Risking Faith, Daring Hope - An Opportunity for Youth
The United Church of Canada's General Council 43 2018 has an awesome opportunity for youth from BC Conference!
Five youth delegates, aged 15 to 18, (age in 2017) will be chosen to attend the Winter Retreat, a weekend event February 16-19/2018 at Five Oaks Conference Centre in Ontario. They will also attend the General Council in Oshawa, July 21-28/2018. This Retreat will help to prepare and form the Youth attending Youth Forum at GC 43. At this Retreat, the five youth from BC will gather with five youth from all the other Conferences in Canada.
At the Winter Retreat, delegates will engage in experiential learning activities to help them become more aware of the current structure of the church, how policies and proposals are developed and submitted, and how decisions are made by the General Council. The GC 43 Youth Forum as a group will elect 13 youth (one from each Conference), and an additional 13 alternates, and recommend them to Conferences for election as commissioners to the General Council. These nominations will be ratified by Conferences with the expectation that each Conference will hold one youth spot vacant for the Youth Forum nominee.
During summer 2018, the 13 youth commissioners, along with two young adult leaders, will be employed by the General Council to make a pilgrimage across the country to United Church youth events, gatherings, and camps to listen to the dreams and needs of young people. They will also spend some weeks working in their home conference. The whole time of employment will be July 4- August. 24/2018. They will then serve as commissioners at the 42nd General Council in Oshawa, July 21-28/2018.
How is BC Conference selecting our 5, General Council 43 Youth Forum Commissioners? Anyone in BC Conference who is between 15 and 18 years of age in 2017, with a deep passion for the church and the work of God alive in the World is welcome to apply. You are welcome to send a letter of interest to the address below.
Please outline in the letter:
Your reasons for wishing to attend the GC 43 Youth Forum Winter Gathering as well as potentially be the chosen Commissioner participating in the summer work pilgrimage across the country.
Your past experience with the United Church of Canada
Your past experience with other places of service/volunteering/leadership
A short biography of yourself, what you are passionate about, what you are inspired by, a little about your family and life outside the Church.
Anything else you think will help us in our decision making to fill the 5 positions.
Deadline for applications: November 1/2017.
Once all the applications are in a team of elders, youth and leaders will access the applications and make a decision which 5 people will attend the Winter Gathering and General Council. Please note that those chosen will ideally represent the whole Conference geographically. For more information or for questions please contact: Doris Kizinna 1.800.934.0434, ext. 303 or 604.341.2724 (mobile) dkizinna@bc.united-church.ca