s the past, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” Today is a gift. It’s like Christmas all over, every day, a whole new day to do what you will with it, a clean slate every 24 hours. Yesterdays over, and tomorrow hasn’t come yet, and all that junk, so technically we should all just be able to live for right now in this moment.
But that’s the thing isn’t it. As humans, as people, we just can’t do it. We always have regrets; we always look back on our lives. We live today fully aware of how our actions today will affect tomorrow. And so we can’t just live for the moment. But the past used to be the present, and the future soon will be. So maybe not living only for the moment is ok.
So this summer, I’m going to try to live for the moment anyways. Sure, I know I won’t succeed. Maybe a better way of putting it is that I’m not going to live for everything but the moment. I’ll keep the past and the future in perspective, but I’m going to live for the today’s, for the right now’s, for the little miracles of every day life.
-Kathleen Kerr
IN YOUR WORDS…
There has to be a "young" person inside each one of us, that is as we grow out of the younger years and enter the twilight of the "older" generation. At least it is that way for me. From the first reading of your WHY to this issue of Spring, you have given me something to live by and to believe in. For this I thank you both for being the inspiration for this worthwhile project.
I was at General Council this past year and so thoroughly enjoyed having the youth present. As a youth leader in my home church and one who has always has very close connection with teaching Sunday School and Youth Groups, it was a delight to see the enthusiasm and energy that was generated by such a wonderful contingent of young people. I came home with many great stories to tell to the congregation and for our Youth Group.
There is an article written by Kathleen that really touched my heart. Over three years ago (2003), Ed, my husband passed away while we were on a 3 1/2 month trip across Canada. I entered into that realm where I felt that God had abandoned me, even though I knew that through prayers there should have been a connection. It was not there and this went on for so very long. Being lonely became a part of my life and it came to a time when I just accepted it. The outgoing and self-assured person was replaced with a withdrawn and lost soul. The years went by and slowly I realized that God had been there all the time, with so many signs of which I had missed. Not all, but some. Today there are times that I still feel the loneliness and the aloneness, however, in there is also the faint whisper of, "Be still and know that I am God." Yes, we do come through our most deepest hours of hurt and press forward so that we can be of benefit to ourselves, to others and to God. I do draw on the fact that from an very early age I accepted Jesus into my life. Then again, we are human which make us what we were meant to be. God's child who has been given the gift of peace, even though there are times that peace is shattered. Ed had a saying, "Look back only to see if you left a footstep, then surge forward as though you have little time left to finish the race." He left a footstep and lived his life to the fullest until the day come when he had finished his race. All for Jesus.
Thank you– Carole Butler
Thanks for making such a true-to-the-United-Church youth magazine. I just finished reading my first issue, Spring 2007, and I really enjoyed a lot of the stuff you included (especially God's Plan, Random Connections & Kathleen's Life Isn't Perfect)! Lately I've been trying to find myself as a 16-year-old girl in a small Albertan town (Athabasca), with many anti-(or politically correct/neutrally) Christian influences to boot. What are my goals? What's the difference between being nice and too-nice? Where should my morals be? Obviously I'm not perfect, so what am I good at? If I can go day to day thinking about philosophies and religious topics (global responsibilities, etc.) without necessarily tying them to religion, am I a Christian? This leads to questioning whether being totally religious results any differently than "weekly church going but not daily Church thinking"...
These are some of the many questions to ask, that I continue asking myself, but it's always the cynic in me to respond first and shoot them down. W.H.Y. definitely addressed a lot of these questions. Just like you said about Peter Short's writing, this newsletter published a lot of things that were "exactly what I wanted to hear" with "the words to write what I sometimes feel but can't express". Thanks for your time, and for your Fantastic (!) newsletter. I can't wait to ponder the next one! In the meantime, I'll definitely be reading and re-reading this one.
-Judi
I was at General Council this past year and so thoroughly enjoyed having the youth present. As a youth leader in my home church and one who has always has very close connection with teaching Sunday School and Youth Groups, it was a delight to see the enthusiasm and energy that was generated by such a wonderful contingent of young people. I came home with many great stories to tell to the congregation and for our Youth Group.
There is an article written by Kathleen that really touched my heart. Over three years ago (2003), Ed, my husband passed away while we were on a 3 1/2 month trip across Canada. I entered into that realm where I felt that God had abandoned me, even though I knew that through prayers there should have been a connection. It was not there and this went on for so very long. Being lonely became a part of my life and it came to a time when I just accepted it. The outgoing and self-assured person was replaced with a withdrawn and lost soul. The years went by and slowly I realized that God had been there all the time, with so many signs of which I had missed. Not all, but some. Today there are times that I still feel the loneliness and the aloneness, however, in there is also the faint whisper of, "Be still and know that I am God." Yes, we do come through our most deepest hours of hurt and press forward so that we can be of benefit to ourselves, to others and to God. I do draw on the fact that from an very early age I accepted Jesus into my life. Then again, we are human which make us what we were meant to be. God's child who has been given the gift of peace, even though there are times that peace is shattered. Ed had a saying, "Look back only to see if you left a footstep, then surge forward as though you have little time left to finish the race." He left a footstep and lived his life to the fullest until the day come when he had finished his race. All for Jesus.
Thank you– Carole Butler
Thanks for making such a true-to-the-United-Church youth magazine. I just finished reading my first issue, Spring 2007, and I really enjoyed a lot of the stuff you included (especially God's Plan, Random Connections & Kathleen's Life Isn't Perfect)! Lately I've been trying to find myself as a 16-year-old girl in a small Albertan town (Athabasca), with many anti-(or politically correct/neutrally) Christian influences to boot. What are my goals? What's the difference between being nice and too-nice? Where should my morals be? Obviously I'm not perfect, so what am I good at? If I can go day to day thinking about philosophies and religious topics (global responsibilities, etc.) without necessarily tying them to religion, am I a Christian? This leads to questioning whether being totally religious results any differently than "weekly church going but not daily Church thinking"...
These are some of the many questions to ask, that I continue asking myself, but it's always the cynic in me to respond first and shoot them down. W.H.Y. definitely addressed a lot of these questions. Just like you said about Peter Short's writing, this newsletter published a lot of things that were "exactly what I wanted to hear" with "the words to write what I sometimes feel but can't express". Thanks for your time, and for your Fantastic (!) newsletter. I can't wait to ponder the next one! In the meantime, I'll definitely be reading and re-reading this one.
-Judi
Friday, March 16, 2007
Awakening a Sleeping Giant
Our 'Super Special' Feature
How often do you get to turn a parking lot into a sacred space? How often do you get a chance to influence the course that the United church is taking? How often do you get to be involved in something so new and different that it can change the way that youth and young adults influence not only the church, but the entire world? I had the opportunity to do all three in the space of a single night this past summer at General Council.
It was late Wednesday afternoon and most of us were returning from local outings in the Thunder Bay area. As I returned to the dorms where we were staying, I was pulled into a room with the words “Matt we need your opinions and advice.” I joined three other people, Adam, Jesse, and Thom, who pulled me in front of a computer and showed me a proposal they had written for a national youth and young adult leader.
I was stunned. I’d never even thought that something like this could happen. I mean, I’d wanted it to happen, but I never thought it would. I grew up in the United Church, and I love it dearly, but it breaks my heart to see how many people simply disappear from the United Church after the age of 14 or 15 because we’re not meeting the need for passions that they know God should be about. I was one of those people. I left the United Church and saw what it was like elsewhere, but God called me back to minister to my friends in the United Church.
Over the next few hours we slowly tested the waters out, seeing what people thought about the proposal. At the time, the position was labelled a “Youth Moderator,” But in the scope was more of a spiritual leader. Eventually, we had filled in most of the rest of the group, and after supper, a group of 20 of us sat down in a room to talk about the proposal and what we liked and didn’t like. Little did we knew, that conversation would last until about 2am the next morning.
With the capable help of some Conference staff from London and Bay of Quinte conferences, we all got our ideas out. We went around the room and heard from each of the people there. One of the really cool things about listening, is that you don't feel the need to talk much. Each of us spoke, and each of us really listened to one another.
We heard what it was like to be the only person under 50 in a pastoral charge, or in a 50km radius for that matter. We heard what it was like to be at a University and not know that there was a United Church campus ministry there. We heard what it was like to be part of a vibrant and lively conference where the number of events you could go to was only limited by the distance you wanted to drive. We heard youth and young adults from all across the country tell us their experience, and what they desired for themselves and for the rest of the people in their area.
Finally, shortly after 2 am, when most people went to bed, a small group of us took what we had heard and went to Tim Hortons, where we continued the work for another three hours. We took what we had heard, and out of that came the carefully crafted proposal that you see now. Each
of those items that you see on the page come from the deepest part of someone's heart. They truly desire to know those things and see them happen in their home communities and churches.
At 5:30am...as we finally decided that we had what we wanted, a couple of us went to find someplace we could print what we'd written (we never did find anyplace...apparently Thunder Bay has no 24-hr printing and photocopying place), but before we left to do that we did something I'd never done before. As we left Tim Hortons, we stopped in the parking lot, and we prayed. We thanked God for the energy that we'd been given, we asked for energy to get us through the coming day, and we praised and gave thanks for the ideas and the passion that had been so obvious during our whole conversation throughout the past 18 hours.
What we've written is merely our innermost desires and longings for the church. Some people who have seen it don't share these same desires, but we think that most people do. We want to hear what you think. Our proposal wasn't dealt with at General Council, but the Executive of the General Council dealt with it at their meeting in November. It is going on for more work, and will be coming back to the Executive in May. We want your input, your comments, your criticisms. Please e-mail us at ucyayanetwork@gmail.com and let us know what you think!
-Matt Woodall
“We have the resources [in the United Church of Canada] that we need.” – Right Rev. Dr. Peter Short, Aug. 13, 2006 (Moderator, 39th General Council)
Whereas we have been called in this place and in this time to discern the future direction of the UnitedChurch of Canada for its third generation; and
Whereas the youth and young adult movement in the United Church of Canada is growing in community and a group of commissioners to the 39th General Council 2006, 30 years and under, have engaged in meaningful dialogue over the life of this meeting; and
Whereas we believe the youth and young adult movement in the United Church of Canada would benefit from a spiritual leader at the national level; and
Whereas we feel called as members of the Church to reach out to our youth and young adults whether they be pursuing a secondary or post-secondary education, starting a career, beginning a family, or working in another vocation; and
Whereas the United Church of Canada has an opportunity to be a leader in youth and young adult ministry; and
Whereas the United Church of Canada recognizes that God’s call is not dependent upon age and also recognizes the call of leadership in youth and young adults and further trusts the call to leadership in these people; and
Whereas youth and young adults are engaged in both paid and unpaid ministry at all levels of the United Church of Canada; and
Whereas approximately 20% of the people within the bounds of this court are 14 – 30 years of age and that this presence should be taken as a sign of commitment to the United Church of Canada and to this work; and
Whereas we recognize that good and faithful work is being done within and without of the United Church of Canada and we strive to work with our partners in a positive manner and there is a desire amongst the youth and young adult leaders within the church to connect, build, and sustain relationships with others across the country.
Therefore, it is proposed that the 39th General Council 2006:
Set aside resources for the creation and maintenance of a national youth and young adult network.
Set aside resources to fund youth and young adult ministries at the pastoral charge and presbytery levels over the next three years and investigate the creation of a national retreat for youth and young adults engaged in the Church to be held on the year in which neither KAIROS nor General Council are held.
Investigate the possibility of creating an elected position for a spiritual leader for youth and young adults and that the results of this investigation be reported to the General Council Executive no later than the fall executive meeting of 2008, so that the first election may take place at the 40th General Council 2009.
-R. McNally/M. Sawyer
How often do you get to turn a parking lot into a sacred space? How often do you get a chance to influence the course that the United church is taking? How often do you get to be involved in something so new and different that it can change the way that youth and young adults influence not only the church, but the entire world? I had the opportunity to do all three in the space of a single night this past summer at General Council.
It was late Wednesday afternoon and most of us were returning from local outings in the Thunder Bay area. As I returned to the dorms where we were staying, I was pulled into a room with the words “Matt we need your opinions and advice.” I joined three other people, Adam, Jesse, and Thom, who pulled me in front of a computer and showed me a proposal they had written for a national youth and young adult leader.
I was stunned. I’d never even thought that something like this could happen. I mean, I’d wanted it to happen, but I never thought it would. I grew up in the United Church, and I love it dearly, but it breaks my heart to see how many people simply disappear from the United Church after the age of 14 or 15 because we’re not meeting the need for passions that they know God should be about. I was one of those people. I left the United Church and saw what it was like elsewhere, but God called me back to minister to my friends in the United Church.
Over the next few hours we slowly tested the waters out, seeing what people thought about the proposal. At the time, the position was labelled a “Youth Moderator,” But in the scope was more of a spiritual leader. Eventually, we had filled in most of the rest of the group, and after supper, a group of 20 of us sat down in a room to talk about the proposal and what we liked and didn’t like. Little did we knew, that conversation would last until about 2am the next morning.
With the capable help of some Conference staff from London and Bay of Quinte conferences, we all got our ideas out. We went around the room and heard from each of the people there. One of the really cool things about listening, is that you don't feel the need to talk much. Each of us spoke, and each of us really listened to one another.
We heard what it was like to be the only person under 50 in a pastoral charge, or in a 50km radius for that matter. We heard what it was like to be at a University and not know that there was a United Church campus ministry there. We heard what it was like to be part of a vibrant and lively conference where the number of events you could go to was only limited by the distance you wanted to drive. We heard youth and young adults from all across the country tell us their experience, and what they desired for themselves and for the rest of the people in their area.
Finally, shortly after 2 am, when most people went to bed, a small group of us took what we had heard and went to Tim Hortons, where we continued the work for another three hours. We took what we had heard, and out of that came the carefully crafted proposal that you see now. Each
of those items that you see on the page come from the deepest part of someone's heart. They truly desire to know those things and see them happen in their home communities and churches.
At 5:30am...as we finally decided that we had what we wanted, a couple of us went to find someplace we could print what we'd written (we never did find anyplace...apparently Thunder Bay has no 24-hr printing and photocopying place), but before we left to do that we did something I'd never done before. As we left Tim Hortons, we stopped in the parking lot, and we prayed. We thanked God for the energy that we'd been given, we asked for energy to get us through the coming day, and we praised and gave thanks for the ideas and the passion that had been so obvious during our whole conversation throughout the past 18 hours.
What we've written is merely our innermost desires and longings for the church. Some people who have seen it don't share these same desires, but we think that most people do. We want to hear what you think. Our proposal wasn't dealt with at General Council, but the Executive of the General Council dealt with it at their meeting in November. It is going on for more work, and will be coming back to the Executive in May. We want your input, your comments, your criticisms. Please e-mail us at ucyayanetwork@gmail.com and let us know what you think!
-Matt Woodall
Awakening A Sleeping Giant:
A Tranformative Vision for Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Third Generation of the United Church of Canada
“We have the resources [in the United Church of Canada] that we need.” – Right Rev. Dr. Peter Short, Aug. 13, 2006 (Moderator, 39th General Council)
Whereas we have been called in this place and in this time to discern the future direction of the UnitedChurch of Canada for its third generation; and
Whereas the youth and young adult movement in the United Church of Canada is growing in community and a group of commissioners to the 39th General Council 2006, 30 years and under, have engaged in meaningful dialogue over the life of this meeting; and
Whereas we believe the youth and young adult movement in the United Church of Canada would benefit from a spiritual leader at the national level; and
Whereas we feel called as members of the Church to reach out to our youth and young adults whether they be pursuing a secondary or post-secondary education, starting a career, beginning a family, or working in another vocation; and
Whereas the United Church of Canada has an opportunity to be a leader in youth and young adult ministry; and
Whereas the United Church of Canada recognizes that God’s call is not dependent upon age and also recognizes the call of leadership in youth and young adults and further trusts the call to leadership in these people; and
Whereas youth and young adults are engaged in both paid and unpaid ministry at all levels of the United Church of Canada; and
Whereas approximately 20% of the people within the bounds of this court are 14 – 30 years of age and that this presence should be taken as a sign of commitment to the United Church of Canada and to this work; and
Whereas we recognize that good and faithful work is being done within and without of the United Church of Canada and we strive to work with our partners in a positive manner and there is a desire amongst the youth and young adult leaders within the church to connect, build, and sustain relationships with others across the country.
Therefore, it is proposed that the 39th General Council 2006:
Set aside resources for the creation and maintenance of a national youth and young adult network.
Set aside resources to fund youth and young adult ministries at the pastoral charge and presbytery levels over the next three years and investigate the creation of a national retreat for youth and young adults engaged in the Church to be held on the year in which neither KAIROS nor General Council are held.
Investigate the possibility of creating an elected position for a spiritual leader for youth and young adults and that the results of this investigation be reported to the General Council Executive no later than the fall executive meeting of 2008, so that the first election may take place at the 40th General Council 2009.
-R. McNally/M. Sawyer
Random Con-nec-tions
Life and Economics Class
In my Economics class, we spent a lot of time talking about this concept called “opportunity cost”. It explains the full cost of buying, or doing something. For example, if you were talking about the opportunity cost of a college degree, not only do you have to count tuition, but you also have to factor in the money that you could have been making if you had gotten a job rather than going to college. Or the opportunity cost of buying an orange is not only the money spent on the orange, but the time it takes to go to the grocery store and get the orange, as well as the fact that now you can’t buy an apple or a bag of Skittles with the money you spent on the orange.
It’s one of my favourite concepts, because it relates to back to real life so perfectly. For every choice you make, you have to give up making another choice. Whether it’s a choice to go to class rather than skip and go to your favourite band’s concert, or if it is to go to Church Sunday morning rather than stay up all night Saturday. Every choice has a consequence.
Even if you don’t understand economics and you don’t understand my explanation, I want to
you think about this: when you’re making choices, what the consequences of your decision? Are you giving up more than you’re receiving? What’s going to be a better choice in the long run? For a moment stop focussing about what great fun it will be at the time and think about how you’ll feel after the fact. What will you think of yourself after? Are the costs greater than the benefits? I know this is something we hear all the time, but I want you to really think about it for a second. How many times have you made a bad choice that could have been avoided if you had just thought about it?
-Kathleen Kerr
In my Economics class, we spent a lot of time talking about this concept called “opportunity cost”. It explains the full cost of buying, or doing something. For example, if you were talking about the opportunity cost of a college degree, not only do you have to count tuition, but you also have to factor in the money that you could have been making if you had gotten a job rather than going to college. Or the opportunity cost of buying an orange is not only the money spent on the orange, but the time it takes to go to the grocery store and get the orange, as well as the fact that now you can’t buy an apple or a bag of Skittles with the money you spent on the orange.
It’s one of my favourite concepts, because it relates to back to real life so perfectly. For every choice you make, you have to give up making another choice. Whether it’s a choice to go to class rather than skip and go to your favourite band’s concert, or if it is to go to Church Sunday morning rather than stay up all night Saturday. Every choice has a consequence.
Even if you don’t understand economics and you don’t understand my explanation, I want to
you think about this: when you’re making choices, what the consequences of your decision? Are you giving up more than you’re receiving? What’s going to be a better choice in the long run? For a moment stop focussing about what great fun it will be at the time and think about how you’ll feel after the fact. What will you think of yourself after? Are the costs greater than the benefits? I know this is something we hear all the time, but I want you to really think about it for a second. How many times have you made a bad choice that could have been avoided if you had just thought about it?
-Kathleen Kerr
God's Plan
In the world that we live in, there are many problems that we are urged to lend a helping hand towards. Especially from the church. The issues range from helping each other, to homelessness, to government policies, and everything in between. There definitely is a long to-do list in this world of things that need to be done. There are a lot of people who might just need our help, who may need that helpful little nudge towards a better life. Sometimes, though, I can’t help and wonder why, if God is all powerful, does he not do something about it? Why doesn’t he just snap his fingers and make it all right?
I came by a quote recently that I believe holds the answer to this question…at least to some extent. “Passed the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them... he cried, ‘Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?” God said, "I did do something. I made you.” ~Author Unknown
I found that to be a powerful statement. “I made you”. Maybe that message alone is something we all knew already. However, it seems that he made us for more than just the fun of it. Or maybe this is all part of one big experiment by a higher being that we’ve taken to calling God. Who really knows? But maybe, just maybe, the reason that we are each here on this earth is to help one another.
Maybe, as the seeker was made to help the crippled, the beggar, and the beaten, we are made to help each other. What if God has made each and every one of us just for that purpose? Albert Pike once said, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” There’s something to that statement.
Nobody will ever remember what we have done for ourselves. The only one who will ever remember that is ourselves, and we won’t last forever. What we do and have done for others has an impact on them and on the world for ages to come. One need only speak a few kind words to someone who needs them, or lend a helping hand to someone who needs it and the course of the future has already been set in motion. That kind gesture can make a world of difference and we may not even realize it at the time.
There are some who say that God sends angels to help us. I don’t know if I believe that totally, to be completely honest with you. It could be true, I’m just not sure. But there’s a song I know that really speaks to how I feel about that. The song is called Baptism, sung by Randy Travis and Kenny Chesney. “…I didn’t see no angels, just a few saints on the shore; but I felt like a brand new baby, cradled up in the arms of the Lord.” I believe that I have seen those saints on the shores of life, as I am sure many of us have.
So maybe God does help us. Maybe He has created us to help one another. “I made you,” He said. He made me, He made you, He made us all. He created us to help each other, to grow and share in love and kindness. To help. And at times when we wonder what God has planned for us and the world… just remember, He made us.
-Nico Anderson
I came by a quote recently that I believe holds the answer to this question…at least to some extent. “Passed the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them... he cried, ‘Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?” God said, "I did do something. I made you.” ~Author Unknown
I found that to be a powerful statement. “I made you”. Maybe that message alone is something we all knew already. However, it seems that he made us for more than just the fun of it. Or maybe this is all part of one big experiment by a higher being that we’ve taken to calling God. Who really knows? But maybe, just maybe, the reason that we are each here on this earth is to help one another.
Maybe, as the seeker was made to help the crippled, the beggar, and the beaten, we are made to help each other. What if God has made each and every one of us just for that purpose? Albert Pike once said, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” There’s something to that statement.
Nobody will ever remember what we have done for ourselves. The only one who will ever remember that is ourselves, and we won’t last forever. What we do and have done for others has an impact on them and on the world for ages to come. One need only speak a few kind words to someone who needs them, or lend a helping hand to someone who needs it and the course of the future has already been set in motion. That kind gesture can make a world of difference and we may not even realize it at the time.
There are some who say that God sends angels to help us. I don’t know if I believe that totally, to be completely honest with you. It could be true, I’m just not sure. But there’s a song I know that really speaks to how I feel about that. The song is called Baptism, sung by Randy Travis and Kenny Chesney. “…I didn’t see no angels, just a few saints on the shore; but I felt like a brand new baby, cradled up in the arms of the Lord.” I believe that I have seen those saints on the shores of life, as I am sure many of us have.
So maybe God does help us. Maybe He has created us to help one another. “I made you,” He said. He made me, He made you, He made us all. He created us to help each other, to grow and share in love and kindness. To help. And at times when we wonder what God has planned for us and the world… just remember, He made us.
-Nico Anderson
Life Isn't Perfect
Life isn’t perfect. Ever since Eve took a bite out of that forbidden fruit, humans have struggled with tears, broken hearts, and unfulfilled dreams. We’ve been hurt, broken, and crushed. But for some reason humanity continues on its quest to find the perfect life.
But the point is that we all hurt, and that we have all felt broken at one point in our lives. I’ve spent hours in my room crying by myself, believing that no one cares. I’ve been hurt and bitter and believed that everyone had turned their back on me. I’ve had my heart ripped into a million pieces and been forced to face the world alone.
And so not only are we hurt, but we’re lonely. Because there isn’t always someone watching us, everyone has their own lives, their own problems, their own hurts, and their own broken hearts to try and fix. There isn’t enough time to watch over everyone else’s hearts as well as your
own.
I mean, yeah, I know that I’m supposed to believe that God is up there, watching over me, helping me on my way. But I mean, really as much as I may want to, its not like I can just go cry on God’s shoulder when I need a hug.
The real problems for me though, start when not only can I not cry on God’s shoulder, in the moments when I can’t make myself believe that God is even up there. It’s not like God is just up there yelling down to me “I am here.” No, I’m expected just to know, some how, that even though there are no signs, and there are no thunderclaps during my prayers, and God has never spoken to me, I’m still expected to believe that he is going to fix all my problems. Right.
Maybe part of this whole “believing” thing is to wonder. To not always know if God is actually up there. Maybe we all just have to live for the moments when we know that there has got to be something more to life, the moments when it all seems worth it, those few moments of absolute certainty.
This article was supposed to be all about crying, and God being up there watching us anyways, about how God is supposed to be watching over us, knowing all about every single tear we have ever cried. Then it turned into me wondering what happens when a person begins to doubt, when they don’t always know that God is up there. What is it now? I don’t know. I’ve been writing this for five months, and the truth is I still don’t know.
I think that the point at this moment though, is that even though sometimes we’re all alone, and crying on a corner, or under our beds, and we don’t always know that God is up there counting our tears, and we aren’t even sure God is up there in the first place, that we’ll get through it. The moment only lasts so long. If its ten minutes or ten days, or ten months, eventually the moment will pass. Awful moments end.
-Kathleen Kerr
But the point is that we all hurt, and that we have all felt broken at one point in our lives. I’ve spent hours in my room crying by myself, believing that no one cares. I’ve been hurt and bitter and believed that everyone had turned their back on me. I’ve had my heart ripped into a million pieces and been forced to face the world alone.
And so not only are we hurt, but we’re lonely. Because there isn’t always someone watching us, everyone has their own lives, their own problems, their own hurts, and their own broken hearts to try and fix. There isn’t enough time to watch over everyone else’s hearts as well as your
own.
I mean, yeah, I know that I’m supposed to believe that God is up there, watching over me, helping me on my way. But I mean, really as much as I may want to, its not like I can just go cry on God’s shoulder when I need a hug.
The real problems for me though, start when not only can I not cry on God’s shoulder, in the moments when I can’t make myself believe that God is even up there. It’s not like God is just up there yelling down to me “I am here.” No, I’m expected just to know, some how, that even though there are no signs, and there are no thunderclaps during my prayers, and God has never spoken to me, I’m still expected to believe that he is going to fix all my problems. Right.
Maybe part of this whole “believing” thing is to wonder. To not always know if God is actually up there. Maybe we all just have to live for the moments when we know that there has got to be something more to life, the moments when it all seems worth it, those few moments of absolute certainty.
This article was supposed to be all about crying, and God being up there watching us anyways, about how God is supposed to be watching over us, knowing all about every single tear we have ever cried. Then it turned into me wondering what happens when a person begins to doubt, when they don’t always know that God is up there. What is it now? I don’t know. I’ve been writing this for five months, and the truth is I still don’t know.
I think that the point at this moment though, is that even though sometimes we’re all alone, and crying on a corner, or under our beds, and we don’t always know that God is up there counting our tears, and we aren’t even sure God is up there in the first place, that we’ll get through it. The moment only lasts so long. If its ten minutes or ten days, or ten months, eventually the moment will pass. Awful moments end.
-Kathleen Kerr
No You Can't Borrow My Book
Random Obsessions with Peter Short
Have you ever read a book that you loved so much that you wanted everyone to read it, because, well, it was just that amazing? So then, someone asks you to borrow the book… but you realize that you couldn’t possibly part from it long enough to let anyone else read it.
This is exactly how I feel about Peter Short’s book Outside Eden: Essays of Encouragement. Rarely do I go a week without opening it for some reason. Posted all over my wall are sticky notes with my favourite quotes from the book, written in random neon highlighter. Even my friends and I find a way to bring it into almost every conversation we ever have.
But why is it so great? For me it’s not just a book of essays, the type you have to read for school all the time. Peter Short shares his ideas, inspiration, and insight on both faith and life. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re at in life, he manages to make you feel as though he is speaking directly to you.
This book has seen me through the thick and the thin. When I attended General Council this summer, it was the most amazing spiritual, life-changing event I had ever been to. Returning home to life (which although I’d changed, home hadn’t), it was a bit of a culture shock of sorts. I missed the feeling of General Council and when I needed my spiritual fulfillment of the day, Peter Short’s book filled the hole growing inside me, lifting me up and helping me adjust to my not-so-perfect life. And when I finished it, it made me sad. Actually, I cried. Somehow Peter Short managed to write exactly what I wanted to hear. He has the words to write what I sometimes feel but can’t express.
And then began my obsession with Peter Short. I’m not a stalker, but I have perhaps gotten closer to the line than I am willing to admit. I googled “Peter Short,” looking for anything at all that he may have written. Upon running out of anything new, I began re-reading and re-reading and reading again the stories I had. And then in me grew a mad, desperate hope that Peter Short would write another book… which became a mad, desperate plan of moving to Fredericton, just to attend the church where Peter Short is a minister.
Basically, I would recommend this book to everyone and everybody, as you probably all want some Peter Short in your life. (Although you’ll have to buy your own copy because you can’t borrow my copy… not to be selfish, you’ll love it too much to return it.) Or check out Peter Short’s writing for yourself— www.united-church.ca/moderator/short/. You know you’re excited.
-Kathleen Kerr, with help from Charley Switzer
Have you ever read a book that you loved so much that you wanted everyone to read it, because, well, it was just that amazing? So then, someone asks you to borrow the book… but you realize that you couldn’t possibly part from it long enough to let anyone else read it.
This is exactly how I feel about Peter Short’s book Outside Eden: Essays of Encouragement. Rarely do I go a week without opening it for some reason. Posted all over my wall are sticky notes with my favourite quotes from the book, written in random neon highlighter. Even my friends and I find a way to bring it into almost every conversation we ever have.
But why is it so great? For me it’s not just a book of essays, the type you have to read for school all the time. Peter Short shares his ideas, inspiration, and insight on both faith and life. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re at in life, he manages to make you feel as though he is speaking directly to you.
This book has seen me through the thick and the thin. When I attended General Council this summer, it was the most amazing spiritual, life-changing event I had ever been to. Returning home to life (which although I’d changed, home hadn’t), it was a bit of a culture shock of sorts. I missed the feeling of General Council and when I needed my spiritual fulfillment of the day, Peter Short’s book filled the hole growing inside me, lifting me up and helping me adjust to my not-so-perfect life. And when I finished it, it made me sad. Actually, I cried. Somehow Peter Short managed to write exactly what I wanted to hear. He has the words to write what I sometimes feel but can’t express.
And then began my obsession with Peter Short. I’m not a stalker, but I have perhaps gotten closer to the line than I am willing to admit. I googled “Peter Short,” looking for anything at all that he may have written. Upon running out of anything new, I began re-reading and re-reading and reading again the stories I had. And then in me grew a mad, desperate hope that Peter Short would write another book… which became a mad, desperate plan of moving to Fredericton, just to attend the church where Peter Short is a minister.
Basically, I would recommend this book to everyone and everybody, as you probably all want some Peter Short in your life. (Although you’ll have to buy your own copy because you can’t borrow my copy… not to be selfish, you’ll love it too much to return it.) Or check out Peter Short’s writing for yourself— www.united-church.ca/moderator/short/. You know you’re excited.
-Kathleen Kerr, with help from Charley Switzer
A Story About W.H.Y.
A tale of how W.H.Y. came to be (for those of you who haven't heard!)...
Once upon a time, in a far, far away land... or well, last summer, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Charley and Kathleen were at the 39th General Council of the United Church of Canada... This
meant that they went to Ontario so that they could sit through a week long meeting. (Which was their idea of fun!)
Throughout this event, both Kathleen and Charley felt very moved, and were worried about what it would be like when they went home and this new feeling was left behind. They wished that there could be a way to bring this feeling home with them. Later, Charley sent Kathleen a note mentioning that she wanted to start a newsletter for youth. Kathleen thought it was a fantastic idea, sent a note back to Charley saying that she was "so totally in!”
A few days after getting home, Kathleen started thinking about the newsletter idea again. She emailed Charley, saying that she thought that they should do "the whole newsletter thing," and after a rather long phone call, WHY was born.
The morale of this story is to keep dreaming and know that YOU can make your dreams a reality!
Once upon a time, in a far, far away land... or well, last summer, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Charley and Kathleen were at the 39th General Council of the United Church of Canada... This
meant that they went to Ontario so that they could sit through a week long meeting. (Which was their idea of fun!)
Throughout this event, both Kathleen and Charley felt very moved, and were worried about what it would be like when they went home and this new feeling was left behind. They wished that there could be a way to bring this feeling home with them. Later, Charley sent Kathleen a note mentioning that she wanted to start a newsletter for youth. Kathleen thought it was a fantastic idea, sent a note back to Charley saying that she was "so totally in!”
A few days after getting home, Kathleen started thinking about the newsletter idea again. She emailed Charley, saying that she thought that they should do "the whole newsletter thing," and after a rather long phone call, WHY was born.
The morale of this story is to keep dreaming and know that YOU can make your dreams a reality!
From the Editor's Desk!
Somehow in our formatting and writing, we ended up doing the intro last. Perhaps because it’s the hardest. By this point all the articles are written, and all we have to do is plunk them into their places. Though this is more work than we first thought, it is still easier than writing something thoughtful to get everyone all excited to read the issue.
Make sure to check out some of our fantastic articles. We are excited to have two articles by new writers— “Awakening the Sleeping Giant” and “God’s Plan.” Be sure to check them out!
In other important news, we were interviewed by the Observer last month– which was fabulously exciting, even if it did mean that we had to get up ridiculously early! So be sure to watch for us in an upcoming issue of the Observer.
We can’t express enough how much we appreciate, love, and NEED your feedback. If you want W.H.Y. to keep arriving in your inbox, it won’t take money, but we do need encouragement.
(Otherwise, we might accidentally assume nobody is reading it!)
All in all, we are thrilled to bring you this issue. Enjoy!!
-Kathleen & Charley
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