By Caitlin Hornbeck and Jenna Wood
Rendez-Vous 2020 Reimagined is coming to a screen near you! Rendez-Vous is a national youth and young adult conference that takes place in a different Canadian city every three years. This year, Rendez-Vous was supposed to take place in Calgary. Due to the health crisis, the event will no longer be held in person and is moving to an online format.
As originally planned, the event is taking place August 11-14, 2020. Instead of being together at the University of Calgary campus, we will be virtually meeting using Zoom, live streaming, and other online tools! Here are 3 reasons YOU should join Rendez-Vous 2020 Reimagined this summer and celebrate Bold Faith, Brave Space and Brazen Grace:
- Weâve got amazing speakers: Our speaker lineup has something for everyone.
Maricar Delfun is a Pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. She is an Indigenous woman from the Tingguian tribe of the Cordillera, Northern Philippines and an advocate for Indigenous peoplesâ collective rights and for environmental protection.
Pam Rocker is an âatypical activist, speaker, award-winning writer, and musicianâ. Pam has worked with a number of organizations across Canada, working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in faith communities, organizations and in society.
Dr. James Makokis is a proud Cree from the Saddle Lake First Nation in Northern Alberta. He leads one of North Americaâs most progressive and successful transgender focused medical practices. He and his partner, Anthony Johnson, were recently crowned the Season 7 winners of the Amazing Race Canada.Â
We canât wait to hear what these inspiring speakers have to say!
2. Take part in inspiring worship: There is something special about worship at Rendez-vous. Although we wonât be able to be in the same physical space to worship, we will still be together spiritually. There may even be some opportunities for you to get involved in the creation of our worship services! Weâve got some amazing worship leaders, including Moderator Rev. Dr Richard Bott. This online worship will be unlike anything youâve seen before!
3. Join in on fun social events: Finally, we have some super fun social events planned so you can still have the full Rendez-Vous experience from your home. Get ready to share your talents at our virtual talent show, put your strategy hat on for our virtual games night, and brush up on your dancing skills for our virtual Social disDance! You will also be given the option to join a Home Group, where youâll get the chance to catch up with friends from across the country. Who says we canât get social even though weâre physically distant?
If these reasons convinced you to register, head over to https://www.uccrendezvous.ca/join-in/ to sign up! The event is free for all to attend. Commemorative t-shirts and toques are available for purchase at registration until July 15th so your merchandise can be shipped in time for the event. Registration officially closes August 7th.
Caitlin Hornbeck and Jenna Wood are Animators for Rendez-Vous who are working with national United Church staff and volunteers to organize the Youth and Young Adult Event.
Hi! My name is Caitlin Hornbeck and Iâm one of the Youth Animators for Rendez-vous this year. Itâs part of my job to get youth excited for this awesome event! Iâm 21 years old and am currently completing my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. After I complete my degree, I am hoping to go to school to become a social worker. I am passionate about community, kindness and FUN! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my pets, watching movies, and cooking. I am also super proud to be a Youth Leader at St. Thomas United Church!
My name is Jenna Wood. I am twenty-five and a recent graduate from Mount Royal University where I got my Bachelor of Arts in English and minored in creative writing and marketing. I want to get into a field where I can be of service to other, like a paramedic, teacher, or in some form of child care. Last year I spent a month in Ukraine, and I would love to go back for a year to teach English to those working in tourism because they try their best but not many people speak English. I have a cat named Nasa; she’s three months old. In my free time, I read, write, and try to work in the creative faculties whether it’s through art, photography, or writing. I’ve just got into gaming, and I am horrible at it but have fun. I have lived equal amounts of time in Nelson BC and Calgary AB, so I consider Nelson United Church and Deer Park United Church both my home churches.