First Third Events for 2025-26

First Third Ministry is offering several events for children, youth, young adults and their leaders this fall and into winter and spring! Please share these events widely and plan to attend! Bursaries are available for all of these events.

Merging YouthTrek Programs for 2025
After deliberation by the First Third Ministry team, we have decided to merge the Fall 2025 YouthTrek programs. Due to feedback received about scheduling, we are inviting all Chinook Winds participants to attend the YouthTrek2025 program in Vernon, BC on October 24-26. Chinook Winds participants will fly from the Calgary to Kelowna and take shuttles to our host congregation. We hope you’ll join us on an adventure to Vernon where we will do a deep-dive in to the story of Mary and explore the Okanagan.

Some important information:

  • Flights: Flights for Chinook Winds-based youth will be covered by the region if you register BEFORE September 22. Any bookings after September 22nd will be subsidized, but not fully covered. YouthTREK 2025 Registration is Open! YouthTREK RED DEER (12-17yrs) is a three-day gathering that brings youth and their leaders together! We’ve been dreaming, planning, and gathering, all to make these events full of joy. What will we do, you ask? Play, sing, worship, gather around food, talk about things that matter to us, support the community, meet new friends, and greet old ones, all in a place of radical, inclusive Christian welcome, and So. Much. Joy.
  • Bursaries: Bursaries up to 100% of the registration fee are available on case-by-case basis. Please contact First Third Ministry if you need financial support. We STRONGLY encourage Communities of Faith to pay, fundraise for or subsidize (50% of registration for example) the participation of congregational youth and leaders at YouthTrek, but we will ensure that finances are not a barrier to participation.
  • Youth Council: If you are member of either the Chinook Winds Youth Council your registration fees are waived. Contact Chris Mah Poy (chrismahpoy@united-church.ca) for your code.
  • REGISTER NOW: firstthirdministry.ca/yt2025

ReUnite is for those 18 to 30ish! Check out the details and registration.

This event supports racialized, indigenous, and equity-denied families across the many diasporic communities of faith within The United Church of Canada. It will incorporate anti-racism, cultural sharing and have a relational focus. The planning team for this event has a clear vision to plan with, rather than planning for the families involved, and we are grateful for the diverse voices and leaders who are part of the planning process. Registration and more details.

Our first-ever senior youth retreat and it will be nearby at Camp Hector in Kananaskis. Details and registration.

Our second annual Imagine Children’s Retreat. It’s for Children and their leaders. Save the date! Watch for registration to open.